Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study of the subepithelial fiber component of the guinea pig inner ear.
The connective tissues of the lateral cochlear wall and semicircular canal of the guinea pig were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, intermediate voltage electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry. In the spiral ligament, numerous fibroblasts and fiber bundles were intermingled with each other. Fibroblasts and fibers were also observed in the semicircular canal. Ultrastructurally, immuno-gold particles, indicating the presence of type II collagen, were found on the fibers in the spiral ligament and the semicircular canals. The present results revealed that both stria vascularis and the membranous semicircular canal were supported by a network of fibroblasts and type II collagen fibers.
Kaname
H
H
Department of Otolaryngology, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Japan.
Yoshihara
T
T
Ishii
T
T
Tatsuoka
H
H
Chiba
T
T
D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004846:Epithelial Attachment / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D003094:Collagen