The expression of maturation factors in the vestibular ganglia in the human fetus.
The expression of laminin, Na+, K(+)-ATPase, carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoenzymes and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the human fetal vestibular ganglia was studied by immuno-histochemistry. In the 12-week-old fetus, the cell surface of the vestibular ganglion cells was positive for laminin. In the 14-week-old fetus, a few vestibular ganglion cells were positive for CA II. In the 15-week-old fetus, the cell surface of the vestibular ganglion cells and the nerve fibers were strongly labelled with laminin. CGRP positive nerve fibers were found in the ganglia. In the 16-week-old fetus, some ganglion cells were labelled with Na+, K(+)-ATPase. CA II stained the vestibular nerve fibers as well as the vestibular ganglion cells. The results suggest that these substances may be used as histological markers of maturation and innervation of the human vestibular ganglion cells.
Department of Otolaryngology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Japan.
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H
Yamashita
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Bagger-Sjöbäck
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Sekitani
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D002256:Carbonic Anhydrases / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics; D007797:Laminin / Q000235:genetics; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000235:genetics; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000166:cytology*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D007797:Laminin; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D002256:Carbonic Anhydrases; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase