MEK/ERK signaling drives the transdifferentiation of supporting cells into functional hair cells by modulating the Notch pathway.

ABSTRACT: Loss of cochlear hair cells (HCs) leads to permanent hearing loss in mammals, and regenerative medicine is regarded as an ideal strategy for hearing recovery. Limited genetic and pharmaceutical approaches for HC regeneration have been established, and the existing strategies cannot achieve recovery of auditory function. A promising target to promote HC regeneration is MEK/ERK signaling because dynamic shifts in its activity during the critical stages of inner ear development have been observed. Here, we first showed that MEK/ERK signaling is activated specifically in supporting cells (SCs) after aminoglycoside-induced HC injury. We then selected 4 MEK/ERK signaling inhibitors, and PD0325901 (PD03) was found to induce the transdifferentiation of functional supernumerary HCs from SCs in the

SUBMITTER: Ma J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11227976 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature