Review
Cell Biology
Mona Mozaffari, Robert Nash, Abigail S. Tucker
Summary: The mammalian ear is comprised of three parts (the outer, middle, and inner ear) that work together to transmit sound waves into neuronal signals for perception. The outer ear canal, often overlooked in discussions on hearing, plays a crucial role in funneling sound waves to the eardrum and middle ear, and defects in its development can lead to hearing loss. Recent studies have shed light on the complex system of outer ear canal development and its implications for congenital ear canal anomalies.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Tal Koffler-Brill, Yael Noy, Karen B. Avraham
Summary: Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are crucial for the body's functioning, and their dysregulation is often linked to diseases. This review provides an overview of the different classes of ncRNAs and their roles in physiological and pathological conditions, with a focus on their significance in the inner ear, hearing, and deafness.
Article
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Yasuko Ishibashi, Cathy Yea Won Sung, Mhamed Grati, Wade Chien
Summary: AAV-mediated inner ear gene therapy shows promise as a treatment for hearing loss and dizziness. However, little is currently known about the host immune responses to AAV in the inner ear, which play a crucial role in the safety and efficacy of viral gene therapy. Understanding these immune responses is critical for the successful translation of AAV-mediated inner ear gene therapy into clinical practice.
Article
Zoology
Julia A. Schultz, Irina Ruf, Alexander O. Averianov, Rico Schellhorn, Alexey Lopatin, Thomas Martin
Summary: Five partially preserved mammaliaform petrosals from a coal mine in Russia show similarities to early mammaliaforms, with distinct characteristics. The larger specimens resemble docodontan petrosals, while the smaller ones are likely haramiyidans and display a unique septum-like structure internally.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xizi Wang, Juan Llamas, Talon Trecek, Tuo Shi, Litao Tao, Welly Makmura, J. Gage Crump, Neil Segil, Ksenia Gnedeva
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of SoxC family members in establishing competence for sensory receptor differentiation in the inner ear, by regulating epigenetic and transcriptional changes. Sox4 and Sox11 expression is associated with accessibility of sensory lineage-specific regulatory elements, and their overexpression can precociously induce hair cell differentiation. Reintroducing Sox4 or Sox11 expression can restore the differentiation ability of supporting cells.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raquel Grinan, Joan Carles Escola-Gil, Josep Julve, Sonia Benitez, Noemi Rotllan
Summary: Increased serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy) are associated with cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis. The role of Hcy in this condition is not well understood, but epigenetic modifications and miRNAs may play important roles. MiRNAs have been shown to regulate cell proliferation, cholesterol accumulation, inflammation, and plaque formation in atherosclerosis. They may also serve as potential biomarkers for HHcy-induced atherosclerosis. MiRNA-based therapies show promise for managing Hcy-induced atherosclerosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Elly I. Lewerissa, Nael Nadif Kasri, Katrin Linda
Summary: Autophagy is a crucial metabolic process for maintaining cellular homeostasis and survival. Recent studies have shown the importance of autophagy in brain function, particularly in neuronal development and functioning. Mutations in autophagy-related genes as well as genes involved in epigenetic regulation have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). This suggests that aberrant autophagic regulation may contribute to nervous system impairments in NDDs with disturbed epigenetic regulation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuki Kobayashi, Kazuma Sugahara, Yosuke Takemoto, Junko Tsuda, Yoshinobu Hirose, Makoto Hashimoto, Hiroshi Yamashita
Summary: The study found that nanoemulsion of astaxanthin has a protective effect on mammalian inner ear hair cells against aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity. It reduces hair cell loss by decreasing the production of hydroxy radicals and can penetrate the site of inner ear complications for effective treatment.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pavel P. Tregub, Irada Ibrahimli, Anton S. Averchuk, Alla B. Salmina, Peter F. Litvitskiy, Zaripat Sh. Manasova, Inga A. Popova
Summary: In recent times, there has been a growing interest among researchers in understanding the functions of microRNAs and their role in the development of various diseases. This review analyzes existing scientific data on the involvement of microRNAs in the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease, cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria J. Pajares, Ester Alemany-Cosme, Saioa Goni, Eva Bandres, Cora Palanca-Ballester, Juan Sandoval
Summary: Cancer is a complex disease involving alterations in multiple processes, with genetic and epigenetic features as core factors. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs, play a key role in cancer initiation and progression by controlling cellular processes like proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The expression of microRNAs is regulated by other epigenetic factors, resulting in aberrant expression patterns in cancer, and evaluating aberrant microRNA landscape holds promise for cancer management.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Aamir Ahmad
Summary: Macrophages play diverse roles in different physiological conditions, protecting tissues from pathogens and assisting in tumor progression through immunosuppressive effects. The epigenetic regulation of immunosuppressive mechanisms by miRNAs in tumor-associated macrophages is crucial for identifying novel therapeutic targets and sensitizing tumors to immune responses in future studies.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Lingyi Kong, Ewa Domarecka, Agnieszka J. Szczepek
Summary: This review summarizes the published research on the expression and functional roles of histamine receptors in the inner ear, highlighting potential research areas and gaps. All four types of histamine receptors have been identified in the mammalian inner ear. Histamine and its receptors may play a role in Meniere's disease, but the mechanism is not fully understood. The effects of histamine on hearing development are still unclear.
Review
Neurosciences
Stefan H. Stricker, Magdalena Goetz
Summary: The vulnerability of the mammalian brain lies in its limited ability to generate new neurons after maturation, but the direct conversion of non-neuronal cells to neurons offers a promising avenue for brain repair. Understanding the identity and chromatin hallmarks of induced neurons is crucial to avoid adverse effects and novel tools for manipulating specific epigenetic marks hold potential for erasing aberrant epigenetic memory and advancing therapeutic approaches for brain repair.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kang Wang, Huicong Liu, Qinchao Hu, Lingna Wang, Jiaqing Liu, Zikai Zheng, Weiqi Zhang, Jie Ren, Fangfang Zhu, Guang-Hui Liu
Summary: Aging is accompanied by the decline of organismal functions and various genetic and epigenetic alterations. Understanding the epigenetic mechanisms in aging can lead to new strategies to delay aging, and interventions based on these mechanisms have shown promise in animal models.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qing Qu, Ning Liu, Qianfu Su, Xinfang Liu, Hui Jia, Yuwei Liu, Manli Sun, Zhiyan Cao, Jingao Dong
Summary: Maize ear rot is caused by Fusarium verticillioides and plant microRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in defense responses. The study revealed that milRNAs of F. verticillioides positively regulated its pathogenicity, while maize miRNAs targeted genes involved in autophagy and MAPK signaling pathway in F. verticillioides. The miR528b-5p in maize inhibited F. verticillioides infection by targeting FvTTP mRNA.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tina Schlueter, Christina Berger, Elena Rosengauer, Pascal Fieth, Constanze Krohs, Kathy Ushakov, Karen P. Steel, Karen B. Avraham, Alexander K. Hartmann, Felix Felmy, Hans Gerd Nothwang
HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS
(2018)
Review
Neurosciences
Shahar Taiber, Karen B. Avraham
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2019)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Amiel A. Dror, Shahar Taiber, Eyal Sela, Ophir Handzel, Karen B. Avraham
GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nada Danial-Farran, Elena Chervinsky, Prathamesh T. Nadar-Ponniah, Eran Cohen Barak, Shahar Taiber, Morad Khayat, Karen B. Avraham, Stavit A. Shalev
Summary: A new variant of the COCH gene was found to have a loss-of-function effect, resulting in a significant decrease in cochlin translation, which has a dramatic impact on the accuracy of genetic counseling for carriers of LOF variants in COCH.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Roie Cohen, Liat Amir-Zilberstein, Micha Hersch, Shiran Woland, Olga Loza, Shahar Taiber, Fumio Matsuzaki, Sven Bergmann, Karen B. Avraham, David Sprinzak
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Shahar Taiber, Roie Cohen, Ofer Yizhar-Barnea, David Sprinzak, Jeffrey R. Holt, Karen B. Avraham
Summary: Genetic variants play a significant role in congenital and early-onset deafness, with SYNE4 mutations leading to DFNB76 human deafness. Using AAV9-PHP.B for gene therapy in mice showed promising results in rescuing hair cell morphology and survival, restoring auditory function, and associated behaviors. Further research is needed to determine the long-term effectiveness and optimal intervention timing in humans.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Paridhy S. Vanniya, Jayasankaran Chandru, Justin Margret Jeffrey, Tom Rabinowitz, Zippora Brownstein, Mathuravalli Krishnamoorthy, Karen B. Avraham, Le Cheng, Noam Shomron, C. R. Srikumari Srisailapathy
Summary: This study identified novel variants in PNPT1, PTPRQ, and SLC12A2 genes that are associated with hearing loss in the Indian population, highlighting the high level of genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of hearing loss in these families.
ANNALS OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Karen B. Avraham, Lama Khalaily, Yael Noy, Lara Kamal, Tal Koffler-Brill, Shahar Taiber
Summary: The sequencing era has provided unprecedented insights into the human genome, revealing nearly 20,000 genes in the coding region, including around 4,000 associated with human diseases; a vast pool of regulatory elements beyond the protein-coding genome influences human health and disease; ongoing research on microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, methylation, and histone modifications suggests promise for future therapeutic and diagnostic tools.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryan J. Carlson, Karen B. Avraham
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Tal Koffler-Brill, Yael Noy, Karen B. Avraham
Summary: Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are crucial for the body's functioning, and their dysregulation is often linked to diseases. This review provides an overview of the different classes of ncRNAs and their roles in physiological and pathological conditions, with a focus on their significance in the inner ear, hearing, and deafness.
Article
Immunology
Rei Matsumoto, Joshua Gray, Ksenia Rybkina, Hanna Oppenheimer, Lior Levy, Lilach M. Friedman, Muhammad Khamaisi, Wenzhao Meng, Aaron M. Rosenfeld, Rebecca S. Guyer, Marissa C. Bradley, David Chen, Mark A. Atkinson, Todd M. Brusko, Maigan Brusko, Thomas J. Connors, Eline T. Luning T. Prak, Uri Hershberg, Peter A. Sims, Tomer Hertz, Donna L. Farber
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mor Bordeynik-Cohen, Michal Sperber, Lena Ebbers, Naama Messika-Gold, Constanze Krohs, Tal Koffler-Brill, Yael Noy, Ran Elkon, Hans Gerd Nothwang, Karen B. Avraham
Summary: This study explores the interactions and common expression pathways of the central and peripheral auditory systems during development using genomics approaches. It identifies miRNAs as critical factors for proper auditory system development.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tomer Hertz, Shlomia Levy, Daniel Ostrovsky, Hanna Oppenheimer, Shosh Zismanov, Alona Kuzmina, Lilach M. Friedman, Sanja Trifkovic, David Brice, Lin Chun-Yang, Liel Cohen-Lavi, Yonat Shemer-Avni, Merav Cohen-Lahav, Doron Amichay, Ayelet Keren-Naus, Olga Voloshin, Gabriel Weber, Ronza Najjar-Debbiny, Bibiana Chazan, Maureen A. McGargill, Richard Webby, Michal Chowers, Lena Novack, Victor Novack, Ran Taube, Lior Nesher, Orly Weinstein
Summary: Vaccination provides population-level protection against COVID-19, but emerging variants and waning immunity pose risks at the individual level. A study found that a fourth dose of the Pfizer-BNT162b2 vaccine significantly increased antibody titers against variants of concern, reducing the risk of symptomatic infection by 37%. However, individuals with low baseline antibody levels remained susceptible to infection despite boosting.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Kobi Perl, Ron Shamir, Karen B. Avraham
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kobi Perl, Kathy Ushakov, Yair Pozniak, Ofer Yizhar-Barnea, Yoni Bhonker, Shaked Shivatzki, Tamar Geiger, Karen B. Avraham, Ron Shamir