2018
Knockout of Pannexin-1 Induces Hearing Loss
Chen J, Liang C, Zong L, Zhu Y, Zhao H. Knockout of Pannexin-1 Induces Hearing Loss. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences 2018, 19: 1332. PMID: 29710868, PMCID: PMC5983795, DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051332.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDistortion product otoacoustic emissionsHearing lossKO miceKO mouse lineMouse linesCochlear microphonicsAuditory brainstem response thresholdActive cochlear amplificationPanx1 KO miceAuditory function testsProduct otoacoustic emissionsKnockout mouse lineFunction testsNonsyndromic hearing lossABR thresholdHearing functionHigh incidenceRecent studiesGap junctional proteinReceptor currentsOtoacoustic emissionsMiceCochlear amplificationConsistent phenotypeResponse threshold
2017
A deafness mechanism of digenic Cx26 (GJB2) and Cx30 (GJB6) mutations: Reduction of endocochlear potential by impairment of heterogeneous gap junctional function in the cochlear lateral wall
Mei L, Chen J, Zong L, Zhu Y, Liang C, Jones R, Zhao H. A deafness mechanism of digenic Cx26 (GJB2) and Cx30 (GJB6) mutations: Reduction of endocochlear potential by impairment of heterogeneous gap junctional function in the cochlear lateral wall. Neurobiology Of Disease 2017, 108: 195-203. PMID: 28823936, PMCID: PMC5675824, DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.08.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCochlear lateral wallEndocochlear potentialHearing lossGap junctional functionDeafness mechanismLateral wallHeterozygous miceCx30 mutationsHair cell degenerationHomozygous knockout miceJunctional functionHeterozygous mouse modelGap junctionsOrgan of CortiSame gap junctional plaquesEP reductionFrequent causePathological changesMouse modelKnockout miceReceptor currentsCell degenerationNormal hearingHeterozygous mutationsMiceProgressive 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgingAnimalsCochleaConnexin 26ConnexinsGap JunctionsHearing LossMiceMice, KnockoutMice, TransgenicConceptsActive 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
Connexin26 gap junction mediates miRNA intercellular genetic communication in the cochlea and is required for inner ear development
Zhu Y, Zong L, Mei L, Zhao H. Connexin26 gap junction mediates miRNA intercellular genetic communication in the cochlea and is required for inner ear development. Scientific Reports 2015, 5: 15647. PMID: 26490746, PMCID: PMC4614881, DOI: 10.1038/srep15647.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenetic communicationOrgan developmentInner ear gap junctionsIntercellular communicationGap junctionsCochlear developmentInner ear developmentNon-coding RNAsCx26 knockout miceEar developmentGene expressionIntercellular transferCx26 deficiencyMiR-96 expressionCx30 deficiencyDevelopmental disordersPredominant isoformCell proliferationDeletionCx26Critical roleKnockout miceExpressionMiRNAsMicroRNAs
2013
Active cochlear amplification is dependent on supporting cell gap junctions
Zhu Y, Liang C, Chen J, Zong L, Chen G, Zhao H. Active cochlear amplification is dependent on supporting cell gap junctions. Nature Communications 2013, 4: 1786. PMID: 23653198, PMCID: PMC3675877, DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2806.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAuditory ThresholdCochlear Microphonic PotentialsConnexin 26ConnexinsEvoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain StemGap JunctionsGene DeletionGene TargetingHair Cells, Auditory, OuterHearing LossLabyrinth Supporting CellsMiceMice, KnockoutMolecular Motor ProteinsNonlinear DynamicsOtoacoustic Emissions, SpontaneousSpiral GanglionConceptsActive cochlear amplificationOuter hair cellsCell gap junctionsHearing lossCochlear amplificationHair cellsGap junctionsDistortion product otoacoustic emissionsOuter hair cell electromotilityHair cell electromotilitySevere hearing lossProduct otoacoustic emissionsShorter outer hair cellsHair-bundle movementsOuter pillar cellsLeftward shiftOtoacoustic emissionsAcoustic stimulationDeiters' cellsHearing sensitivityConnexin 26Active cochlear mechanicsNovel findingsPillar cellsBundle movement
2012
ATP activates P2X receptors to mediate gap junctional coupling in the cochlea
Zhu Y, Zhao H. ATP activates P2X receptors to mediate gap junctional coupling in the cochlea. Biochemical And Biophysical Research Communications 2012, 426: 528-532. PMID: 22982314, PMCID: PMC3471361, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.08.119.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsP2X receptorsGap junctional couplingCochlear gap junctionsP2Y receptor agonist UTPGap junctionsJunctional couplingP2X receptor antagonistMetabotropic purinergic receptorsReceptor agonist UTPStimulation of ATPPhysiological levelsReceptor antagonistP2Y receptorsPurinergic controlPurinergic receptorsBenzoylbenzoyl-ATPNoise stressReceptorsIonic homeostasisCochleaDisulfonic acidCritical roleIntercellular channelsATPCells
2011
Pannexin channels are not gap junction hemichannels
Sosinsky G, Boassa D, Dermietzel R, Duffy H, Laird D, MacVicar B, Naus C, Penuela S, Scemes E, Spray D, Thompson R, Zhao H, Dahl G. Pannexin channels are not gap junction hemichannels. Channels 2011, 5: 193-197. PMID: 21532340, PMCID: PMC3704572, DOI: 10.4161/chan.5.3.15765.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2009
Modulation of Outer Hair Cell Electromotility by Cochlear Supporting Cells and Gap Junctions
Yu N, Zhao H. Modulation of Outer Hair Cell Electromotility by Cochlear Supporting Cells and Gap Junctions. PLOS ONE 2009, 4: e7923. PMID: 19936276, PMCID: PMC2775161, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007923.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2008
Identification and characterization of pannexin expression in the mammalian cochlea
Wang X, Streeter M, Liu Y, Zhao H. Identification and characterization of pannexin expression in the mammalian cochlea. The Journal Of Comparative Neurology 2008, 512: 336-346. PMID: 19009624, PMCID: PMC2630187, DOI: 10.1002/cne.21898.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsCochleaConnexinsGap JunctionsHumansMiceMice, Inbred C57BLNerve Tissue ProteinsProtein IsoformsRatsConceptsSpiral ganglion neuronsCochlear lateral wallDiffuse cytoplasmic labelingMammalian cochleaType II fibrocytesOrgan of CortiBlood vessel cellsOuter sulcus cellsWestern blot analysisDistinct cellular distributionGanglion neuronsPolymerase chain reactionGap junctional proteinRat cochleaInterdental cellsStria vascularisPunctate labelingDeiters' cellsSpiral limbusImmunofluorescent stainingCochlear boneHair cellsBasal cellsSpiral prominencePannexin expressionHemichannel-Mediated Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate (IP3) Release in the Cochlea: A Novel Mechanism of IP3 Intercellular Signaling
Gossman D, Zhao H. Hemichannel-Mediated Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate (IP3) Release in the Cochlea: A Novel Mechanism of IP3 Intercellular Signaling. Cell Communication & Adhesion 2008, 15: 305-315. PMID: 18979296, PMCID: PMC5543712, DOI: 10.1080/15419060802357217.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIntercellular signalingLong-distance intercellular communicationImportant second messengerGap junction channelsGap junction hemichannel blockerGap junction hemichannelsCochlear sensory epitheliumCassette transportersSecond messengerIntercellular communicationDeafness mutantsJunction channelsCell surfaceExtracellular mediatorsSignalingNovel mechanismSensory epitheliumHemichannelsExtracellular pathwaysTrisphosphateInositolFluorescence polarization techniqueHemichannel blockersImportant roleExtracellular application
2006
Distinct and gradient distributions of connexin26 and connexin30 in the cochlear sensory epithelium of guinea pigs
Zhao H, Yu N. Distinct and gradient distributions of connexin26 and connexin30 in the cochlear sensory epithelium of guinea pigs. The Journal Of Comparative Neurology 2006, 499: 506-518. PMID: 16998915, PMCID: PMC2553046, DOI: 10.1002/cne.21113.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCochlear sensory epitheliumSensory epitheliumGuinea pigsHensen's cellsDeiters' cellsSpiral ganglion neuronsPillar cellsExpression of Cx26Auditory sensory epitheliumDistinct cellular expressionGanglion neuronsCochlear apexCx26 labelingCell bodiesCx26 expressionImmunofluorescent stainingEpitheliumHair cellsCellular expressionCx30Dense labelingClaudius cellsCell preparationsPredominant isoformCellular distributionGap Junctions and Cochlear Homeostasis
Zhao H, Kikuchi T, Ngezahayo A, White T. Gap Junctions and Cochlear Homeostasis. The Journal Of Membrane Biology 2006, 209: 177. PMID: 16773501, PMCID: PMC1609193, DOI: 10.1007/s00232-005-0832-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsCochleaConnexinsDisease Models, AnimalGap JunctionsHearing LossHomeostasisHumansMiceMutationConceptsGap junction systemConnexin mutationsHuman deafnessConnective tissue cell gap junction systemEpithelial cell gap junction systemGap junctionsMammalian inner earNon-sensory cellsGap junction networkGap junction functionConnexin genesTransduction processesDifferent connexinsFunctional studiesMutant channelsHereditary deafnessJunction functionSensory cellsCochlear homeostasisMutationsRecycling mechanismCritical roleConnexinsHigh incidenceAnimal models
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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdenosine TriphosphateAnimalsCalciumConnexinsEar, InnerGap JunctionsGuinea PigsHearingReceptors, Purinergic P2ConceptsHemichannel-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 channelsConnexin26 is responsible for anionic molecule permeability in the cochlea for intercellular signalling and metabolic communications
Zhao H. Connexin26 is responsible for anionic molecule permeability in the cochlea for intercellular signalling and metabolic communications. European Journal Of Neuroscience 2005, 21: 1859-1868. PMID: 15869481, PMCID: PMC2548270, DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2005.04031.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdenosine TriphosphateAffinity LabelsAnimalsAnionsAnti-Inflammatory AgentsCalciumCationsCell CommunicationCell CountCell Membrane PermeabilityCells, CulturedCochleaConnexin 26ConnexinsDose-Response Relationship, DrugEnzyme InhibitorsFluorescent DyesGap JunctionsGlycyrrhetinic AcidGuinea PigsIntracellular MembranesPlatelet Aggregation InhibitorsProadifenPyridoxal PhosphateSpectrometry, FluorescenceTime FactorsConceptsCharge selectivityLarge pore sizeCationic fluorescent dyeIntercellular signalingAnionic dyesDye sizeGap junctionsMetabolic communicationPore sizeMolecule permeabilityMolecular permeabilitySelectivityEnergy moleculesCationic probePassage of ionsFluorescent dyeGap junctional permeabilityMoleculesCochlear sensory epitheliumDyeCochlear gap junctions
2000
Directional rectification of gap junctional voltage gating between Dieters cells in the inner ear of guinea pig
Zhao H. Directional rectification of gap junctional voltage gating between Dieters cells in the inner ear of guinea pig. Neuroscience Letters 2000, 296: 105-108. PMID: 11108992, DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(00)01626-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchVoltage Gating of Gap Junctions in Cochlear Supporting Cells: Evidence for Nonhomotypic Channels
Zhao H, Santos-Sacchi J. Voltage Gating of Gap Junctions in Cochlear Supporting Cells: Evidence for Nonhomotypic Channels. The Journal Of Membrane Biology 2000, 175: 17-24. PMID: 10811964, DOI: 10.1007/s002320001051.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsElectrophysiologyGap JunctionsGuinea PigsIon Channel GatingIon ChannelsOrgan of Corti
1998
Effect of Membrane Tension on Gap Junctional Conductance of Supporting Cells in Corti's Organ
Zhao H, Santos-Sacchi J. Effect of Membrane Tension on Gap Junctional Conductance of Supporting Cells in Corti's Organ. The Journal Of General Physiology 1998, 112: 447-455. PMID: 9758863, PMCID: PMC2229429, DOI: 10.1085/jgp.112.4.447.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTurgor pressureInner ear gap junctionsMembrane tensionPositive turgor pressureProtein kinase inhibitorsGap junctionsOsmotic pressure regulationPipette pressureSupporting cellsInner earMicroM HCochlear homeostasisGap junctional conductanceKinase inhibitorsMechanical forcesCell sizeJunctional conductance