Cytoarchitecture and innervation of the mouse cochlear amplifier revealed by large‐scale volume electron microscopy. Issue 11 (18th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Haoyu; Wang, Shengxiong; Lu, Yan; Chen, Ying; Huang, Wenqing; Qiu, Miaoxin; Wu, Hao; Hua, Yunfeng
• Is Part Of: Journal of comparative neurology. Volume 529:Issue 11(2021)
• Page Start: 2958
• Page End: 2969
• Publication Date: 2021-03-18
• Subjects: mouse cochlea -- outer hair cell -- Deiter's cell -- Type‐2 spiral ganglion neurons -- medial olivocochlear efferent fibers -- 3D electron microscopy; Comparative neurobiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/cne.25137
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9967

Abstract

Abstract: In mammalian cochlea, sound‐induced vibration is amplified by a three‐row lattice of Y‐shaped microstructures consisting of electromotile outer hair cell and supporting Deiters cell. This highly organized structure is thought to be essential for hearing of low‐level sounds. Prior studies reported differences in geometry and synaptic innervation of the outer hair cells between rows, but how these fine features are achieved at subcellular level still remains unclear. Using serial block‐face electron microscopy, we acquired few‐hundred‐micron‐sized cytoarchitecture of mouse organ of Corti at nanometer resolution. Structural quantifications were performed on the Y‐shapes as well as afferent and efferent projections to outer hair cells (OHCs). Several new features, which support the previously observed inter‐row heterogeneity, are described. Our result provides structural bases for the gradient of mechanical properties and diverse centrifugal regulation of OHC rows. Abstract : By means of serial block‐face electron microscopy, Wang et al. revealed subcellular structural bases for row‐specific cytoarchitecture and innervation pattern in mouse cochlear amplifier.