ion transport and regulation of the ion transport in the inner ear and endolymphatic sac

结果表明，Prox 1在成年期内淋巴囊上皮的各个部位均有表达。Prox 1作为内淋巴囊上皮细胞的标志物。使用Prox 1-GFP小鼠可以通过脱钙颞骨对内淋巴囊上皮细胞进行整体成像和三维观察。采用整体包埋成像技术和右旋糖酐-罗丹明血管染色，观察内淋巴囊。近端内淋巴囊狭窄，周围血管稀少。在中间部分，这是最活跃的离子运输部分，内淋巴囊突出，并被许多分支血管包围。内淋巴囊的远侧部分靠近乙状窦。将相同的样品切片并通过免疫组织化学染色。这种内淋巴囊整体成像技术将成为研究内淋巴囊的一种非常有用的方法。

We demonstrated the expression of Prox1 in all parts of the endolymphatic sac epithelia in adult stage. Prox1 was used as a marker for the endolymphatic sac epithelia. The use of Prox1-GFP mice made possible the whole-mount imaging and three-dimensional observations of the endolymphatic sac epithelial cells through decalcified temporal bone. Using this whole-mount imaging technique and vascular staining with dextran-rhodamine, the endolymphatic sac was observed. In the proximal portion, the endolymphatic sac was narrow and surrounded by few blood vessels. In the intermediate portion, which is the most active ion transporting part, the endolymphatic sac protruded and was surrounded by many branched blood vessels. In the distal portion, the endolymphatic sac was close to the sigmoid sinus. The same samples were sectioned and stained by immunohistochemistry. This whole-mount imaging technique of the endolymphatic sac will be a very useful method for endolymphatic sac research.