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Acidic and basic FGF mRNA expression in the adult and developing rat cochlea
1Department of Surgery, UCSD School of Medicine, La Jolla 92093-0666.
Hearing Research
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) mRNA is present in adult rat spiral ganglion neurons and developing hair cells. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) mRNA was not detected in the cochlea.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF) are crucial signaling molecules.
- Their roles in cochlear development and maintenance are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of aFGF and bFGF mRNA in the developing and adult rat cochlea.
- To elucidate the potential roles of aFGF in cochlear structure and function.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization was employed to detect mRNA expression patterns.
- The study covered a developmental range from embryonic day 16 to postnatal day > 60.
Main Results:
- bFGF mRNA was undetectable in the rat cochlea at all examined ages.
- aFGF mRNA showed strong expression in adult spiral ganglion (SG) neurons, increasing from base to apex.
- aFGF mRNA was transiently expressed in developing hair cells (E-20 to P-6) and in the stria vascularis (SV) and spiral prominence (SP).
Conclusions:
- High aFGF mRNA levels in adult SG neurons suggest a role in neuronal maintenance.
- aFGF expression in developing hair cells may be involved in cochlear innervation establishment.
- bFGF does not appear to play a significant role in rat cochlear development or maintenance.