K. Watanabe et al., Apoptosis in the hydropic cochlea of guinea pigs following immune reactionof the endolymphatic sac: immunohistochemical analysis, EUR ARCH OT, 258(6), 2001, pp. 296-299
Apoptotic change in the cochlea was studied by immunohistochemistry after t
he injection of keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) into the right endolymphat
ic sac of guinea pigs. Apoptosis was examined with the specific antibody to
single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Endolymphatic hydrops became evident in the c
ochlea 1 day after the injection of KLH (n = 6). Increased ssDNA expression
could be detected in the spiral ligament and the stria vascularis. The tem
poral bones in the control group did not show any ssDNA immunoreactivity (n
= 6). Apoptosis is the process of the cell death. Our findings imply that
apoptotic changes are involved in endolymphatic hydrops. These phenomena co
uld lead to cochlear dysfunction as seen in endolymphatic hydrops.