Reprogramming glia into neurons in the peripheral auditory system as a solution for sensorineural hearing loss: Lessons from the central nervous system

Steven J. Meas, Chun Li Zhang, Alain Dabdoub

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Disabling hearing loss affects over 5% of the world’s population and impacts the lives of individuals from all age groups. Within the next three decades, the worldwide incidence of hearing impairment is expected to double. Since a leading cause of hearing loss is the degeneration of primary auditory neurons (PANs), the sensory neurons of the auditory system that receive input from mechanosensory hair cells in the cochlea, it may be possible to restore hearing by regenerating PANs. A direct reprogramming approach can be used to convert the resident spiral ganglion glial cells into induced neurons to restore hearing. This review summarizes recent advances in reprogramming glia in the CNS to suggest future steps for regenerating the peripheral auditory system. In the coming years, direct reprogramming of spiral ganglion glial cells has the potential to become one of the leading biological strategies to treat hearing impairment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number77
JournalFrontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
Volume11
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 14 2018

Keywords

  • Brain
  • Ear
  • Hearing loss
  • In vivo
  • Regeneration
  • Reprogramming
  • Tissue repair

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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