Objective:We sought to culture and isolate cochlear progenitor cells (CPCs),identify their proliferation and differentiation capacity,and demonstrate the expression of genes involved with the development of inner ear during the CPCs differentiation. Methods:CPCs were isolated from newborn rats’ cochlea,in vitro cultured and differentiated by serum. Proliferation and differentiation of hair cells were identified by immunocytochemistry method. The expressions of Sox2,CyclinA2,and Jagged1 genes during CPCs differentiation were analyzed using real time qRT-PCR. Results:The cultured CPCs expressed nestin and BrdU,indicating the proliferation ability of CPCs undergoing mitosis. The expression of myosin Ⅶ A in the CPCs-derived differentiated cells indicated the CPCs’ potential to differentiate into hair cells. It was also noteworthy that the expressions of Sox2 and CyclinA2 were downregulated and the Jagged1 expression was upregulated during the CPCs differentiation. Conclusion:The CPCs in vitro culture showed that it has the ability of proliferation and potential of differentiation into hair cells. Additionally,it was suggested that Sox2,CyclinA2 and Jagged1 genes could potentially participate in the modulation of CPCs differentiation and development of cochlear tissues in rats.