CELL COUPLING IN THE INNER EAR

在过去的二十年里，已经表明细胞可以直接 相互交流。也就是说，有直接转账的 电信号和小分子从一个细胞质到相邻细胞质 细胞质。管理这种类型的蜂窝通信的各种细节 已被阐明。不幸的是，哺乳动物内耳的细胞 没有包括在这项研究工作中。事实上，它的存在 内耳中的细胞通讯直到最近才被证实。然而， 管理内耳这些细胞相互作用的细节是 未知。已知有几个因素会影响细胞 在其他组织中的交流。该项目的目的是评估 这些因素的影响，特别是通过改变细胞内和 Corti器官的胞外微环境，利用两者 体外和体内制剂。膜电位、pH和 细胞间钙离子在支持细胞偶联中的作用 电性耦合研究和荧光染料扩散研究。在……里面 此外，听觉刺激和过度刺激对脑功能的影响 对耦合进行了研究。内耳的微环境对 科尔蒂器官的正常功能。这项研究的结果 可提供有关细胞间耦合在 科尔蒂器官的正常功能，并可能在 了解变化对Corti脏器的病理影响 酸碱度和离子条件的紊乱。此外，这项研究可能 深入了解噪声暴露对Corti器官的影响。

During the last two decades, it has been shown that cells can directly communicate with each other. That is, there is direct transfer of electrical signals and small molecules from one cell cytoplasm to adjacent cell cytoplasms. Various details governing this type of cell communication have been elucidated. Unfortunately, the cells of the mammalian inner ear have not been included in this research effort. In fact, the existence of cell communication in the inner ear was only recently proved. However, the details which govern these cellular interactions in the inner ear are unknown. There are several factors which are known to affect cell communication in other tissues. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effects of such factors, specifically by altering the intracellular and extracellular microenvironments of the organ of Corti, utilizing both in vitro and in vivo preparations. The role of membrane potential, pH, and Ca++ in supporting cell coupling is evaluated both by intercellular electrical coupling studies and fluorescent dye spread studies. In addition, the effects of auditory stimulation and overstimulation on coupling is studied. The microenvironment of the inner ear is critical for the normal functioning of the organ of Corti. The results of this study may provide information as to the role of cell-to-cell coupling in the normal function of the organ of Corti, and may also be significant in understanding pathologic effects upon the organ of Corti under varying disturbances in pH and ionic conditions. In addition, this study may provide insight into the effects of noise exposure upon the organ of Corti.