Expression of endothelin receptor subtypes in the spiral ganglion neurons of the guinea pig

Abstract

Objective: Endothelin 1 has many biological activities including regulating the functions of auditory system. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of the endothelin receptors in spiral ganglion neurons and its significance in the auditory transmission.

Methods: The cochleae of healthy guinea pigs were fixed, decalcified, embedded in paraffin and serially sectioned. The expression of endothelin receptor subunits, ET receptor A (ET-A) and ET receptor B (ET-B), was examined in the spiral ganglion neurons of guinea pig using immunohistochemical technique.

Results: Different degrees of ET-A and ET-B positive reactivity appeared in all spiral ganglion neurons from the basal turn to the apical turn.

Conclusions: These findings support the suggestion that endothelin via the endothelin receptor may play a physiological role in the spiral ganglion neurons.