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Mu-opioid receptor (MOR) expression in the human spiral ganglia

Kimanh D Nguyen1, Donald Mowlds2, Ivan A Lopez1

  • 1Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.

Brain Research
|October 4, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Mu opioid receptors (MORs) are present in the human and mouse inner ear, including spiral ganglia and hair cells. This suggests MORs play a conserved role in auditory processing across mammals.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Auditory Science
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Opioid peptides and receptors are found in the inner ear of rodents.
  • The expression of mu opioid receptor (MOR) in the human and mouse cochlea remains uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the localization of MOR protein and mRNA in the human and mouse cochlea.
  • To investigate the role of MOR in the neuromodulation of the auditory periphery.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was used for MOR protein localization.
  • In situ hybridization was employed for mRNA expression analysis.
  • Human and mouse spiral ganglia (SG) and organ of Corti were examined.

Main Results:

  • MOR protein and mRNA were detected in human and mouse spiral ganglia neurons.
  • In the mouse organ of Corti, MOR was expressed in inner and outer hair cells.
  • MOR-immunoreactive fibers were observed underneath inner hair cells.

Conclusions:

  • MOR expression is conserved across human and mouse auditory systems.
  • These findings support a role for MOR in the neuromodulation of auditory processing.
  • MOR may be crucial for auditory function across mammalian species.
Keywords:
Afferent terminalsCochleaNeuropeptidesOpioid receptorsSpiral ganglia neurons

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