Restoration of hearing in the VGLUT3 knockout mouse using virally mediated gene therapy

Neuron. 2012 Jul 26;75(2):283-93. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2012.05.019.

Abstract

Mice lacking the vesicular glutamate transporter-3 (VGLUT3) are congenitally deaf due to loss of glutamate release at the inner hair cell afferent synapse. Cochlear delivery of VGLUT3 using adeno-associated virus type 1 (AAV1) leads to transgene expression in only inner hair cells (IHCs), despite broader viral uptake. Within 2 weeks of AAV1-VGLUT3 delivery, auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds normalize, along with partial rescue of the startle response. Lastly, we demonstrate partial reversal of the morphologic changes seen within the afferent IHC ribbon synapse. These findings represent a successful restoration of hearing by gene replacement in mice, which is a significant advance toward gene therapy of human deafness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Transport Systems, Acidic / genetics*
  • Amino Acid Transport Systems, Acidic / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Deafness / genetics*
  • Deafness / metabolism
  • Deafness / therapy*
  • Dependovirus / genetics
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / genetics*
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner / metabolism
  • Hearing Tests
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Reflex, Startle / genetics*
  • Synapses / metabolism
  • Synaptic Transmission / genetics

Substances

  • Amino Acid Transport Systems, Acidic
  • vesicular glutamate transporter 3, mouse
  • Glutamic Acid