Preferentially regulated expression of connexin 43 in the developing spiral ganglion neurons and afferent terminals in post-natal rat cochlea.
Preferentially regulated expression of connexin 43 in the developing spiral ganglion neurons and afferent terminals in post-natal rat cochlea.
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DOI：
10.4081/ejh.2015.2464
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发表时间：
2015-02-11
期刊：
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
Yang J
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Liu WJ;Yang J
连接蛋白43(Cx43)在耳蜗组织中的表达模式尚未确定，也存在争议。由于Cx43的存在对听力是必不可少的，我们重新研究了它在大鼠耳蜗生后发育过程中的分布。Cx43蛋白早在出生时(出生后第0天，P0)就在螺旋神经节神经元(SGN)及其支配内外毛细胞的轴突终末表达，并持续到出生后第14天。用Cx43和TUJ1两种抗体进行双重免疫荧光染色，结果显示Cx43和TUJ1免疫反应完全共存于SGN和与IHC和OHC相关的传入终末。但在P14以后，在IHC和OHC底部的突触终末区域(P17，成人)已不能检测到Cx43的免疫染色。相反，Cx43在SGN中的表达一直维持到成年期。此外，我们还进行了实时定量逆转录聚合酶链式反应(qRT-PCR)，以确定在蜗牛(主要含有SGN)中Cx43mRNA的存在。Cx43mRNA在P8时高于P1时，随后在P14时下降。这些结果表明，Cx43与耳蜗神经突触发生和听神经传递的建立有关。
The expression pattern of connexin 43 (Cx43) in the cochlea is not determined and is controversial. Since the presence of Cx43 is essential for hearing, we re-examined its distribution during post-natal development of rat cochlea. Cx43 protein was expressed in spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and their neurite terminals innervating the inner and outer hair cells (IHCs and OHCs) as early as birth (postnatal day 0, P0), and persisted until P14. Double immunofluorescence staining, using two antibodies against Cx43 and TUJ1, a marker for all SGNs and afferent terminals, showed that immunoreactivity for Cx43 and TUJ1 was perfectly colocalized in SGNs and afferent terminals associated with the IHCs and OHCs. However, beyond P14, Cx43 immunostaining could no longer be detected in the region of the synaptic terminals at the bases of IHCs and OHCs (P17, adult). In contrast, Cx43 maintained its expression in SGNs into adulthood. We further performed quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to identify the presence of Cx43 mRNA in the modiolus (mainly containing SGNs). Cx43 mRNA was higher at P8, compared with P1, and subsequently decreased at P14. These results indicated that Cx43 correlated with cochlear synaptogenesis and establishment of auditory neurotransmission.