Growth factor regulation of the cell cycle in developing and mature inner ear sensory epithelia

Growth factors and other extracellular signals regulate cell division in ma ny tissues. Consequently, growth factors may have therapeutic uses to stimu late the production of replacement sensory hair cells in damaged human inne r ears, thereby assisting in alleviating hearing loss and vestibular dysfun ction. Assessment of the ability of growth factors to stimulate cell prolif eration in inner ear sensory epithelia is at an early stage. This paper pro vides a brief account of what we know regarding growth factor regulation of cell proliferation in developing and mature inner ear sensory epithelia.