Tissue-Resident Macrophages in the Stria Vascularis

Influence of melanin and macrophage activation on hearing loss in SLC26A4 deficient mice

Hearing loss associated with SLC26A4 mutations exhibits diverse phenotypes, including congenital, acquired, progressive, and fluctuating impairments. This study investigates how pigmentation influences auditory dysfunction and immune responses in the stria vascularis using albino and pigmented Slc26a4 knockout (Slc26a4Δ/Δ) mice. We found that albino Slc26a4Δ/Δ mice exhibited significantly less severe hearing loss along with reduced macrophage activation than their pigmented counterpart did. Three-dimensional morphometric analyses revealed that macrophages in pigmented Slc26a4Δ/Δ mice were significantly larger, more rounded, and structurally distinct from those in albino mice, suggesting divergent activation states. PHATE-based trajectory analysis further confirmed that these macrophages follow separate activation pathways influenced by pigmentation. Transcriptomic profiling showed no upregulation of melanogenesis-related genes, implying that melanin accumulation arises from impaired degradation rather than increased synthesis. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted dysregulation in proteolysis and phosphate metabolism, implicating metabolic stress and chronic inflammation in disease progression. Based on these findings, we propose a multi-step pathophysiological cascade in which SLC26A4 deficiency leads to metabolic imbalance, pathological melanin accumulation, macrophage activation, and ultimately, progressive hearing loss. This work reveals a context-dependent dual role of melanin and demonstrates how genetic background and pigmentation influence immune responses and cochlear pathology. These insights may inform future strategies for individualized approaches to diagnosis and therapy in SLC26A4-related hearing loss.

Role of macrophages in vascular calcification: From the perspective of homeostasis

Vascular calcification (VC) is a crucial risk factor for the high morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. With the global population aging, the incidence of VC is escalating annually. However, due to its silent clinical process, VC often results in irreversible clinical outcomes. Inflammation is a core element in the VC process, and macrophages are the major inflammatory cells. Due to their diverse origins, microenvironments, and polarization states, macrophages exhibit significant heterogeneity, exerting strong effects on the occurrence, development, and even the regression of VC. In this review, we summarize the origin, distribution, classification, and surface markers of macrophages. Simultaneously, we explore the mechanisms by which macrophages maintain homeostasis or regulate inflammation, including the macrophage-mediated regulation of VC through the release of inflammatory factors, osteogenic genes, extracellular vesicles, and alterations in efferocytosis. Finally, we discuss research targeting inflammation and macrophages to develop novel therapeutic regimens for preventing and treating VC.

Rescue of cochlear vascular pathology prevents sensory hair cell loss in Norrie disease

Variants in the gene NDP cause Norrie disease, a severe dual-sensory disorder characterized by congenital blindness due to disrupted retinal vascular development and progressive hearing loss accompanied by sensory hair cell death. NDP encodes the secreted signaling molecule norrin. The role of norrin in the cochlea is incompletely understood. We investigated whether the Norrie disease cochlear pathology can be ameliorated in an Ndp-knockout (Ndp-KO) mouse model by conditional activation of stabilized β-catenin in vascular endothelial cells. We hypothesized that in the cochlea microvasculature, β-catenin is the primary downstream intracellular effector of norrin binding to endothelial cell surface receptors and that restoration of this signaling pathway is sufficient to prevent sensory hair cell death and hearing loss. We show that tamoxifen induction of Cdh5CreERT2;Ctnnb1flex3/+;Ndp-KO mice stabilizing β-catenin in vascular endothelial cells alone rescued defects in cochlear vascular barrier function, restored dysregulated expression of endothelial cell disease biomarkers (Cldn5, Abcb1a, Slc7a1, and Slc7a5), and prevented progressive outer hair cell death and hearing loss. Single-cell transcriptome profiling of human cochleas showed NDP expression by fibrocytes and glial cells while receptor gene expression (FZD4, TSPAN12, LRP5, and LRP6) coincided in vascular endothelial cells. Our findings support the conclusion that vascular endothelial cells are a primary target of norrin signaling in the cochlea of mice and humans and restoration of β-catenin regulation of target gene expression within cochlear endothelial cells is sufficient to maintain a cochlear microenvironment critical for hair cell survival.

Deep Phenotyping of a Mouse Model for Hearing Instability Disorders

HYPOTHESIS

Hearing instability in Slc26a4 -insufficiency mice may be due to differential expression of genes related to ion homeostasis and activated macrophages.

BACKGROUND

Hearing instability (HI) disorders, defined by either hearing fluctuation or sudden loss, remain incompletely understood. Recent studies have described a Slc26a4 (pendrin)-insufficiency mouse model (DE17.5) that offers a genetically driven model for HI, although deep audiometric and immunohistologic phenotyping of this model remains poorly characterized.

METHODS

Homozygous DE17.5 mice with (F) and without (NF) HI were delineated by serial auditory brainstem responses (ABR) between postnatal days 30 and 60 and compared with adult phenotypically wild-type Slc26a4 -heterozygous controls without evidence of HI (Het). HI was defined as a change in threshold of at least 15 dB in at least two frequencies or at least 20 dB in at least one frequency from the previous week. Stria vascularis (SV) cell type-specific gene expression, endolymphatic hydrops (EH), endocochlear potential (EP), and macrophage activation were analyzed and compared between the cohorts.

RESULTS

F mice demonstrated significant reductions in the expression of cell type-specific genes related to ion homeostasis and increased macrophage activation within the SV compared with NF and Het cohorts. Both F and NF DE17.5 homozygous mice demonstrated reductions in EP and increased EH compared with the Het cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Deep phenotyping of DE17.5 mice demonstrates changes in EP and EH compared with control; however, the HI phenotype was associated with differential ion homeostasis gene expression and increased macrophage activation in the SV. This provides potential further insights into the underlying pathogenesis and possible immunologic contributions of HI in humans.

The Stria Vascularis: Renewed Attention on a Key Player in Age-Related Hearing Loss

Age-related hearing loss (HL), or presbycusis, is a complex and heterogeneous condition, affecting a significant portion of older adults and involving various interacting mechanisms. Metabolic presbycusis, a type of age-related HL, is characterized by the dysfunction of the stria vascularis, which is crucial for maintaining the endocochlear potential necessary for hearing. Although attention on metabolic presbycusis has waned in recent years, research continues to identify strial pathology as a key factor in age-related HL. This narrative review integrates past and recent research, bridging findings from animal models and human studies, to examine the contributions of the stria vascularis to age-related HL. It provides a brief overview of the structure and function of the stria vascularis and then examines mechanisms contributing to age-related strial dysfunction, including altered ion transport, changes in pigmentation, inflammatory responses, and vascular atrophy. Importantly, this review outlines the contribution of metabolic mechanisms to age-related HL, highlighting areas for future research. It emphasizes the complex interdependence of metabolic and sensorineural mechanisms in the pathology of age-related HL and highlights the importance of animal models in understanding the underlying mechanisms. The comprehensive and mechanistic investigation of all factors contributing to age-related HL, including cochlear metabolic dysfunction, remains crucial to identifying the underlying mechanisms and developing personalized, protective, and restorative treatments.

A critical evaluation of "leakage" at the cochlear blood-stria-barrier and its functional significance

The blood-labyrinth-barrier (BLB) is a semipermeable boundary between the vasculature and three separate fluid spaces of the inner ear, the perilymph, the endolymph and the intrastrial space. An important component of the BLB is the blood-stria-barrier, which shepherds the passage of ions and metabolites from strial capillaries into the intrastrial space. Some investigators have reported increased "leakage" from these capillaries following certain experimental interventions, or in the presence of inflammation or genetic variants. This leakage is generally thought to be harmful to cochlear function, principally by lowering the endocochlear potential (EP). Here, we examine evidence for this dogma. We find that strial capillaries are not exclusive, and that the asserted detrimental influence of strial capillary leakage is often confounded by hair cell damage or intrinsic dysfunction of the stria. The vast majority of previous reports speculate about the influence of strial vascular barrier function on the EP without directly measuring the EP. We argue that strial capillary leakage is common across conditions and species, and does not significantly impact the EP or hearing thresholds, either on evidentiary or theoretical grounds. Instead, strial capillary endothelial cells and pericytes are dynamic and allow permeability of varying degrees in response to specific conditions. We present observations from mice and demonstrate that the mechanisms of strial capillary transport are heterogeneous and inconsistent among inbred strains.

Macrophage Depletion Protects Against Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity and Nephrotoxicity

Cisplatin is a widely used and highly effective anti-cancer drug with significant side effects including ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Macrophages, the major resident immune cells in the cochlea and kidney, are important drivers of both inflammatory and tissue repair responses. To investigate the roles of macrophages in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, we used PLX3397, an FDA-approved inhibitor of the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), to eliminate tissue-resident macrophages during the course of cisplatin administration. Mice treated with cisplatin alone (cisplatin/vehicle) had significant hearing loss (ototoxicity) as well as kidney injury (nephrotoxicity). Macrophage ablation using PLX3397 resulted in significantly reduced hearing loss measured by auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). Sensory hair cells in the cochlea were protected against cisplatin-induced death in mice treated with PLX3397. Macrophage ablation also protected against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, as evidenced by markedly reduced tubular injury and fibrosis as well as reduced plasma blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels. Mechanistically, our data suggest that the protective effect of macrophage ablation against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity is mediated by reduced platinum accumulation in both the inner ear and the kidney. Together our data indicate that ablation of tissue-resident macrophages represents a novel strategy for mitigating cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Distribution of macrophages in the developing cochlea of the common marmoset, a primate model animal

Introduction

Macrophages are essential immune cells in the cochlea that contribute to inflammation, tissue repair, and homeostasis. They also play an important role in local cochlear immunity. The developmental immigration and maturation of macrophages in the cochlea have been investigated and are considered essential for normal hearing acquisition. Most of our current knowledge regarding cochlear development is based on rodent models because of the ethical challenges of using human fetal samples for research. However, inter-species differences between rodents and humans have been reported. In this study, we used a primate animal model to investigate the distributions of macrophages in the developing cochlea. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a small monkey species that inhabits the New World, was used as the model.

Methods

We investigated the distribution of macrophages in the developing cochlea of the common marmoset by performing immunohistochemical analyses of cochlear tissue from common marmoset embryos at different development stages.

Results

We revealed detailed distribution changes in the macrophages of a primate animal model cochlea. This observation indicates that most of the changes in the general distribution of macrophages were well preserved between rodents and this primate. The distribution changes observed in the common marmoset were also compatible with observations in the human fetus; although, observations in the human fetus are limited. Our observations in this study also revealed several differences between common marmosets and rodents.

Conclusion

The time course of immunological development and maturations established in this study will aid in the study of the primate-specific developmental biology of the inner ear. These observations may eventually lead to new therapeutic strategies for hearing loss in humans. In addition, understanding the immunological steady-state of the cochlea may help in the study of age- and genetic-induced hearing loss and in the design of regenerative therapies.

Dissection of Adult Mouse Stria Vascularis for Single-Nucleus Sequencing or Immunostaining

Endocochlear potential, which is generated by the stria vascularis, is essential to maintain an environment conducive to appropriate hair cell mechanotransduction and ultimately hearing. Pathologies of the stria vascularis can result in a decreased hearing. Dissection of the adult stria vascularis allows for focused single-nucleus capture and subsequent single-nucleus sequencing and immunostaining. These techniques are used to study stria vascularis pathophysiology at the single-cell level. Single-nucleus sequencing can be used in the setting of transcriptional analysis of the stria vascularis. Meanwhile, immunostaining continues to be useful in identifying specific populations of cells. Both methods require proper stria vascularis dissection as a prerequisite, which can prove to be technically challenging.

Immune responses in the mammalian inner ear and their implications for AAV-mediated inner ear gene therapy

Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated inner ear gene therapy is a promising treatment option for hearing loss and dizziness. Several studies have shown that AAV-mediated inner ear gene therapy can be applied to various mouse models of hereditary hearing loss to improve their auditory function. Despite the increase in AAV-based animal and clinical studies aiming to rescue auditory and vestibular functions, little is currently known about the host immune responses to AAV in the mammalian inner ear. It has been reported that the host immune response plays an important role in the safety and efficacy of viral-mediated gene therapy. Therefore, in order for AAV-mediated gene therapy to be successfully and safely translated into patients with hearing loss and dizziness, a better understanding of the host immune responses to AAV in the inner ear is critical. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on host immune responses to AAV-mediated gene therapy in the mammalian inner ear and other organ systems. We also outline the areas of research that are critical for ensuring the safety and efficacy of AAV-mediated inner ear gene therapy in future clinical and translational studies.

Spatial architecture of the cochlear immune microenvironment in noise-induced and age-related sensorineural hearing loss

The cochlea encodes sound stimuli and transmits them to the central nervous system, and damage to sensory cells and synapses in the cochlea leads to hearing loss. The inner ear was previously considered to be an immune privileged organ to protect the auditory organ from reactions with the immune system. However, recent studies have revealed the presence of resident macrophages in the cochlea, especially in the spiral ligament, spiral ganglion, and stria vascularis. The tissue-resident macrophages are responsible for the detection, phagocytosis, and clearance of cellular debris and pathogens from the tissues, and they initiate inflammation and influence tissue repair by producing inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Insult to the cochlea can activate the cochlear macrophages to initiate immune responses. In this review, we describe the distribution and functions of cochlear macrophages in noise-induced hearing impairment and age-related hearing disabilities. We also focus on potential therapeutic interventions concerning hearing loss by modulating local immune responses.

Cochlear resident macrophage mediates development of ribbon synapses via CX3CR1/CX3CL1 axis

Cochlear ribbon synapses formed between spiral ganglion neurons and inner hair cells in postnatal mice must undergo significant morphological and functional development to reach auditory maturation. However, the mechanisms underlying cochlear ribbon synapse remodeling remain unclear. This study found that cochlear resident macrophages are essential for cochlear ribbon synapse development and maturation in mice via the CX3CR1/CX3CL1 axis. CX3CR1 expression (a macrophage surface-specific receptor) and macrophage count in the cochlea were significantly increased from postnatal day 7 then decreased from days 14 to 28. Seven-day treatment with CX3CR1 inhibitors and artificial upregulation of CX3CL1 levels in the inner ear environment using the semicircular canal injection technique were initiated on day 7, and this resulted in a significant increase in hearing threshold on day 28. Additionally, abnormalities in the morphology and number of cochlear ribbon synapses were detected on day P14, which may be associated with hearing impairment. In conclusion, macrophage regulation of cochlear ribbon synapse remodeling via the CX3CR1/CX3CL1 axis is required during hearing development and offers a new perspective on immune-related hearing loss throughout auditory development. Importantly, it could be a new treatment target for sensorineural hearing loss.

Role of macrophage polarization in osteoarthritis (Review)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease involving the whole joint that seriously reduces the living standards of individuals. Traditional treatments include physical therapy, administration of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs and injection of glucocorticoids or hyaluronic acid into the joints. However, these methods have limited efficacy and it is difficult to reverse the progression of OA, therefore it is urgent to find new effective treatment methods. Immune microenvironment is significant in the occurrence and development of OA. Recent studies have shown that macrophages are important targets for the treatment of OA. Macrophages are polarized into M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype and M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype under stimulation of different factors, which release and regulate inflammatory response and cartilage growth. Accumulating studies have tried to alleviate OA by regulating macrophage homeostasis. The present study summarized the related studies, discuss the mechanism of various therapeutic reagents on OA, expound the molecular mechanism of drug effect on OA and attempted to provide clues for the treatment of OA.

Application and prospect of quasi-targeted metabolomics in age-related hearing loss

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a common sensory deficit in the elderly, which seriously affects physical and mental health. Therefore, understanding its underlying molecular mechanisms and taking interventions to treat ARHL are urgently needed. In our study, cochlea of 4-week-old C57BL/6 mice as the Youth group (n = 6) and 48-week-old cochlea as the Old group (n = 6) were subjected to quasi-targeted metabolomics analysis by Ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). In total, 208 differential metabolites were identified in 12 cochlea samples, which highlighted the following discriminant compounds: tryptophan, piperidine, methionine, L-arginine, histamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, and 4-aminobutyric acid. Differentially expressed metabolites were identified which were involved in KEGG pathways related to the digestion and absorption of oxidative stress associated amino acids, Synaptic vesicle cycle of serotonin, Pantothenate and CoA Biosynthesis. These findings are a first step toward elucidating the pathophysiological pathways involved in the etiology of ARHL and provide the possibility to further explore the mechanisms of ARHL using metabolomic analysis.