PAX3 mutation suppress otic progenitors proliferation and induce apoptosis by inhibiting WNT1/β-catenin signaling pathway in WS1 patient iPSC-derived inner ear organoids

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2024 Feb 26:698:149510. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149510. Epub 2024 Jan 13.

Abstract

Waardenburg syndrome type 1 (WS1) is a hereditary disease mainly characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, dystopia canthorum, and pigmentary defects. To elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying PAX3-associated hearing loss, we developed inner ear organoids model using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from WS1 patient and healthy individual. Our results revealed a significant reduction in the size of inner ear organoids, accompanied by an increased level of apoptosis in organoids derived from WS1 patient-iPSCs carrying PAX3 c.214A > G. Transcriptome profiling analysis by RNA-seq indicated that inner ear organoids from WS1 patients were associated with suppression of inner ear development and WNT signaling pathway. Furthermore, the upregulation of the WNT1/β-catenin pathway which was achieved through the correction of PAX3 isogenic mutant iPSCs using CRISPR/Cas9, contributed to an increased size of inner ear organoids and a reduction in apoptosis. Together, our results provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of hearing loss in WS.

Keywords: Apoptosis; CRISPR/Cas9; Organoid; WNT1/β-catenin; Waardenburg syndrome 1; iPSCs.

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Deafness*
  • Ear, Inner*
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells*
  • Mutation
  • Organoids
  • PAX3 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • Waardenburg Syndrome* / genetics
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway
  • beta Catenin / genetics

Substances

  • PAX3 Transcription Factor
  • beta Catenin
  • PAX3 protein, human