Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is the most prevalent sensory deficit in the elderly, but its mechanism remains unclear. Scaffold protein prohibitin 2 (PHB2) has been widely involved in aging and neurodegeneration. However, the role of PHB2 in ARHL is undeciphered to date. To investigate the expression pattern and the role of PHB2 in ARHL, we used C57BL/6 mice and HEI-OC1 cell line as models. In our study, we have found PHB2 exists in the cochlea and is expressed in hair cells, spiral ganglion neurons, and HEI-OC1 cells. In mice with ARHL, mitophagy is reduced and correspondingly the expression level of PHB2 is decreased. Moreover, after H₂O₂ treatment the mitophagy is activated and the PHB2 expression is increased. These findings indicate that PHB2 may exert an important role in ARHL through mitophagy. Findings from this study will be helpful for elucidating the mechanism underlying the ARHL and for providing a new target for ARHL treatment.

中文翻译：

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耳蜗中 PHB2 的表达：可能与年龄相关性听力损失有关

年龄相关性听力损失（ARHL）是老年人最普遍的感觉缺陷，但其机制仍不清楚。支架蛋白抑制素 2 (PHB2) 已广泛参与衰老和神经退行性变。然而，迄今为止，PHB2 在 ARHL 中的作用尚不清楚。为了研究 PHB2 在 ARHL 中的表达模式和作用，我们使用 C57BL/6 小鼠和 HEI-OC1 细胞系作为模型。在我们的研究中，我们发现 PHB2 存在于耳蜗中，并在毛细胞、螺旋神经节神经元和 HEI-OC1 细胞中表达。在患有 ARHL 的小鼠中，线粒体自噬减少，相应地 PHB2 的表达水平降低。此外，经过 H ₂ O ₂处理线粒体自噬被激活，PHB2表达增加。这些发现表明PHB2可能通过线粒体自噬在ARHL中发挥重要作用。本研究结果将有助于阐明 ARHL 的机制，并为 ARHL 治疗提供新的靶点。