Transient receptor potential channels in the inner ear: presence of transient receptor potential channel subfamily 1 and 4 in the guinea pig inner ear.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that transient receptor potential subfamily 1 (TRPV1) may play a functional role in sensory cell physiology and that TRPV4 may be important for fluid homeostasis in the inner ear.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the expression of TRPV1 and -4 in the normal guinea pig inner ear.


METHODS
Albino guinea pigs were used. The location of TRPV1 and -4 in the inner ear, i.e. cochlea, vestibular end organs and endolymphatic sac, was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of TRPV1 in the hair cells and supporting cells of the organ of Corti, in spiral ganglion cells, sensory cells of the vestibular end organs and vestibular ganglion cells. TRPV4 was found in the hair cells and supporting cells of the organ of Corti, in marginal cells of the stria vascularis, spiral ganglion cells, sensory cells, transitional cells, dark cells in the vestibular end organs, vestibular ganglion cells and epithelial cells of the endolymphatic sac.
Takumida
Masaya
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Hiroshima University Faculty of Medicine, Hiroshima, Japan. masati@ipc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Kubo
Nobuo
N
Ohtani
Makiko
M
Suzuka
Yuko
Y
Anniko
Matti
M
D000818:Animals; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000737:chemistry*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000737:chemistry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000737:chemistry; D013316:Stria Vascularis / Q000737:chemistry; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels / Q000032:analysis*
D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels