The spiral ganglion and the innervation of the human organ of Corti

Five human cochleas were evaluated using the block surface method. The numbers of hair cells, nerve fibres in the osseous spiral lamina, and spiral ganglion cells were determined and correlated. The ultrastructural organization corresponds essentially to that of the mammalian ear, with the exception of multiple synaptic contacts of afferent nerve fibres with inner hair cells and surprisingly large numbers of outer spiral fibres.     

Correlation of otosclerotic foci and degenerative changes in the organ of Corti and spiral ganglion

Statistical analyses of histopathologic findings in the cochlea and spiral ganglion of 37 temporal bones with otosclerosis, 12 controls of similar age, and seven controls with normal hearing were performed. In temporal bones with otosclerosis there was significant atrophy of the spiral ligament and stria vascularis in regions with endosteal involvement by otosclerosis, compared with regions without endosteal involvement (P less than .0001). There was more generalized atrophy of the stria vascularis in cochleae with two or more sites of endosteal involvement by otosclerosis than in cochleae with only one site of endosteal involvement (P less than .02), cochleae in temporal bones with otosclerosis but without endosteal involvement (P less than .05), or cochleae of controls of similar age (P less than .007). In addition, there was more atrophy of the spiral ligament in cochleae with two or more sites of endosteal involvement than in cochleae of similar age from the control group (P less than .03). In temporal bones with otosclerosis, there was no significant difference in counts of outer hair cells and density of spiral ganglion cells between regions demonstrating endosteal involvement by otosclerosis and regions without such involvement. However, total outer hair cell counts were lower in cochleae with two or more sites of endosteal involvement of otosclerosis than in cochleae with one site of endosteal involvement (P less than .04), cochleae in temporal bones with otosclerosis but without endosteal involvement (P less than .02), or cochleae from individuals of similar age but without otosclerosis (P = .05). Comparison of the mean bone conduction threshold, as measured in life, in temporal bones with otosclerosis compared with the air conduction threshold in aged-matched controls, demonstrated that only cochleae with two or more sites of endosteal involvement had a mild but statistically significant (P = .05) decrease in hearing. There was no evidence to support the concept that otosclerotic foci without stapedial fixation frequently cause significant degeneration of the cochlea or elevation of bone conduction thresholds.     

去甲肾上腺素抑制大鼠耳蜗螺旋神经元γ氨基丁酸门控氯通道电流

目的 研究去甲肾上腺素(noradrenaline,NA)对培养大鼠耳蜗螺旋神经元γ氨基丁酸(gamma-aminobutyric acid,GABA)诱发电流的作用.方法分离培养大鼠耳蜗螺旋神经元,采用制霉菌素穿孔膜片钳全细胞记录技术,记录NA对GABA诱发电流的作用.结果 大鼠螺旋神经元GABA诱发反应的反转电位为(-0.78±0.05)mV(n=8),与Cl-平衡电位一致.GABA在钳制电位为-50 mV时,可引起内向电流,EC50为(5.2±0.5)μmol/L,Hill系数为1.03(n=26),该电流可被GABA-A受体拮抗剂荷包牡丹碱抑制,NA对该电流具有抑制作用.结论 NA可以抑制螺旋神经元GABA-A受体介导的门控氯通道电流,该作用可能与交感神经系统对听觉的调控有关.     

顺铂作用下沙鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节神经元和Corti器细胞的凋亡

目的　探讨顺铂是否可引起沙鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节 (spiralganglion ,SG)神经元和Corti器细胞的凋亡。方法　对沙鼠进行顺铂连续腹腔注射 ,每日 4mg kg体重 ,分别于健康对照组及给药 4、5、6、7d各处死沙鼠 12只 ,取左侧耳蜗 ,每组动物取 10只耳蜗做平行蜗轴的石蜡切片 ,另 2只耳蜗做底回蜗轴及基底膜超薄切片。通过末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP缺口末端标记技术 (terminaldeoxynucleotidyltransferase mediateddUTPnickendlabelingmethod ,TUNEL)及透射电镜检测连续用药不同时间后底回SG及Corti器的细胞凋亡情况。结果　连续应用顺铂 5～ 7d ,在透射电镜下可以观察到底回SG神经元及外毛细胞中出现凋亡特征性病理改变 ,TUNEL标记的石蜡切片中可见给药 5d后SG和Corti器出现的阳性细胞明显高于健康对照组 ,给药 6～ 7d阳性细胞进一步增加。结论　细胞凋亡是顺铂损伤沙鼠SG神经元和Corti器细胞的重要方式     

小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞电压依赖性离子通道的研究

目的了解小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞电压依赖性离子通道的特性。方法采用耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞与耳蜗基底膜整体培养和膜片钳全细胞记录方法。结果采用出生后0至5d的C57BL/10J小鼠(n=30)，耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞与基底膜一道取出，培养8～48h后，基底膜内侧和周围散落的螺旋神经节细胞贴壁良好，便于进行生理学记录。螺旋神经节细胞根据在电流钳记录下有无动作电位来鉴别，健康的细胞在刺激电流的起始端和结束端均可记录到动作电位。细胞平均静息电位(     

Study on voltage-sensitive current of spiral ganglion cells in mice organ of Corti culture]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the property of voltage-sensitive current in cochlear spiral ganglion cells of the C57BL/10J mice, an inbred strain which develops early onset hearing loss. METHODS: Organotypic cultures of organ of Corti were prepared from neonatal mice 0-5 days of age. Whole-cell current and voltage clamp techniques were used to study Na+, K+ and Ca2+ currents of the spiral ganglion cells in culture. RESULTS: Cultures were maintained for 8-48 hours before use. Ganglion cells were identified first through their anatomical positions and finally through fast negative Na+ current. Spontaneous action potentials were recorded from some ganglion cells (4 out of 39). When present, spontaneous rates were around 20 spikes/sec, and might be as high as 135 spikes/sec. The mean resting potential was (-55 +/- 5) mV (n = 39). Under voltage clamp conditions, transient inward currents (negative) and outward (positive), steady-state voltage-dependent currents were recorded in normal HBSS. Rapid inward currents were totally blocked by 300 nM TTX applied locally to the culture. Inward currents recovered quickly after TTX wash out suggesting that the transient inward current was carried by Na+. The mean maximum amplitude of Na+ current was (-2.0 +/- 1.1) nA (n = 39) recorded in HBSS. Adding TEA (10 mmol/L) and 4-AP (0.15 mmol/L) to the bath solution or replacing K+ with Ca+ in the pipette solution partly blocked the sustained outward current. This suggests that the outward current was carried by K+. The mean maximum amplitude of K+ was (3.0 +/- 1.3) nA (n = 39) with 140 mM K+ in the pipette. Inward Ca2+ current was recorded in Ba2+ solution which mean peak amplitude was (-1.0 +/- 0.7) nA (n = 20). Ca2+ currents were reversibly blocked by 100 microM Cd2+. CONCLUSION: Whole cell recordings from spiral ganglion neurons can be obtained from organotypic cultures of the organ of Corti. Fast Na+ current, sustained K+ current and L-type Ca2+ current were recorded in the spiral ganglion cells cultured for 1-2 days. Whole cell recording showed that cochlea spiral ganglion cells can generate spontaneous action potential one day after birth and the firing rates could reach levels equal to those recorded in vivo.     

Cisplatin-induced apoptotic cell death in spiral ganglion and organ of Corti of mongolian gerbil cochlear]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether apoptosis is one of the mechanism for cell death in spiral ganglion(SG) and organ of Corti of Mongolian gerbils cochlea induced by cisplatin. METHODS: Mongolian gerbils were administered 4 mg.kg-1.d-1 cisplatin consecutively for 4 to 7 days. The apoptotic cell death in spiral ganglion and organ of Corti of cochlea basal turn was detected via transmission electron microscopy and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. RESULTS: The observation of electron microscopy shown special morphological change consistent with the feature of cell apoptosis in some spiral ganglion cells and outer hair cells after 5-7 days' cisplatin treatment. The apoptotic labeling by TUNEL in spiral ganglion and organ of Corti was detected after 5 days' treatment and increased after 6 and 7 days' treatment whereas almost negative result were obtained in the normal control animals. CONCLUSION: Apoptosis is one of the important mechanisms for cell injury of spiral ganglion and organ of Corti induced by cisplatin.     

Immunohistochemical localization of cyclooxygenase isoforms in the organ of Corti and the spiral ganglion cells of guinea pig cochlea

Prostaglandins have been used in experimental models and clinical studies for the therapy of sudden hearing loss and tinnitus with conflicting results. However, little is known about the rate-limiting enzymes of prostaglandin synthesis in the inner ear, the generally constitutively expressed cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and the distress-inducible cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). To extend our knowledge concerning the physiological expression and localization of these two enzymes, immunohistochemical stainings of the guinea pig cochlea were performed. Light microscopical analysis revealed a homogenous distribution of COX-1 within nearly all cell types of the organ of Corti, but no COX-1 expression in the cuticular plates of pillar cells. COX-2 was found to be expressed in all cell types, with much stronger expression in Hensen cells, neighboring Deiters cells and cuticular plates of outer hair cells. Both COX-1 and COX-2 immunoreactions were also found in the spiral ganglion. We conclude that both COX subtypes are expressed in the guinea pig cochlea under physiological conditions. The prominent expression of the distress-inducible COX-2 isoform in cell types under mechanical stress during noise reception might support the hypothesis of a cytoprotective function of COX products in hearing and in cellular stress situations like intense noise exposure.     

Localization of the P2Y4 receptor in the guinea pig organ of Corti

Cochleae of guinea pigs were evaluated for the presence of the metabotropic receptor, P2Y4. Evidence is presented that P2Y4 protein is expressed in the guinea pig cochleae using Western blot analysis. A single protein band of 35 kDa was detected with P2Y4 receptor-specific antibody. The cellular distribution of P2Y4 purinoceptor protein was determined by immunohistochemistry of the whole organ of Corti. Immunoreactive staining for P2Y4 was seen in most cells of the organ of Corti. Staining of Hensen's cells and Deiters' cells, especially the outer Deiters' cells, was more intense than staining of the outer hair cells, inner hair cells, and pillar cells. Staining intensity was greatest at the basal turn and progressively decreased in the upper turns with the apex showing the weakest staining pattern. This is the first demonstration of a metabotropic P2Y receptor in the guinea pig organ of Corti.     

Immunohistochemical distribution and fine localization of the gamma-aminobutyric acid in the organ of Corti of normal guinea pigs]

This paper presents the distribution and fine localization of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the Corti's organ of normal guinea pigs by using immunohistochemical technique (ABC-GDN method) and immunoelectron microscopy. GABA-IR was found in axons of efferent neurons in all turns of the cochlear spiral, but no positive endings may be found in the apical. The positive immunoreactive products were seen in the efferent components, including inner spiral bundle, tunnel spiral bundle, tunnel-crossing fibers, and large nerve endings on outer hair cell bases. Some of the GABA-IR negative outer hair cells could be seen between the positive endings. One GABA-IR positive nerve fiber could form synapse with six or seven outer hair cell bases. The GABA-IR positive efferent endings, negative efferent endings and negative afferent endings could be seen on the out hair cell bases with transmission electronic microscope. The GABA-IR positive efferent endings and negative afferent endings could form the neuraxon-neurodendron synapse on the inner hair cells bases. These morphological distribution suggests that the GABA may be one of the cochlear efferent neurotransmitter or modulator.     

Cisplatin ototoxicity involves organ of Corti, stria vascularis and spiral ganglion: modulation by alphaMSH and ORG 2766

It has been shown that alphaMSH and the nonmelanotropic ACTH/MSH(4-9) analog ORG 2766 can ameliorate cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity and ototoxicity. Here, we investigated whether these peptides delay the occurrence of the cisplatin-induced shift in auditory threshold, and whether they affect the subsequent recovery of cochlear potentials. Chronically implanted round window electrodes were used to obtain daily recordings of auditory nerve compound action potentials (CAP) and cochlear microphonics at frequencies ranging from 2 to 16 kHz. Cisplatin (1.5 mg/kg i.p.) plus alphaMSH, ORG 2766 (75 mug/kg s.c.), or saline were injected daily until the 40-dB CAP threshold shift at 8 kHz was reached. Endocochlear potential (EP) was measured either 1-2 days or 28 days later, followed by morphometric analysis of the cochlea. Peptide cotreatment did not consistently delay the threshold shift; however, the CAP threshold recovered faster and to a greater extent, with the potency order being alphaMSH > ORG 2766 > saline. Significant recovery at the 2 highest frequencies was seen in the alphaMSH-treated animals only. CAP amplitude at high sound pressures, which depends more on nerve function than on outer hair cell (OHC) function, decreased severely in all groups but recovered significantly in the alphaMSH- and completely in the ORG-2766-cotreated group. EP was significantly lower in the first days after the threshold shift but had completely recovered at 28 days. Morphometric analysis of the spiral ganglion also indicated involvement of ganglion cells. OHC loss was most severe in the basal turn of saline-cotreated animals. These data suggest that the cisplatin-induced acute threshold shift might be due to reversible strial failure, whereas subsequent OHC survival determines the final degree of functional recovery. Both OHC loss and neuronal function were ameliorated by peptide cotreatment.     

Localization of dynorphin B-like and alpha-neoendorphin-like immunoreactivities in the guinea pig organ of Corti

Antiserum to dynorphin B and antiserum to alpha-neoendorphin were used in an immunocytochemical examination of the guinea pig organ of Corti. Immunoreactive staining for these two proenkephalin B (prodynorphin)-derived peptides was seen in the lateral system of olivocochlear efferents in the organ of Corti: the inner spiral bundle, the tunnel spiral bundle and by the bases of inner hair cells. Immunoreactive staining with both antisera was also seen in efferent terminals on outer hair cells at or above the level of the nucleus, which may represent terminals of either the lateral or the medial system. No immunoreactive staining was seen in tunnel crossing fibers and at bases of outer hair cells corresponding to the medial system of efferents. The staining seen with antiserum to dynorphin B and to alpha-neoendorphin has similar distribution to that seen with antisera to methionine enkephalin; there may be co-localization of these neuropeptides in the lateral system of efferents. Choline acetyltransferase-like immunoreactivity (co-localized with enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in the lateral system in the brainstem) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)-like immunoreactivity have also been found in olivocochlear efferents. Further studies will be necessary to determine if the dynorphins are co-localized with other neurotransmitter candidates and what their interactions may be.     

Lipofuscin pigments in the spiral ganglion of the rat

Summary The purpose of the present study was to clarify morphological differences in lipofuscin or so-called age pigments observed in the spiral ganglion cells of both young and adult rat groups and to characterize the size and structure of ceroid pigment granules generated in vitamin-E-deficient rats. The results showed different patterns of lipofuscin distribution in the two groups. The adult rat group had large aggregated lipoid, dark pigment granules of irregular shape in the cytoplasm. In contrast, the young group had small numbers of small, dense homogeneous granules, suggesting higher Schwann cell phagocytic activity. The ceroid pigments apparently included numerous vesicles and droplets of more variable density and size than the lipofuscin pigments appearing in the non-treated older animals. Both lipofuscin and ceroid pigments developing in such non-dividing cells are produced as a result of peroxidation reactions, so that the more they accumulate in the cytoplasm the more likely cell function deteriorates. The present study has shown that lipofuscin/ceroid granules are generated in the spiral ganglions under either endogenous (aging) or exogenous (vitamin E deficiency) conditions.     

Tannic acid staining of the cell coat of the organ of Corti

Tannic acid staining of the cell coat of the organ of Corti shows a deep asymmetry between the endo- and the perilymphatic surfaces, the former being 6 times thicker. This fact may be related to a barrier mechanism against potassium-induced cell damage. Horizontal cross-links between stereocilia were heavily stained, but vertical ones were not preserved, thus suggesting they are not glycoconjugates.     

Partial amino acid sequence of organ of Corti protein OCP-II

Summary We have previously described two low-molecular-weight, highly acidic proteins which are present in the organ of Corti in extremely high concentrations. Since the function of these proteins is not known, they have been assigned the tentative names OCP-I and OCP-II. In the hope of obtaining information about their function through homology studies, we have initiated amino acid sequencing of these proteins. We have recently succeeded in obtaining a brief amino-terminal sequence of OCP-II. We now report on a significant extension of the amino-terminal sequence of OCP-II and our first results on sequences of peptide fragments obtained by limited digestion with V8 protease. Together, the sequenced segments account for about one-third of the total sequence. Comparisons with the sequences of known proteins suggest that OCP-II is not a structural protein, but that it may exhibit biologic activity.Supported by a grant from the Deafness Research Foundation and by NIDCD Program Project Grant P01 NS 24372Presented at the 26th Workshop on Inner Ear Biology in Paris, France, 3–6 September 1989     

Caffeine and ryanodine demonstrate a role for the ryanodine receptor in the organ of Corti

The hypothesis that the release of Ca(2+) from ryanodine receptor activated Ca(2+) stores in vivo can affect the function of the cochlea was tested by examining the effects of caffeine (1-10 mM) and ryanodine (1-333 microM), two drugs that release Ca(2+) from these intracellular stores. The drugs were infused into the perilymph compartment of the guinea pig cochlea while sound (10 kHz) evoked cochlear potentials and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs; 2f(1)-f(2)=8 kHz, f(2)=12 kHz) were monitored. Caffeine significantly suppressed the compound action potential of the auditory nerve (CAP) at low intensity (56 dB SPL; 3.3 and 10 mM) and high intensity (92 dB SPL; 10 mM), increased N1 latency at high and low intensity (3 and 10 mM) and suppressed low intensity summating potential (SP; 10 mM) without an effect on high intensity SP. Ryanodine significantly suppressed the CAP at low intensity (100 and 333 microM) and at high intensity (333 microM), increased N1 latency at low intensity (33, 100 and 333 microM) and at high intensity (333 microM) and suppressed low intensity SP (100 and 333 microM) and increased high intensity SP (333 microM). The cochlear microphonic (CM) evoked by 10 kHz tone bursts was not affected by caffeine at high or low intensity, and ryanodine had no effect on it at low intensity but decreased it at high intensity (10, 33, 100 and 333 microM). In contrast, caffeine (10 mM) and ryanodine (33 and 100 microM) significantly increased CM evoked by l kHz tone bursts and recorded from the round window. Caffeine (10 mM) and ryanodine (100 microM) reversibly suppressed the cubic DPOAEs evoked by low intensity primaries. Overall, low intensity evoked responses were more sensitive and were suppressed to a greater extent by both drugs. This is consistent with the hypothesis that release of Ca(2+) from ryanodine receptor Ca(2+) stores, possibly in outer hair cells and supporting cells, affects the function of the cochlear amplifier.