Exosomes mediate sensory hair cell protection in the inner ear

In 2020, researchers conducted a study using various strains of mice to explore the role of exosomes in protecting sensory hair cells in the inner ear. They used a range of techniques including heat shock, nanoparticle tracking analysis, exosome purification, and transmission electron microscopy. They also applied exogenous exosomes and inhibited exosome biogenesis pharmacologically. The study involved a significant number of utricles (9 to 44 per experiment), and the experiments were repeated multiple times for accuracy. The study concluded that exosomes play a crucial role in protecting sensory hair cells in the inner ear.