The cochlear matrisome: Importance in hearing and deafness

The extracellular matrix (ECM) consists in a complex meshwork of collagens, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans, which serves a scaffolding function and provides viscoelastic properties to the tissues. ECM acts as a biomechanical support, and actively participates in cell signaling to induce tissular changes in response to environmental forces and soluble cues. Given the remarkable complexity of the inner ear architecture, its exquisite structure-function relationship, and the importance of vibration-induced stimulation of its sensory cells, ECM is instrumental to hearing. Many factors of the matrisome are involved in cochlea development, function and maintenance, as evidenced by the variety of ECM proteins associated with hereditary deafness. This review describes the structural and functional ECM components in the auditory organ and how they are modulated over time and following injury.