title: Relationship of monoclonal antibody (KHRI 3 epitope) to cochlear supporting cell microvilli in the guinea pig.
abstract: As reported previously, monoclonal antibodies can be generated that bind against guinea pig cochlear structures. Preliminary immunohistochemical characterization revealed that one of these monoclonal antibodies (KHRI 3) most probably binds against a surface structure of guinea pig cochlear supporting cells. This study was undertaken to further characterize the KHRI 3 epitope in the cochlea. Since KHRI 3 immunolabeling appeared to be punctate and epitope expression was most pronounced in the reticular lamina, we hypothesized that KHRI 3 epitopes are related to microvilli. To prove this hypothesis immunoelectron microscopy was used. Also investigated was how epitope expression is altered in the reticular lamina microvilli following drug or noise-induced changes. When immunocytochemical results were compared to scanning electron microscopy findings, a striking correlation could be seen between changes in KRHI 3 immunolabeling and changes in the distribution of microvilli. These findings support the assumption that KHRI 3 epitopes are related to microvilli of inner ear supporting cells.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ptok
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Altschuler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003051:Cochlea / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007760:Labyrinth Supporting Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D008871:Microvilli / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000939:Epitopes