Sesn2/AMPK/mTOR Signaling Mediates Balance Between Survival and Apoptosis in Sensory Hair Cells Under Stress

The study investigated the role of sestrin-2 (Sesn2) in protecting sensory hair cells in the inner ear from gentamicin-induced damage. It was found that Sesn2 helps regulate the balance between cell survival and apoptosis through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. In Sesn2-deficient mice, hair cells were more susceptible to gentamicin, showing higher rates of cell death and lower AMPK activation. The use of rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, increased hair cell survival, suggesting that targeting the Sesn2/AMPK/mTOR pathway could be a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing ototoxicity.