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。 直到最近几年， 哺乳动物的内耳被包括在这项研究工作中。 实际上 内耳中细胞通讯的存在直到最近才被证实 （Santos-Sacchi和Dallos，1982，1983）;以及一些决定因素 现在已经在体外研究了Corti器官中的偶联 （Santos-Sacchi，1984 a，B，1985 a，B，1986 a，B）。 此外，分歧还 已经发现支持细胞的能力之间的沟通， 体外和体内制剂，因此认为（Santos-Sacchi， 1986 e），耦合比和空间常数在体内保持较小， 内耳的正常生理分区 的目的 项目是确定哪些因素（例如，膜电位，pH， 听觉刺激，各种离子）对细胞通讯很重要， 体内和体外，并确定正常的 内耳的区室化维持不良的电耦合 (e.g.,内淋巴电位，耳蜗独特的离子组成 流体）。 此外，将在体内进行染料偶联研究， 由于现在已知染料偶联发生在体外（Santos-Sacchi， 1986年c、d）。 最后，支持细胞间隙连接的超微结构 将进行研究，以确定是否有结构相关的 在体外与体内发现的生理耦合差异。 微环境对于器官的正常功能至关重要。 科蒂 这项研究的结果可能提供信息， 细胞与细胞的耦合在正常功能的Corti器官，并可能 在了解器官的病理作用方面也很重要， 在pH和离子条件的不同干扰下。 而且可大大 深入了解噪音暴露对内耳的影响。

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. Only in the last few years have the cells of the mammalian inner ear been included in this research effort. In fact, the existence of cell communication in the inner ear was only recently proved (Santos-Sacchi and Dallos, 1982, 1983); and some of the factors governing coupling in the organ of Corti have now been studied in vitro (Santos-Sacchi, 1984a,b, 1985a,b, 1986a,b). In addition, differences have been found between the ability of supporting cells to communicate in the in vitro and in vivo preparations, such that it is thought (Santos-Sacchi, 1986e) that coupling ratios and space constants are kept small in vivo by the inner ear's normal physiologic compartmentalization. The aim of this project is to determine what factors (e.g., membrane potential, pH, auditory stimulation, various ions) are important for cell communication in vivo and in vitro, and to determine what aspect of the normal compartmentalization of the inner ear maintains poor electrical coupling (e.g., endolymphatic potential, unique ionic makeup of the cochlear fluids). Furthermore, dye coupling studies will be performed in vivo, since it is now known that dye coupling occurs in vitro (Santos-Sacchi, 1986c,d). Finally, the ultrastructure of supporting cell gap junctions will be studied to determine if there are structural correlates of physiological coupling differences found in vitro versus in vivo. The microenvironment 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 under varying disturbances in pH and ionic conditions. In addition, it may provide insight into the effects of noise exposure upon the inner ear.