Abstract
Objectives: Cochlear pericytes are not well characterized. The aim of this study was to further advance the characterization of cochlear pericyte location and distribution, with particular focus on pericyte-related proteins on the capillaries of the cochlear lateral wall that are functionally integral to structure, contraction, and gap junction transport. Materials and Methods: Cochlear pericytes were identified by the immunofluorescence labeling of pericyte marker proteins, including alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), desmin, Thy-1, tropomyosin, and NG2, and by morphological identification, using fluorescence, electron, and differential interference contrast microscopy. Results: Pericytes were predominately found in the capillary network of the cochlear lateral wall, with considerable morphological heterogeneity across different types of microvessels. For example, pericytes on the vessels of the spiral ligament (V/SL) strongly expressed a gap junction protein, connexin 40, and were positive for α-SMA, tropomyosin, and desmin. In contrast, pericytes on the vessels of the stria vascularis (V/SV) were positive for desmin, and were negative for α-SMA and tropomyosin. Conclusions: The capillary networks of the cochlear lateral wall comprise a rich population of pericytes. These pericytes are morphologically heterogeneous, with protein expression potentially indicative of function.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 515-529 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Microcirculation |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 2008 |
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Keywords
- α-SMA
- Cochlear pericyte
- Connexin 40
- Desmin
- NG2
- Tropomyosin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Genetics
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Cite this
The cochlear pericytes. / Shi, Xiao; Han, Weijiu; Yamamoto, Hiroshi; Tang, Wenxue; Lin, Xi; Xiu, Ruijuan; Trune, Dennis; Nuttall, Alfred.
In: Microcirculation, Vol. 15, No. 6, 08.2008, p. 515-529.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The cochlear pericytes
AU - Shi, Xiao
AU - Han, Weijiu
AU - Yamamoto, Hiroshi
AU - Tang, Wenxue
AU - Lin, Xi
AU - Xiu, Ruijuan
AU - Trune, Dennis
AU - Nuttall, Alfred
PY - 2008/8
Y1 - 2008/8
N2 - Objectives: Cochlear pericytes are not well characterized. The aim of this study was to further advance the characterization of cochlear pericyte location and distribution, with particular focus on pericyte-related proteins on the capillaries of the cochlear lateral wall that are functionally integral to structure, contraction, and gap junction transport. Materials and Methods: Cochlear pericytes were identified by the immunofluorescence labeling of pericyte marker proteins, including alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), desmin, Thy-1, tropomyosin, and NG2, and by morphological identification, using fluorescence, electron, and differential interference contrast microscopy. Results: Pericytes were predominately found in the capillary network of the cochlear lateral wall, with considerable morphological heterogeneity across different types of microvessels. For example, pericytes on the vessels of the spiral ligament (V/SL) strongly expressed a gap junction protein, connexin 40, and were positive for α-SMA, tropomyosin, and desmin. In contrast, pericytes on the vessels of the stria vascularis (V/SV) were positive for desmin, and were negative for α-SMA and tropomyosin. Conclusions: The capillary networks of the cochlear lateral wall comprise a rich population of pericytes. These pericytes are morphologically heterogeneous, with protein expression potentially indicative of function.
AB - Objectives: Cochlear pericytes are not well characterized. The aim of this study was to further advance the characterization of cochlear pericyte location and distribution, with particular focus on pericyte-related proteins on the capillaries of the cochlear lateral wall that are functionally integral to structure, contraction, and gap junction transport. Materials and Methods: Cochlear pericytes were identified by the immunofluorescence labeling of pericyte marker proteins, including alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), desmin, Thy-1, tropomyosin, and NG2, and by morphological identification, using fluorescence, electron, and differential interference contrast microscopy. Results: Pericytes were predominately found in the capillary network of the cochlear lateral wall, with considerable morphological heterogeneity across different types of microvessels. For example, pericytes on the vessels of the spiral ligament (V/SL) strongly expressed a gap junction protein, connexin 40, and were positive for α-SMA, tropomyosin, and desmin. In contrast, pericytes on the vessels of the stria vascularis (V/SV) were positive for desmin, and were negative for α-SMA and tropomyosin. Conclusions: The capillary networks of the cochlear lateral wall comprise a rich population of pericytes. These pericytes are morphologically heterogeneous, with protein expression potentially indicative of function.
KW - α-SMA
KW - Cochlear pericyte
KW - Connexin 40
KW - Desmin
KW - NG2
KW - Tropomyosin
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=49249083139&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=49249083139&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/10739680802047445
DO - 10.1080/10739680802047445
M3 - Article
VL - 15
SP - 515
EP - 529
JO - Microcirculation
JF - Microcirculation
SN - 1073-9688
IS - 6
ER -