Actin-binding and microtubule-associated proteins in the organ of Corti.

Actin-binding and microtubule-associated proteins regulate microfilament and microtubule number, length, organization and location in cells. In freeze-dried preparations of the guinea pig cochlea, both actin and tubulin are found in the sensory and supporting cells of the organ of Corti. Fodrin (brain spectrin) co-localized with actin in the cuticular plates of both inner and outer hair cells and along the lateral wall of the outer hair cells. Alpha-actinin co-localized with actin in the cuticular plates of the hair cells and in the head and foot plates of the supporting cells. It was also found in the junctional regions between hair cells and supporting cells. Profilin co-localized with actin in the cuticular plates of the sensory hair cells. Myosin was detected only in the cuticular plates of the outer hair cells and in the supporting cells in the region facing endolymph. Gelsolin was found in the region of the nerve fibers. Tubulin is found in microtubules in all cells of the organ of Corti. In supporting cells, microtubules are bundled together with actin microfilaments and tropomyosin, as well as being present as individual microtubules arranged in networks. An intensely stained network of microtubules is found in both outer and inner sensory hair cells. The microtubules in the outer hair cells appear to course throughout the entire length of the cells, and based on their staining with antibodies to the tyrosinated form of tubulin they appear to be more dynamic structures than the microtubules in the supporting cells. The microtubule-associated protein MAP-2 is present only in outer hair cells within the organ of Corti and co-localizes with tubulin in these cells. No other MAPs (1,3,4,5) are present. Tau is found in the nerve fibers below both inner and outer hair cells and in the osseous spiral lamina. It is clear that the actin-binding and microtubule-associated proteins present in the cochlea co-localize with actin and tubulin and that they modulate microfilament and microtubule structure and function in a manner similar to that seen in other cell types. The location of some of these proteins in outer hair cells suggests a role for microfilaments and microtubules in outer hair cell motility.     

Tubulin and microtubules in cochlear hair cells: comparative immunocytochemistry and ultrastructure

The distribution of tubulin has been investigated in surface preparations of the guinea pig organ of Corti using indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. Two different monoclonal antibodies to tubulin produce similar distinct patterns of labelling in hair cells. Labelling is greater in inner hair cells than outer hair cells. It occurs in rings around the cell apex, and in a meshwork below and channels through, the cuticular plate. In outer hair cells from the apical region of the cochlea, labelling occurs around the location of a basalward protrusion of the cuticular plate. These patterns correlate with the location of microtubules observed using transmission electron microscopy. A large patch of labelling occurs on the strial side of the cell corresponding to the largest channel through the cuticular plate and the kinociliary basal body. Strands of labelling are seen running parallel to the long axis of the cell between the subcuticular and synaptic region. Many more of these strands are seen in the inner hair cell than the outer hair cell and may correspond to tracks of microtubules transporting neurotransmitter vesicles or other organelles. In outer hair cells, intense labelling and many microtubules are seen in the subnuclear region. The possible roles of the different microtubule arrangements are discussed.     

Differential expression of beta tubulin isotypes in the adult gerbil cochlea

Tubulin, the principal component of microtubules, exists as two polypeptides, termed alpha and beta. Seven isotypes of beta tubulin are known to exist in mammals. The distributions of four beta tubulin isotypes, beta(I), beta(II), beta(III), and beta(IV), have been examined in the adult cochlea by indirect immunofluorescence using isotype-specific antibodies. In the organ of Corti, outer hair cells contained only beta(I) and beta(IV), while inner hair cells contained only beta(I) and beta(II). Inner and outer pillar cells contained beta(II) and beta(IV), but Deiters cells contained those isotypes plus beta(I). Fine fibers in the inner spiral bundle, tunnel crossing fibers, and outer spiral fibers, probably efferent in character, contained beta(I), beta(II), and beta(III), but not beta(IV). In the spiral ganglion, the somas and axons of neurons contained all four isotypes, and the myelination of ganglion cells also contained beta(I). Fibers of the intraganglionic spiral bundle contained beta(I), beta(II), and beta(III). No antibody labeled the dendritic processes of spiral ganglion neurons. The differences in isotype distribution in organ of Corti and neurons described here are consistent with and support the multi-tubulin hypothesis, which states that tubulin isotypes are expressed specifically in different cell types and may therefore have different functions.     

出生后大鼠听毛细胞纤毛发育过程

目的观察新生大鼠（P1、P7、P14、P21）耳蜗Corti器的形态结构及排列方式,以便了解听毛细胞纤毛发育的过程。方法取新乍SD大鼠四个阶段的耳蜗,采刖扫描电镜对出生后大鼠耳蜗Corti器形态结构进行系统观察。结果发现这四个阶段在体犬鼠耳蜗毛细胞从出生至毛细胞完全发育成熟,绝大部分都是以一排内毛细胞和三排外毛细胞的方式排列的,只有少部分在局部发现多出几个外毛细胞形成第四排。毛细胞的形态结构及排列方式随着时间的改变逐渐发育成熟。P14这个阶段是个重要的时期,Corti器表面柱细胞头板增宽,表面的微绒毛减少,Deiter细胞表面微绒毛也减少,动纤毛从底圄至顶圈逐渐退化已经基本结束,P14这个阶段Corti器各个部分发育已经完全成熟：结论出生后14天之内。大鼠听毛细胞静纤毛和动纤毛与听器其他细胞形态结构仍不同程度地处于由不成熟到成熟的逐渐发育过程,为研究大鼠出生后Corti器的发育、听觉功能的建立和完善提供了比较可靠的形态学证据。     

The cytokeratin skeleton of the human organ of Corti and its functional significance]

In the adult human organ of Corti cytokeratin (CK) is expressed by all supporting cells enclosing it like a shell. The pattern of immunoreactivity clearly demonstrates a quantitative gradient in the expression of CK, with more CK at the apex than at the base of the cochlea. Predominantly in the apical cochlear turns, the CK-shell separates the compartment of the inner hair cells from that of the outer hair cells. Ultrastructurally, the supporting cells contain a loose fibrillary network which apically is oriented toward the desmosome chain and which can be clearly distinguished from the well-known tubular filaments (microtubuli). Some supporting cells show centrioles. Both the expression of CK and the presence of centrioles indicate a possible potential for cell regeneration. Ultrastructurally, outer hair cells and Deiters' cells show features of a specialized contact zone which might be of functional significance regarding the contractile abilities of the outer hair cells. In the human organ of Corti, vimentin is expressed only by the inner and outer pillar cells. These cells thus express CK together with vimentin. The distinct shell configuration of the CK network in the organ of Corti gives it a tonotopically related difference in rigidity which not only must be of importance for cochlear perception of sound but also could explain the reduced vulnerability of the ear to low frequencies.     

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.     

豚鼠耳蜗毛细胞丝状肌动蛋白表达

目的研究正常生理状态下丝状肌动蛋白(F-actin)的结构特征和分布规律。方法应用免疫细胞化学方法,采用单克隆抗体及免疫荧光标记技术,借助荧光显微镜和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜,逐层观察耳蜗毛细胞骨架蛋白-丝状肌动蛋白的分布特点。结果在连续的光学切片上,可以看到静纤毛、表皮板和外毛细胞(outerhaircells,OHCs)的周围环都有明亮的鬼笔环肽染色。除基底转外,其余各转皮板下网络(infracuticularnetwork,ICN)均有鬼笔环肽显色,外毛细胞侧壁着色亮度自基底转到顶转逐渐减弱。内、外柱细胞和Deiters细胞染色明亮,其中耳蜗各转外柱细胞头板的显色亮度都强于OHCs。结论豚鼠耳蜗OHCs中F-actin的结构和分布存在差异,内毛细胞(innerhaircells,IHCs)的结构和分布无差异,表明局部结构的梯度决定局部功能的差异。     

Supporting and membrane structures of human outer hair cells: evidence for an isometric contraction

The supporting elements of the human organ of Corti express a number of cytokeratins, and it is obvious that the presence of cytokeratins provides mechanical stability to the framework of the entire organ of Corti. In the basal part of the outer hair cells and in the apical part of the Deiters cells, there is a significant expression of actin. In the human outer hair cells, the system of subsurface cisterns is not only restricted to the lateral cell wall but is also continuous to the basal region where the hair cells are closely attached to the supporting Deiters cells. In contrast to the well-known organization of the subsurface cisterns and pillar structures at the lateral outer hair cell wall of rodents, the pillars at the base of human outer hair cells can form channels. These channels allow a direct communication between the lumen of the subsurface cisterns and the intercellular space which separates outer hair cells and Deiters cells. At the apical part of the Deiters cells, a condensation of microfilaments is present which displays morphological similarities to actin fibers. These well-organized structural configurations between outer hair cells and Deiters cells imply that this region has special contractile properties. The human outer hair cells are therefore firmly stabilized not merely apically but also at the cell base, a situation which would permit a mainly isometric contraction under in vivo physiological conditions.     

Evidence for a possible NOS back-up system in the organ of Corti of the guinea pig

Recently, the two Ca²⁺/calmodulin-regulated nitric oxide synthase isoforms, nNOS and eNOS, and NO itself have been identified in the cochlea of vertebrates using specific antibodies and a new fluorescence indicator. In order to acquire more information about the quantitative and spatial distribution of these two constitutively expressed NOS isoforms (cNOS) in the organ of Corti at the cellular and subcelluar levels, ultrathin sections of London resin (LR) White-embedded cochleae of the guinea pig were incubated with various concentrations of commercially available antibodies to nNOS and eNOS. The immunoreactivity was visualized by a gold-labeled secondary antibody and the amount of the immunoreactions/m² was quantified for different cell types and subcellular regions. Both NOS isoforms were identified to varying degrees in the same cell types and subcellular regions. A prominent eNOS immunoreactivity was identified in nearly every cell type. In all analyzed animals the highest number of gold-coupled anti-eNOS antibodies was always seen in the cells of the reticular lamina, especially in the cuticular structures of outer and inner hair cells, pillar cells and apical Deiters' cells. Also the microtubuli-containing cytoplasmic regions of Deiters' cells were scattered with gold-coupled anti-eNOS antibodies. A clear eNOS immunoreaction was also found in the remaining cytoplasm of inner and outer hair cells and in the apical Deiters' cells. Numerous anti-nNOS antibodies were located in the outer hair cells and in the cuticular structures of the apical Deiters' cells. The amount of the gold-labeled anti-nNOS antibodies in the cuticular plates of the pillar cells and outer hair cells and in the cytoplasm of inner hair cells and apical Deiters' cells were clearly less but still above unspecific background labeling. The spatial co-localization of the two NOS isotypes in the same cell regions was proven in double-labeling experiments. The spatial distribution of the two cNOS isoforms confirmed recent findings of other authors who localized NO distribution and production sites. The cNOS co-expression with similar function in the same cell type and subcellular regions may represent a functional "back-up system" in which one NOS isoform can replace the other in case of pathophysiological malfunction.     

条件声暴露后豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞丝束肌动蛋白表达的改变

目的：观察豚鼠耳蜗丝束肌动蛋白的表达及分布情况以及条件声暴露后耳蜗毛细胞丝束肌动蛋白的表达有无改变,初步探讨耳蜗“坚韧化”现象的发生机制。方法：实验用豚鼠分组后,采用中心频率为1kHz、强度为95dBSPL的倍频程噪声对动物进行条件声暴露。条件声暴露结束后按实验设计的时间处死动物并进行耳蜗铺片及免疫荧光染色。应用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜观察柯替器荧光染色情况并对1kHz频率感音区的第3回柯替器外毛细胞（OHC）的荧光强度进行定量分析。结果：豚鼠耳蜗柯替器丝束肌动蛋白主要分布在内外毛细胞的静纤毛、表皮板,OHC顶部细胞侧壁,柱细胞头板。在底回柯替器OHC基底部,Deiters细胞指突,外柱细胞的胞体亦含有丰富的丝束肌动蛋白。不同时期的条件声暴露后,除条件声暴露1d组加休息5d组外,其他2组动物OHC的荧光强度均有明显变化。结论：①一定剂量的条件声暴露可导致耳蜗柯替器丝束肌动蛋白表达的改变。②除内外毛细胞的静纤毛、表皮板,柱细胞头板等既往报道的部位外,豚鼠耳蜗柯替器的外柱细胞胞体中也含有丰富的丝束肌动蛋白。③条件声暴露后耳蜗OHC丝束肌动蛋白浓度的减低可能与耳蜗“坚韧化”现象的产生有关。     

人Corti‘s器扫描电镜观察

目的 了解正常人Corti’s器的超微结构特征。方法 用扫描电镜观察成年人和胎儿的Corti’s器。结果成人和胎儿Corti’s器基底圈内、外毛细胞排列规则,中圈和顶圈毛细胞排列不规则,内毛细胞以一排,外毛细胞以三排排列。可观察到列外的内、外毛细胞,四排排列和自然缺失的外毛细胞。外毛细胞粗大的静纤毛以及由于固定不及时引起的外毛细胞静纤毛气球样改变。结论 用扫描电镜观察成人和胎儿Corti’s器的精细结构,发现了毛细胞排列的基本规律和一些异常的形态。及时固定是保存Corti’s器结构完好的必要条件。     

硫酸新霉素对新生大鼠离体培养耳蜗毛细胞的毒性作用研究

目的观察体外培养的新生大鼠耳蜗Corti器经不同浓度硫酸新霉素处理后,各回毛细胞损伤情况。方法取新生大鼠完整耳蜗基底膜,体外培养12小时,存活贴壁后加药处理。对照组10个样本;3个实验组各10个样本,分别用终浓度为1mmol/L、2mmol/L、4mmol/L硫酸新霉素处理24小时。进行MyosinⅦa免疫荧光组织化学染色,在共聚焦显微镜下观察各回毛细胞缺失情况。分别选取10个图片进行毛细胞计数（每张图片截取100μm计数毛细胞个数）,并利用CHISS软件进行统计分析。对照组除不加入硫酸新霉素外,其他培养条件均与实验组相同。结果硫酸新霉素对离体培养的新生大鼠耳蜗毛细胞具有损伤效应,且外毛细胞对硫酸新霉素的毒性作用比内毛细胞敏感。加入硫酸新霉素后,耳蜗毛细胞损失从底回外毛细胞开始,随着药物浓度增加,逐渐累及到中回,最后顶回受累,且损失程度随着浓度的递增而加重,以外毛细胞为甚。单纯体外培养的耳蜗毛细胞没有缺失。经完全随机设计方差分析可得：顶回正常组内毛细胞数量与新霉素1mmol/L组、2mmol/L组无统计学差异,与新霉素4mmol/L组有统计学差异;中、底回正常组内毛细胞数量与新霉素1mmol/L组、新霉素2mmol/L组、新霉素4mmol/L组均有统计学差异;顶回正常组外毛细胞数量与新霉素2mmol/L与4mmol/L组有统计学差异;中、底回正常组外毛细胞数量与新霉素1mmol/L组、新霉素2mmol/L组、新霉素4mmol/L组均有统计学差异。结论新生大鼠体外培养的耳蜗毛细胞随着硫酸新霉素药物浓度的增加损失越严重,且从底回向顶回发展,此与活体动物实验的损害规律基本相同,因此可作为耳毒性药物损伤后毛细胞再生研究的体外模型。     

Cochlear innervation in the guinea pig. I. The inner spiral bundle region.

The organization of nerve fibers in the vicinity of the inner hair cells of the guinea pig cochlea was studied in silver-stained whole-mount specimens by light microscopy. In all turns of the organ of Corti the inner spiral bundle (ISB) was found to contain both short and long spiral fascicles coursing toward either the base or the apex. The ISB is largest and its organization is most complex in the upper basal and lower second turns. It becomes markedly reduced in size in the apical and lower basal turns. Many ISB fibers cross the tunnel of Corti to the outer hair cells. Surgical interruption of the efferent nerve supply in the brain stem resulted in degeneration of all ISB fibers. After elimination of the efferents it could be seen that the majority of afferent fibers end on the inner hair cells.     

Immunoelectron microscopic localization of nitric oxide synthase III in the guinea pig organ of Corti

Nitric oxide synthase III (NOS III) was identified in the guinea pig cochlea on an ultrastructural level using a post-embedding immunolabeling procedure. Ultrathin sections of London Resin (LR) White-embedded specimens were incubated with various concentrations of a commercially available antibody to NOS III and the immunoreactivity visualized by a gold-labeled secondary antibody. Analysis of ultrathin sections of the organ of Corti in the second turn of the cochlea showed that NOS III could be localized in the endothelial cells of the blood vessels under the basilar membrane, which was comparable to its location in similar cells types in various biological systems. Besides this, NOS III was also found in the cytoplasm and in the nuclei of inner and outer hair cells. Immunoreactivity was not distributed homogeneously within receptor cells. Numerous gold particles could be identified at the border of the cuticular plates, in the middle parts of the stereocilia and in the cytoplasm. Gold-labeled anti-NOS III antibodies in these sites were seen mostly on the cytoplasmic side of the submembranous cisterns in the vicinity of mitochondria and in the central parts of the hair cells, whereas the cisterns were nearly free from any immunoreactivity. NOS III was also detected in the efferent and afferent nerve endings that were located at the basal and basolateral side of the outer hair cells. Some immunoreactivity was visible in different nerve fibers of the inner and outer spiral tunnels. Besides this, gold-labeled antibodies were also present in the cuticular plate of inner and outer pillar cells, in the cytoskeletal elements located in the apical parts of Deiters cells, forming the lamina reticularis, and in the cytoskeletal-containing region of the cytoplasm of those Deiters cells located at the basal side of the outer hair cells. The role of the NOS III immunoreactivity identified in the organ of Corti was consistent with respect to hair cell and tissue modulation. Received: 24 September 1997 / Accepted: 26 June 1998     

Distribution of cochlear damage caused by the removal of the round window membrane

The distribution of damage that occurs in the cochlea after removal of the round window membrane was examined in the apical, middle and basal regions with light and electron microscopy. The damage resembles that seen after acoustic trauma in many respects. The outer hair cells are often disrupted in damaged zones, and the radial afferent fibers to the inner hair cells swell enormously to form large vacuoles. 16 h after opening of round window, there is conspicuous swelling of myelinated axons in the osseous spiral lamina of the apical region. This swelling is associated with large vacuoles underneath the inner hair cells. 10 h after opening the round window, much smaller vacuoles are seen in the apical region. The distribution of the damage is not uniform throughout the cochlea. Damage is usually less severe and is not uniform in the middle region but is pronounced in the base. The nature of the damage is also variable in different animals. For example, sharply delimited, discontinuous damage to the inner hair cells was occasionally observed in the apical region. The most likely cause for the damage to the cochlea is a pressure differential across the organ of Corti that appears after removing the round window membrane. The damage apparently causes low frequency random movements of the basilar membrane that are observed in the experimental cochleas using a reflected laser beam.     

Repair pattern of the reticular lamina of the organ of corti in human ears

The repair pattern of the reticular lamina of the organ of Corti was studied in the cochleae of human ears. The inner ears were obtained at autopsy from the individuals who had no evidence of auditory or vestibular disorders or therapy with ototoxic drugs:

• After a loss of outer or inner hair cells, the framework of the reticular lamina was distorted but no gaps were detected. The supporting cells were hypertrophied but no reparative proliferation of the supporting cells was found in the organ of Corti.
• Defects due to the collapse of outer hair cells of the first row were filled in mainly by the hypertrophied heads of the outer pillar cells.
• Defects due to the collapse of outer hair cells of the second, third and fourth row were filled in mainly by the hypertrophied phalanges of Deiters' cells of the first, second and third row respectively.
• The space due to inner hair cell loss was filled in by the nearest inner supporting cells which were hypertrophied and extended toward the space.
• The distortion of the reticular lamina and the aging degeneration were regarded as two possible causes for the total loss of the organ of Corti near the end of the first turn.

     

Epidermal Growth Factor Upregulates Production of Supernumerary Hair Cells in Neonatal Rat Organ of Corti Explants

The organ of Corti is highly ordered, with a single row of inner hair cells and three rows of outer hair cells. The number of hair cells produced was thought to be limited by the time of their terminal mitosis (i.e. E14 in the mouse). However, exogenous application of retinoic acid has been shown to stimulate the formation of supernumerary hair cells in organ of Corti explants from E13 to E16 mouse embryos. Using late embryonic and neonatal rat organ of Corti explants, we investigated the potential for production of supernumerary hair cells in more mature auditory sensory epithelia. When newborn rat organ of Corti explants were cultured under control conditions, an area of supernumerary hair cells was observed in a segment of organ of Corti that was at the junction between the basal and middle turns. In these areas of supernumerary hair cells the number of hair cells increased per unit of length, but remained constant per surface unit, further demonstrating the supernumerary character of this phenomenon. Organ of Corti explants treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) showed a 50% increase in the length of the organ of Corti segment containing supernumerary hair cells. Upregulation of supernumerary hair cell formation by EGF was found to start and be maximal at birth (P0) and to disappear by 2 days after birth (P2). Treatment of EGF stimulated P0 explants with an antimitotic drug, cytosine arabinoside (ARAc), demonstrated that the production of supernumerary hair cells occurred independently of cell division.     

Epidermal growth factor upregulates production of supernumerary hair cells in neonatal rat organ of corti explants

The organ of Corti is highly ordered, with a single row of inner hair cells and three rows of outer hair cells. The number of hair cells produced was thought to be limited by the time of their terminal mitosis (i.e. E14 in the mouse). However, exogenous application of retinoic acid has been shown to stimulate the formation of supernumerary hair cells in organ of Corti explants from E13 to E16 mouse embryos. Using late embryonic and neonatal rat organ of Corti explants, we investigated the potential for production of supernumerary hair cells in more mature auditory sensory epithelia. When newborn rat organ of Corti explants were cultured under control conditions, an area of supernumerary hair cells was observed in a segment of organ of Corti that was at the junction between the basal and middle turns. In these areas of supernumerary hair cells the number of hair cells increased per unit of length, but remained constant per surface unit, further demonstrating the supernumerary character of this phenomenon. Organ of Corti explants treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) showed a 50% increase in the length of the organ of Corti segment containing supernumerary hair cells. Upregulation of supernumerary hair cell formation by EGF was found to start and be maximal at birth (P0) and to disappear by 2 days after birth (P2). Treatment of EGF stimulated P0 explants with an antimitotic drug, cytosine arabinoside (ARAc), demonstrated that the production of supernumerary hair cells occurred independently of cell division.     

p27(Kip1) deficiency causes organ of Corti pathology and hearing loss

p27(Kip1) (p27) has been shown to inhibit several cyclin-dependent kinase molecules and to play a central role in regulating entry into the cell cycle. Once hair cells in the cochlea are formed, p27 is expressed in non-sensory cells of the organ of Corti and prevents their re-entry into the cell cycle. In one line of p27 deficient mice (p27(-/-)), cell division in the organ of Corti continues past its normal embryonic time, leading to continual production of cells in the organ of Corti. Here we report on the structure and function of the inner ear in another line of p27 deficient mice originating from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The deficiency in p27 expression of these mice is incomplete, as they retain expression of amino acids 52-197. We determined that mice homozygote for this mutation had severe hearing loss and their organ of Corti exhibited an increase in the number of inner and outer hair cells. There also was a marked increase in the number of supporting cells, with severe pathologies in pillar cells. These data show similarities between this p27(Kip1) mutation and another, previously reported null allele of this gene, and suggest that reducing the inhibition on the cell cycle in the organ of Corti leads to pathology and dysfunction. Manipulations to regulate the time and place of p27 inhibition will be necessary for inducing functionally useful hair cell regeneration.