Targeted PCR Array Analysis of Genes in Innate Immunity and Glucocorticoid Signaling Pathways in Mice Cochleae Following Acoustic Trauma

AIM:To comprehensively analyze cochlear gene expressions related to innate immunity and glucocorticoid signaling at onset of acute noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). BACKGROUND:Recent studies suggested innate immunity is involved in the cochlear pathology of NIHL. Glucocorticoids may modulate immune actions in cochleae. METHODS:Mice were exposed to 120 dB-octave band noise for 2 hours. Twelve hours later, a targeted PCR array analyzed cochlear expressions of 84 key genes in inflammation and immune pathways and 84 genes in the glucocorticoid signaling pathway. Real-time RT-PCR was used to analyze expression of two immune-related genes, Ccl12 and Glycam1, in noise-exposed cochleae with or without dexamethasone. RESULT:In inflammatory and immune gene pathways, 31.0% (26/84 genes) were significantly upregulated (>2-fold change) or downregulated (