Distribution of cytokeratins in the vestibular epithelium of the guinea pig.

Autor: Meiteles LZ; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kresge Hearing Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0506., Raphael Y
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology [Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol] 1994 Feb; Vol. 103 (2), pp. 149-55.
DOI: 10.1177/000348949410300212
Abstrakt: Cytokeratin expression in the vestibular labyrinth of the guinea pig was investigated with immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase staining on surface preparations of the vestibular epithelium. Phalloidin, an F-actin-specific probe, was used to distinguish between hair cells and supporting cells. Cytokeratin expression was not found in the cytoplasmic domain of hair cells of the crista ampullaris, utricle, or saccule. Cytokeratin expression was abundant in supporting cells of the vestibular sensory epithelium. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of desmosomes, which are associated with cytokeratins, within type 2 hair cells of the vestibular epithelium. It appears that cytokeratins are absent within the cytoplasmic domain of hair cells, but are present in association with intercellular junctions. The functional significance of this unique pattern of cytokeratin expression within the vestibular epithelium is discussed.
Databáze: MEDLINE