CELL COUPLING IN THE INNER EAR

在过去的二十年里，已经表明细胞可以直接 互相交流 也就是说，有直接转移 电信号和小分子从一个细胞质到相邻的细胞质 细胞的细胞周期 控制这种细胞通讯的各种细节 已被阐明。 不幸的是，哺乳动物内耳的细胞 尚未纳入本研究工作中。 事实上， 内耳中的细胞通讯直到最近才被证实。 但 控制内耳中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 在其他组织中的沟通。 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器官的细胞外微环境， 体外和体内制备。 膜电位、pH和 Ca ++在支持细胞偶联中的作用通过细胞间Ca ++和细胞内Ca ++来评估。 电耦合研究和荧光染料扩散研究。 在 此外，听觉刺激和过度刺激对 耦合进行了研究。 内耳的微环境对于 Corti器官的正常功能 本研究结果 可以提供关于细胞-细胞偶联在细胞内的作用的信息。 Corti器官的正常功能，也可能在 了解不同条件下对Corti器官的病理影响 pH和离子条件的干扰。 此外，这项研究可能 提供深入了解噪音暴露对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.