BFGF Prevents Cisplatin Induced Hair Cell Death And Caspase-9 Activation In The Mouse Cochlear In Vitro

Mechanosensory hair cells of the inner ear are sensitive to death induced by exposure to cisplatin. This cisplatin — induced hair cell death involves activation of an intrinsic program of celluar suicide. Cisplatin induced hair cell death can be prevented by bFGF( basic fibroblast growth factor) in vitro. Cisplatin - induced hair cell death requires activation of caspase - 9. BFGF promotes cell survival by preventing caspase — 9 activation. Here we utilized mice to examine the role of bFGF in cisplatin - induced hair cell death. The presence of increased hair cell survival following cisplatin exposure in organotypic cultures of the mouse cochlear. Furthermore, The presence of bFGF prevented cisplatin -induced activation of caspase - 9 in hair cells. These results suggest that the presence of bFGF has important effects on hair cell survival.