Dye coupling in the organ of Corti |
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Authors: | Joseph Santos-Sacchi |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Otolaryngology, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, USA;(2) Laboratory of Otolaryngology, Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, MSB H518, UMDNJ — New Jersey Medical School, 07103 Newark, NJ, USA |
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Abstract: | Summary Dye-coupling in an in vitro preparation of the supporting cells of the guinea-pig organ of Corti was evaluated by use of the fluorescent dyes, Lucifer Yellow, fluorescein and 6 carboxyfluorescein. Despite the presence of good electrical coupling in Hensen cells (coupling ratios >0.6) the spread of Lucifer yellow was inconsistent. Hensen cells are very susceptible to photoinactivation, i.e., cell injury upon illumination of intracellular dye; and this in conjunction with Lucifer Yellow's charge and K+-induced precipitability may account for its variability of spread. Fluorescein and 6 carboxyfluorescein, on the other hand, spread more readily and to a greater extent than Lucifer Yellow, often spreading to cell types other than those of Hensen. Dye spread is rapid, occurring within a few minutes. These results suggest that molecules of metabolic importance also may be shared by the supporting cells of the organ of Corti. |
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Keywords: | Organ of Corti Supporting cells Dye coupling Gap junctions Photoinactivation Guinea pig |
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