Molecular mechanism of autoimmune hearing loss.

Molecules considered as autoantigens in autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss and Me´nie ¤ re's diseases are type II collagens, type IX collagens, 30 kD proteins of inner ear membranes, laminin, 68 kD proteins of inner ear, PO protein, Raf I protein and g -tubulin are reviewed in relation to molecular mechanisms of autoimmune injury of inner ear resulting in hearing loss.