Appearance of B and H blood group antigens in the developing cochlear hair cells.
The presence of human blood-group antigens was analyzed in the rat cochlea during its postnatal development, using anti-A, anti-B and anti-H antibodies. At no stage was reactivity with anti-A antibody observed. With the anti-H antibody, a strong reactivity was observed from 1 to 9 days after birth within hair cells and some other surface epithelial cells of the cochlear duct. After postnatal day 9, only a faint reactivity persisted in a few non-sensory cells. With the anti-B antibody, only hair cells were selectively labeled. At early stages (postnatal day 1 and 3), the reactivity was intense and observed both around the cell surface and within the supranuclear region of cytoplasm. Later on, the reactivity decreased; it was limited at postnatal day 9 to a reactive spot below the cuticular plate. Results are compared with a preliminary finding describing the first appearance of B and H antigens in the organ of Corti at a prenatal stage, and with data concerning other sensory and neural structures. The appearance and progressive disappearance of B and H antigens on sensory and non-sensory cells can be correlated with significant events in the development of the cochlea. The transient expression of B and H antigens in cochlear sensory cells may correspond to developmental changes in their surface glycoconjugates.
Gil-Loyzaga
P
P
INSERM-U.254, Laboratoire Neurobiologie de l'Audition, CHR St. Charles, Montpellier, France.
Pujol
R
R
Mollicone
R
R
Dalix
A M
AM
Oriol
R
R
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System