Expression of trans-membrane serine protease 3 (TMPRSS3) in the human organ of Corti

TMPRSS3 (Trans-membrane Serine Protease 3) is a type II trans-membrane serine protease that has proteolytic activity essential for hearing. Mutations in the gene cause non-syndromic autosomal recessive deafness (DFNB8/10) in humans. Knowledge about its cellular distribution in the human inner ear may increase our understanding of its physiological role and involvement in deafness, ultimately leading to therapeutic interventions. In this study, we used super-resolution structured illumination microscopy for the first time together with transmission electron microscopy to localize the TMPRSS3 protein in the human organ of Corti. Archival human cochleae were dissected out during petroclival meningioma surgery. Microscopy with Zeiss LSM710 microscope achieved a lateral resolution of approximately 80 nm. TMPRSS3 was found to be associated with actin in both inner and outer hair cells. TMPRSS3 was located in cell surface-associated cytoskeletal bodies (surfoskelosomes) in inner and outer pillar cells and Deiters cells and in subcuticular organelles in outer hair cells. Our results suggest that TMPRSS3 proteolysis is linked to hair cell sterociliary mechanics and to the actin/microtubule networks that support cell motility and integrity.