Abstract
Objective: To test the hypothesis that bcl-2 prevents oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of auditory sensory cells in explants of the organ of Corti and dissociated cell cultures of the spiral ganglion. Methods: Organ of Corti explants and dissociated spiral ganglion cell cultures obtained from 3-day-old (P3) rats or adult spiral ganglion cell cultures from 28-day-old (P28) rats were transduced with vectors containing a human bcl-2 gene. Cultures were then exposed to neomycin, cisplatin or subjected to withdrawal of neurotrophin supplementation. Outcome measures included hair cell and neuron counts, mitochondrial membrane potential and a histological measure of apoptosis. Results: Expression of bcl-2 in the organ of Corti explants and neuronal cell cultures provided a significant level of protection against cell death. Bcl-2 expression in the organ of Corti explants also protected mitochondria from loss of membrane potential and blocked an early step in the commitment of hair cells to apoptosis. Conclusion: Expression of bcl-2 in cochlear tissues protects sensory cells from a variety of insults that have been demonstrated to damage the inner ear.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 43-50 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | ORL |
Volume | 69 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 2006 |
Keywords
- Antiapoptotic protein
- Auditory hair cells
- Auditory neurons
- Cell death
- Cochlea
- Otoprotection
- Ototoxins
- Oxidative stress
- Trophic support
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Otorhinolaryngology