心肌干细胞培养和纯化的实验方法研究

目的:探讨心肌干细胞(CSC)体外分离、培养和纯化方法,以建立重复性好、稳定性高的CSC培养的方法.方法:用不同的消化方法来分C57BL小鼠心脏组织中的细胞,将获得的细胞置于自行拟定的心肌干细胞培养液中培养.以c-kit、Sca-l和Sca-l/c-kit作为干细胞标记,用免疫磁珠法纯化细胞.用流式细胞仪、免疫荧光显微镜、激光共聚焦显微镜检测分选后所得细胞表面标记表达,并对比观察分选前后细胞生长情况,进一步了解CSC的生物学特性.结果:①从小鼠心肌组织中分离培养所得的细胞中,含有一种类似于文献报道中所提及CSC形态的细胞.②用免疫磁珠法可以分选出高纯度的CSC,实验中分选出CSC分别具有c-kit+-CD34-lin-、Sea-I+-CD34low-Lin-、Sea-1+c--kit+-CD34low-Lin-的表型.③分选后的干细胞经过1~2d的滞留期后,贴壁生长的细胞形态相对均一;而传代后细胞贴壁迅速,细胞形态多样.结论:从C57BL小鼠心脏中可以分离、培养获得CSC,并可用免疫磁珠法得以纯化.     

脂肪干细胞上清液培养雪旺细胞的实验研究

目的:研究应用脂肪干细胞上清液培养新生小鼠雪旺细胞的可行性。方法:取新生(出生5-7天)C57BL/6小鼠的坐骨神经,采用0.2%的复合胶原酶NB4消化法分离获取细胞,然后应用雪旺细胞条件培养基(SCCM)和C57BL/6小鼠的脂肪干细胞上清液(ADSC-CM)分别培养雪旺细胞。用0.2%复合胶原酶NB4差速分离纯化这两种方法培养的雪旺细胞,每48 h纯化1次,共进行2次纯化。应用P75免疫荧光染色方法鉴别两组P2代雪旺细胞并比较两组雪旺细胞的纯度和生长情况。结果:脂肪干细胞上清液培养的雪旺细胞纯化两次后,数量明显增多,其纯度与雪旺细胞条件培养基相比没有明显差异(P0.05)。结论:脂肪干细胞上清液可以较好的培养雪旺细胞,可以作为一种新的廉价方便的培养基代替雪旺细胞条件培养基来培养许雪旺细胞。     

免疫磁珠法分离纯化胚胎大鼠脊髓源运动神经元的方法探讨

目的探讨应用免疫磁珠法分选脊髓源性运动神经元的实验条件,为研究运动神经元的特性,培养和移植创造有利条件。方法取孕16天胚胎大鼠的脊髓腹侧组织,制备成单细胞悬液,应用免疫磁珠分选系统,在无血清限定性培养基条件下获得相对纯化的运动神经元。应用运动神经元特异的胆碱乙酰转移酶（ChAT）抗体对培养细胞进行免疫细胞化学鉴定。结果分离纯化的细胞在体外可以存活,经免疫荧光检测,ChAT阳性率可达95%。结论本实验提供了一种有效的纯化脊髓运动神经元的方法,纯化所得的运动神经元可用于进一步的运动神经元的后续实验研究。     

新生小鼠Lin~- Sca-1~+心脏干细胞分离培养方案的优化

心脏原位干细胞(cardiac stem cells,CSCs)治疗心肌梗死具有公认的疗效,但是其分离及培养技术尚不完善,这是制约其临床应用的关键技术问题。为解决这一问题,本研究旨在优化Lin~-(lineage-negative)Sca-1~+(stem cell antigen-1-positive)CSCs分离方案。用组织块酶解法(混合酶液)分离C57BL/6J新生(出生0～3天)小鼠Lin~- Sca-1~+ CSCs。在已有的研究基础上,严格控制消化时间、次数、温度、搅拌速度、离心时间和转速等多重因素,结合免疫磁珠分选获得纯度较高的Lin~- Sca-1~+ CSCs。此后,对分离纯化的原代细胞进行培养,优化培养基成分、换液时间和方式。采用流式细胞术及免疫荧光染色技术,检测分选细胞的纯度及传代培养细胞中Sca-1~+细胞的百分比。结果显示:(1)本法分离获得的Lin~- Sca-1~+ CSCs纯度高达(85.03±5.60)%;(2)离体培养过程中,细胞生长状态良好,原代培养5天开始有干细胞克隆球生成,培养7天即可铺满皿底,生长曲线显示,离体培养第3天细胞进入对数增长期;(3)免疫组化染色结果显示:干细胞特异性标志Sca-1的表达随着传代的进行有一定的衰减。流式细胞术检测结果显示,第一代、第三代和第五代培养细胞的Sca-1阳性率分别为(71.82±2.63)%、(58.38±3.70)%、(46.19±4.72)%。以上结果表明,本研究所建立的组织块酶解法结合免疫磁珠分选法可获得纯度较高的Lin~- Sca-1~+ CSCs,同时干细胞离体培养体系相对稳定。本研究所建立的分离及培养方法简单稳定、可靠有效,为进一步研究Sca-1~+ CSCs治疗心肌梗死奠定了良好的方法学基础。     

大鼠附睾上皮细胞的原代培养及纯化鉴定

目的建立大鼠附睾上皮细胞原代培养及纯化方法。方法利用酶消化法和组织块法对大鼠附睾上皮细胞进行原代培养,然后用胰酶两步消化法进一步纯化附睾上皮细胞,最后分别利用免疫荧光和免疫组织化学染色对原代培养的细胞及相关蛋白表达情况进行鉴定。结果酶消化法较组织块法得到的附睾上皮细胞纯度高,免疫荧光染色结果证明所得附睾上皮细胞主要是主细胞,免疫组织化学结果证明培养的附睾上皮细胞中有雄激素受体和雌激素受体α的表达。结论利用酶消化法对大鼠附睾上皮细胞进行体外培养,方法简单易行,成功率高。     

大鼠胰岛分离、培养条件的优化及miR-126表达的检测方法比较

目的:优化SD大鼠胰岛细胞的分离、纯化和培养方法与条件,为研究miR-126在Ⅱ型糖尿病中的作用机制提供活性与功能良好的胰岛细胞及miR-126表达的检测方法。方法:水合氯醛腹腔注射麻醉SD大鼠,采用8 mL胶原酶Ⅴ(含DNaseⅠ100 U)逆行注射、原位消化后Hitopaque-1077梯度离心分离纯化SD大鼠胰岛细胞,从培养后的胰岛细胞中提取总RNA,分别用加尾法和茎环法进行miR-126的反转录,实时定量PCR(qPCR)检测miR-126的表达量。结果:用该方法可从每只SD大鼠中分离、纯化得到胰岛细胞372±45个,胰岛细胞纯度90%,胰岛细胞存活率95%;用加尾法和茎环法qPCR检测miR-126的Cp值分别为34.56±2.56和32.47±2.01。结论:胶原酶Ⅴ(含DNaseⅠ100 U)逆行注射、原位消化可有效避免因消化时胶状物质的产生而导致的胰岛细胞分离失败,Hitopque-1077梯度离心分离方法具有操作简单、便捷、成功率高等特点,可得到活性与功能较好的胰岛细胞;与加尾法相比,茎环法能够更灵敏地检测胰岛细胞miR-126的表达量。     

免疫磁珠分选降低分化体系中胚胎干细胞的比例

研究目的:采用免疫磁珠分选系统（magnetic activated cell sorting, MACS）分离去除小鼠胚胎干细胞（murine embryonic stem cells, mES）向神经细胞分化时培养体系中的ES细胞,即对分化细胞进行纯化,以期减少移植致瘤性。方法：诱导mES细胞向神经细胞分化,取分化第四期的细胞,胰酶消化制成单细胞悬液,用mES特异性表面抗原SSEA-1（special stage embryonic antigen-1）单抗标记,间接免疫磁珠分选系统分离去除SSEA-1阳性细胞,流式细胞仪检测分选前后细胞中mES细胞的比例,台盼蓝染色检测分选前后细胞存活率。结果：经MACS分选后的阴性细胞中的SSEA-1阳性率可以由分选前的（7.19±1.36）%下降到（1.34±0.80）%,结果具有显著性差异;分选后的细胞存活率仍为92%左右,与分选前存活率无明显变化。结论 用SSEA-1作为表面标志,用MACS方法能有效地去除胚胎干细胞分化细胞中残存的胚胎干细胞,得到高纯度的分化细胞,并且细胞存活率不受影响,为下一步进行移植实验奠定基础。     

SD大鼠原代胰岛细胞分离、纯化及培养技术的改进

目的:探讨大鼠胰岛细胞分离、纯化及培养的方法,并评价其生物学功能。方法:选用8~10周龄健康SD大鼠,采用胆总管逆行注射预冷胶原酶P溶液,37℃水浴静止消化,30目不锈钢筛网过滤,Ficoll400非连续密度梯度离心纯化。分离后的胰岛用DTZ染色计算胰岛产量,胰岛素释放试验评价其生物学功能。结果:胰岛细胞分布于Ficoll400浓度为23%~20%和20%~11%的界面之间。DTZ染色呈红色细胞团,胰岛产量为(606±56)IEQ/胰腺。纯度高达80~90%,活率≥90%,胰岛素释放功能良好。结论:胶原酶P溶液原位消化,Ficoll400纯化是一种高效简便的胰岛分离方法,分离的胰岛细胞数量多、纯度高及活性好。     

老年大鼠脊髓小胶质细胞分选新方法及功能特征观察*

目的: 建立分离纯化老年大鼠小胶质细胞的改良方法,并初步观察老年大鼠脊髓小胶质细胞的生物学特性。方法: 以年轻SD大鼠(2月龄)为对照组,采用胰酶、胰酶替代物和机械网搓法等不同的制备方法,制备大鼠小胶质细胞的单细胞悬液,通过检测细胞纯度、存活率,观察细胞形态特征,分析细胞的炎性功能特征等,确定老年大鼠(20月龄)小胶质细胞的分离纯化方法,观察老年大鼠脊髓小胶质细胞功能特征。结果: 胰酶消化所得细胞的存活率低(年轻大鼠83%,老年大鼠60%);机械网搓法虽得到的存活率较高(95%),但是细胞获取率最低(年轻大鼠((0.207±0.020)×10⁶,老年大鼠(0.243±0.023)×10⁶);采用胰酶替代物解离、密度梯度离心方法分选出的老年大鼠脊髓小胶质细胞数量多、活性好、存活率高,细胞纯度可达85%以上,我们采用此方法分选纯化不同年龄大鼠脊髓小胶质细胞,与年轻大鼠相比,老年鼠脊髓组织量大,所需消化液多,但消化时间缩短;与年轻大鼠小胶质细胞相比,老年大鼠脊髓小胶质细胞其胞体较大较圆,突起少且粗短,形态上偏向于激活状态,老年大鼠小胶质细胞促炎因子IL-1β表达降低(P＜0.05),而抗炎因子IL-10(P＜0.01)表达升高。结论: 成功建立胰酶替代物解离结合密度梯度离心法从大鼠脊髓组织中分离纯化小胶质细胞,老年大鼠脊髓内小胶质细胞整体表现出抗炎表型。     

两种精原干细胞高效能纯化方法的比较研究*

目的: 比较贴壁分离法和免疫磁珠法纯化小鼠精原干细胞(mSSCs) 的优缺点。方法: 分别选取10只12-15日龄的雄性C57BL/6小鼠,颈椎脱臼法处死,摘取睾丸用酶消化法获得曲细精管单细胞悬液,分别用贴壁分离法和免疫磁珠法从单细胞悬液中分离纯化mSSCs,并针对两种方法在细胞数量、分离效率以及对细胞增殖生长的影响等方面进行比较。结果: 两种纯化方法均可从小鼠曲细精管单细胞悬液中分离纯化得到干细胞,并可在体外培养后呈现出典型的精原干细胞特有的葡萄串状克隆,体外连续培养增殖超3个月。10只小鼠的睾丸经差异贴壁法纯化后可以得到3×10⁵±0.4×10⁵个mSSCs(n=5),细胞回收率(纯化后细胞数/曲细精管单细胞悬液细胞数)为1.5%±0.1%(n=5);经免疫磁珠法可以得到6×10⁵±0.4×10⁵个mSSCs(n=5),细胞回收率为3.0%±0.1%(n=5),免疫磁珠法得到的干细胞数量更高。差异贴壁法得到的干细胞更纯,因为体外培养5 d左右即得到干细胞集落,而免疫磁珠法得到的干细胞则约10 d才可以看到明显的细胞集落,但是两种纯化方法对细胞体外长期增殖生长没有明显的影响。结论: 两种方法均可以纯化得到高质量的mSSCs,,但两种方法各有优缺点。差异贴壁法较免疫磁珠法经济、实用,无需购买专门的设备和抗体磁珠,但获得的细胞数量相对较低,用时也较长。     

正常豚鼠耳蜗核一氧化氮合酶阳性神经元的投射

本文采用辣根过氧化物酶（ＨＲＰ）逆行追踪技术结合硫辛酰胺脱氨酸（ＮＡＤＰＨ－ｄ）组织化学方法,研究正常豚鼠耳蜗核一氧化氮合酶（ＮＯＳ）阳性神经元的上行投射特点。探讨耳蜗核ＮＯＳ阳性神经元在听觉信号传递中的可能作用。结果表明,一侧上橄榄复合体加压注射ＨＲＰ后,两侧耳蜗核均出现ＨＲＰ标记细胞,同侧耳蜗核ＮＯＳ－ＨＲＰ双标细胞较多占８２．６３％,并可见ＨＲＰ阳性纤维和终末包绕ＮＯＳ阳性胞体,对侧耳蜗核ＮＯＳ－ＨＲＰ双标细胞相对较少,仅占１４．８７％。一侧下丘加压注入ＨＲＰ后两侧耳蜗核均无ＨＲＰ－ＮＯＳ双标细胞。结果提示,耳蜗核ＮＯＳ阳性神经元向上橄榄复合体投射,可能具有调节听觉声信号传递的作用     

Enhanced auditory neuron survival following cell-based BDNF treatment in the deaf guinea pig

Exogenous neurotrophin delivery to the deaf cochlea can prevent deafness-induced auditory neuron degeneration, however, we have previously reported that these survival effects are rapidly lost if the treatment stops. In addition, there are concerns that current experimental techniques are not safe enough to be used clinically. Therefore, for such treatments to be clinically transferable, methods of neurotrophin treatment that are safe, biocompatible and can support long-term auditory neuron survival are necessary. Cell transplantation and gene transfer, combined with encapsulation technologies, have the potential to address these issues. This study investigated the survival-promoting effects of encapsulated BDNF over-expressing Schwann cells on auditory neurons in the deaf guinea pig. In comparison to control (empty) capsules, there was significantly greater auditory neuron survival following the cell-based BDNF treatment. Concurrent use of a cochlear implant is expected to result in even greater auditory neuron survival, and provide a clinically relevant method to support auditory neuron survival that may lead to improved speech perception and language outcomes for cochlear implant patients.     

Reg3b在大鼠耳蜗的分布及噪声刺激后的表达变化

目的：探讨Reg3b在大鼠耳蜗中的分布情况及在噪声刺激前后的表达变化,为治疗噪声性聋提供新思路。方法：30只健康成年SD大鼠,分为噪声暴露组和正常对照组,利用110dBSPL宽频稳态白噪声对噪声组进行噪声暴露,通过免疫组织荧光技术,观察Reg3b在正常及噪声刺激后成年sD大鼠耳蜗内的分布情况。采用实时定量PCR技术（Realtime-PCR）方法检测大鼠接受噪声刺激前后Reg3b在耳蜗内的表达变化。结果：免疫组织荧光技术提示,Reg3b在噪声暴露后主要表达于大鼠耳蜗的内毛细胞、外毛细胞,以及螺旋神经节处,而正常大鼠耳蜗中Reg3b表达不明显或呈阴性表达。与噪声刺激前相比,噪声刺激后,Reg3b在mRNA水平表达较噪声前明显提高。结论：Reg3b在耳蜗内的分布及在噪声刺激后的表达显著升高提示其在噪声诱导的细胞死亡及对抗噪声损伤方面具有一定作用,可能成为治疗感音神经性聋的新靶点。     

Auditory hair cell explant co-cultures promote the differentiation of stem cells into bipolar neurons

Auditory neurons, the target neurons of the cochlear implant, degenerate following a sensorineural hearing loss. The goal of this research is to direct the differentiation of embryonic stem cells (SCs) into bipolar auditory neurons that can be used to replace degenerating neurons in the deafened mammalian cochlea. Successful replacement of auditory neurons is likely to result in improved clinical outcomes for cochlear implant recipients. We examined two post-natal auditory co-culture models with and without neurotrophic support, for their potential to direct the differentiation of mouse embryonic SCs into characteristic, bipolar, auditory neurons. The differentiation of SCs into neuron-like cells was facilitated by co-culture with auditory neurons or hair cell explants, isolated from post-natal day five rats. The most successful combination was the co-culture of hair cell explants with whole embryoid bodies, which resulted in significantly greater numbers of neurofilament-positive, neuron-like cells. While further characterization of these differentiated cells will be essential before transplantation studies commence, these data illustrate the effectiveness of post-natal hair cell explant co-culture, at providing valuable molecular cues for directed differentiation of SCs towards an auditory neuron lineage.     

Survival, migration, and differentiation of Sox1-GFP embryonic stem cells in coculture with an auditory brainstem slice preparation

The poor regeneration capability of the mammalian hearing organ has initiated different approaches to enhance its functionality after injury. To evaluate a potential neuronal repair paradigm in the inner ear and cochlear nerve we have previously used embryonic neuronal tissue and stem cells for implantation in vivo and in vitro. At present, we have used in vitro techniques to study the survival and differentiation of Sox1-green fluorescent protein (GFP) mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells as a monoculture or as a coculture with rat auditory brainstem slices. For the coculture, 300 microm-thick brainstem slices encompassing the cochlear nucleus and cochlear nerve were prepared from postnatal SD rats. The slices were propagated using the membrane interface method and the cochlear nuclei were prelabeled with DiI. After some days in culture a suspension of Sox1 cells was deposited next to the brainstem slice. Following deposition Sox1 cells migrated toward the brainstem and onto the cochlear nucleus. GFP was not detectable in undifferentiated ES cells but became evident during neural differentiation. Up to 2 weeks after transplantation the cocultures were fixed. The undifferentiated cells were evaluated with antibodies against progenitor cells whereas the differentiated cells were determined with neuronal and glial markers. The morphological and immunohistochemical data indicated that Sox1 cells in monoculture differentiated into a higher percentage of glial cells than neurons. However, when a coculture was used a significantly lower percentage of Sox1 cells differentiated into glial cells. The results demonstrate that a coculture of Sox1 cells and auditory brainstem present a useful model to study stem cell differentiation.     

Expression and function of pannexins in the inner ear and hearing

Pannexin (Panx) is a gene family encoding gap junction proteins in vertebrates. So far, three isoforms (Panx1, 2 and 3) have been identified. All of three Panx isoforms express in the cochlea with distinct expression patterns. Panx1 expresses in the cochlea extensively, including the spiral limbus, the organ of Corti, and the cochlear lateral wall, whereas Panx2 and Panx3 restrict to the basal cells of the stria vascularis in the lateral wall and the cochlear bony structure, respectively. However, there is no pannexin expression in auditory sensory hair cells. Recent studies demonstrated that like connexin gap junction gene, Panx1 deficiency causes hearing loss. Panx1 channels dominate ATP release in the cochlea. Deletion of Panx1 abolishes ATP release in the cochlea and reduces endocochlear potential (EP), auditory receptor current/potential, and active cochlear amplification. Panx1 deficiency in the cochlea also activates caspase-3 cell apoptotic pathway leading to cell degeneration. These new findings suggest that pannexins have a critical role in the cochlea in regard to hearing. However, detailed information about pannexin function in the cochlea and Panx mutation induced hearing loss still remain largely undetermined. Further studies are required.     

乳鼠坐骨神经植块法的雪旺氏细胞培养

目的:改善并建立一种新的大鼠雪旺氏细胞(SCs)的培养方法,为研究外周神经损伤修复模型及其它外周神经相关实验提供高纯度、多数量的SCs。方法:麻醉后显微镜下解剖并分离新生3天内SD大鼠的坐骨神经,采取植块培养的方法,显微镜下尽量剥除坐骨神经纤维外膜,并梳理松解坐骨神经的神经纤维束。梳理后剪碎坐骨神经,每小块种植于培养皿中,使用纯血清培养4小时,再加入正常的DMEM/F12培养基,消化培养2-3代。最后用S-100及GFAP免疫荧光染色进行纯度鉴定。结果:本实验在总结前人实验的基础上,联合创新采用坐骨神经外膜剥除、神经内膜梳理、纯血清培养以及胰酶差速消化等方法,短时间内获得SCs的纯度可达99%以上,可用于进一步对雪旺氏细胞的功能进行研究。结论:这种选用乳鼠坐骨神经植块、血清培养的方法简单易操作,无需额外的生长因子及抑制因子,可在短期内获得大量高纯度的SCs。     

Cell Division and Maintenance of Epithelial Integrity in the Deafened Auditory Epithelium

Quiescence is among the hallmarks of the sensory epithelium of the cochlea. When auditory sensory cells (hair cells) degenerate they are not replaced, and therefore hearing loss is permanent. Cochlear hair cells are susceptible to several types of lesions, including aminoglycoside antibiotics. The application of the aminoglycoside neomycin in the inner ear mimics cases of severe hair cell loss and leads to collapse of the cochlear epithelium. We now report that in mature guinea pig cochleae injected with neomycin, the remaining non-sensory cells undergo a robust proliferative response. p27Kip1, an inhibitor of cell cycle in the cochlea, was present in non-dividing cells and absent during mitosis. Dividing cells retained their tight junction complexes and maintained the structural confluence of the auditory epithelium during cell division. The plane of mitosis was invariably parallel to the luminal surface. These results indicate that the flat epithelium of the cochlea can down-regulate p27Kip1 and divide after a severe lesion and suggest that the cell divisions assist in maintaining the epithelial confluence throughout the cochlea. Presence of mitosis in the tissue presents therapeutic opportunities for gene transfer and stem cells therapies.     

顺铂耳毒性大鼠耳聋模型的研究

摘要 目的：探讨顺铂对大鼠造成的听力损伤及耳蜗细胞形态学变化。方法：体内实验,运用顺铂腹腔注射的方法,连续七天注射,通过听性脑干反应检测,观察顺铂对不同日龄的大鼠听力损伤情况;测听后取耳蜗,通过基底膜铺片和冰冻切片的免疫荧光染色,观察听力损伤后对耳蜗毛细胞和螺旋神经元的影响。体外实验,耳蜗器官培养免疫荧光染色,观察顺铂对耳蜗毛细胞和螺旋神经元的影响。结果：顺铂具有耳毒性,会对大鼠听力造成损伤,高频听力损伤更加严重,而且对不同日龄的大鼠造成的听力损失不同,小日龄的大鼠对顺铂耳毒性更加敏感。体内实验,顺铂耳毒性造成听力损失,会引起大鼠耳蜗毛细胞的缺失,但未观察到明显的螺旋神经元缺失,也没有观察到明显的Cleaved caspase-3阳性螺旋神经元细胞。体外实验,可以观察到顺铂同时引起毛细胞和螺旋神经元产生明显的损伤。结论：体、内外实验,都可以建立稳定的顺铂耳毒性大鼠耳聋模型,对研究顺铂损伤耳蜗毛细胞的发生机制和保护奠定了实验基础。     

Contrasting mechanisms for hidden hearing loss: Synaptopathy vs myelin defects

Hidden hearing loss (HHL) is an auditory neuropathy characterized by normal hearing thresholds but reduced amplitudes of the sound-evoked auditory nerve compound action potential (CAP). In animal models, HHL can be caused by moderate noise exposure or aging, which induces loss of inner hair cell (IHC) synapses. In contrast, recent evidence has shown that transient loss of cochlear Schwann cells also causes permanent auditory deficits in mice with similarities to HHL. Histological analysis of the cochlea after auditory nerve remyelination showed a permanent disruption of the myelination patterns at the heminode of type I spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) peripheral terminals, suggesting that this defect could be contributing to HHL. To shed light on the mechanisms of different HHL scenarios observed in animals and to test their impact on type I SGN activity, we constructed a reduced biophysical model for a population of SGN peripheral axons whose activity is driven by a well-accepted model of cochlear sound processing. We found that the amplitudes of simulated sound-evoked SGN CAPs are lower and have greater latencies when heminodes are disorganized, i.e. they occur at different distances from the hair cell rather than at the same distance as in the normal cochlea. These results confirm that disruption of heminode positions causes desynchronization of SGN spikes leading to a loss of temporal resolution and reduction of the sound-evoked SGN CAP. Another mechanism resulting in HHL is loss of IHC synapses, i.e., synaptopathy. For comparison, we simulated synaptopathy by removing high threshold IHC-SGN synapses and found that the amplitude of simulated sound-evoked SGN CAPs decreases while latencies remain unchanged, as has been observed in noise exposed animals. Thus, model results illuminate diverse disruptions caused by synaptopathy and demyelination on neural activity in auditory processing that contribute to HHL as observed in animal models and that can contribute to perceptual deficits induced by nerve damage in humans.