Disruption of ion-trafficking system in the cochlear spiral ligament prior to permanent hearing loss induced by exposure to intense noise: possible involvement of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal as a mediator of oxidative stress

Connexin30-deficient mice increase susceptibility to noise via redox and lactate imbalances

Noise significantly contributes to one-third of the global burden of hearing loss. The intricate interplay of genetic and environmental factors impacts various molecular and cellular processes that lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Defective connexin 26 (Cx26) and connexin 30 (Cx30), encoded by Gjb2/Cx26 and Gjb6/Cx30, respectively, are prevalent causes of hereditary deafness. However, the role of Cx30 in the pathogenesis of NIHL remains unclear. Herein, we observed that homozygous Cx30 knockout (Cx30 KO) mice exhibited poorer hearing recovery after noise exposure (97 dB mean sound pressure level for 2 h) and increased susceptibility to noise. In addition to the exacerbation of noise-induced damage to hair cells and synapses, Cx30 KO mice exposed to noise exhibited increased oxidative stress. The 2-(N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-dia-zol-4-yl) amino)-2-deoxyglucose assay showed a reduction in glucose levels associated with a decrease in gap junctions as well as a reduction in adenosine triphosphate release. Glucose metabolomics analysis further revealed that Cx30 KO mice had elevated lactate and NAD + levels after noise exposure, thus worsening anaerobic oxidation from glycolysis. Our study emphasizes that Cx30-deficient mice increase susceptibility to noise via redox and lactate imbalances in the cochlea.

Development of cochlear spiral ligament fibrocytes of the common marmoset, a nonhuman model animal

Spiral ligament fibrocytes generate potassium gradients, which hair cells require to convert mechanical sound waves into electrical palsy. Together with the stria vascularis, they regulate endolymph electrolyte homeostasis. Developing spiral ligament fibrocytes and generating endocochlear potential with an appropriate endolymph ion composition are essential for hearing. Understanding spiral ligament fibrocyte development is useful for studying age-related and genetic hearing loss, as well as for regenerative therapy and cochlear immunology. Despite interspecies differences, most studies of cochlear development have been conducted in rodent models due to the difficulty of using human fetal samples. This study investigated the cochlear development of spiral ligament fibrocytes in a small New World monkey species, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). We examined the developmental expression of specific genes in spiral ligament fibrocytes, including those essential for the generation of endolymphatic potential. Our results showed that this animal model of spiral ligament fibrocyte development is similar to that of humans and is a suitable alternative for the analysis of human cochlear development. The time course established in this study will be useful for studying the primate-specific developmental biology of the inner ear, which may lead to novel treatment strategies for human hearing loss.

Age-Related Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in the Cochlea Are Exacerbated by Long-Term, Short-Duration Noise Stimulation

We have previously reported that young adult rats exposed to daily, short-duration noise for extended time periods, develop accelerated presbycusis starting at 6 months of age. Auditory aging is associated with progressive hearing loss, cell deterioration, dysregulation of the antioxidant defense system, and chronic inflammation, among others. To further characterize cellular and molecular mechanisms at the crossroads between noise and age-related hearing loss (ARHL), 3-month-old rats were exposed to a noise-accelerated presbycusis (NAP) protocol and tested at 6 and 16 months of age, using auditory brainstem responses, Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and immunocytochemistry. Chronic noise-exposure leading to permanent auditory threshold shifts in 6-month-old rats, resulted in impaired sodium/potassium activity, degenerative changes in the lateral wall and spiral ganglion, increased lipid peroxidation, and sustained cochlear inflammation with advancing age. Additionally, at 6 months, noise-exposed rats showed significant increases in the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase 1/2, glutathione peroxidase 1, and catalase) and inflammation-associated molecules [ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha]. The levels of IL-1β were upregulated in the spiral ganglion and spiral ligament, particularly in type IV fibrocytes; these cells showed decreased levels of connective tissue growth factor and increased levels of 4-hydroxynonenal. These data provide functional, structural and molecular evidence that age-noise interaction contributes to exacerbating presbycusis in young rats by leading to progressive dysfunction and early degeneration of cochlear cells and structures. These findings contribute to a better understanding of NAP etiopathogenesis, which is essential as it affects the life quality of young adults worldwide.

miR-153/KCNQ4 axis contributes to noise-induced hearing loss in a mouse model

Damage to the cochlear sensory epithelium is a key contributor to noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). KCNQ4 plays an important role in the cochlear potassium circulation and outer hair cells survival. As miR-153 can target and regulate KCNQ4, we sought to study the role of miR-153 in SNHL. 12-week-old male CBA/J mice were exposed to 2-20 kHz broadband noise at 96 dB SPL to induce temporary threshold shifts and 101 dB SPL to induce permanent threshold shifts. Hearing loss was determined by auditory brainstem responses (ABR). Relative expression of miR-153 and KCNQ4 in mice cochlea were determined by Real-Time quantitative PCR. miR-153 mimics were co-transfected with wild type or mutated KCNQ4 into HEK293 cells. Luciferase reporter assay was used to validate the binding between miR-153 and KCNQ4. AAV-sp-153 was constructed and administrated intra-peritoneally 24- and 2-h prior and immediately after noise exposure to knockdown miR-153. The KCNQ4 is mainly expressed in outer hair cells (OHCs). We showed that the expression of KCNQ4 in mice cochlea was reduced and miR-153 expression was significantly increased after noise exposure compared to control. miR-153 bound to 3'UTR of KNCQ4, and the knockdown of miR-153 with the AAV-sp-153 administration restored KCNQ4 mRNA and protein expression. In addition, the knockdown of miR-153 reduced ABR threshold shifts at 8, 16, and 32 kHz after permanent threshold shifts (PTS) noise exposure. Correspondingly, OHC losses were attenuated with inhibition of miR-153. This study demonstrates that miR-153 inhibition significantly restores KNCQ4 in cochlea after noise exposure, which attenuates SNHL. Our study provides a new potential therapeutic target in the prevention and treatment of SNHL.

Disruption of Glutamate Release and Uptake-Related Protein Expression After Noise-Induced Synaptopathy in the Cochlea

High-intensity noise can cause permanent hearing loss; however, short-duration medium-intensity noise only induces a temporary threshold shift (TTS) and damages synapses formed by inner hair cells (IHCs) and spiral ganglion nerves. Synaptopathy is generally thought to be caused by glutamate excitotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the expression levels of vesicle transporter protein 3 (Vglut3), responsible for the release of glutamate; glutamate/aspartate transporter protein (GLAST), responsible for the uptake of glutamate; and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α1 coupled with GLAST, in the process of synaptopathy in the cochlea. The results of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) and CtBP2 immunofluorescence revealed that synaptopathy was induced on day 30 after 100 dB SPL noise exposure in C57BL/6J mice. We found that GLAST and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α1 were co-localized in the cochlea, mainly in the stria vascularis, spiral ligament, and spiral ganglion cells. Furthermore, Vglut3, GLAST, and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α1 expression were disrupted after noise exposure. These results indicate that disruption of glutamate release and uptake-related protein expression may exacerbate the occurrence of synaptopathy.

On the Role of Fibrocytes and the Extracellular Matrix in the Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Spiral Ligament

The spiral ligament in the cochlea has been suggested to play a significant role in the pathophysiology of different etiologies of strial hearing loss. Spiral ligament fibrocytes (SLFs), the main cell type in the lateral wall, are crucial in maintaining the endocochlear potential and regulating blood flow. SLF dysfunction can therefore cause cochlear dysfunction and thus hearing impairment. Recent studies have highlighted the role of SLFs in the immune response of the cochlea. In contrast to sensory cells in the inner ear, SLFs (more specifically type III fibrocytes) have also demonstrated the ability to regenerate after different types of trauma such as drug toxicity and noise. SLFs are responsible for producing proteins, such as collagen and cochlin, that create an adequate extracellular matrix to thrive in. Any dysfunction of SLFs or structural changes to the extracellular matrix can significantly impact hearing function. However, SLFs may prove useful in restoring hearing by their potential to regenerate cells in the spiral ligament.

Labyrinthine enhancement on 3D black blood MR images of the brain as an imaging biomarker for cisplatin ototoxicity in (lung) cancer patients

PURPOSE

Cancer patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy can present with ototoxicity symptoms. The purpose of this work is to report the imaging features related to cisplatin ototoxicity.

METHODS

Between December 2015 and March 2019, a cohort of 96 consecutive patients with lung cancer was selected. Only patients who received cisplatin chemotherapy and underwent an imaging protocol consisting of a Gd-enhanced 3D-BB and 3D-T1W sequence, as well as T2W sequence to exclude metastases, were included. Labyrinthine enhancement was assessed, and all findings regarding the auditory and vestibular function were retrieved from the clinical files.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients met the inclusion criteria. The Gd-enhanced 3D-BB images were used to divide them into the labyrinth enhancement group (LEG) and the labyrinth non-enhancement group (LNEG). None of these patients demonstrated enhancing regions on the 3D-T1W images. The labyrinthine fluid remained high on the T2 images in all patients, excluding metastases. The LEG consisted of 6 patients. The cochlea and semicircular canals were the most frequently affected regions. All the LEG patients that presented with hearing loss (4/6) had cochlear enhancement. Patients with normal hearing had no cochlear enhancement. Five patients (5/6) showed vestibular enhancement. Four of these patients had vestibular symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Labyrinthine enhancement as an imaging feature related to cisplatin ototoxicity is unreported. This study demonstrates a correlation between hearing loss and cochlear enhancement and also between vestibular impairment and vestibular/semicircular enhancement on 3D-BB images, which remained invisible on the 3D-T1W images. The labyrinthine enhancement on 3D-BB images in the presence of normal signal intensity of the intralabyrinthine fluid can be used as an imaging biomarker for cisplatin toxicity in daily clinical practice and should not be mistaken for intralabyrinthine metastases.

Octave band noise exposure: Laboratory models and otoprotection efforts

With advances in the understanding of mechanisms of noise injury, the past 30 years have brought numerous efforts to identify drugs that prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The diverse protocols used across investigations have made comparisons across drugs difficult. A systematic review of the literature by Hammill [(2017). Doctoral thesis, The University of Texas at Austin] identified original reports of chemical interventions to prevent or treat hearing loss caused by noise exposure. An initial search returned 3492 articles. After excluding duplicate articles and articles that did not meet the systematic review inclusion criteria, a total of 213 studies published between 1977 and 2016 remained. Reference information, noise exposure parameters, species, sex, method of NIHL assessment, and pharmaceutical intervention details for these 213 studies were entered into a database. Frequency-specific threshold shifts in control animals (i.e., in the absence of pharmaceutical intervention) are reported here. Specific patterns of hearing loss as a function of species and noise exposure parameters are provided to facilitate the selection of appropriate pre-clinical models. The emphasis of this report is octave band noise exposure, as this is one of the most common exposure protocols across pharmacological otoprotection studies.

Effects of D-methionine in mice with noise-induced hearing loss mice

Objective

To study the effects of D-methionine in a mouse model of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Methods

We investigated changes in auditory function and microscopic cochlear structure in a mouse model of NIHL, and carried out 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) immunostaining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling, and examined expression levels of connexins 26 and 30 by western blot.

Results

The auditory brainstem response threshold was significantly increased by noise exposure. Noise exposure also damaged the inner and particularly the outer hair cells in the cochlear basement membrane, while histochemistry demonstrated only scattered loss of hair cells in the basement membrane in mice treated with D-methionine before or after noise exposure. D-methionine inhibited apoptosis in the cochlear basement membrane, stria vascularis, and spiral ligament. 4-HNE expression in the basement membrane, stria vascularis, and spiral collateral ligament was increased by noise exposure, but this increase was attenuated by D-methionine. Connexin 26 and connexin 30 expression levels were reduced by noise exposure, and this effect was similarly attenuated by D-methionine administered either before or after noise exposure.

Conclusion

D-methionine administered before or after noise exposure could rescue NIHL by protecting cochlear morphology, inhibiting apoptosis, and maintaining connexin 26 and 30 expression.

Disruption of Gap Junction-Mediated Intercellular Communication in the Spiral Ligament Causes Hearing and Outer Hair Cell Loss in the Cochlea of Mice

It is well-known that outer hair cell (OHC) loss occurs in the cochlea of animal models of permanent hearing loss induced by intense noise exposure. Our earlier studies demonstrated the production of hydroxynonenal and peroxynitrite, as well as the disruption of gap junction-mediated intercellular communication (GJIC), in the cochlear spiral ligament prior to noise-induced sudden hearing loss. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the mechanism underlying cochlear OHC loss after sudden hearing loss induced by intense noise exposure. In organ of Corti explant cultures from mice, no significant OHC loss was observed after in vitro exposure to 4-hydroxynonenal (a product of lipid peroxidation), H₂O₂, SIN-1 (peroxynitrite generator), and carbenoxolone (a gap junction inhibitor). Interestingly, in vivo intracochlear carbenoxolone injection through the posterior semicircular canal caused marked OHC and hearing loss, as well as the disruption of gap junction-mediated intercellular communication in the cochlear spiral ligament. However, no significant OHC loss was observed in vivo in animals treated with 4-hydroxynonenal and SIN-1. Taken together, our data suggest that disruption of GJIC in the cochlear lateral wall structures is an important cause of cochlear OHC loss in models of hearing loss, including those induced by noise.

Traditional oriental medicine for sensorineural hearing loss: Can ethnopharmacology contribute to potential drug discovery?

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM), the development of hearing pathologies is related to an inadequate nourishment of the ears by the kidney and other organs involved in regulation of bodily fluids and nutrients. Several herbal species have historically been prescribed for promoting the production of bodily fluids or as antiaging agents to treat deficiencies in hearing.

AIM OF REVIEW

The prevalence of hearing loss has been increasing in the last decade and is projected to grow considerably in the coming years. Recently, several herbal-derived products prescribed in TOM have demonstrated a therapeutic potential for acquired sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. Therefore, the aims of this review are to provide a comprehensive overview of the current known efficacy of the herbs used in TOM for preventing different forms of acquired sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, and associate the traditional principle with the demonstrated pharmacological mechanisms to establish a solid foundation for directing future research.

METHODS

The present review collected the literature related to herbs used in TOM or related compounds on hearing from Chinese, Korean, and Japanese herbal classics; library catalogs; and scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar; and Science Direct).

RESULTS

This review shows that approximately 25 herbal species and 40 active compounds prescribed in TOM for hearing loss and tinnitus have shown in vitro or in vivo beneficial effects for acquired sensorineural hearing loss produced by noise, aging, ototoxic drugs or diabetes. The inner ear is highly vulnerable to ischemia and oxidative damage, where several TOM agents have revealed a direct effect on the auditory system by normalizing the blood supply to the cochlea and increasing the antioxidant defense in sensory hair cells. These strategies have shown a positive impact on maintaining the inner ear potential, sustaining the production of endolymph, reducing the accumulation of toxic and inflammatory substances, preventing sensory cell death and preserving sensory transmission. There are still several herbal species with demonstrated therapeutic efficacy whose mechanisms have not been deeply studied and others that have been traditionally used in hearing loss but have not been tested experimentally. In clinical studies, Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, and Astragalus propinquus have demonstrated to improve hearing thresholds in patients with sensorineural hearing loss and alleviated the symptoms of tinnitus. However, some of these clinical studies have been limited by small sample sizes, lack of an adequate control group or contradictory results.

CONCLUSIONS

Current therapeutic strategies have proven that the goal of the traditional oriental medicine principle of increasing bodily fluids is a relevant approach for reducing the development of hearing loss by improving microcirculation in the blood-labyrinth barrier and increasing cochlear blood flow. The potential benefits of TOM agents expand to a multi-target approach on different auditory structures of the inner ear related to increased cochlear blood flow, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective activities. However, more research is required, given the evidence is very limited in terms of the mechanism of action at the preclinical in vivo level and the scarce number of clinical studies published.

The Stress Response in the Non-sensory Cells of the Cochlea Under Pathological Conditions-Possible Role in Mediating Noise Vulnerability

Various stressors, such as loud sounds and the effects of aging, impair the function and viability of the cochlear sensory cells, the hair cells. Stressors trigger pathophysiological changes in the cochlear non-sensory cells as well. We have here studied the stress response mounted in the lateral wall of the cochlea during acute noise stress and during age-related chronic stress. We have used the activation of JNK/c-Jun, ERK, and NF-κB pathways as a readout of the stress response, and the expression of the FoxO3 transcription factor as a possible additional player in cellular stress. In the aging cochlea, NF-κB transcriptional activity was strongly induced in the stria vascularis of the lateral wall. This induction was linked with the atrophy of the stria vascularis, suggesting a role for NF-κB signaling in mediating age-related strial degeneration. Acutely following noise exposure, the JNK/c-Jun, ERK, and NF-κB pathways were activated in the spiral ligament of the lateral wall of CBA/Ca mice. This activation was concomitant with the morphological transformation of macrophages, suggesting that the upregulation of stress signaling leads to macrophage activation. In contrast, C57BL/6J mice lacked these responses. Only the combination of noise exposure and a systemic stressor, lipopolysaccharide, exceeded the threshold for the activation of stress signaling in the lateral wall of C57BL/6J mice. In addition, we found that, at the young adult age, outer hair cells of CBA/Ca mice are much more vulnerable to loud sounds compared to these cells of C57BL/6J mice. These results suggest that the differential stress response in the lateral wall of the two mouse strains underlies, in part, the differential noise vulnerability of their outer hair cells. Together, we propose that the molecular stress response in the lateral wall modulates the outcome of the stressed cochlea.

Mice harbouring an oculodentodigital dysplasia-linked Cx43 G60S mutation have severe hearing loss

Given the importance of connexin43 (Cx43) function in the central nervous system and sensory organ processing we proposed that it would also be crucial in auditory function. To that end, hearing was examined in two mouse models of oculodentodigital dysplasia that globally express GJA1 (Cx43) mutations resulting in mild or severe loss of Cx43 function. Although Cx43I130T/+ mutant mice with ∼50% Cx43 channel function did not have any hearing loss, Cx43G60S/+ mutant mice with ∼20% Cx43 channel function had severe hearing loss. There was no evidence of inner ear sensory hair cell loss, suggesting that the Cx43-linked hearing loss lies downstream in the auditory pathway. Since evidence suggests that Cx26 function is essential for hearing and may be protective against noise-induced hearing loss, we challenged Cx43I130T/+ mice with a loud noise and found that they had similar susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss as controls suggesting that decreased Cx43 function does not sensitize the mice for environmentally-induced hearing loss. Taken together, this study suggests that Cx43 plays an important role in baseline hearing and is essential for auditory processing.

The expression of oxidative stress response genes is modulated by a combination of resveratrol and N-acetylcysteine to ameliorate ototoxicity in the rat cochlea

Aminoglycoside antibiotics are used widely in medicine despite their ototoxic side-effects. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key mechanisms determining the extent and severity of the damage. Here we evaluate the protective effect of a treatment with resveratrol plus N-acetylcysteine on the ototoxic actions of kanamycin and furosemide in the rat. Resveratrol (10 mg/kg) and N-acetylcysteine (400 mg/kg) were administered together to Wistar rats on 5 consecutive days. The second day, a concentrated solution of kanamycin and furosemide was placed on the round window to induce ototoxicity. Hearing was assessed by recording auditory brainstem responses before and 5, 16 and 23 days after the beginning of the treatment. Cochlear samples were taken at day 5 (end of the treatment) and at day 23, and targeted PCR arrays or RT-qPCR were performed to analyze oxidative balance and inflammation related genes, respectively. In addition, the cytoarchitecture and the presence of apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation markers were evaluated in cochlear sections. Results indicate that administration of resveratrol plus N-acetylcysteine reduced the threshold shifts induced by ototoxic drugs at high frequencies (≈10 dB), although this protective effect fades after the cessation of the treatment. Gene expression analysis showed that the treatment modulated the expression of genes involved in the cellular oxidative (Gpx1, Sod1, Ccs and Noxa1) and inflammatory (Il1b, Il4, Mpo and Ncf) responses to injury. Thus, co-administration of resveratrol and NAC, routinely used individually in patients, could reduce the ototoxic secondary effects of aminoglycosides.

Differential effects of pannexins on noise-induced hearing loss

Hearing loss, including noise-induced hearing loss, is highly prevalent and severely hinders an individual's quality of life, yet many of the mechanisms that cause hearing loss are unknown. The pannexin (Panx) channel proteins, Panx1 and Panx3, are regionally expressed in many cell types along the auditory pathway, and mice lacking Panx1 in specific cells of the inner ear exhibit hearing loss, suggesting a vital role for Panxs in hearing. We proposed that Panx1 and/or Panx3 null mice would exhibit severe hearing loss and increased susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss. Using the auditory brainstem response, we surprisingly found that Panx1^-/- and Panx3^-/- mice did not harbor hearing or cochlear nerve deficits. Furthermore, while Panx1^-/- mice displayed no protection against loud noise-induced hearing loss, Panx3^-/- mice exhibited enhanced 16- and 24-kHz hearing recovery 7 days after a loud noise exposure (NE; 12 kHz tone, 115 dB sound pressure level, 1 h). Interestingly, Cx26, Cx30, Cx43, and Panx2 were up-regulated in Panx3^-/- mice compared with wild-type and/or Panx1^-/- mice, and assessment of the auditory tract revealed morphological changes in the middle ear bones of Panx3^-/- mice. It is unclear if these changes alone are sufficient to provide protection against loud noise-induced hearing loss. Contrary to what we expected, these data suggest that Panx1 and Panx3 are not essential for baseline hearing in mice tested, but the therapeutic targeting of Panx3 may prove protective against mid-high-frequency hearing loss caused by loud NE.

The Role of Na/K-ATPase Signaling in Oxidative Stress Related to Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease

Na/K-ATPase has been extensively studied for its ion pumping function, but, in the past several decades, has been identified as a scaffolding and signaling protein. Initially it was found that cardiotonic steroids (CTS) mediate signal transduction through the Na/K-ATPase and result in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are also capable of initiating the signal cascade. However, in recent years, this Na/K-ATPase/ROS amplification loop has demonstrated significance in oxidative stress related disease states, including obesity, atherosclerosis, heart failure, uremic cardiomyopathy, and hypertension. The discovery of this novel oxidative stress signaling pathway, holds significant therapeutic potential for the aforementioned conditions and others that are rooted in ROS.

c-Jun N-Terminal Phosphorylation: Biomarker for Cellular Stress Rather than Cell Death in the Injured Cochlea

Prevention of auditory hair cell death offers therapeutic potential to rescue hearing. Pharmacological blockade of JNK/c-Jun signaling attenuates injury-induced hair cell loss, but with unsolved mechanisms. We have characterized the c-Jun stress response in the mouse cochlea challenged with acoustic overstimulation and ototoxins, by studying the dynamics of c-Jun N-terminal phosphorylation. It occurred acutely in glial-like supporting cells, inner hair cells, and the cells of the cochlear ion trafficking route, and was rapidly downregulated after exposures. Notably, death-prone outer hair cells lacked c-Jun phosphorylation. As phosphorylation was triggered also by nontraumatic noise levels and none of the cells showing this activation were lost, c-Jun phosphorylation is a biomarker for cochlear stress rather than an indicator of a death-prone fate of hair cells. Preconditioning with a mild noise exposure before a stronger traumatizing noise exposure attenuated the cochlear c-Jun stress response, suggesting that the known protective effect of sound preconditioning on hearing is linked to suppression of c-Jun activation. Finally, mice with mutations in the c-Jun N-terminal phosphoacceptor sites showed partial, but significant, hair cell protection. These data identify the c-Jun stress response as a paracrine mechanism that mediates outer hair cell death.

Involvement of calpain in 4-hydroxynonenal-induced disruption of gap junction-mediated intercellular communication among fibrocytes in primary cultures derived from the cochlear spiral ligament

The endocochlear potential in the inner ear is essential for hearing ability, and maintained by various K(+) transport apparatuses including Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and gap junction-mediated intercellular communication (GJ-IC) in the lateral wall structures of the cochlea. Noise-induced hearing loss is known at least in part due to disruption of GJ-IC resulting from an oxidative stress-induced decrease in connexins (Cxs) level in the lateral wall structures. The purpose of this study was to investigate, using primary cultures of fibrocytes from the cochlear spiral ligament of mice, the mechanism underlying GJ-IC disruption induced by 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), which is formed as a mediator of oxidative stress. An exposure to 4-HNE produced the following events: i.e., an increase in 4-HNE-adducted proteins; a decrease in the protein levels of Cx43, β-catenin, and Cx43/β-catenin complex along with intracellular translocation of this complex from the cell membrane to the cytoplasm; enhanced calpain-dependent degradation of endogenous α-fodrin; and disruption of GJ-IC. The 4-HNE-induced decrease in these protein levels and disruption of GJ-IC were most completely abolished by the calpain inhibitor PD150606. Taken together, our data suggest that 4-HNE disrupted GJ-IC through calpain-mediated degradation of Cx43 and β-catenin in primary cultures of fibrocytes derived from the cochlear spiral ligament.