Mechanisms of medial-lateral axis formation and inner hair cell-outer hair cell differentiation in the cochlea

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K09887
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University of Advanced Science
• Principal Investigator: Tateya Tomoko 京都先端科学大学, 健康医療学部, 教授 (10512311)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 有毛細胞 / 蝸牛 / 発生・分化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To elucidate the role of Bmp4 signaling in developing cochlear sensory epithelium, we focused on Id1-3, downstream factors of Bmp4, and found that the Id genes are required for cochlear morphogenesis and play an important role in organization of the cochlear peripheral compartment, including outer hair cells. Based on our results of RNA-Seq and RNA-Seq at other institutions, we have selected 6 candidate genes involved in the differentiation and maturation of inner and outer hair cells, and have started loss of function experiments. One of the candidate gene knockout mice showed abnormal hair cell development, suggesting that it is a more direct regulator.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

治療法のない難聴の殆どが蝸牛有毛細胞の障害を原因としており、聴覚再生に向けた研究の多くが有毛細胞の再生を目的としてきた。蝸牛の内有毛細胞と外有毛細胞は機能も異なり、内有毛細胞が聴覚情報を中枢に伝え、外有毛細胞は聴覚情報の増幅器として機能する。また、外有毛細胞はとりわけ、障害を受けやすいことが知られている。内有毛細胞と外有毛細胞の分化メカニズムを解明することは、聴覚再生研究の基礎として重要と考えられる。