Single-nucleus profiling of mouse inner ear aging uncovers cell type heterogeneity and hair cell subtype-specific age-related signatures.

Mingyu Xia, Feng Zhang, Jiaoyao Ma, Yunjie Li, Gaogan Jia, Mingxuan Wu, Yiyun Lou, Yaoqian Liu, Lingjie Li, Huawei Li, Wenyan Li

ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China; Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China; Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Degeneration of the auditory and vestibular hair cells (HCs) leads to dysfunction of two essential senses: hearing loss and decompensated balance perception. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing inner ear aging and its link to dysfunctions of sensory HCs remain unclear. Here, we constructed an aging-associated cell atlas of cochlear and utricular tissues in C57BL/6J mice through single-nucleus RNA sequencing, revealing transcriptionally distinct hair cell subtypes and spatially restricted molecular markers that delineate specific cellular populations. We uncovered activation of macrophages and shaped inflamed niches in the aged inner ear. Furthermore, we demonstrated the cell type-specific signatures of aging between the two organs, with focused characterization in six HC subtypes uncovering core mechanisms like dysregulated RNA splicing underlying degeneration. Crucially, suppressing RNA splicing factor Rbm25 abolished inflammation-induced HC deterioration. Our study reveals complex, multifactorial mechanisms that underlie inner ear aging and offer potential targets for preventing HC degeneration.

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Research summary

The study identifies specific cellular mechanisms and signatures of aging in hair cells of the inner ear, suggesting potential targets for preventing degeneration. This research addresses the underlying mechanisms of aging in sensory cells, which is relevant to understanding and potentially mitigating age-related sensory dysfunctions.

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