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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Cochlear Implantation in the Guinea Pig
Published on: June 15, 2018
[Distributions of cells infected by AD5-EGFP infused in different ways in guinea pig's cochlear]
Zhao Han1, Fanglu Chi, Juanmei Yang
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
Objective:
To explore the distribution of cells infected by AD5-EGFP infused in different ways in the cochlea of guinea pig.
Method:
AD5-EGFP was infused into the endolymphatic system through a hole on the lateral wall of the scala media or into the extralymphatic system through the round window membrane respectively. The infected cochlear cells confirmed by expression of EGFP were examined on the whole mount or cryostat sections.
Result:
In the cochleae in which AD5-EGFP was infused into the extralymphatic system through the round window membrane, expression of EFGP could be found in the type I, IV and V fibrocyte of the stria vascularis, superlimbal cells of the spiral lip, cells in Ressenal membrane, spiral ganglion neurons in Rosenthal hole and cells lining the inner wall of scala vestibular and scala tympani, indicating that these cells were infected by adenovirus. None of the inner, outer hair or supporting cells was found to be infected in these cochleae. In the cochleae in which AD5-EGFP was infused into the endolymphatic system through a hole on the lateral wall of scala media, expression of EFGP could be found in supporting cells in the organ of Corti and lining cells of the scala media.
Conclusion:
Adenovirus5 is a good and effective vector for delivering genes into cells in guinea pig's cochlea. The scope of infected cells will be very different when the vector is applied to the cochlea through different infusion ways. No cells in the endolymphatic system would be infected if the vector is infused into the extralymphatic system.
Insights
Adenovirus type 5 (AD5-EGFP) effectively delivers genes into guinea pig cochlear cells. Different infusion methods target distinct cell types, with extralymphatic delivery avoiding endolymphatic system infection.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Gene Therapy
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Adenovirus vectors are promising for cochlear gene delivery.
- Understanding cell tropism is crucial for effective gene therapy in the inner ear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of adenovirus-mediated gene expression in the guinea pig cochlea.
- To compare the cellular targets of AD5-EGFP following different infusion routes.
Main Methods:
- Adenovirus type 5 with enhanced green fluorescent protein (AD5-EGFP) was infused into the cochlea via two methods: endolymphatic system and extralymphatic system.
- Infected cells were identified by EGFP expression in whole-mount and sectioned cochlear tissues.
Main Results:
- Extralymphatic infusion via the round window targeted strial fibrocytes, spiral lip cells, Reissner's membrane cells, spiral ganglion neurons, and scala walls, sparing hair and supporting cells.
- Endolymphatic infusion targeted supporting cells in the organ of Corti and scala media lining cells.
Conclusions:
- Adenovirus type 5 is an effective vector for cochlear gene delivery in guinea pigs.
- Infusion method significantly alters the distribution of infected cells.
- Extralymphatic delivery prevents infection of endolymphatic system cells.
