PMID: 22569048May 18, 2012Paper

Changes in expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in the aging mouse cochlea, part 1: the normal-hearing mouse

Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery = Le Journal D'oto-rhino-laryngologie Et De Chirurgie Cervico-faciale
Thileeban KandasamyVincent Y W Lin

Abstract

Presbycusis is the most common degenerative otologic condition. New research is pointing toward vascular changes within the cochlea with age. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, Flt-1 and Flk-1, are important regulators of angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to characterize the hearing, VEGF expression, and vasculature of young and old Swiss Webster (SW) mice. Young (4 weeks, n = 14) and aged (32-36 weeks; n = 14) SW mice were used. Hearing was evaluated using the auditory brainstem response. Changes in VEGF, Flt-1, and Flk-1 expression and histology were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (quantitative PCR). Aged SW mice demonstrated clinically stable hearing with age with mean hearing thresholds dropping 5.7, 4.2, 6.5, and 10.9 dB peSPL with age at 4, 8, 16, and 32 kHz pure-tone stimuli, respectively. Immunohistochemistry showed the presence of VEGF, Flt-1, and Flk-1 in the stria vascularis, spiral ganglion, and organ of Corti. Strong expression was found within the hair cells and the stria vascularis. Immunohistochemistry and qPCR demonstrated no difference in expression levels between age groups or between apical and basal turns of the cochlea. Microscopy d...Continue Reading

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