Sequential changes in anti-GAL-1 staining of the rat organ of Corti following amikacin exposure

Hair cell loss and a non-functional epithelial reorganization appeared in t he organ of Corti after acoustic or toxic damage. Moreover, in the drug dam aged organ of Corti, transient atypical cells were recently described with characteristics of both immature hair cells and/or non-sensory epithelial c ells. The phenotype of these atypical cells has been now investigated by us ing the galectine 1 (GAL-1) antibody. In the normal organ of Corti, this an tibody recognizes all the epithelial cells except the sensory hair cells an d their supporting cells. At PD 21, transient atypical cells were not stain ed by GAL-1 antibody, suggesting that they were originated from hair cells or their supporting cells. Later, the organ of Corti was substituted by an epithelial scare, GAL-I stained. This study also emphasizes the particular resistance of the cochlear apex to degeneration after antibiotic intoxicati on. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.