Expression of connexin 26 and Na,K-ATPase in the developing mouse cochlear lateral wall: functional implications

The immunohistochemical localization of connexin 26 (a gap junction protein) and Na,K-ATPase in the mouse cochlear lateral wall was studied at different ages between 0 and 30 days after birth (DAB). Connexin 26-like immunoreactivity was sparsely distributed among the connective tissue cells just lateral to the future marginal cells of the stria vascularis on 0 DAB. In the mice of 3-6 DAB, connexin 26 was observed in the strial basal cell area, and was increased in its distribution density on 10 DAB. Connexin 26 was sparsely distributed among the fibrocytes in the spiral ligament and the suprastrial zone on 10 DAB, and its distribution density increased rapidly in the mouse on 12 DAB. The immunohistochemical distribution reached the adult pattern in the cochlear lateral wall on 15 DAB. Weak Na, K-ATPase-like immunoreactivity was observed in the epithelial cells, corresponding to the future strial marginal cells, on 0 DAB. Its staining intensity was enhanced with the increase of age, and reached the adult pattern on 10 DAB. In contrast, Na,K-ATPase-like immunoreactivity in the type II fibrocytes and suprastrial fibrocytes was first detected on 12 DAB, and reached the mature level on 15 DAB. It is well known that the endolymphatic potential (EP) reaches the adult level 2 weeks after birth. The expression patterns of connexin 26 and Na,K-ATPase in the fibrocytes of the spiral ligament and the suprastrial zone coincided with the rapid growth and maturation of EP. These findings may suggest a role for the gap junctional communications and Na,K-ATPase activity of the fibrocytes within the cochlear lateral wall in the generation and maturation of EP.