Connexin 26 Immunohistochemistry in Temporal Bones With Cochlear Otosclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 127 (8) ◽  
pp. 536-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mia E. Miller ◽  
Ivan A. Lopez ◽  
Fred H. Linthicum ◽  
Akira Ishiyama

Hypothesis: Connexin-26 (Cx26) expression is diminished in the spiral ligament of subjects with hearing loss and cochlear otosclerosis (CO). Background: Human temporal bone (HTB) studies have demonstrated that CO is associated with hyalinization of the spiral ligament. We hypothesize that hyalinization is associated with a loss of fibrocytes with a consequent decline in Cx26 expression. Cx26 and Connexin-30 (Cx30) encode gap junction proteins expressed in supporting cells of the organ of Corti, the spiral limbus, stria vascularis, and in fibrocytes of the spiral ligament. These gap junctions are critical for potassium recycling and maintenance of the endocochlear potential. Diminished expression of these proteins would likely be associated with hearing dysfunction. Methods: Histopathology and clinical characteristics of 45 HTB specimens with CO and spiral ligament hyalinization were reviewed. Those with sensorineural or mixed hearing loss but normal or near-normal hair cell counts were analyzed with light microscopy, and Cx26-immunoreactive (IR) signal was qualitatively assessed. Results: H&E staining demonstrated hyalinization in the spiral ligament and loss of type II and type III fibrocytes. Cx26-IR was diminished throughout the cochlea affected with CO compared with normal controls. Conclusions: Cx26-IR reduction in the spiral ligament of subjects with CO likely plays a role in hearing loss.

1977 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 813-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Antoli-Candela ◽  
T. McGill ◽  
D. Peron

Alterations in the dimensions of the basilar membrane and spiral ligament have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sensorineural hearing loss in otosclerosis. The histopathological findings in nineteen temporal bones with otosclerotic involvement of the cochlear endosteum are reviewed. Hyalinization and decrease in the width of the spiral ligament are the only consistent findings related to the otosclerotic focus in these temporal bones. The width of the basilar membrane is normal. The hair cell population and the stria vascularis are normal for the age group.


2020 ◽  
Vol 319 (3) ◽  
pp. C569-C578
Author(s):  
Bei Chen ◽  
Hongen Xu ◽  
Yanfang Mi ◽  
Wei Jiang ◽  
Dan Guo ◽  
...  

Mutations in connexin 30 (Cx30) are known to cause severe congenital hearing impairment; however, the mechanism by which Cx30 mediates homeostasis of endocochlear gap junctions is unclear. We used a gene deletion mouse model to explore the mechanisms of Cx30 in preventing hearing loss. Our results suggest that despite severe loss of the auditory brain-stem response and endocochlear potential at postnatal day 18, Cx30−/− mice only show sporadic loss of the outer hair cells. This inconsistency in the time course and severity of hearing and hair cell losses in Cx30−/− mice might be explained, in part, by an increase in reactive oxygen species generation beginning at postnatal day 10. The expression of oxidative stress genes was increased in Cx30−/− mice in the stria vascularis, spiral ligament, and organ of Corti. Furthermore, Cx30 deficiency caused mitochondrial dysfunction at postnatal day 18, as assessed by decreased ATP levels and decreased expression of mitochondrial complex I proteins, especially in the stria vascularis. Proteomic analysis further identified 444 proteins that were dysregulated in Cx30−/− mice, including several that are involved in mitochondria electron transport, ATP synthesis, or ion transport. Additionally, proapoptotic proteins, including Bax, Bad, and caspase-3, were upregulated at postnatal day 18, providing a molecular basis to explain the loss of hearing that occurs before hair cell loss. Therefore, our results are consistent with an environment of oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in the cochlea of Cx30−/− mice that is coincident with hearing loss but precedes hair cell loss.


1975 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred H. Linthicum ◽  
A. S. Lalani

Audiometric findings were evaluated in a group of patients with clinical unilateral otosclerosis. A comparison was made between bone conduction threshold in the better hearing ear and the ear with the mixed hearing loss. Over 50% of the patients had a significant elevation in the bone conduction thresholds in the ear with clinical otosclerosis as compared to the uninvolved ear. A pair of temporal bones from a patient with unilateral otosclerosis and unilateral mixed hearing loss is presented.


2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 903-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshihiro Suzuki ◽  
Tetsuro Takamatsu ◽  
Masahito Oyamada

To elucidate whether the two different gap junction proteins connexin43 (Cx43) and connexin26 (Cx26) are expressed and localized in a similar manner in the adult rat cochlea, we performed three-dimensional confocal microscopy using cryosections and surface preparations. In the cochlear lateral wall, Cx43-positive spots were localized mainly in the stria vascularis and only a few spots were present in the spiral ligament, whereas Cx26-positive spots were detected in both the stria vascularis and the spiral ligament. In the spiral limbus, Cx43 was widely distributed, whereas Cx26 was more concentrated on the side facing the scala vestibuli and in the basal portion. In the organ of Corti, Cx43-positive spots were present between the supporting cells but they were fewer and much smaller than those of Cx26. These data demonstrated distinct differences between Cx43 and Cx26 in expression and localization in the cochlea. In addition, the area of overlap of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) immunolabeling with Cx43-positive spots was small, whereas it was fairly large with Cx26-positive spots in the cochlear lateral wall, suggesting that the differences are not associated with the structural difference between carboxyl terminals, i.e., those of Cx43 possess sequences for binding to ZO-1, whereas those of Cx26 lack these binding sequences.


1989 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 411-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph B. Nadol ◽  
Yi-Shyang Young ◽  
Robert J. Glynn

Ninety-three temporal bones from 66 patients who were profoundly deaf during life were reconstructed by analysis of serial light microscopic sections. The correlations of total and segmental spiral ganglion cell counts with age, duration of hearing loss and profound deafness, and cause of hearing loss were evaluated. Bivariate analysis demonstrated that total spiral ganglion cell count tended to be lower in older than in younger deaf individuals and lower with longer duration of hearing loss and total deafness. However, multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the cause of hearing loss was the single most significant determinant of total spiral ganglion cell count. Patients with deafness due to aminoglycoside toxicity or sudden idiopathic deafness had the highest residual spiral ganglion cell count and patients with deafness due to presumptive postnatal viral labyrinthitis, bacterial labyrinthitis, and congenital or genetic causes had the lowest numbers of residual spiral ganglion cells.


Author(s):  
Xiaomin Tang ◽  
Yuxuan Sun ◽  
Chenyu Xu ◽  
Xiaotao Guo ◽  
Jiaqiang Sun ◽  
...  

Caffeine is being increasingly used in daily life, such as in drinks, cosmetics, and medicine. Caffeine is known as a mild stimulant of the central nervous system, which is also closely related to neurologic disease. However, it is unknown whether caffeine causes hearing loss, and there is great interest in determining the effect of caffeine in cochlear hair cells. First, we explored the difference in auditory brainstem response (ABR), organ of Corti, stria vascularis, and spiral ganglion neurons between the control and caffeine-treated groups of C57BL/6 mice. RNA sequencing was conducted to profile mRNA expression differences in the cochlea of control and caffeine-treated mice. A CCK-8 assay was used to evaluate the approximate concentration of caffeine. Flow cytometry, TUNEL assay, immunocytochemistry, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting were performed to detect the effects of SGK1 in HEI-OC1 cells and basilar membranes. In vivo research showed that 120 mg/ kg caffeine injection caused hearing loss by damaging the organ of Corti, stria vascularis, and spiral ganglion neurons. RNA-seq results suggested that SGK1 might play a vital role in ototoxicity. To confirm our observations in vitro, we used the HEI-OC1 cell line, a cochlear hair cell-like cell line, to investigate the role of caffeine in hearing loss. The results of flow cytometry, TUNEL assay, immunocytochemistry, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting showed that caffeine caused autophagy and apoptosis via SGK1 pathway. We verified the interaction between SGK1 and HIF-1α by co-IP. To confirm the role of SGK1 and HIF-1α, GSK650394 was used as an inhibitor of SGK1 and CoCl2 was used as an inducer of HIF-1α. Western blot analysis suggested that GSK650394 and CoCl2 relieved the caffeine-induced apoptosis and autophagy. Together, these results indicated that caffeine induces autophagy and apoptosis in auditory hair cells via the SGK1/HIF-1α pathway, suggesting that caffeine may cause hearing loss. Additionally, our findings provided new insights into ototoxic drugs, demonstrating that SGK1 and its downstream pathways may be potential therapeutic targets for hearing research at the molecular level.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1497
Author(s):  
Luz del Mar Rivas-Chacón ◽  
Sofía Martínez-Rodríguez ◽  
Raquel Madrid-García ◽  
Joaquín Yanes-Díaz ◽  
Juan Ignacio Riestra-Ayora ◽  
...  

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is an increasing and gradual sensorineural hearing dysfunction. Oxidative stress is an essential factor in developing ARHL; additionally, premature senescence of auditory cells induced by oxidative stress can produce hearing loss. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) represents a method commonly used to generate cellular senescence in vitro. The objective of the present paper is to study H2O2-induced senescence patterns in three auditory cell lines (House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1, HEI-OC1; organ of Corti, OC-k3, and stria vascularis, SV-k1 cells) to elucidate the intrinsic mechanisms responsible for ARHL. The auditory cells were exposed to H2O2 at different concentrations and times. The results obtained show different responses of the hearing cells concerning cell growth, β-galactosidase activity, morphological changes, mitochondrial activation, levels of oxidative stress, and other markers of cell damage (Forkhead box O3a, FoxO3a, and 8-oxoguanine, 8-oxoG). Comparison between the responses of these auditory cells to H2O2 is a helpful method to evaluate the molecular mechanisms responsible for these auditory cells’ senescence. Furthermore, this in vitro model could help develop anti-senescent therapeutic strategies for the treatment of AHRL.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 3874-3885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanru Wang ◽  
Yan Qu ◽  
Xuzhen Chen ◽  
Pu Zhang ◽  
Dan Su ◽  
...  

Objective To study the effects of D-methionine in a mouse model of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Methods We investigated changes in auditory function and microscopic cochlear structure in a mouse model of NIHL, and carried out 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) immunostaining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling, and examined expression levels of connexins 26 and 30 by western blot. Results The auditory brainstem response threshold was significantly increased by noise exposure. Noise exposure also damaged the inner and particularly the outer hair cells in the cochlear basement membrane, while histochemistry demonstrated only scattered loss of hair cells in the basement membrane in mice treated with D-methionine before or after noise exposure. D-methionine inhibited apoptosis in the cochlear basement membrane, stria vascularis, and spiral ligament. 4-HNE expression in the basement membrane, stria vascularis, and spiral collateral ligament was increased by noise exposure, but this increase was attenuated by D-methionine. Connexin 26 and connexin 30 expression levels were reduced by noise exposure, and this effect was similarly attenuated by D-methionine administered either before or after noise exposure. Conclusion D-methionine administered before or after noise exposure could rescue NIHL by protecting cochlear morphology, inhibiting apoptosis, and maintaining connexin 26 and 30 expression.


2005 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven P. Tinling ◽  
Vishad Nabili ◽  
Hilary A. Brodie

Labyrinthitis ossificans (LO) is the pathological deposition of new bone within the lumen of the cochlea and labyrinth. This process occurs most commonly as a result of infection or inflammation affecting the otic capsule. Trauma and vascular compromise can also lead to neo-ossification within the otic capsule. The mechanism that regulates this process remains unestablished. This study details the end-stage histopathology in high-resolution plastic thin sections. Twenty Mongolian gerbils were infected by intrathecal injection of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 followed by subcutaneous penicillin G procaine (8 days) and were painlessly sacrificed 3 months later. The cochleas were serially divided and sectioned for light and electron microscopy. Sixteen of 20 animals (27 of 40 cochleas) demonstrated LO. Cochlear damage was most extensive in the vestibule and basal turn and decreased toward the apex, which often appeared normal. The histopathologic findings consisted of 1) new bone, calcospherites, osteoid, and fibrosis without dense connective tissue or osteoblasts extending from the endosteal wall into the lumen of the vestibule and scala tympani; 2) areas of dense connective tissue and osteoid enclosed by epithelial cells conjoined with the organ of Corti, stria vascularis, spiral ligament, and vestibular (Reissner's) membrane; and 3) partial to complete loss of the organ of Corti, spiral ligament cell bodies, stria vascularis, and spiral ganglion cells. Osteoblastic activity was not demonstrated in end-stage ossification in LO in the gerbil model. Neoossification appears to occur by calcospherite deposition along collagen-like fibrils within osteoid. The destruction of the organ of Corti, spiral ganglion cells, stria vascularis, and cells of Reissner's membrane and the spiral ligament occurs even in the absence of ossification of the cochlear duct.


2012 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ö Tarkan ◽  
P Sari ◽  
O Demirhan ◽  
M Kiroğlu ◽  
Ü Tuncer ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:Mutations in the genes for connexin 26 (GJB2) and connexin 30 (GJB6) play an important role in autosomal recessive, non-syndromic hearing loss. This study aimed to detect the 35delG and 167delT mutations of theGJB2gene and the del(GJB6-D13S1830) mutation of theGJB6gene in paediatric patients diagnosed with congenital, non-syndromic hearing loss and treated with cochlear implantation in Mediterranean Turkey.Materials and method:We included 94 children diagnosed with congenital, non-syndromic hearing loss and treated with cochlear implantation. Blood samples were collected, DNA extracted and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay performed to enable molecular diagnosis of mutations.Results:Of the 94 children analysed, the 35delG mutation was detected in 12 (12.7 per cent): 10 (83.3 per cent) were homozygous and 2 (16.7 per cent) heterozygous mutant. The 167delT and del(GJB6-D13S1830) mutations were not detected.Conclusion:The GJB2-35delG mutation is a major cause of congenital, non-syndromic hearing loss in this study population.


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