Roles of prostaglandin E-type receptor 2 and 3 in the auditory function

2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24791771
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: MATSUNAGA Mami 京都大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 医員 (00599524)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2014-03-31
• Keywords: 感音難聴 / トランスレーショナル研究 / プロスタグランディン / 有毛細胞

Research Abstract

This study aimed to explore the physiological roles of prostaglandin E-type receptor subtypes in auditory function. First, we examined auditory function of EP2-deficient mice in normal condition in comparison with littermates, which showed no significant effect of genetic deletion of EP2 on auditory function in normal condition. Next, effects of noise exposure and aging in EP-deficient mice were investigated. EP2 deficiency did not accelerate either noise-induced or age-related hearing loss. These findings indicate that EP2 may not play key roles in the development and maintenance of auditory function.