Expression of deafness protein Tmie in postnatal developmental stages of C57BL/6J mice

Loss-of function mutations in the transmembrane inner ear expressed (Tmie/TMIE) gene have been shown to cause deafness in mice and humans (DFNB6). Previous studies report that the circling mouse can be an animal model for DFNB6. However, the expression pattern of Tmie protein in postnatal developmental stages has not been clearly revealed. In this study we tried to investigate the expression of Tmie protein in the liver, spleen, kidney, and lung, as well as in the cochlea. We examined various tissue samples from five different age groups of C57BL/6J animals. Using western blotting analysis, the expression of Tmie protein in these organs has been identified. The results show that Tmie protein expression in the cochlea has been increased in postnatal developmental stages, indicating that Tmie plays an important role in not only the development and also in the function of the cochlea. The expression pattern of Tmie in adult mouse organs such as the liver, spleen, kidney, and spleen significantly vary in adult rats. The order of Tmie expression level in mice (63 days after birth) was spleen, liver, lung, cochlea, and kidney, whereas in the adult rat it was liver, cochlea, lung, spleen, and kidney.     

Spatiotemporal Expression of tmie in the Inner Ear of Rats during Postnatal Development

The circling (cir/cir) mouse is a murine model for human nonsyndromic deafness DFNB6. Transmembrane inner ear (tmie) is the causative gene and its mutation through deletion of a 40-kilobase genomic region including tmie leads to deafness. The function of Tmie is unknown. To better understand the function of Tmie, we focused on the spatiotemporal expression of tmie in the rat cochlea by using a Tmie-specific antibody. Results showed that tmie expression was prominent in early postnatal rat cochleas in the stereocilia bundles of hair cells. The Tmie signal spread from the stereocilia to the hair cell body region and on to organ of Corti cells. No Tmie signal was observed in cell nuclei; Tmie was localized to the cytoplasm. Because Tmie is predicted to have 1 or 2 transmembrane domains, we postulate that it is localized to membrane-based organelles or the plasma membrane. Our results imply that Tmie exists in the cytoplasm and may have a key role in the maturation and structure of stereocilia bundles in developing hair cells. After hair cell maturation, Tmie is thought to be involved in the maintenance of organ of Corti cells.Circling is often observed in mouse and rat deafness mutants and is commonly suggested to be a consequence of inner ear defects that impair vestibular systems.^3,12,14 The circling (cir/cir) mouse is a murine model for human nonsyndromic deafness DFNB6; these mice have abnormal circling behavior, suggesting a balance disorder, and profound deafness.^6,7 The most notable pathologic phenotypes of circling mice are the almost completely degenerated cochlea and remarkably reduced cellularity in spiral ganglion neurons. The causative gene for circling is transmembrane inner ear (tmie), with a 40-kilobase genomic deletion including tmie.¹ tmie is also the causative gene of the spinner (sr/sr) mouse, which has phenotypes similar to circling mice, although the mutation patterns are different.⁸ Spinner mice also show circling behavior, hearing loss, imbalance, and swimming inability. In addition, spinner mice have 2 mutations in the tmie gene: the 40-kb genomic deletion including tmie and a point mutation that leads to a truncated protein.⁸In humans, 7 different homozygous recessive mutations in TMIE currently are known to exist in affected members of consanguineous families segregating severe-to-profound prelingual deafness, consistent with linkage to DFNB6.^9,10 Although the functions of murine Tmie and human TMIE are unknown, this protein appears to be important for normal hearing and vestibular function.In a previous study, we produced transgenic mice overexpressing tmie that resulted in phenotypic rescue of circling.¹¹ Normal expression of transgenic tmie induced phenotypic rescue in circling homozygous mutants, although some mice did not show amelioration of abnormal behavior, hearing ability, or tissue morphology in the inner ear. Therefore the Tmie protein is required for normal inner ear function in mouse.¹¹To better understand the function of Tmie, we focused on the spatiotemporal expression of tmie. Knowing when, where, and to what extent this protein is produced in the developing inner ear will provide important clues to protein function. In adult mouse and rat, tmie is expressed in various tissues.^2,13 Whether Tmie plays an important role in those tissues is uncertain, because circling mice that lack the entire tmie gene have no noteworthy problems in any tissues except those of the inner ear systems.⁶In this study, we were interested in the postnatal stages before and after the onset of hearing (around postnatal day [P] 12) in rats; therefore, the postnatal period P0 to19 was studied. Although all the cells that form the mature cochlea are present at birth, important conformational changes occur during this period, including the formation of the tunnel of Corti and the establishment or retraction of neuronal connections. The expression pattern of tmie in the developing inner ear during early postnatal development has not been investigated previously. Here we document our use of a Tmie-specific antibody to elucidate the spatial and temporal expression of tmie in the rat inner ear during postnatal development.     

Mutations in a novel gene,TMIE, are associated with hearing loss linked to the DFNB6 locus

We have identified five different homozygous recessive mutations in a novel gene, TMIE (transmembrane inner ear expressed gene), in affected members of consanguineous families segregating severe-to-profound prelingual deafness, consistent with linkage to DFNB6. The mutations include an insertion, a deletion, and three missense mutations, and they indicate that loss of function of TMIE causes hearing loss in humans. TMIE encodes a protein with 156 amino acids and exhibits no significant nucleotide or deduced amino acid sequence similarity to any other gene.     

Identification of CRYM as a candidate responsible for nonsyndromic deafness,through cDNA microarray analysis of human cochlear and vestibular tissues

Through cDNA microarray analysis of gene expression in human cochlea and vestibule, we detected strong expression of mu-crystallin (CRYM; also known as "NADP-regulated thyroid hormone-binding protein") only in these inner-ear tissues. In a subsequent search for mutations of CRYM, among 192 patients with nonsyndromic deafness, we identified two mutations at the C-terminus; one was a de novo change (X315Y) in a patient with unaffected parents, and the other was a missense mutation (K314T) that segregated dominantly in the proband's family. When the mutated proteins were expressed in COS-7 cells, their subcellular localizations were different from that of the normal protein: the X315Y mutant showed vacuolated distribution in the cytoplasm, and the K314T mutant localized in perinuclear areas, whereas normal protein was distributed homogeneously in the cytoplasm. Aberrant intracellular localization of the mutated proteins might cause dysfunction of the CRYM product and result in hearing impairment. In situ hybridization analysis using mouse tissues indicated its expression in the lateral region of the spiral ligament and the fibrocytes of the spiral limbus, implying its possible involvement in the potassium-ion recycling system. Our results strongly implicate CRYM in normal auditory function and identify it as one of the genes that can be responsible for nonsyndromic deafness.     

腺病毒介导的NT3基因转染对噪音损伤的耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞的保护作用

神经营养素 3(neurotrophin 3,NT3)作为螺旋神经节细胞特异的营养因子 ,可有效地支持内耳传入神经元的存活 ,因此有望成为治疗因其退变而引起的感音性神经性耳聋的有效因子。实验采用腺病毒介导lacZ基因 ,检测了外源基因在豚鼠内耳中的长期表达。用噪音制备了豚鼠耳聋模型 ,在噪音损伤后第 7天 ,通过圆窗膜注入 1× 10 8重组腺病毒。注入神经营养素 3重组腺 (Ad NT3)的组为实验组 ,注入Ad lacZ的为对照组。 4周后 ,经NT3抗体免疫细胞化学染色可见 ,在注入Ad NT3病毒的实验组中 ,在内耳多种细胞中有明显的NT3蛋白的表达。HE染色显示 ,注射Ad lacZ组的豚鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞明显退变 ,螺旋神经节内细胞间隙拉大 ,细胞密度明显低于注射Ad NT3实验组动物 (P <0 .0 1)。这一结果说明 ,腺病毒介导的NT3基因可长期表达于内耳中 ,并且可在噪音引起毛细胞死亡后有效地抑制螺旋神经节细胞的退变。     

Presence of a nerve growth factor-like immunoreactivity in auditory receptors during postnatal development in the rat

The presence of nerve growth factor (NGF) was investigated in the rat cochlea from birth to the adult stage, using immunohistochemical techniques NGF-like protein could be detected in the organ of Corti from birth up to day 8 and located within the hair cells, above the nuclei. No NGF-like immunoreactivity could be detected in the spiral ganglion. These results suggest that NGF may have a neurotropic action in the developing rat cochlea.     

Maturation of neurotransmission in the developing rat cochlea: immunohistochemical evidence from differential expression of synaptophysin and synaptobrevin 2

Synaptophysin and synaptobrevin 2 associate closely with packaging and storage of synaptic vesicles and transmitter release, and both play important roles in the development of rat cochlea. We examined the differential expression of synaptophysin and synaptobrevin 2 in the developing Sprague-Dawley rat cochlea, and investigated the relationship between their expression and auditory development. The expression of synaptophysin and synaptobrevin 2 was not observed in Kolliker’s and Corti’s organ at postnatal 1 day (P1) and P5, and the top turn of the cochlea at P10. Expression was detected in the outer spiral bundle (OSB), the inner spiral bundle (ISB), and the medial wall of the Deiters’ cell of the cochlea at P14, and P28, and in the middle or the basal turn of Corti’s organ at P10. Synaptobrevin 2 was expressed in the top of the inner hair cells (IHCs) in Corti’s organ of both P14 and P28 rats. All spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) were stained at all ages examined. The localization of synaptophysin and synaptobrevin 2 in the cochlea was closely associated with the distribution of nerve fibers and neural activity (the docking and release of synaptic vesicles). Synaptophysin and synaptobrevin 2 were expressed in a dynamic manner during the development of rat cochlea. Their expression differences during the development were in favor of the configuration course constructed between nerve endings and target cells. It also played a key role in the formation of the correct coding of auditory information during auditory system development.     

内耳形态学和生理指标对缺铁性肾虚耳聋大鼠模型的评价作用

目的探讨耳蜗显微结构和生理指标对缺铁性肾虚耳聋大鼠模型的评价作用。方法选用体重30～32 g、无耳疾、听性脑干反应(auditory brainstem response,ABR)阈值正常的1～2周龄SPF级SD大鼠120只,雌雄分养,分为缺铁组80只、正常对照组40只,饲养时间12周;以出现肾虚证和至少一耳ABR阈值≥15 dB,作为判断肾虚耳聋的标准,获得缺铁性肾虚耳聋大鼠22只,从中选取肾虚耳聋大鼠20只,同时以20只正常大鼠作对照。观察耳蜗血管纹、螺旋器等耳蜗显微结构变化,检测ABR阈值以及血红蛋白和血清铁等指标的变化。结果实验组和正常对照大鼠的血红蛋白和血清铁分别为11.80 g/L,4.5μmol/L和45.9 g/L,22.23μmol/L,ABR阈值分别为(30±5)dB和(10±5)dB;实验组血管纹血管明显减少;螺旋器毛细胞听毛有缺失、倒伏现象。结论缺铁性肾虚耳聋大鼠血红蛋白、血清铁和ABR阈值,以及耳蜗血管纹、螺旋器等耳蜗显微结构变化等指标,均较为稳定,是较好的评价指标。     

Upregulation of HSP60 expression in the postnatal rat cochlea and rats with drug-induced hearing loss

Heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) is a highly conserved chaperone molecule that plays important roles in mediating some physiological and pathological functions. However, researchers have not yet determined whether HSP60 is expressed in the mammalian cochlea. This study constitutes the first investigation of the expression of HSP60 in the postnatal rat cochlea. We also examined the expression of HSP60 in rats with drug-induced hearing loss. Auditory thresholds were assessed by monitoring the auditory brainstem response (ABR) prior to and after drug injection. Expression levels of the HSP60 gene (Hsp60) and HSP60 protein in the rat cochlea were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. The distribution of HSP60 in the rat cochlea was further examined by immunofluorescence staining. We have demonstrated that HSP60 was expressed in the postnatal rat cochlea in an age-dependent and cell-specific manner. In addition, after drug exposure, the average hearing threshold of rats in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group, with increased HSP60 expression level in response to kanamycin and furosemide treatments. HSP60 expression was observed in the supporting cells (SCs) within the organ of Corti in both the uninjured and the injured cochlea, but it was undetectable in the mechanosensory hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons. Therefore, our research suggests that HSP60 may play an important role in auditory function.     

Loss-of-Function Mutations in the PRPS1 Gene Cause a Type of Nonsyndromic X-linked Sensorineural Deafness, DFN2

We report a large Chinese family with X-linked postlingual nonsyndromic hearing impairment in which the critical linkage interval spans a genetic distance of 5.41 cM and a physical distance of 15.1 Mb that overlaps the DFN2 locus. Mutation screening of the PRPS1 gene in this family and in the three previously reported DFN2 families identified four different missense mutations in PRPS1. These mutations result in a loss of phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP) synthetase 1 activity, as was shown in silico by structural analysis and was shown in vitro by enzymatic activity assays in erythrocytes and fibroblasts from patients. By in situ hybridization, we demonstrate expression of Prps1 in murine vestibular and cochlea hair cells, with continuous expression in hair cells and postnatal expression in the spiral ganglion. Being the second identified gene associated with X-linked nonsyndromic deafness, PRPS1 will be a good candidate gene for genetic testing for X-linked nonsyndromic hearing loss.     

Degradation of cochlear Connexin26 accelerate the development of age-related hearing loss

The GJB2 gene, encoding Connexin26 (Cx26), is one of the most common causes of inherited deafness. Clinically, mutations in GJB2 cause congenital deafness or late-onset progressive hearing loss. Recently, it has been reported that Cx26 haploid deficiency accelerates the development of age-related hearing loss (ARHL). However, the roles of cochlear Cx26 in the hearing function of aged animals remain unclear. In this study, we revealed that the Cx26 expression was significantly reduced in the cochleae of aged mice, and further explored the underlying molecular mechanism for Cx26 degradation. Immunofluorescence co-localization results showed that Cx26 was internalized and degraded by lysosomes, which might be one of the important ways for Cx26 degradation in the cochlea of aged mice. Currently, whether the degradation of Cx26 in the cochlea leads directly to ARHL, as well as the mechanism of Cx26 degradation-related hearing loss are still unclear. To address these questions, we generated mice with Cx26 knockout in the adult cochlea as a model for the natural degradation of Cx26. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) results showed that Cx26 knockout mice exhibited high-frequency hearing loss, which gradually progressed over time. Pathological examination also revealed the degeneration of hair cells and spiral ganglions, which is similar to the phenotype of ARHL. In summary, our findings suggest that degradation of Cx26 in the cochlea accelerates the occurrence of ARHL, which may be a novel mechanism of ARHL.     

Deficiency of Angulin-2/ILDR1, a Tricellular Tight Junction-Associated Membrane Protein,Causes Deafness with Cochlear Hair Cell Degeneration in Mice

Tricellular tight junctions seal the extracellular spaces of tricellular contacts, where the vertices of three epithelial cells meet, and are required for the establishment of a strong barrier function of the epithelial cellular sheet. Angulins and tricellulin are known as specific protein components of tricellular tight junctions, where angulins recruit tricellulin. Mutations in the genes encoding angulin-2/ILDR1 and tricellulin have been reported to cause human hereditary deafness DFNB42 and DFNB49, respectively. To investigate the pathogenesis of DFNB42, we analyzed mice with a targeted disruption of Ildr1, which encodes angulin-2/ILDR1. Ildr1 null mice exhibited profound deafness. Hair cells in the cochlea of Ildr1 null mice develop normally, but begin to degenerate by two weeks after birth. Tricellulin localization at tricellular contacts of the organ of Corti in the cochlea was retained in Ildr1 null mice, but its distribution along the depth of tricellular contacts was affected. Interestingly, compensatory tricellular contact localization of angulin-1/LSR was observed in the organ of Corti in Ildr1 null mice although it was hardly detected in the organ of Corti in wild-type mice. The onset of hair cell degeneration in Ildr1 null mice was earlier than that in the reported Tric mutant mice, which mimic one of the tricellulin mutations in DFNB49 deafness. These results indicate that the angulin-2/ILDR1 deficiency causes the postnatal degenerative loss of hair cells in the cochlea, leading to human deafness DFNB42. Our data also suggest that angulin family proteins have distinct functions in addition to their common roles of tricellulin recruitment and that the function of angulin-2/ILDR1 for hearing cannot be substituted by angulin-1/LSR.     

How Transmembrane Inner Ear (TMIE) plays role in the auditory system: A mystery to us

Different cellular mechanisms contribute to the hearing sense, so it is obvious that any disruption in such processes leads to hearing impairment that greatly influences the global economy and quality of life of the patients and their relatives. In the past two decades, transmembrane inner ear (TMIE) protein has received a great deal of research interest because its impairments cause hereditary deafness in humans. This evolutionarily conserved membrane protein contributes to a fundamental complex that plays role in the maintenance and function of the sensory hair cells. Although the critical roles of the TMIE in mechanoelectrical transduction or hearing procedures have been discussed, there are little to no review papers summarizing the roles of the TMIE in the auditory system. In order to fill this gap, herein, we discuss the important roles of this protein in the auditory system including its role in mechanotransduction, olivocochlear synapse, morphology and different signalling pathways; we also review the genotype-phenotype correlation that can per se show the possible roles of this protein in the auditory system.     

Expression of TrkB and BDNF in human cochlea-an immunohistochemical study

Surgical human cochlear specimens were obtained during the removal of large posterior cranial fossa meningioma by a transcochlear approach in which the cochlea was removed for maximal exposure of the tumor and protection of important structures, such as the brainstem, cranial nerves, and pivotal blood vessels. The cochlear tissue was fixed and cryo-sectioned for tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immunohistochemistry. TrkB receptor protein was expressed in both neuronal somata and the processes of human spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). In the human organ of Corti, TrkB immunoreactivity was mainly present in nerve fibers underneath outer hair cells. BDNF expression was found neither in the organ of Corti nor in the spiral ganglion of human cochlea. For antibody specificity and for control and comparative purposes, TrkB immunocytochemistry was performed in primary cultures of cochlear neuron/glia from adult guinea pig. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that TrkB was homogeneously distributed in the cytoplasm of both neuronal somata and axons. Knowledge of the expression of TrkB receptor in human cochlea should help to determine the target structures for neuron preservation in hearing-impaired patients. Our results indicate that the regeneration of SGNs under pathological conditions can be enhanced with BDNF/TrkB-based pharmaceutical or genetic strategies.     

Primary Culture and Plasmid Electroporation of the Murine Organ of Corti.

In all mammals, the sensory epithelium for audition is located along the spiraling organ of Corti that resides within the conch shaped cochlea of the inner ear (fig 1). Hair cells in the developing cochlea, which are the mechanosensory cells of the auditory system, are aligned in one row of inner hair cells and three (in the base and mid-turns) to four (in the apical turn) rows of outer hair cells that span the length of the organ of Corti. Hair cells transduce sound-induced mechanical vibrations of the basilar membrane into neural impulses that the brain can interpret. Most cases of sensorineural hearing loss are caused by death or dysfunction of cochlear hair cells.An increasingly essential tool in auditory research is the isolation and in vitro culture of the organ explant ^1,2,9. Once isolated, the explants may be utilized in several ways to provide information regarding normative, anomalous, or therapeutic physiology. Gene expression, stereocilia motility, cell and molecular biology, as well as biological approaches for hair cell regeneration are examples of experimental applications of organ of Corti explants.This protocol describes a method for the isolation and culture of the organ of Corti from neonatal mice. The accompanying video includes stepwise directions for the isolation of the temporal bone from mouse pups, and subsequent isolation of the cochlea, spiral ligament, and organ of Corti. Once isolated, the sensory epithelium can be plated and cultured in vitro in its entirety, or as a further dissected micro-isolate that lacks the spiral limbus and spiral ganglion neurons. Using this method, primary explants can be maintained for 7-10 days. As an example of the utility of this procedure, organ of Corti explants will be electroporated with an exogenous DsRed reporter gene. This method provides an improvement over other published methods because it provides reproducible, unambiguous, and stepwise directions for the isolation, microdissection, and primary culture of the organ of Corti.     

Expression and distribution of creatine transporter and creatine kinase (brain isoform) in developing and mature rat cochlear tissues

Physiological processes in the cochlea associated with sound transduction and maintenance of the unique electrochemical environment are metabolically demanding. Creatine maintains ATP homeostasis by providing high-energy phosphates for ATP regeneration which is catalyzed by creatine kinase (CK). Cellular uptake of creatine requires a specific high affinity sodium- and chloride-dependent creatine transporter (CRT). This study postulates that this CRT is developmentally regulated in the rat cochlea. CRT expression was measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry in the postnatal (P0–P14) and adult (P22–P56) rat cochlea. The maximum CRT expression was reached at the onset of hearing (P12), and this level was maintained through to adulthood. CRT immunoreactivity was strongest in the sensory inner hair cells, supporting cells and the spiral ganglion neurons. Cochlear distribution of the CK brain isoform (CKB) was also assessed by immunohistochemistry and compared with the distribution of CRT in the developing and adult cochlea. CKB was immunolocalized in the organ of Corti supporting cells, and the lateral wall tissues involved in K⁺ cycling, including stria vascularis and spiral ligament fibrocytes. Similar to CRT, CKB reached peak expression after the onset of hearing. Differential spatial and temporal expression of CRT and CK in cochlear tissues during development may reflect differential requirements for creatine–phosphocreatine buffering to replenish ATP consumed during energy-dependent metabolic processes, especially around the period when the cochlea becomes responsive to airborne sound.