Freeze-fracture and immunomorphological analysis of spiral ganglion cells |
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Authors: | Matti Anniko Lars-Eric Thornell Ismo Virtanen Frans C. S. Ramaekers |
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Abstract: | Freeze-fracture analysis of adult spiral ganglion cells of CBA/CBA mice revealed two types of membrane specializations. Most cells (type I) had a smooth surface and were surrounded by Schwann cells. Type II spiral ganglion cells showed numerous membrane specializations with well-delineated indentations similar to those previously found on hair cells adjacent to afferent and efferent nerve endings. Immunomorphological analysis (using well-defined monoclonal antibodies directed against different subclasses of intermediate filament proteins) revealed a unique co-expression of neurofilaments, vimentin and cytokeratins in spiral ganglion cells of 8-to 22-week human fetuses. |
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Keywords: | Spiral ganglion Freeze-fracture Intermediate filaments Morphology Cytoskeleton Membrane Labyrinth |
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