Expression of Na/K-ATPase subunits in the human cochlea: a confocal and super-resolution microscopy study with special reference to auditory nerve excitation and cochlear implantation

  • Wei Liu Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Maria Luque Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
  • Rudolf Glueckert Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
  • Niklas Danckwardt-Lillieström Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Charlotta Kämpfe Nordström Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Anneliese Schrott-Fischer Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
  • Helge Rask-Andersen Department of Surgical Sciences, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2552-5001
Keywords: Auditory nerve, cochlea, human, Na/K-ATPase, structured illumination microscopy

Abstract

Background: For the first time the expression of the ion transport protein sodium/potassium-ATPase and its isoforms was analyzed in the human cochlea using light- and confocal microscopy as well as super-resolution structured illumination microscopy. It may increase our understanding of its role in the propagation and processing of action potentials in the human auditory nerve and how electric nerve responses are elicited from auditory prostheses.

Material and methods: Archival human cochlear sections were obtained from trans-cochlear surgeries. Antibodies against the Na/K-ATPase β1 isoform together with α1 and α3 were used for immunohistochemistry. An algorithm was applied to assess the expression in various domains.

Results: Na/K ATPase β1 subunit was expressed, mostly combined with the α1 isoform. Neurons expressed the β1 subunit combined with α3, while satellite glial cells expressed the α1 isoform without recognized association with β1. Types I and II spiral ganglion neurons and efferent fibers expressed the Na/K-ATPase α3 subunit. Inner hair cells, nerve fibers underneath, and efferent and afferent fibers in the organ of Corti also expressed α1. The highest activity of Na/K-ATPase β1 was at the inner hair cell/nerve junction and spiral prominence.

Conclusion: The human auditory nerve displays distinct morphologic features represented in its molecular expression. It was found that electric signals generated via hair cells may not go uninterrupted across the spiral ganglion, but are locally processed. This may be related to particular filtering properties in the human acoustic pathway.

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Published
2019-08-28
How to Cite
Liu W., Luque M., Glueckert R., Danckwardt-Lillieström N., Kämpfe Nordström C., Schrott-Fischer A., & Rask-Andersen H. (2019). Expression of Na/K-ATPase subunits in the human cochlea: a confocal and super-resolution microscopy study with special reference to auditory nerve excitation and cochlear implantation. Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences, 124(3), 168-179. https://doi.org/10.1080/03009734.2019.1653408
Section
Original Articles

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