[Differentiation, protection and regeneration of hair cells and auditory neurons in mammals].
Perception deafness, as opposed to transmission deafness, results from a lesion of the sensory cells and/or of the neurons of the auditory part of inner ear. There is currently no treatment able to stop the progression of a hearing loss or to restore a lost auditory function. We review here the progress which has been made with respect to the regeneration and the protection of neurosensory structures in the inner ear. A spontaneous post-lesional regeneration of hair cells in the sensory epithelium has been observed in amphibians and birds as well as in the vestibular part of the mammalian inner ear. In contrast, hair cells regeneration in the auditory portion of the inner ear of mammals appears to be limited to the developmental stages. The objective of this first part of our work is to try to identify progenitor cells in the cochlea and to characterize factors that are able to induce their proliferation and differentiation. Otoprotection of the sensory epithelium is another therapeutical strategy aimed at preventing further degradation of the auditory function. The prevention of the deleterious effect on hair cells of several drugs such as aminoglycosides and platin derivatives has been obtained using free radical scavengers or growth factors. Studies of the development of the innervation of the inner ear suggest the potential therapeutic interest of various growth factors, mostly the neurotrophins, to maintain the innervation of the adult Corti's organ.
Malgrange
B
B
D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000502:physiology; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008322:Mammals; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D012038:Regeneration