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Review
. 2017 Dec;12(4):151-164.
doi: 10.1016/j.joto.2017.08.001. Epub 2017 Aug 10.

Apoptosis in inner ear sensory hair cells

Seth Morrill  1 , David Z Z He  1
Affiliations
Review

Apoptosis in inner ear sensory hair cells

Seth Morrill et al. J Otol. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

Apoptosis, or controlled cell death, is a normal part of cellular lifespan. Cell death of cochlear hair cells causes deafness; an apoptotic process that is not well understood. Worldwide, 1.3 billion humans suffer some form of hearing loss, while 360 million suffer debilitating hearing loss as a direct result of the absence of these cochlear hair cells (Worldwide Hearing, 2014). Much is known about apoptosis in other systems and in other cell types thanks to studies done since the mid-20th century. Here we review current literature on apoptosis in general, and causes of deafness and cochlear hair cells loss as a result of apoptosis. The family of B-cell lymphoma (Bcl) proteins are among the most studied and characterized. We will review current literature on the Bcl2 and Bcl6 protein interactions in relation to apoptosis and their possible roles in vulnerability and survival of cochlear hair cells.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Bcl2; Bcl6; Hair cell.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathways. The extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis are graphically shown with their associated receptors, proteins, molecules, and cross talk.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Interactions of Bcl2 and Bcl6. Shown are some of the known interactions of Bcl2 (panel A) and Bcl6 (panel B). Shown are protein interactions relating to cell cycle and cell death.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Anatomy of the Cochlea. Cartoon illustration of the cochlea. Panel a. A split cochlea showing the various turns, base, and helicotrema. Panel b. Cartoon illustration of the 3 compartments of the cochlea. Panel c. Relation of the cochlear hair cells, basilar membrane, and tectorial membrane. (Anatomybody-charts, 2016).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Anatomy of the Cochlear Hair Cells. Left panel: organization of the inner and outer hair cells that line the tonotopic axis of the cochlea. Top right: morphological differences of the IHC and OHC. IHC are more pear-shaped with a central nucleus and apical stereocilia. OHC are more cylindrical with a basal-located nucleus and apical stereocilia. Bottom right: image showing grouping of outer hair cells versus inner hair cells.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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