title: Generation of human inner ear prosensory-like cells via epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify human hair cell progenitors from adult inner ear sensory epithelium.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected discarded utricles from translabyrinthine surgery and isolated human utricular sensory epithelial cells (HUCs) to explore whether they can proliferate and obtain features of stem/progenitor cells in vitro using reverse transcription PCR and immunofluorescence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When cultured in vitro, HUCs expressed genes and proteins that are usually present in prosensory cells and stem cells. Additionally, dissociated HUCs expanded on the substrates and presented properties of mesenchymal cells via epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results reveal that sensory epithelial cells from the adult human inner ear can re-enter the cell cycle and adopt a stem/progenitor cell fate. The outcomes of this study may open avenues for human hair cell progenitor generation, which could potentially provide a novel stem cell-based replacement for hearing loss and other inner ear disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. zh@med.wayne.ed
authors.forename: Zhengqing
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Xuemei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Fengqing
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Fengping
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Monsell
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002469:Cell Separation; D048430:Cell Shape; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000166:cytology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology; D012444:Saccule and Utricle / Q000166:cytology; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers