Progressive hearing loss in mice lacking the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor Ink4d

Maintenance of the post-mitotic state in the post-natal mammalian brain is an active process that requires the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) p19Ink4d (Ink4d) and p27Kip1 (Kip1). In animals with targeted deletions of both Ink4d and Kip1, terminally differentiated, post-mitotic neurons are observed to re-enter the cell cycle, divide and undergo apoptosis. However, when either Ink4d or Kip1 alone are deleted, the post-mitotic state is maintained, suggesting a redundant role for these genes in mature neurons. In the organ of Corti — the auditory sensory epithelium of mammals — sensory hair cells and supporting cells become post-mitotic during embryogenesis and remain quiescent for the life of the animal. When lost as a result of environmental insult or genetic abnormality, hair cells do not regenerate, and this loss is a common cause of deafness in humans. Here, we report that targeted deletion of Ink4d alone is sufficient to disrupt the maintenance of the post-mitotic state of sensory hair cells in post-natal mice. In Ink4d−/− animals, hair cells are observed to aberrantly re-enter the cell cycle and subsequently undergo apoptosis, resulting in progressive hearing loss. Our results identify a novel mechanism underlying a non-syndromic form of progressive hearing loss in mice.