Downregulation of KCNMA1 in mice accelerates auditory hair cells senescence via ferroptosis.

KCNMA1 encodes the K+ potassium channel α-subunit that plays a significant role in the auditory system. Our previous studies indicated that KCNMA1 is associated with age-related hearing loss(AHL). However, the detailed mechanism of KCNMA1 involvement in auditory age-related degradation has not been fully clarified. Therefore, we explored the expression of KCNMA1 in the peripheral auditory of 2-month-old and 12-month-old mice by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. The results of animal experiments showed that KCNMA1 expression was decreased in 12-month-old mice compared with 2-month-old mice, whereas the ferroptosis level was increased. To verify the role of KCNMA1 in AHL, we downregulated KCNMA1 in HEI-OC1 cells by transfecting shRNA. After downregulation, the ferroptosis level was increased and the aging process was accelerated. Furthermore, the aging process was affected by the expression of ferroptosis. In conclusion, these results revealed that KCNMA1 is associated with the aging process in auditory hair cells by regulating ferroptosis, which deepens our understanding of age-related hearing loss.

Li2S-Based Composite Cathode with in Situ-Generated Li3PS4 Electrolyte on Li2S for Advanced All-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) are considered to be a promising solution for the next generation of energy storage systems due to their high theoretical energy density and improved safety. However, the practical application of ASSLSBs is hindered by several critical challenges, including the poor electrode/electrolyte interface, sluggish electrochemical kinetics of solid-solid conversion between S and Li2S in the cathode, and big volume changes during cycling. Herein, the 85(92Li2S-8P2S5)-15AB composite cathode featuring an integrated structure of a Li2S active material and Li3PS4 solid electrolyte is developed by in situ generating a Li3PS4 glassy electrolyte on Li2S active materials, resulting from a reaction between Li2S and P2S5. The well-established composite cathode structure with an enhanced electrode/electrolyte interfacial contact and highly efficient ion/electron transport networks enables a significant enhancement of redox kinetics and an areal Li2S loading for ASSLSBs. The 85(92Li2S-8P2S5)-15AB composite demonstrates superior electrochemical performance, exhibiting 98% high utilization of Li2S (1141.7 mAh g(Li2S)-1) with both a high Li2S active material content of 44 wt % and corresponding areal loading of 6 mg cm-2. Moreover, the excellent electrochemical activity can be maintained even at an ultrahigh areal Li2S loading of 12 mg cm-2 with a high reversible capacity of 880.3 mAh g-1, corresponding to an areal capacity of 10.6 mAh cm-2. This study provides a simple and facile strategy to a rational design for the composite cathode structure achieving fast Li-S reaction kinetics for high-performance ASSLSBs.