Reprogramming inner-ear support cells to regrow hearing hair cells
The function of LIN28B and follistatin in supporting cell reprogramming and hair cell regeneration in the murine cochlea
This research tests whether boosting two molecules, LIN28B and follistatin, can reprogram support cells in the inner ear to regrow hair cells and help people with hearing loss caused by hair cell loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11233261 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use genetically modified mice to turn on or off LIN28B and follistatin in the cochlea and watch how supporting cells respond after damage. They will examine individual cells with single-cell RNA sequencing and single-molecule FISH to see whether support cells shift into a progenitor-like state and become hair cells. Some experiments use cochlear organoids and tissue explants to compare lab-grown results with what happens inside the living ear. The work focuses on early-life and immature cochleas but will test whether similar processes can occur in more mature tissue.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although this project uses mouse models and does not enroll patients, its findings would be most relevant to adults with sensorineural hearing loss caused by loss of inner-ear hair cells.
Not a fit: People whose hearing loss is caused primarily by damage to the auditory nerve, central brain pathways, or unrelated congenital conditions may not benefit directly from hair-cell regeneration approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to trigger regeneration of inner-ear hair cells and eventually lead to treatments for certain kinds of hearing loss.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab work in cochlear organoids and explants suggests LIN28B and follistatin can promote hair-cell-like cell formation, but effective in vivo regeneration in adult animals remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Doetzlhofer, Angelika — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Doetzlhofer, Angelika
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.