Hair cell regeneration: winging our way towards a sound future.
The discovery of hair cell regeneration in the inner ear of birds provides new optimism that there may be a treatment for hearing and balance disorders. In this review we describe the process of hair cell regeneration in birds; including restoration of function, recovery of perception and what is currently known about molecular events, such as growth factors and signalling systems. We examine some of the key recent findings in both birds and mammals.
Bermingham-McDonogh
Olivia
O
Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center and Department of Otolaryngology-HNS, University of Washington Medical School, Box 357923, Seattle, Washington 98195-7923, USA. oliviab@u.washington.edu
Rubel
Edwin W
EW
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007760:Labyrinth Supporting Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D023421:Models, Animal; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology