DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH ENDOTHELIAL VENULE-LIKE CHARACTERISTICS IN THE SPIRAL MODIOLAR VEIN INDUCED BY VIRAL LABYRINTHITIS

The postcapillary venule is known to be the preferred site of lymphocy te migration into the extravascular compartment. In this study, induct ion of these high endothelial venule (HEV)-like vessels has been inves tigated by inoculation of live cytomegalovirus or inactivated virus in to scala tympani of guinea pig cochleas. Endothelial cells of the spir al modiolar vein (SMV) were evaluated histologically 2 to 6 days follo wing inoculation. The experimental group endothelial cells had larger nuclei and increased amounts of cytoplasm. In addition, many lymphocyt es were adherent to and present within the vascular wall. Control SMV endothelia showed normal structure and morphology throughout the study . These findings reiterate that nonlymphoid tissues may develop HEV-li ke characteristics and suggest that HEV-like morphology may be acquire d during an acute inflammatory condition in the cochlea.