Activated tissue-resident macrophages contribute to hair cell insults in noise-induced hearing loss in mice

Activated tissue-resident macrophages contribute to hair cell insults in noise-induced hearing loss in mice

Blog Article

Abstract Macrophages serve as the primary immune cell population and assume a pivotal role in the immune response within the damaged cochleae.Yet, the origin and role of macrophages in response to noise exposure remain controversial.Here, we take advantage of Ccr2RFP/+ Cx3cr1GFP/+ dual-reporter mice to identify the infiltrated and tissue-resident macrophages.After noise exposure, we reveal that activated resident macrophages change in morphology, increase in abundance, and migrate to the region of peel-off mask hair cells, leading to the loss of outer hair cells and the damage of ribbon synapses.

Meanwhile, peripheral monocytes are not implicated in the noise-induced hair cell insults.These noise-induced activities of macrophages are abolished by inhibiting TLR4 signaling, resulting in alleviated insults of hair cells and partial recovery of hearing.Our findings indicate cochlear resident macrophages are pro-inflammatory and detrimental players in acoustic trauma Android Media Player and introduce a potential therapeutic target in noise-induced hearing loss.