Effects of caffeine and tetracaine on outer hair cell shortening suggest intracellular calcium involvement

Experimental basis for lidocaine therapy in cochlear disorders

In order to further our basic understanding of the effects of lidocaine hydrochloride in the inner ear, cochlear potentials and blood flow (CBF) were assessed after intravenous (i.v.), anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), and local round window (RW) lidocaine administrations in guinea pigs and rats. Lidocaine RW applications produced a dose dependent decrease in compound action potentials (CAP) and cochlear microphonics (CM). The sensitivity changes were more pronounced at high frequencies. These findings suggest that lidocaine has specific pharmacological action in the inner ear other than simple anesthesia of the auditory nerve. The basal turn endocochlear potentials (EP) were not altered by topical lidocaine, implicating altered organ of Corti function following local application of lidocaine. RW applications of lidocaine had no effect on CBF or systemic blood pressure (BP). I.v. infusions caused substantial reductions in BP. In the case of systemic infusions the percent changes in CBF were equal to and accountable by the BP changes. The microinfusions (50 mg/ml, 100 nl/min) through AICA produced a 30%, long lasting increase in CBF. However, neither systemic lidocaine nor AICA infusions had an effect on CAP or CM. These findings indicate that systemically given lidocaine may not cross the blood-cochlear barrier and that the cochlear electrophysiological effects due to lidocaine when given locally are partly mediated by direct influence on cochlear hair cell function; they also suggest that lidocaine-induced interference with active ion transport in the lateral wall or an influence on CBF are not contributing factors.

Distribution of F-actin and fodrin in the hair cells of the guinea pig cochlea as revealed by confocal fluorescence microscopy

We double-stained paraformaldehyde fixed guinea pig cochleas with rhodaminated phalloidin to detect F-actin and with a monoclonal antibody against non-erythroid spectrin (fodrin). The hair cells were studied in surface specimens of the organ of Corti with confocal fluorescence microscopy. In serial optical sections, phalloidin stained the stereocilia, cuticular plate, and a circumferential ring beneath it in the inner and outer hair cells (IHCs and OHCs). The cytoplasm of the IHCs and the OHCs was unlabelled, but the infracuticular network of the OHCs in the upper turns showed a strong reaction. The lateral plasma membrane was unreactive with phalloidin in the IHCs and OHCs, except in the basal turn, where a moderate reaction, probably representing actin of Deiter's cups, was seen along the lateral walls of the basal pole of the OHCs. Fodrin was similarly seen in the cuticular plate, in a circumferential ring beneath it, and in the infracuticular network of the apical OHCs. The most interesting finding was the fodrin-specific distinct labelling of the lateral cell surface in the OHCs of the basal cochlear turn. This staining diminished towards the apex and was practically absent in the OHCs located above the level of 15 mm from the round window. The lateral cell surface of IHCs showed moderate fodrin labelling in all cochlear turns. This staining was much weaker than that seen in the basal OHCs. Fodrin labelling revealed deformation from the regular cylindrical shape in midportion of the OHC bodies in the basal turn of the cochlea.

Functional and morphological comparisons between cochlear outer hair cells and muscle tissues in the guinea-pig

The effect of polylysine on the motility of outer hair cells and various muscle types was compared. Poly-L-lysine and its stereoisomer, poly-D-lysine, inhibited acoustically induced length changes of isolated outer hair cells from the guinea-pig hearing organ. The frequency specific displacements of the hearing organ in response to a tone stimulus are also inhibited to polylysine (Brundin et al. 1991). Poly-L-lysine, and its stereoisomer, irreversibly attenuated motile responses to transmural stimulation of guinea-pig ileum, vas deferens and taenia coli in a dose dependent manner, but were without significant effect on motile responses in skeletal and heart muscle. L-lysine, D-lysine, and the negatively charged polyaminoacid poly-L-aspartate, were without significant effect on outer hair cell and smooth muscle motility. The inhibitory effect of polylysine in smooth muscle is a direct effect on the muscle cell since polylysine attenuated acetylcholine- and adenosine triphosphate-induced contractions in the ileum, and ATP- or noradrenaline-induced contractions in the vas deferens. Pillar structures, believed to be of importance to excitation contraction coupling, were compared. In heart and skeletal muscle the pillars span the gap between sarcoplasmic reticulum and T-tubuli, deeply recessed into the muscle cell. In smooth muscle and outer hair cell the pillars are in closer relation to the cell exterior. The length of the pillars of the outer hair cells exceeds by two times that of smooth and skeletal muscle. The susceptibility of outer hair cells and smooth muscle tissue to the positively charged polylysine may indicate similarities in membrane or channel composition.

Circadian and menstrual rhythms in frequency variations of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions from human ears

This paper reports hourly and daily monitoring of the frequencies of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions. Regular circadian variations in frequency were found in two of three subjects. Consistent monthly variations, in step with the menstrual cycle, were seen in three of four women. The circadian cycle typically showed a rise in frequency of 0.6-1% while asleep and a similar fall while awake. The monthly cycle typically saw frequencies rise and fall by 0.4-0.6%, reaching a minimum near the onset of menstruation, and rising to a peak close to ovulation. A review of the literature revealed that certain cardiovascular parameters such as arterial blood pressure follow, over both daily and menstrual cycles, a broadly similar time course to SOAE frequency. Further experiments produced data supporting a relationship between blood pressure and SOAE frequency, and it is therefore suggested that much of the circadian-linked, menstrual-linked, and background variation in SOAE frequency may arise from cardiovascular changes. A likely causal mechanism, involving cerebrospinal fluid, is discussed.

Actin-binding and microtubule-associated proteins in the organ of Corti

Actin-binding and microtubule-associated proteins regulate microfilament and microtubule number, length, organization and location in cells. In freeze-dried preparations of the guinea pig cochlea, both actin and tubulin are found in the sensory and supporting cells of the organ of Corti. Fodrin (brain spectrin) co-localized with actin in the cuticular plates of both inner and outer hair cells and along the lateral wall of the outer hair cells. Alpha-actinin co-localized with actin in the cuticular plates of the hair cells and in the head and foot plates of the supporting cells. It was also found in the junctional regions between hair cells and supporting cells. Profilin co-localized with actin in the cuticular plates of the sensory hair cells. Myosin was detected only in the cuticular plates of the outer hair cells and in the supporting cells in the region facing endolymph. Gelsolin was found in the region of the nerve fibers. Tubulin is found in microtubules in all cells of the organ of Corti. In supporting cells, microtubules are bundled together with actin microfilaments and tropomyosin, as well as being present as individual microtubules arranged in networks. An intensely stained network of microtubules is found in both outer and inner sensory hair cells. The microtubules in the outer hair cells appear to course throughout the entire length of the cells, and based on their staining with antibodies to the tyrosinated form of tubulin they appear to be more dynamic structures than the microtubules in the supporting cells. The microtubule-associated protein MAP-2 is present only in outer hair cells within the organ of Corti and co-localizes with tubulin in these cells. No other MAPs (1,3,4,5) are present. Tau is found in the nerve fibers below both inner and outer hair cells and in the osseous spiral lamina. It is clear that the actin-binding and microtubule-associated proteins present in the cochlea co-localize with actin and tubulin and that they modulate microfilament and microtubule structure and function in a manner similar to that seen in other cell types. The location of some of these proteins in outer hair cells suggests a role for microfilaments and microtubules in outer hair cell motility.

First appearance and development of motile properties in outer hair cells isolated from guinea-pig cochlea

Cochleae from fetal guinea-pigs (37 to 64 gestation days, gd) were used to correlate the appearance of motile properties of isolated outer hair cells (OHCs) with the development of specific morphological features. Both the 'fast' electrically-driven and the 'slow' calcium-induced motilities appeared first in OHCs from basal turn of 52 gd fetuses. At 56 gd, most of basal and some apical OHCs responded positively to both types of stimulation. All tested cells were positive at 64 gd. It is noteworthy that this period closely corresponds to the onset and maturation of the gross cochlear potentials. Some structural changes in the organ of Corti may be correlated with the development of OHC motile properties: the acquisition of an adult-like cylindrical shape by the OHC, its lateral detachment from neighboring Deiters cells, and its surrounding by fluid spaces. At the ultrastructural level, the formation of a first layer of laminated cisternae regularly aligned along the OHC plasma membrane from the cuticular plate down to the nuclear level, temporally coincided with the onset of in vitro motility (52 gd). The following days, pillars and a sub-membrane lattice were clearly noticed between the outermost cisternal membrane and the plasma membrane. The results support the ideas that: motile properties observed in vitro reflect the in vivo active mechanisms, and that one single layer of laminated cisternae and its associated sub-plasma membrane material may be needed for OHC motility.

Anatomical mapping of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-like and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)-like immunoreactivity in outer hair cell efferents in adult rats

The distribution of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-like and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)-like immunoreactivity in the cochleae of 15 adult Wistar white rats was investigated using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. A monoclonal antibody to ChAT and a polyclonal antiserum to GAD were used. Immunoreaction was investigated quantitatively, in the electron microscope, on tangential sections of the tunnel of Corti and the rows of outer hair cells. ChAT-like and GAD-like immunoreactivity was found in all efferent nerve fibres in the tunnel of Corti and in all efferent synapses on the outer hair cells. A coexistence of ChAT and GAD in the efferent system to the outer hair cells of the rat is therefore assumed.

The effects of quinine on the cochlear mechanics in the isolated temporal bone preparation

Quinine is known to induce a reversible hearing loss and to evoke motile responses of isolated outer hair cells. To study the effect of quinine, mechanical tuning curves of the Hensen's cells were measured in the isolated cochlea preparation in response to acoustical stimuli applied to the ear before and after application of the drug. It was shown that 0.5-4 mM quinine increased the vibration amplitude at the peak of the mechanical resonance curves and increased the sharpness of tuning. The time course of the event depended on whether the scala media was opened or not. The results show that quinine alters the micromechanical tuning of the organ of Corti.

Lowering extracellular calcium decreases the length of isolated outer hair cells

Transduction by the inner hair cells is hypothesized to be modulated through a change in the length of the outer hair cells (OHC). It has been suggested that the slow change occurring in OHC length is mediated by an actin-myosin system requiring Ca2+ and ATP. This study was designed to systematically examine the effects of lowering extracellular Ca2+ on OHC length. OHCs were isolated from guinea pig cochleae, mechanically dissociated and dispersed, and placed in a Hank's balanced salt solution (HBS). Exposing the cells to a Ca(2+)-free HBS supplemented with 200 microns EDTA produced a shortening in OHC length with a concomitant increase in cell width. The shortening was reversed successfully by bathing the cells in 8 mM Ca2+. We speculate that the decrease in length due to lowering extracellular Ca2+ may be caused by a relaxation of a circumferential contractile mechanism which is thought to cause elongation of intact OHCs (Slepecky, 1989; Dulon et al., 1990).

Shape changes in isolated outer hair cells: measurements with attached microspheres

Shape changes can be induced in isolated outer hair cells by various stimuli and quantified from digitized video-images. While overall changes in length between base and apex are easily measured, changes in defined segments of the cell require fixed landmarks on the cell body. The problem of locating such landmarks makes it difficult to assess if a change in length is uniform or largely confined to a particular segment of the cell. This information is important in identifying the location of a contractile apparatus and the elucidation of mechanisms of motility. We demonstrate here that microspheres can serve as reference points for such measurements. By attaching microspheres to cells we determined that, when outer hair cells increased their volume upon K(+)-depolarization, their middle segment shortened more significantly (14 +/- 6%) than either the basal (10 +/- 5%) or apical section (7 +/- 6%; P less than 0.01). In contrast, when cortical contractions were induced by elevating intracellular Ca2+, the elongation of the cells was more pronounced in their basal (8 +/- 2%) than their apical (6 +/- 2%; P = 0.06) or middle region (6 +/- 3%). This study provides further insight into the mechanisms of shape changes in isolated outer hair cells and illustrates a method to analyze localized changes in the absence of internal landmarks.

In vivo noise exposure alters the in vitro motility and viability of outer hair cells

The in vitro motility and viability of outer hair cells isolated from cochleae of normal control guinea pigs have been compared to that of guinea pigs exposed, just before sacrifice, to low-frequency high-intensity noise inducing acute 30 dB thresholds shifts at all frequencies below 10 kHz. The results indicate that the cells' viability is shortened, their contractile response to Ca2+/ATP reduced, while their electrically-induced motility is not modified. These experiments demonstrate that in vivo cochlear dysfunction can correlate with changes in in vitro outer hair cell's properties. Thus the morphological and "functional" investigation of hair cells in vitro can be a valuable approach to the study of cochlear physiopathology. Here the acoustic overstimulation seems to have modified the outer hair cells' Ca2+/ATP dependent slow contractile apparatus in a way which could modify in turn their mechanical excitation by the noise.

Quick-freeze, deep-etch visualization of the 'cytoskeletal spring' of cochlear outer hair cells

The lateral membrane system of the cochlear outer hair cell, consisting of the lateral plasma membrane, pillars, filamentous lattice and subsurface cisternae, is considered to be involved in the contractile movement of the isolated cochlear outer hair cell. The filamentous lattice, called the cytoskeletal spring, has been identified in the demembranated cochlear outer hair cell treated with the detergent Triton X-100. In this study, the quick-freeze, deep-etch method was applied to demonstrate the three-dimensional organization of both the filamentous and membranous structures of the lateral membrane system of cochlear outer hair cells. Treatment with saponin revealed that the inner leaflet of the lateral plasma membrane of the cochlear outer hair cell possesses more membrane particles than the outer leaflets, and that the pillars are closely associated with membrane particles in the inner leaflet of the lateral membrane. The presence of filamentous bridges between the filamentous lattice and the subsurface cisternae was also detected. We propose that the lateral membrane system in the cochlear outer hair cell may play an important role in the tuning mechanisms within the cochlea in normal hearing.

Quinine causes isolated outer hair cells to change length

The outer hair cells have been shown to exhibit motile properties which are likely to participate in the cochlear performance. Quinine is known to induce hearing loss as well as contraction of skeletal muscle. Isolated outer hair cells were exposed to quinine and tetracaine. This resulted in a biphasic elongation-shortening response, quantitatively as well as qualitatively altered by tetracaine. These findings are in good agreement with similar studies on muscle.

Acetylcholine, carbachol, and GABA induce no detectable change in the length of isolated outer hair cells

The mechanical and electrical properties of cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) are suggested to modulate transduction by inner hair cells. These properties of OHCs are presumably regulated by efferent neurons which use several transmitters including acetylcholine (Ach) and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). Since it had been suggested that Ach causes isolated OHCs to shorten visibly, this study was designed to investigate whether GABA also alters the length of OHCs. OHCs were isolated from the guinea pig cochlea by mechanical dispersion after collagenase treatment. Cells were initially selected by strict morphological criteria. In addition they were only included in further studies if they attained a constant length during 10 min of superfusion with buffer solution. Neither GABA (20 microM: 100 microM), Ach (5 mM; 10 microM with 10 microM eserine) or carbachol (10 microM; 100 microM) altered OHC length when applied in iso-osmotic Hank's balanced salt solution (total number of cells tested, 72). If a change in length occurred it must have been smaller than 0.3 microns, our detection ability. In contrast, high potassium and variations in osmolarity changed hair cell length by 3-10% in agreement with other reports.

Intracellular distribution of actin in cells of the organ of Corti: a structural basis for cell shape and motility

Immunofluorescence staining and phalloidin labeling have provided localization of actin in the sensory and supporting cells of the inner ear at the light microscopic level. However, with electron microscopy, neither actin nor actin filaments have been found in the outer hair cell body. This paper describes various techniques utilized to preserve and identify cytoplasmic actin at the ultrastructural level. Post-embedding staining of Lowicryl K4M sections, pre-embedding staining of permeabilized cells of the organ of Corti, pre-embedding staining of vibratome sections, and pre-embedding staining of permeabilized dissociated cells documented the presence of actin, but each of these techniques was best suited to localize actin in specific parts of the cell. Cytoplasmic actin was labeled when isolated cells were lightly fixed and membranes were permeabilized with detergent--conditions under which the cell ultrastructure was compromised. Under conditions of optimal fixation, cytoplasmic filaments embedded in the dense granular matrix of the hair cell cytoplasm were observed.

Organization of microtubules in cochlear hair cells

The organization of microtubules in hair cells of the guinea-pig cochlea has been investigated using transmission electron microscopy and correlated with the location of tubulin-associated immunofluorescence in surface preparations of the organ of Corti. Results from both techniques reveal consistent distributions of microtubules in inner and outer hair cells. In the inner hair cells, microtubules are most concentrated in the apex. Reconstruction from serial sections shows three main groups: firstly, in channels through the cuticular plate and in a discontinuous belt around its upper perimeter; secondly, forming a ring inside a rim extending down from the lower perimeter of the plate; and thirdly, in a meshwork underlying the main body of the plate. In the cell body, microtubules line the inner face of the subsurface cistern and extend longitudinally through a tubulo-vesicular track between the apex and base. In outer hair cells, the pattern of microtubules associated with the cuticular plate is similar, although there are fewer present than in inner hair cells. In outer hair cells from the apex of the cochlea, microtubules occur around an infracuticular protrusion of cuticular plate material. In the cell body, many more microtubules occur in the region below the nucleus compared with inner hair cells. The possible functions of microtubules in hair cells are discussed by comparison with those found in other systems. These include morphogenesis and maintenance of cell shape; intracellular transport, e.g., of neurotransmitter vesicles; providing a possible substrate for motility; mechanical support of structures associated with sensory transduction.

Fatal contractions: ultrastructural and electromechanical changes in outer hair cells following transmembraneous electrical stimulation

A form of outer hair cell vulnerability was examined as related to cellular structure. Electrically-induced somatic displacements on the order of 500 nm (peak-to-peak) were accompanied by a superimposed slow tonic contraction in cell length. Shortening by as much as 22% of the initial cell length was seen to occur at rates of 100 nm/s. Such changes often resulted in increased detection thresholds as well as a reduction in asymmetry of the frequency-following motile response component. The tonic contractions were non-reversible. Solitary cells were recovered following transmembraneous electrical stimulation in order to examine possible structural changes associated with the contractions. In a number of well-preserved controls, multiple flattened non-fenestrated cisternae were found lining the cytoplasmic compartment. In contrast, cells which underwent tonic shortening invariably possessed fragmented membraneous cisternae resembling those typically seen in whole-organ preparations. The degree of fenestration corresponded to the extent of cell shortening. These findings suggest that the so-called 'fenestrated' subsurface cisternae, previously thought to be a normal anatomical component of the outer hair cell, may be the remnant of a highly organized structure in vivo. The potential role of the cisternal system as a force generating substrate is discussed.

Structurally based new functional interpretations of the subsurface cisternal network in human outer hair cells

The system of subsurface cisterns (SSC) in human outer hair cells (OHC) was studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The SSC consist of only a single layer of cisterns, either flattened or tubular. The subsynaptic cisterns of efferent synapses are an integral part of the SSC. The outer leaflet of the SSC facing the cell membrane is connected to the OHC wall by pillars arranged in a highly regular and geometric pattern. The inner leaflet facing the cytoplasm displays an identical pattern of particles arranged in a star-like configuration so that pores are formed centrally. Pores are also identified at the outer leaflet and at the insertion of the pillars into the cell membrane. It is hypothesized that this highly specific organization of SSC, so far described only in the human OHC wall, is controlled by the efferent acetylcholine-mediated innervation.

A cytoskeletal spring for the control of cell shape in outer hair cells isolated from the guinea pig cochlea

A two-dimensional cortical cytoskeletal lattice associated with the lateral plasma membranes of mammalian outer hair cells maintains cell shape and provides a restoring force to oppose active changes in cell length. The lattice is composed of two morphologically distinct filaments which are arranged to reinforce the cell circumferentially whilst allowing limited changes in cell length and diameter. This function can only be fulfilled if intracellular pressure is high enough to put the lattice under tension.

Tubulin and microtubules in cochlear hair cells: comparative immunocytochemistry and ultrastructure

The distribution of tubulin has been investigated in surface preparations of the guinea pig organ of Corti using indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. Two different monoclonal antibodies to tubulin produce similar distinct patterns of labelling in hair cells. Labelling is greater in inner hair cells than outer hair cells. It occurs in rings around the cell apex, and in a meshwork below and channels through, the cuticular plate. In outer hair cells from the apical region of the cochlea, labelling occurs around the location of a basalward protrusion of the cuticular plate. These patterns correlate with the location of microtubules observed using transmission electron microscopy. A large patch of labelling occurs on the strial side of the cell corresponding to the largest channel through the cuticular plate and the kinociliary basal body. Strands of labelling are seen running parallel to the long axis of the cell between the subcuticular and synaptic region. Many more of these strands are seen in the inner hair cell than the outer hair cell and may correspond to tracks of microtubules transporting neurotransmitter vesicles or other organelles. In outer hair cells, intense labelling and many microtubules are seen in the subnuclear region. The possible roles of the different microtubule arrangements are discussed.

Vestibular hair cells isolated from guinea pig labyrinth

Living sensory cells were isolated from the cristae ampullaris and macula utriculi of the guinea pig. Enzymatic and mechanical dissociation were used to obtain different populations of hair cells, the most predominant being type I cells. Their form varied: cell body of variable roundness, and neck and cilia of different lengths. The observation of many tilted cuticular plates supports the hypothesis of active mechanisms regulating mechanotransduction at the apex of these cells. Cell viability was verified by double fluorescent labeling (FDA-PI), which indicated that under correct conditions about 90% of the sensory cells could be maintained in vitro for several hours after dissociation. The detection of actin in the cuticular plate and cilia shows that the technique has various potential applications in morphological studies, and can contribute to investigations on the physiology of mammalian vestibular cells.

Effects of carbon dioxide in the middle ear cavity upon the cochlear potentials and cochlear pH

To elucidate the effects of CO2 in the middle ear upon the cochlea, measurements were made of the cochlear potentials (compound action potential and endocochlear potential) and of the pH of the inner ear fluids and the organ of Corti. Gas containing CO2 did not affect the AP threshold, except for a slight decrease in AP threshold elicited by an 8 kHz tone burst with 10% CO2 flow. The EP did not vary with CO2 gas. The CO2 gas mixture reduced the pH in perilymph significantly, by 0.11 +/- 0.05 with 5% CO2 and by 0.17 +/- 0.04 with 10% CO2, in comparison with 100% N2. The CO2 gas slightly but significantly decreased the endolymph pH, by 0.05 +/- 0.04 with 5% CO2 and by 0.09 +/- 0.06 with 10% CO2. The removal of perilymph led to a greater acidification of endolymph with CO2 gas. Acidification of the organ of Corti was also noted with the CO2 gas flush. These findings indicate that CO2 in the middle ear influences the acid-base regulation of inner ear fluids and the cochlear function.

A temporal bone preparation for the study of cochlear micromechanics at the cellular level

An in vitro preparation of the guinea pig temporal bone was developed for studying the micromechanical behaviour of the cochlea. The preparation consists of the cochlea opened at the apex, allowing observation of cellular structures within the cochlear partition with an optical sectioning microscope and measurements of cellular vibration with laser interferometry. The middle ear ossicles and the tympanic membrane are left intact as well as the bony part of the external auditory canal, which is used for delivering a sound stimulus to the cochlea.

Structural organization of the outer hair cell wall

The lateral wall of the mammalian outer hair cell has specialized structures composed of "subplasma lamina" and "micropillars." These structures anchor the subsurface cisternae to the inner leaflet of the cell membrane. The micropillars are arranged in parallel arrays encircling the entire inner side of the outer hair cell. The subplasma lamina appears sheet-like with rows of indentations and ridges in parallel arrays or in grid patterns among the specimens prepared for scanning electron microscopy. It is interpreted that these indentations are formed by the loss of the micropillars due to the osmium digestion. It is suggested that the subplasma lamina and micropillars may provide a rigid structure of the cylindrical shape and also may be involved in the motile activity of the outer hair cell.

Functional role of the olivo-cochlear bundle: a motor unit control system in the mammalian cochlea

A fiber optic lever is applied to the measurement of the motion of the basilar membrane motion in guinea pigs. In response to intense tones from either ear, the motion includes a substantial summating shift in the mean position in addition to a travelling wave originally described by von Békésy. His stroboscopic technique and most techniques used since have been concentrated upon measuring vibrations of the basilar membrane synchronous with the stimulus and have been insensitive to variations in the baseline position such as a summating component of motion analogous to the extracellular summating potential. In addition to the role of the outer hair cells in providing normal hearing sensitivity, they evidently play a role in regulating the mean position of the basilar membrane. For a fixed frequency, the polarity of the mean position varies systematically with sound level and place and summates with time since onset. Since these cells are the target cells for the olivocochlear bundle, homeostasis in the cochlea would appear to be linked efferent function and involve cochlear mechanics. The negative damping hypothesis asserts that hair cell activity is necessary for low thresholds. The results presented here demonstrate that OHC activity exists independent of neural thresholds. The discussion develops the concept that threshold losses are due to a mismatch of opposing tonic forces which normally maintain the mean position of the basilar membrane. Structure is examined in relation to function and the group of outer hair cells innervated by a single medial efferent neuron is identified as a motor unit. Implications of central control of individual motor units include peripheral involvement in selective attention tasks.

An infracuticular network is not required for outer hair cell shortening

The presence and distribution of filamentous actin was documented in normal and shortened isolated outer hair cells by use of fluorescently labeled phalloidin. In hair cells isolated from the guinea pig cochlea, an infracuticular network containing organized bundles of actin filaments is present in some, but not all, control cells and in some, but not all, cells after shortening. An infracuticular network of organized bundles of actin filaments is not present in control outer hair cells isolated from chinchilla or gerbil cochleas and it is never observed in any outer hair cells from these species even after shortening. Thus shortening of isolated outer hair cells is not correlated with the presence or the formation of organized bundles of actin filaments in an infracuticular network.

Are delayed evoked oto-acoustic emissions (DEOE) solely the outcome of an active intracochlear mechanism?

Post-mumps and post-measles hearing losses are a result of the destruction of Corti's organ. Both the basilar and the Reissner membranes are unimpaired. In 11 subjects with post-mumps (8 cases) and post-measles (3 cases) unilateral anacusis, DEOE with a mean amplitude lower than that of the contralateral normal ear with the same sensation level were observed with 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz tone-bursts and air conduction stimulation. These findings lend credit to the view that DEOE could in part be produced by a passive intracochlear mechanism, probably a consequence of the basilar membrane travelling wave induced by the displacement of the perilymph. In a normal ear, this passive mechanism could be superimposed by an active mechanism linked to the contractile activity of the outer hair cells (OHC) which modulates and increases the travelling wave depth.

A cytoskeletal spring in cochlear outer hair cells

Normal hearing in mammals depends on an active mechanical filter, within the cochlea, which separates different sound frequencies before neural encoding. Experiments on the intact cochlea indicate that the critical cellular components underlying the process are probably the outer hair cells which are strategically placed to influence movement of the basilar membrane. This idea is attractive because isolated cells can generate axial forces at acoustic frequencies when electrically stimulated. The mechanical properties of cells are largely determined by structures closely associated with the plasma membrane. We show here, using light and electron microscopy, that beneath this membrane lies a lattice of crosslinked circumferential filaments which are pitched at a mean angle of 15 degrees to the transverse axis of the cell. The lattice is sufficient to retain the shape of the cell following demembranation and mechanical deformation. The structure of the lattice allows it to be described as a coiled helical spring but with longitudinal stiffness primarily determined by the crosslinks. Direct measurements of longitudinal stiffness reported here indicate that the lattice contributes 5-10% of the stiffness. We propose that the 'circumferential lattice' ensures that outer hair cells can act as directed force generators within the organ of Corti, a prerequisite in current descriptions of cochlear micromechanics.

Volume and length changes in outer hair cells of the guinea pig after potassium-induced shortening

Measurements of volume and length were made on isolated guinea pig cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) in an attempt to establish whether OHC shortening was accompanied by changes in cell volume. A sustained shortening in response to an isotonic 100 mM KCl solution was found to be accompanied by a significant increase in OHC volume. The application of hypotonic solutions had a similar effect. When testing solutions with unchanged or reduced [K+] [Cl-] products in order to avoid loading the cells with chloride ions and producing concomitant water influx, the most frequent response was a rapid shortening followed by an elongation beyond the original cell length. These findings of a sustained and a spontaneously reversible shortening suggest that the potassium-induced response may consist of two components: a rapid one, which may be reversible in the presence of the stimulus, and a second, slower, component resulting in sustained shortening.

Shortening and elongation of isolated outer hair cells in response to application of potassium gluconate, acetylcholine and cationized ferritin

Individual outer hair cells isolated from guinea pig cochleae were observed in vitro during the application of solutions that are known to cause hair cells to shorten. Solutions containing high potassium, which depolarizes cells, were applied in the form of potassium gluconate. The initial response was a shortening, followed by an elongation, after which the hair cells nearly resumed their original length. Solutions containing the presumed efferent neurotransmitter acetylcholine also caused an initial shortening, occasionally followed by an elongation, where a cell either returned to normal or exceeded its original length. Solutions containing cationized ferritin caused some cells to shorten and caused others to lengthen. The results indicate that the hair cell response to a chemical stimulus can be bidirectional. Moreover, the initial response of an individual cell may depend not only on the stimulus but also on the physiological state of the hair cell or the original location of the hair cell along the length of the sensory epithelium when it was in the cochlea.

Possible role of Ca ions in the vestibular system

The Ca++ messenger system is nearly universally present in the control of cell functions by extracellular messengers. It elicits different kinds of responses: either brief, as in neurotransmission and in skeletal muscle contraction, or sustained, as in smooth muscle contraction and in the regulation of transepithelial transport systems. In this latter function the Ca++ messenger system interacts with other cellular modulation systems such as cAMP production and arachidonic acid cascade. In the vestibular apparatus, the Ca++ messenger system is involved in the transduction processes in that it controls both the release of neurotransmitter at the basal pole of the hair cell and the electrical resonance of the cell. It also figures in the contractile properties of cochlear outer hair cells. The Ca++ messenger system as well as adenylate cyclase and prostaglandins may play an important role in the modulation of endolymph secretion.