FIG. 8.

Up-regulation of Sox2 expression in injured auditory nerve. A, B Real-time RT-PCR assays show fold changes for Sox2 and Hess5 mRNA expression in the auditory nerves taken from control, 1-, 3-, 7-, 14-, and 30-day post-treated ears. Data are present as fold changes from control value ± standard error (n = 3–5 per group). C Western blot assays with Sox2 antibody show a single 34-kDa band of endogenous Sox2 in normal, 3-, and 7-day post-treated ears. Expression levels of Sox2 increase after ouabain exposure, whereas the expression levels of NF 200 and β-tubulin decrease due to losses of SGNs in ouabain-treated ears. β-actin blotting was used to verify equal protein loading.