It is known that CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) expressed on macrophages plays a crucial role in inner hair cell ribbon synaptic repair and spiral ganglion neuron survival after synaptopathic noise-induced trauma.
The most common genetic cause of hereditary deafness in humans are mutations in the GJB2 gene, especially the 35delG and 235delC mutations. At the recent ARO meeting, researchers from Ear Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University presented the creation of a novel mouse model for studying the pathogenic mechanisms of hereditary deafness resulting from these mutations.