Localization of aquaporins in the mouse vestibular end organs

Abstract

Conclusion: We found that aquaporins (AQPs) in the fluid transporting cells, such as vestibular dark cells and endolymphatic sac epithelial cells, seem to be of importance in fluid transport in the inner ear, while those in the sensory and ganglion cells may play a functional role in sensory cell transduction. Objective: Expression of AQPs (0–12) was analyzed in normal mouse vestibular end organs. Methods: CBA/J mice were used in this study. Localization of AQPs 0–12 in the vestibular end organs and endolymphatic sac was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Results: The AQPs were found abundantly distributed in many structures in the vestibular end organs, i.e. vestibular sensory and supporting cells, vestibular dark cells, vestibular ganglion cells, and the endolymphatic sac.

Keywords::

• Endolymphatic sac
• immunohistochemistry
• fluid transport
• sensory cell transduction

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a Health and Labor Science Research Grant for Research on Specific Disease (Vestibular Disorders) from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan (2012); by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (22591881) provided by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan; and also by the Swedish Medical Research Council (grant no. 17X-7305).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.