title: The Expression of AGO2 and DGCR8 in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The microRNAs have been implicated in the development and function of the inner ear, especially in contribution to hearing. However, the impact of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) on expression of miRNA biogenesis-related components has not been established. To investigate the regulations of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis-related components, argonaute 2 (AGO2) and DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8 (DGCR8) mRNA expression in SSNHL and to evaluate the value of clinical parameters on their expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven patients diagnosed with SSNHL and fifty-one healthy volunteers were included in this study. We measured mRNA expression levels of AGO2 and DGCR8 in whole blood cells but erythrocytes of patients with SSNHL and controls, using reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mRNA expression level of AGO2 is upregulated in SSNHL. The expression level of AGO2 was significantly correlated with that of DGCR8 in both patients with SSNHL and controls. Expression level of AGO2 in SSNHL was correlated with white blood cell counts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated for the first time that the AGO2 mRNA expression level was upregulated in SSNHL, suggesting its important role in pathobiology of SSNHL development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Soon Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Hoon
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Il
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Nam
keywords: Argonaute 2; DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8; MicroRNA biogenesis; Sudden hearing loss