New ways to study why aminoglycosides—a class of antibiotics cause hair cell death and permanent hearing loss have been uncovered.
Aminoglycoside-induced Hearing Loss: New Insights
“This work identifies multiple potential therapeutic targets for preventing hearing loss caused by aminoglycosides,” said Bo Zhao, PhD, assistant professor of otolaryngology—head and neck surgery. Ototoxicity—hearing loss caused by medication—is one of the main causes of hearing loss in humans. More than 48 million people in the United States experience trouble hearing.Aminoglycosides Help Treat Hearing Loss
Aminoglycosides for nearly a century have been used to treat severe infections. Although the drug is a first-line treatment for life-threatening infections—particularly in developing countries—due to their low cost and low incidence of antibiotic resistance, it has been reported to cause hair cell death and subsequent permanent hearing loss among 20-47% of patients, but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. Hair cells are responsible for sound reception in the inner ear.
Hearing Loss - Symptom Evaluation - Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Health Tips, FAQs
Hearing loss is a common problem that could occur in childhood or often develops with age or is caused by repeated exposure to loud noises. Keep abreast on its causes and symptoms.
Hearing loss is a common problem that could occur in childhood or often develops with age or is caused by repeated exposure to loud noises. Keep abreast on its causes and symptoms.
‘The proteins identified in this study could potentially be used as drug targets to prevent aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss in future studies.’
Zhao, whose lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying hearing loss, used biochemical screening to identify proteins found in hair cells. They first discovered that aminoglycosides bound to the protein RIPOR2, which is required for auditory perception. “As aminoglycosides specifically trigger a rapid localization change of RIPOR2 in hair cells, we hypothesize that RIPOR2 is essential for aminoglycoside-induced hair cell death,” Zhao said.
The researchers developed a model in the lab that has normal hearing but significantly decreased RIPOR2 expression. Through these experiments, Zhao said the model had neither significant hair cell death nor hearing loss after treatment of aminoglycosides.
Hearing Loss in Young Children and Early Intervention
Early identification of hearing loss in infants and young children and treating hearing impairment can go a long way to integrate them into the society of talking people.
Early identification of hearing loss in infants and young children and treating hearing impairment can go a long way to integrate them into the society of talking people.
Source-Eurekalert
Quiz on Hearing Loss
A little difficulty in hearing is natural with the aging process but if the auditory damage occurs because of other reasons, it can be a cause for concern. Take this quiz to find out how much you know about hearing loss.
A little difficulty in hearing is natural with the aging process but if the auditory damage occurs because of other reasons, it can be a cause for concern. Take this quiz to find out how much you know about hearing loss.
Dysfunctional Gene Linked to Hearing Loss
Inherited MINAR2 gene mutations cause deafness. The gene variation mostly affects the inner ear hair cells.
Inherited MINAR2 gene mutations cause deafness. The gene variation mostly affects the inner ear hair cells.
