Differential Expression of Bcl-2 in the Cochlea and Auditory Cortex of a Mouse Model of Age-Related Hearing Loss.

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Differential Expression of Bcl-2 in the Cochlea and Auditory Cortex of a Mouse Model of Age-Related Hearing Loss.

Audiol Neurootol. 2016;21(5):326-332

Authors: Huang Q, Xiong H, Yang H, Ou Y, Zhang Z, Chen S, Ye Y, Zheng Y

Abstract
Bcl-2, the first gene shown to be involved in apoptosis, is a potent regulator of cell survival and known to have protective effects against a variety of age-related diseases. However, the possible relationship between hearing and Bcl-2 expression in the cochlea or auditory cortex of C57BL/6 mice, a mouse model of age-related hearing loss, is still unknown. Using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis, our results show that Bcl-2 is strongly expressed in the inner hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons of young mice. In addition, moderate Bcl-2 expression is also detected in the outer hair cells and in the neurons of the auditory cortex. A significant reduction of Bcl-2 expression in the cochlea or auditory cortex is also associated with elevated hearing thresholds and hair cell loss during aging. The expression pattern of Bcl-2 in the peripheral and central auditory systems suggests that Bcl-2 may play an important role in auditory function serving as a protective molecule against age-related hearing loss.

PMID: 27925611 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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