miR-34a/Bcl-2 signaling pathway contributes to age-related hearing loss by modulating hair cell apoptosis

Neurosci Lett. 2017 Nov 20:661:51-56. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.07.044. Epub 2017 Jul 26.

Abstract

MicroRNAs, such as miR-34, have been reported to influence age-related diseases. In this study, we explored the role of the miR-34a/Bcl-2 signaling pathway in age-related hearing loss (AHL). Using an AHL mouse model (C57BL/6), we found that the expression of miR-34a in the cochlea increased with age, whereas expression of Bcl-2 decreased. Increasing the amount of a miR-34a mimetic in a mouse auditory cell line (HEI-OC1) inhibited Bcl-2, leading to enhanced apoptosis; in contrast, miR-34a inhibition produced the opposite effect. Our results support a link between age-related cochlear hair cell apoptosis and miR-34a/Bcl-2 signaling. The latter may thus serve as a potential target for AHL therapy.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Bcl-2; Cochlea; Presbycusis; miR-34a.

Publication types

  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / genetics*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Genes, bcl-2 / genetics
  • Hair Cells, Auditory / metabolism*
  • Hearing Loss / genetics*
  • Hearing Loss / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • MIRN34a microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs