A mouse model for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo with genetic predisposition for displaced otoconia

Amiel A. Dror, Shahar Taiber, Eyal Sela, Ophir Handzel, Karen B. Avraham*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abnormal formation of otoconia, the biominerals of the inner ear, results in balance disorders. The inertial mass of otoconia activates the underlying mechanosensory hair cells in response to change in head position primarily during linear and rotational acceleration. Otoconia associate exclusively with the two gravity receptors, the utricle and saccule. The cristae sensory epithelium is associated with an extracellular gelatinous matrix known as cupula, equivalent to otoconia. During head rotation, the inertia of endolymphatic fluids within the semicircular canals deflects the cupula of the corresponding crista and activates the underlying mechanosensory hair cells. It is believed that detached free-floating otoconia particles travel ectopically to the semicircular canal and cristae and are the culprit for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The Slc26a4 mouse mutant harbors a missense mutation in pendrin. This mutation leads to impaired transport activity of pendrin and to defects in otoconia composition and distribution. All Slc26a4loop/loop homozygous mutant mice are profoundly deaf but show inconsistent vestibular deficiency. A panel of behavioral tests was utilized in order to generate a scoring method for vestibular function. A pathological finding of displaced otoconia was identified consistently in the inner ears of mutant mice with severe vestibular dysfunction. In this work, we present a mouse model with a genetic predisposition for ectopic otoconia with a clinical correlation to BPPV. This unique mouse model can serve as a platform for further investigation of BPPV pathophysiology, and for developing novel treatment approaches in a live animal model.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12635
JournalGenes, Brain and Behavior
Volume19
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2020

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of Health/NIDCD
National Institutes of Health/NIDCD R01DC011835
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication DisordersR01DC011835

    Keywords

    • SLC26A4
    • balance
    • deafness
    • hearing
    • vertigo

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