The study shows that delicate hearing cells can repair themselves from damage caused by loud noises or other forms of stress. (Image: Shutterstock)
These hair-like structures are known as stereocilia, and the new research shows a process they use to repair themselves.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism through which cells responsible for hearing can repair themselves after sustaining damage. This breakthrough has the potential to enhance the treatment and prevention of hearing loss.
Hair cells located in the inner ear play a vital role in both hearing and balance. These specialized cells are called hair cells because they are covered in hair-like structures that function as mechanical antennas for detecting sound.
A study published in the journal eLife reveals that these delicate hearing cells possess the ability to repair themselves from damage caused by loud noises or other forms of stress.
While much effort has been focused on regenerating sensory hair cells, it is equally important to understand the mechanisms underlying the repair and maintenance of these cells.
“By gaining a deeper understanding of these inherent repair processes, we can develop effective strategies to strengthen them,” said Jung-Bum Shin, a researcher from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in the United States.
Future approaches may involve the use of drugs to stimulate cell repair, according to Shin.
“When hair cell replacement becomes challenging, the focus shifts towards repairing them instead. This dual strategy of regeneration and repair holds great potential for advancing treatments for hearing loss and related conditions,” Shin explained.
Hair cells are inherently fragile as they need to be sensitive to sound while enduring continuous mechanical stress. Prolonged exposure to loud noise can compromise the integrity of hair cells in various ways, including damage to their cores.
To counteract core damage, hair cells utilize a protein called XIRP2, which has the ability to detect damage to the cores composed of a substance called actin.
The research team found that XIRP2 first detects damage and then migrates to the site of damage, repairing the cores by generating new actin.
“Age-related hearing loss affects a significant portion of older adults. Understanding and harnessing the internal mechanisms by which hair cells combat wear and tear will be crucial in identifying ways to prevent age-related hearing loss,” Shin emphasized.
Furthermore, this knowledge may have potential implications for associated conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia,” added the researcher.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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