CELL-TO-CELL COMMUNICATION IN THE ORGAN OF CORTI

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 还没有被纳入这项研究工作。 事实上， 内耳中的细胞通讯直到今年才被证实。 但是，在这方面， 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。 的作用 膜电位，pH值，和Ca++在支持细胞耦合进行了评价 通过细胞间电偶联研究和荧光染料 传播研究。 此外，听觉刺激和 研究了耦合的过激励问题。 内在的微环境 耳朵对于Corti器官的正常功能至关重要。 的 这项研究的结果可以提供信息， 细胞与细胞的耦合在正常功能的Corti器官，并可能 在理解对器官的病理影响方面也是重要的。 Corti在pH和离子条件的不同干扰下。 此外，本发明还提供了一种方法， 这项研究可以提供深入了解噪声暴露对 Corti器官

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 proved this year. 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. The role of membrane potential, pH, and Ca++ in supporting cell coupling is evaluated both by intercellular electrical coupling studies and flourescent 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.