The long term goal of our laboratory is to define gene- and cell-based strategies that restore hearing and balance in the dysfunctional inner ear. The short term goals are to advance our understanding of morphogenesis, pattern formation, and cell fate specification in the mouse inner ear. We use the mouse as a model system because an ever-expanding array of natural and induced genetic mutations exist that serve as accurate paradigms for human inner ear dysfunction. Our overarching technical approach relies on experimental embryology, a palette of surgical, imaging, microinjection and molecular techniques that permit access to the developing mouse inner ear in utero and enable genetic manipulation of precursor cells that give rise to the auditory and vestibular sensory structures. I this proposal, we aim: 1) to fate map the mouse otic vesicle in vivo~ 2) to define the types of cel fate choices otic precursors make and the timing of those choices~ and 3) to define the clonal contributions of neuroepithelial progenitors to the differentiated inner ear. A fate map describes what distinct populations of cells become as the inner ear matures. Developmental biologists use fate maps to understand how progenitor gene expression in a developing tissue or organ drives maturation and results in the acquisition of form and function. Intersection of indelibly labeled precursors with known domains of gene expression can teach us the molecular signals required to pattern sensory organs and specify cell fate. Lineage analysis, on the other hand, identifies the differentiated cells an individual otic precursor makes and reveals their location i the mature sensory organ. Clonal relationships will teach us if genetically defined pools of precursors are programmed early on in development to give rise to gross anatomical structures in the inner ear and to the sensory patches. The output of fate mapping and lineage analysis is a deeper understanding of the genetic regulation of progenitor cell identity and behavior. And that regulation promises to be far more complex that originally envisioned. Recent genetic fate mapping data show that neuroepithelial progenitor cells from the neural tube and likely the neural crest contribute precursor cells to the otic epithelium that generate sensory and nonsensory cells upon differentiation. These novel data firmly challenge the precept that the inner ear develops exclusively from placodal ectoderm and imply that neural ectoderm may uniquely participate in patterning and cell fate specification. Clonal analysis of these geneticall separable neuroepithelial precursor populations will advance our core knowledge about the embryonic origins of the mouse inner ear. A more complete understanding of the fate, lineage, and behavior of inner ear progenitor cells will inform the design of gene- and cell-based strategies aimed at the restoration of hearing and balance.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed studies will advance our understanding of pattern formation and cell fate specification in the mammalian inner ear. This new knowledge will inform efforts to define gene- and cell-based strategies to restore auditory and vestibular function in the diseased or damaged inner ear.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC008595-10
Application #
9414014
Study Section
Auditory System Study Section (AUD)
Program Officer
Freeman, Nancy
Project Start
2007-02-01
Project End
2019-01-31
Budget Start
2018-02-01
Budget End
2019-01-31
Support Year
10
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon Health and Science University
Department
Otolaryngology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
096997515
City
Portland
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97239
Gomes, Michelle M; Wang, Lingyan; Jiang, Han et al. (2016) A Rapid, Cost-Effective Method to Prepare Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus for Efficient Gene Transfer to the Developing Mouse Inner Ear. Methods Mol Biol 1427:43-57
Jiang, Han; Wang, Lingyan; Beier, Kevin T et al. (2013) Lineage analysis of the late otocyst stage mouse inner ear by transuterine microinjection of a retroviral vector encoding alkaline phosphatase and an oligonucleotide library. PLoS One 8:e69314
Pokidysheva, Elena; Tufa, Sara; Bresee, Chris et al. (2013) Prolyl 3-hydroxylase-1 null mice exhibit hearing impairment and abnormal morphology of the middle ear bone joints. Matrix Biol 32:39-44
Huang, Alice H; Riordan, Timothy J; Wang, Lingyan et al. (2013) Repositioning forelimb superficialis muscles: tendon attachment and muscle activity enable active relocation of functional myofibers. Dev Cell 26:544-51
Giese, Arnaud P; Ezan, Jérome; Wang, Lingyan et al. (2012) Gipc1 has a dual role in Vangl2 trafficking and hair bundle integrity in the inner ear. Development 139:3775-85
Wang, Lingyan; Jiang, Han; Brigande, John V (2012) Gene transfer to the developing mouse inner ear by in vivo electroporation. J Vis Exp :
Wang, Lingyan; Bresee, Chris S; Jiang, Han et al. (2011) Scleraxis is required for differentiation of the stapedius and tensor tympani tendons of the middle ear. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 12:407-21
Reisinger, Ellen; Bresee, Chris; Neef, Jakob et al. (2011) Probing the functional equivalence of otoferlin and synaptotagmin 1 in exocytosis. J Neurosci 31:4886-95
Brigande, John V; Gubbels, Samuel P; Woessner, David W et al. (2009) Electroporation-mediated gene transfer to the developing mouse inner ear. Methods Mol Biol 493:125-39
Brigande, John V; Heller, Stefan (2009) Quo vadis, hair cell regeneration? Nat Neurosci 12:679-85

Showing the most recent 10 out of 11 publications