Alternative TitleThree-dimensional reconstruction of root cells and interdental cells in the rat inner ear by serial section scanning electron microscopy
薄連続切片走査型電子顕微鏡法によるラット内耳の根細胞および歯間細胞の立体再構築
Note (General)In the cochlea, a high K^+ environment in the endolymph is essential for the maintenance of normal hearing function, and the transport of K^+ ions through gap junctions of the cochlear epithelium is thought to play an important role in endolymphatic homeostasis. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the three-dimensional (3D) ultrastructure of spiral ligament root cells and interdental cells, which are located at both ends of the gap junction system of the cochlea epithelium. Serial semi-thin sections of plastic-embedded rat cochlea were mounted on glass slides, stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using the backscattered electron (BSE) mode. 3D reconstruction of BSE images of serial sections revealed that the root cells were linked together to form a branched structure like an elaborate “tree root” in the spiral ligament. The interdental cells were also connected to each other, forming a comb-shaped cellular network with a number of cellular strands in the spiral limbus. Furthermore, TEM studies of ultra-thin sections revealed the rich presence of gap junctions in both root cells and interdental cells. These findings suggest the possibility that both root cells and interdental cells contribute to K^+ circulation as the end portion of the epithelial cell gap junction system of the cochlea.
学位の種類: 博士(医学). 報告番号: 甲第4358号. 学位記番号: 新大院博(医)甲第771号. 学位授与年月日: 平成29年9月20日
Biomedical Research. 2017, 38(4), 239-248.
新大院博(医)甲第771号
開始ページ : 1
終了ページ : 15
DOIinfo:doi/10.2220/biomedres.38.239
Collection (particular)国立国会図書館デジタルコレクション > デジタル化資料 > 博士論文
Date Accepted (W3CDTF)2017-12-04T02:02:48+09:00
Data Provider (Database)国立国会図書館 : 国立国会図書館デジタルコレクション