Epigenetic alterations by NuRD and PRC2 in the neonatal mouse cochlea.

Mammalian cochlear supporting cells remain quiescent at postnatal ages and age-dependent changes in supporting cell proliferative capacity are evident. Ectopic Atoh1 expression in neonatal supporting cells converts only a small percentage of these cells into hair cell-like cells. Despite tremendous potential for therapeutics, cellular reprogramming in the mammalian inner ear remains a slow inefficient process that requires weeks, with most cells failing to reprogram. Cellular reprogramming studies in other tissues have shown that epigenetic inhibitors can significantly improve reprogramming efficiency.