Reprogramming with <i>Atoh1</i>, <i>Gfi1</i>, and <i>Pou4f3</i> promotes hair cell regeneration in the adult organ of Corti.

ABSTRACT: Cochlear hair cells can be killed by loud noises, ototoxic drugs, and natural aging. Once lost, mammalian hair cells do not naturally regenerate, leading to permanent hearing loss. Since the mammalian cochlea lacks any intrinsic ability to regenerate, genetic reprogramming of cochlear supporting cells that lie adjacent to hair cells is a potential option for hearing restoration therapies. We targeted cochlear supporting cells with three hair cell transcription factors: Atoh1, or Atoh1 + Gfi1, or Atoh1 + Gfi1 + Pou4f3 and found that 1- and 2-factor reprogramming is not sufficient to reprogram adult supporting cells into hair cells. However, activation of all three hair cell transcription factors reprogrammed some adult supporting cells into hair cel

SUBMITTER: McGovern MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11477985 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature