Knock-In Mice with Myo3a Y137C Mutation Displayed Progressive Hearing Loss and Hair Cell Degeneration in the Inner Ear

Figure 5

SEM images showed the abnormal structure of the stereocilia in Myo3a mutant mice. (a) The outer hair cell stereocilium loss was serious in 6-month-old Myo3a mutant mice. (b) Fusion phenomenon was observed in some stereocilia of mutant mice. (c) The stereocilia of some outer hair cells were found to be shorter, and the degeneration started from the innermost line of the stereocilia. (d) The stereocilia of inner hair cells become sharp in Myo3a mutant mice at the age of 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Scale bar = 10 μm for (a) and 2 μm for (b, c, and d).

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