2017
Progressive age-dependence and frequency difference in the effect of gap junctions on active cochlear amplification and hearing
Zong L, Chen J, Zhu Y, Zhao H. Progressive age-dependence and frequency difference in the effect of gap junctions on active cochlear amplification and hearing. Biochemical And Biophysical Research Communications 2017, 489: 223-227. PMID: 28552523, PMCID: PMC5555358, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.05.137.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsActive cochlear amplificationHearing lossCochlear amplificationMice ageGap junctionsAge-related hearing lossSignificant hearing lossPostnatal day 25Cochlear gap junctionsAuditory sensory hair cellsSensory hair cellsNonsyndromic hearing lossHigh incidenceOuter pillar cellsDay 25Deiters' cellsConnexin expressionHair cellsConnexin 26Outer hair cell electromotilityHair cell electromotilityPillar cellsPrevious reportsCochleaAge
2016
Gap junction mediated miRNA intercellular transfer and gene regulation: A novel mechanism for intercellular genetic communication
Zong L, Zhu Y, Liang R, Zhao H. Gap junction mediated miRNA intercellular transfer and gene regulation: A novel mechanism for intercellular genetic communication. Scientific Reports 2016, 6: 19884. PMID: 26814383, PMCID: PMC4728487, DOI: 10.1038/srep19884.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenetic communicationGap junction channelsGene regulationGene expressionIntercellular transferJunction channelsSmall regulatory RNAsNovel mechanismSpecific cell typesPassage of ionsRegulatory RNAsCellular processesOrgan developmentConnexin mutationsDifferent miRNAsRecipient cellsMiRNAsCell typesNeighboring cellsCell proliferationConnexin expressionImportant roleMiRNA levelsGap junctionsCell lines
2015
Cellular and Deafness Mechanisms Underlying Connexin Mutation-Induced Hearing Loss – A Common Hereditary Deafness
Wingard J, Zhao H. Cellular and Deafness Mechanisms Underlying Connexin Mutation-Induced Hearing Loss – A Common Hereditary Deafness. Frontiers In Cellular Neuroscience 2015, 9: 202. PMID: 26074771, PMCID: PMC4448512, DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00202.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHearing lossPathological changesDeafness mechanismCongenital deafnessActive cochlear amplificationProgressive hearing lossDetailed cellular mechanismsCochlear hair cellsHair cell degenerationHereditary deafnessConnexin 26 mutationsDistinct pathological changesNon-syndromic hearing lossProfound congenital deafnessAuditory phenotypeHigh incidenceTherapeutic strategiesGap junctional proteinCell degenerationConnexin expressionHair cellsDeafnessCellular mechanismsLate childhoodCx26 mutations
2005
Gap junctional hemichannel-mediated ATP release and hearing controls in the inner ear
Zhao H, Yu N, Fleming C. Gap junctional hemichannel-mediated ATP release and hearing controls in the inner ear. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2005, 102: 18724-18729. PMID: 16344488, PMCID: PMC1317927, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0506481102.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHemichannel-mediated ATP releaseHair cellsGap junctional blockerActive cochlear amplifierAuditory sensory hair cellsSensory hair cellsEffect of ATPP2 receptorsExtracellular Ca2OHC electromotilityCochlear sensitivityATP releaseConnexin gap junctionsExtracellular ATPConnexin expressionInner earImmunofluorescent stainingHearing controlsHearing sensitivityOuter hair cell electromotilityCochleaHair cell electromotilityConnexin hemichannelsCochlear fluidsGap junctional channels