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Molecular organization and fine structure of the human tectorial membrane: is it replenished?

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An Erratum to this article was published on 18 September 2015

Abstract

Auditory sensitivity and frequency resolution depend on the physical properties of the basilar membrane in combination with outer hair cell-based amplification in the cochlea. The physiological role of the tectorial membrane (TM) in hair cell transduction has been controversial for decades. New insights into the TM structure and function have been gained from studies of targeted gene disruption. Several missense mutations in genes regulating the human TM structure have been described with phenotypic expressions. Here, we portray the remarkable gradient structure and molecular organization of the human TM. Ultrastructural analysis and confocal immunohistochemistry were performed in freshly fixed human cochleae obtained during surgery. Based on these findings and recent literature, we discuss the role of human TMs in hair cell activation. Moreover, the outcome proposes that the α-tectorin-positive amorphous layer of the human TM is replenished and partly undergoes regeneration during life.

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Abbreviations

BM:

Basilar membrane

HS:

Hensen’s stripe

IDC:

Interdental cell

IHC:

Inner hair cell

KM:

Kimura’s membrane

L:

Limbus

LZ:

Limbal zone

MaZ:

Marginal zone

MN:

Marginal net

MZ:

Middle zone

OHC:

Outer hair cell

RF:

Radial fiber

SEM:

Scanning electron microscopy

STL:

Subtectorial layer

TEM:

Transmission electron microscopy

TM:

Tectorial membrane

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by ALF grants from Uppsala University Hospital and Uppsala University and by the Tysta Skolan Foundation, Swedish Deafness Foundation (HRF) and Land Tirol Technologie Förderungsprogram, Förderung von Wissenschaft, Forschung und Entwicklung (Programm K-Regio Vamel) and Med El, Innsbruck, Austria. Our research is part of the European Community 7th Framework Programme on Research, Technological Development and Demonstration. Project acronym: NANOCI. Grant agreement no: 281056. It was also supported by kindly donated private funds from Börje Runögård, Sweden. Dr. Klaus Qvortrup is acknowledged for providing oxygenated fluorocarbon fixative for the TEM investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Sciences, Head and Neck Surgery, section of Otolaryngology, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden

    Hisamitsu Hayashi & Helge Rask-Andersen

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan

    Hisamitsu Hayashi

  3. Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Annelies Schrott-Fischer & Rudolf Glueckert

  4. Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden

    Wei Liu

  5. Institute of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    Willi Salvenmoser

  6. Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota, Lions Research Building, 2001 Sixth St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Peter Santi

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  1. Hisamitsu Hayashi
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  2. Annelies Schrott-Fischer
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Correspondence to Hisamitsu Hayashi or Rudolf Glueckert.

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Hayashi, H., Schrott-Fischer, A., Glueckert, R. et al. Molecular organization and fine structure of the human tectorial membrane: is it replenished?. Cell Tissue Res 362, 513–527 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-015-2225-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-015-2225-5

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