(PP705) Inducible DNA Repair Genes as a Limiting Factor in Sensorineural Dysfunctions

The current research reveals that auditory function can be protected by exploiting and potentiating genes that defend genomic DNA.

Summary: 

Rationale/

Purpose:   Bacteria can effectively avoid cell death by activating pro-survival DNA repair genes.  If the mammalian cochlea had a similar defensive response that could be therapeutically optimized, then it might be possible to exploit this mechanism in order to limit the progression of permanent hearing loss. 

Design:   Pigmented rats served as subjects.  They were randomized into the following groups:  control, noise-exposure, treatment, and noise+treatment.  The noise exposure consisted of a hazardous noise dose (105 dB/16 hrs). Cyanoethyl phosphoramidite chemistry was used to engineer a molecular construct that was used on the treatment groups. 

Results: The engineered construct was shown to be particularly effective at activating pro-survival DNA repair genes within the mammalian cochlea.  This activation was characterized by a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in a panel of DNA repair genes.  The experiment further revealed that mobilization of this response can limit disease progression in the form of statistically significant (p < 0.05)  reduction of sensorineural hearing loss. 

Conclusion:   The data reveals that the particular therapeutic approach used in the current experiment could be developed as novel medicinal therapy to prevent or treat hearing loss.