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Cochlear Surface Preparation in the Adult Mouse
Published on: November 6, 2019
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Cochlear Surface Preparation in the Adult Mouse.
Qiao-Jun Fang1, Fan Wu2, Renjie Chai3
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina; MOE Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|November 26, 2019
Summary
Investigating cochlear pathologies like hearing loss requires examining sensory hair cells. A new, simplified microdissection technique for mouse cochleae aids in studying these delicate structures and their associated pathologies.
Area of Science:
- Oto-neurology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Auditory processing relies on cochlear mechanosensory hair cells.
- Acquired hearing loss, common in aging and from various insults, often involves hair cell damage.
- The organ of Corti (OC) within the cochlea houses these critical sensory cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a simplified, convenient microdissection method for adult mouse cochleae.
- To facilitate the investigation of cochlear pathologies affecting hair cells and synapses.
- To aid in research on hair cell regeneration and gene expression studies in hearing science.
Main Methods:
- Surface preparations of cochlear epithelia.
- Immunolabeling techniques and confocal microscopy.
- A modified microdissection method using cell and tissue adhesive on decalcified adult mouse cochleae.
Main Results:
- The described method simplifies the microdissection of the small, encapsulated adult mouse cochlea.
- This technique is effective for all adult mouse cochleae after decalcification.
- It enables detailed investigation of cochlear pathologies, including hair cell and synapse loss.
Conclusions:
- This enhanced microdissection technique offers a more accessible approach to studying cochlear structures.
- It supports research into the causes and potential treatments for hearing loss.
- The method is valuable for molecular and genetic studies in auditory science.
