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Tenascin-C in the cochlea of the developing mouse
D S Whitlon1, X Zhang, M Kusakabe
1Audiology and Hearing Sciences Program and Institute for Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA. whitlon@nwu.edu
The Journal of Comparative Neurology
|April 2, 1999
Summary
Tenascin-C, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein, guides nerve fiber growth in the developing cochlea. Its distribution changes during synaptogenesis, suggesting a role in neural pathway development and hair cell interactions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Extracellular Matrix Research
Background:
- Tenascin-C is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein known to influence neurite outgrowth.
- Its precise role in the developing auditory system is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of tenascin-C in the developing mouse cochlea.
- To correlate tenascin-C expression patterns with neural development and synaptogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Immunocytochemistry was used to visualize tenascin-C distribution.
- Analysis focused on the spiral lamina and organ of Corti during critical developmental periods.
Main Results:
- Tenascin-C was found along neural growth pathways, particularly in the organ of Corti before and during nerve fiber ingrowth.
- Expression patterns changed relative to inner and outer hair cell innervation and synaptogenesis.
- Tenascin-C immunoreactivity diminished as neural growth ceased.
Conclusions:
- Tenascin-C's dynamic localization suggests a role in guiding cochlear nerve fibers and facilitating synaptogenesis.
- Hair cells appear to contribute to tenascin-C expression in the cochlea.
- Interactions with tenascin-C may guide growth cone navigation in the developing cochlea.