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The loss of inner ear hair cells causes permanent hearing and balance deficits in humans and other mammals, but nonmammals recover after supporting cells (SCs) divide and replace hair cells. The proliferative capacity of mammalian SCs declines as exceptionally thick circumferential F-actin bands develop at their adherens junctions. We hypothesized that the reinforced junctions were limiting regenerative responses of mammalian SCs by impeding changes in cell shape and epithelial tension. Using micropipette aspiration and atomic force microscopy, we measured mechanical properties of utricles from mice and chickens. Our data show that the epithelial surface of the mouse utricle stiffens significantly during postnatal maturation. This stiffening correlates with and is dependent on the postnatal accumulation of F-actin and the cross-linker Alpha-Actinin-4 at SC-SC junctions. In chicken utricles, where SCs lack junctional reinforcement, the epithelial surface remains compliant. There, SCs un ....

United States , Noord Holland , Zeiss Axiovert , Cingulin Zymed , Martin Pollak Kos , White Leghorn , Matthew Kelley , Wenhao Xu , Shandon Glyo Fixx , Jenaische Zeitschrift , Shoichiro Tsukita , Filamina Abcam , Harald Sontheimer , Andrew Matus Fischer , Weise Chang , Other Communication Disorders National Institutes Of Health , Measurement Of Cell Division Orientation , Mouse Development Kaufman , Atomic Force Microscopy , Electron Microscopy Sciences , University Of Virginia Department Neuroscience , University Of Virginia , Jackson Laboratory , Nutrition Examination , National Institutes Of Health , Data From The National Health ,