Atoh1 Directs Regeneration and Functional Recovery of the Mature Mouse Vestibular System.

ABSTRACT: Utricular hair cells (HCs) are mechanoreceptors required for vestibular function. After damage, regeneration of mammalian utricular HCs is limited and regenerated HCs appear immature. Thus, loss of vestibular function is presumed irreversible. Here, we found partial HC replacement and functional recovery in the mature mouse utricle, both enhanced by overexpressing the transcription factor Atoh1. Following damage, long-term fate mapping revealed that support cells non-mitotically and modestly regenerated HCs displaying no or immature bundles. By contrast, Atoh1 overexpression stimulated proliferation and widespread regeneration of HCs exhibiting elongated bundles, patent mechanotransduction channels, and synaptic connections. Finally, although damage without Atoh1 overexpression failed to i

SUBMITTER: Sayyid ZN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6659123 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature