Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Extracting the Cochlea from a Human Temporal Bone: A Cadaveric Protocol
Published on: August 18, 2023
Immunohistochemical localization of Nrf2 in the human cochlea
Kumiko Hosokawa1, Seiji Hosokawa1, Gail Ishiyama2
1Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA; Department of Otorhinolaryngology/ Head & Neck Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.
Abstract:
Oxidative stress plays an important role in several inner ear diseases and normal aging. Nuclear (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2, also known as Nrf2, is a transcription factor encoded by the NFE2L2 gene that controls the expression of genes necessary to reduce oxidative stress. There are no studies to the date on the localization of Nrf2 in the human inner ear in normal or pathological conditions. Therefore, we investigated the immunohistochemical localization of Nrf2 in the human cochlea and vestibule using formalin-fixed celloidin-embedded human temporal bone sections. Nrf2 immunoreactivity (IR) was found in the inner and outer hair cells and supporting cells of the organ of Corti throughout the cochlea. Nfr2-IR was also found in hair cells and supporting cells of the maculae and cristae vestibular sensory epithelia. Nrf2-IR was decreased in the organ of Corti of older age individuals. The immunolocalization of Nrf2 in both auditory and vestibular sensory epithelia suggest that this transcription factor may play a relevant role in protecting sensory hair cells from oxidative stress.
Related Concept Videos
The Cochlea
Local Attraction
Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Absolute and Local Extreme Values
Nuclear Localization Signals and Import

