The pre- and post-somatic segments of the human type I spiral ganglion neurons – Structural and functional considerations related to cochlear implantation. (22nd January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, W.; Edin, F.; Atturo, F.; Rieger, G.; Löwenheim, H.; Senn, P.; Blumer, M.; Schrott-Fischer, A.; Rask-Andersen, H.; Glueckert, R.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 284(2015)
• Page Start: 470
• Page End: 482
• Publication Date: 2015-01-22
• Subjects: AIS axonal initial segment -- BM basement membrane -- CI cochlear implants -- Cx43 connexin 43 -- ECM extracellular matrix -- EDTA ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid -- IHC immunohistochemistry -- LM light microscopy -- MBP myelin basic protein -- Nav1.6 Na+-channels -- NIHL noise-induced hearing loss -- NMSC non-myelinated Schwann cell -- PBS phosphate-buffered saline -- SEM scanning electron microscopy -- SG spiral ganglion -- SGC satellite glial cell -- SGN spiral ganglion neuron -- TEM transmission electron microscopy -- type I ganglion cells large afferent neurons innervating inner hair cell -- type II ganglion cells small afferent neurons innervating outer hair cells; human cochlea -- spiral ganglion neurons -- non-myelinated Schwann cells -- laminin-β2 -- collagen IV -- immunohistochemistry; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.09.059
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Highlights: Pre- and post-somatic segments of type I spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) are unmyelinated in man. Following hair cell loss and retrograde nerve degeneration SGNs survive as "mono-polar" cells in human deafness. Non-myelinated Schwann cells may consolidate the neural cell bodies and protect SGNs from further degeneration. Human SGNs can persist as electrically excitable mono-polar cells even after long-time deafness. Robust survival of human SGNs is a prerequisite for cochlear implant function. Abstract: Human auditory nerve afferents consist of two separate systems; one is represented by the large type I cells innervating the inner hair cells and the other one by the small type II cells innervating the outer hair cells. Type I spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) constitute 96% of the afferent nerve population and, in contrast to other mammals, their soma and pre- and post-somatic segments are unmyelinated. Type II nerve soma and fibers are unmyelinated. Histopathology and clinical experience imply that human SGNs can persist electrically excitable without dendrites, thus lacking connection to the organ of Corti. The biological background to this phenomenon remains elusive. We analyzed the pre- and post-somatic segments of the type I human SGNs using immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in normal and pathological conditions. These segments were found surrounded by non-myelinated Schwann cells (NMSCs) showing strong intracellular expression of laminin-β2/collagen IV. These cells also bordered the perikaryal entry zone and disclosed surface rugosities outlined by a folded basement membrane (BM) expressing laminin-β2 and collagen IV. It is presumed that human large SGNs are demarcated by three cell categories: (a) myelinated Schwann cells, (b) NMSCs and (c) satellite glial cells (SGCs). Their BMs express laminin-β2/collagen IV and reaches the BM of the sensory epithelium at the habenula perforata. We speculate that the NMSCs protect SGNs from further degeneration following dendrite loss. It may give further explanation why SGNs can persist as electrically excitable monopolar cells even after long-time deafness, a blessing for the deaf treated with cochlear implantation.