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Differential fates of tissue macrophages in the cochlea during postnatal development

Youyi Dong1, Celia Zhang1, Mitchell Frye1

  • 1Center for Hearing and Deafness, University at Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA.

Hearing Research
|May 29, 2018
PubMed

Insights

During postnatal development, cochlear macrophages undergo dynamic changes and site-specific differentiation within the organ of Corti and basilar membrane. Some macrophages are eliminated through apoptosis as the sensory epithelium matures.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Macrophages are present in the cochlea and play a role in inflammatory responses.
  • The precise timing and mechanisms of cochlear macrophage colonization during postnatal development remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the postnatal development of macrophages in the cochlea, specifically within the organ of Corti and basilar membrane.
  • To characterize the differentiation and spatial distribution of cochlear macrophages from postnatal day 1 to maturity.

Main Methods:

  • Cochleae from C57BL/6J mice (postnatal day 1 to 4 months) were analyzed.
  • Macrophages were identified using F4/80 and Iba1 markers and morphological assessment.
  • Spatial distribution and developmental changes were observed in the organ of Corti and basilar membrane.

Main Results:

  • Two distinct populations of macrophages were identified in the organ of Corti and basilar membrane regions.
  • Macrophages on the scala tympani side of the basilar membrane exhibited site-specific differentiation (apical, middle, basal).
  • A second macrophage population residing above the basilar membrane underwent apoptosis during sensory epithelium maturation. Macrophages in other cochlear regions decreased in number over time.

Conclusions:

  • Cochlear macrophage populations undergo significant dynamic rearrangement and site-specific differentiation during postnatal development.
  • Apoptosis plays a role in regulating macrophage numbers in specific cochlear regions as development progresses.
  • Understanding these developmental dynamics is crucial for comprehending cochlear inflammatory and immune responses.
Keywords:
Basilar membraneCochleaDevelopmentImmune cellsImmunityMacrophage

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