Cochlear and vestibular supporting cell (SC)

Cochlear and vestibular supporting cells are the non-sensory epithelial cells of the inner ear that provide essential structural, metabolic, and homeostatic support to the mechanosensory hair cells. Located within the organ of Corti and vestibular maculae, these cells—including Deiters, pillar, and Hensen cells—are responsible for critical functions such as potassium recycling, glutamate clearance, and the secretion of neurotrophic factors like BDNF and NT-3. While they possess the innate ability to regenerate hair cells in non-mammalian vertebrates, this regenerative capacity is largely dormant in adult mammals. Consequently, supporting cells have emerged as a primary therapeutic target for regenerative medicine aimed at restoring hearing and balance. Current therapeutic strategies focus on using gene therapy or small molecules to modulate Notch and Wnt signaling pathways, thereby inducing these cells to transdifferentiate into new, functional hair cells. Dysfunction or loss of supporting cells is a significant contributor to sensorineural hearing loss and various vestibular disorders, making their preservation and manipulation central to inner ear therapy.

Other names

Inner ear supporting cellNon-sensory cell of the inner earEpithelial non-hair cellENHC

Modulation of Notch and Wnt signaling pathways to induce transdifferentiation of supporting cells into mechanosensory hair cells; epigenetic priming of hair cell-specific genes; and provision of neurotrophic and homeostatic support to the sensory epithelium.