Direct cellular reprogramming and inner ear regeneration.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Sound is integral to communication and connects us to the world through speech and music. Cochlear hair cells are essential for converting sounds into neural impulses. However, these cells are highly susceptible to damage from an array of factors, resulting in degeneration and ultimately irreversible hearing loss in humans. Since the discovery of hair cell regeneration in birds, there have been tremendous efforts to identify therapies that could promote hair cell regeneration in mammals.

Areas covered

Here, we will review recent studies describing spontaneous hair cell regeneration and direct cellular reprograming as well as other factors that mediate mammalian hair cell regeneration.

Expert opinion

Numerous combinatorial approaches have successfully repr

SUBMITTER: Atkinson PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6592785 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature