Inhibition of DHCR24 increases the cisplatin-induced damage to cochlear hair cells in vitro

•This study is the first to show that DHCR24 is localized in HCs of the organ of Corti.•This study is the first to reveal that DHCR24 inhibition increases cisplatin-induced ROS production and caspase-3-mediated HC death.•This study is the first to support a protective effect of DHCR24 on cisplatin-induced HC loss. Hearing loss is a common sensory disorder that affects more than 360 million people worldwide, and is primarily caused by the loss of hair cells (HCs). Ototoxic drugs, viral infections, genetic predisposition, aging or noise all damage HCs. 3β-hydroxysteroid-Δ24 reductase (DHCR24), one enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, is involved in inflammation, oxidative stress and neuroprotection. However, researchers have not determined whether DHCR24 is present in the cochlea and the mechanism by which it exerts its regulatory effect on HC loss. In the present study, we analyzed DHCR24 expression in the postnatal day 1 (P1) rat cochlea and found that DHCR24 was localized in HCs of the organ of Corti. Next, exposure to cisplatin caused HC loss in cochlear organotypic cultures. Then, we inhibited DHCR24 expression with U18666A and observed significantly increased cisplatin-induced damage of cochlear HCs. These findings were consistent with the observed increase in DHCR24 expression in response to cisplatin treatment, and U18666A significantly decreased DHCR24 expression. Finally, DHCR24 inhibition increased the levels of reactive oxygen species and cleaved caspase-3 after cisplatin-induced injury. Collectively, DHCR24 may play a significant role in regulating auditory function and potentially represents a new therapeutic target for the treatment of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.