Cochlear endoplasmic reticulum stress causes connexin 26 degradation is involved in age-related hearing loss.

ABSTRACT: Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) represents a progressive auditory disorder. Growing evidence indicates that degradation of connexin 26 (Cx26) in cochlear may constitute one of the pathogenic mechanisms in ARHL. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying age-related Cx26 degradation remain unclear. We systematically analyzed Cx26 expression patterns in C57BL/6J mice across different age groups and confirmed an age-dependent downregulation of Cx26 in the mouse cochlea. Notably, we observed concurrent upregulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) in aged cochlear tissues. Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrated that ER stress significantly reduced Cx26 protein levels in cochlear explants. Me

SUBMITTER: Bai X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12663731 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature