Cochlin is the dual-armed immune-regulator of the inner ear. The inner ear is a delicate structure enclosing the key auditory structure, organ of Corti. Since excessive immune reaction can easily damage the normal architecture, the immune response should be fine regulated in the inner ear. Cleaved cochlin LCCL mediates such regulation in two ways. First, it controls the range of inflammation by physically entrapping pathogens in a limited space. Second, it recruits innate immune cells allowing clearance of the pathogen. Such dual-armed regulation of immune response makes cochlin a crucial component in auditory preservation.
