Developmental changes in the protective effect of exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 against ototoxic drugs in cultured rat vestibular ganglion neurons.

We examine developmental changes in the responsiveness of rat vestibular ganglion neurons (VGNs) to two neurotrophic factors (NTFs), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and investigate the protective effects of these NTFs against ototoxic drugs during postnatal development in dissociated cultures. VGNs were obtained from rats on postnatal days (P) 1, 3, 7 and 14. BDNF facilitated neuronal survival as well as neurite sprouting of VGNs obtained from younger rats (P1 and P3), whereas these effects were not observed in older rats (P7 and P14). BDNF was also effective in facilitating neurite extension in VGNs at each of the postnatal ages. NT-3 also facilitated neuronal survival and neurite extension of VGNs from younger rats but these effects were significantly smaller than those of BDNF (p < 0.05). The protective effects of BDNF and NT-3 against ototoxic drugs, gentamicin and cisplatin, were also age-dependent: they were effective for neuronal survival, neurite sprouting and neurite extension in VGNs from younger rats, whereas these effects tended to disappear in VGNs from older rats. Analysis of the changes in the expression of the receptors of NTFs revealed that expression of TrkB and TrkC proteins and their mRNA did not change during the developmental period, whereas expression of p75(NTR) protein was down-regulated together with that of p75(NTR) mRNA during the developmental period. Developmental changes in the responsiveness to exogenous NTFs in VGNs, which is not caused by the changes of their receptors but probably caused by changes in the intracellular signaling pathways, should be taken into consideration in the prevention of neuronal degeneration caused by ototoxic drugs.

Cochleovestibular nerve development is integrated with migratory neural crest cells.

The cochleovestibular (CV) nerve, which connects the inner ear to the brain, is the nerve that enables the senses of hearing and balance. The aim of this study was to document the morphological development of the mouse CV nerve with respect to the two embryonic cells types that produce it, specifically, the otic vesicle-derived progenitors that give rise to neurons, and the neural crest cell (NCC) progenitors that give rise to glia. Otic tissues of mouse embryos carrying NCC lineage reporter transgenes were whole mount immunostained to identify neurons and NCC. Serial optical sections were collected by confocal microscopy and were compiled to render the three dimensional (3D) structure of the developing CV nerve. Spatial organization of the NCC and developing neurons suggest that neuronal and glial populations of the CV nerve develop in tandem from early stages of nerve formation. NCC form a sheath surrounding the CV ganglia and central axons. NCC are also closely associated with neurites projecting peripherally during formation of the vestibular and cochlear nerves. Physical ablation of NCC in chick embryos demonstrates that survival or regeneration of even a few individual NCC from ectopic positions in the hindbrain results in central projection of axons precisely following ectopic pathways made by regenerating NCC.

Excitatory actions of GABA in developing chick vestibular afferents: effects on resting electrical activity.

The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the resting multiunit activity of the vestibular afferents during development using the isolated inner ear of embryonic and postnatal chickens (E15-E21 and P5). GABA (10(-3) to 10(-5) M; n = 133) and muscimol (10(-3) M) elicited an increase in the frequency of the basal discharge of the vestibular afferents. We found that GABA action was dose-dependent and inversely related to animal age. Thus, the largest effect was observed in embryonic ages such as E15 and E17 and decreases in E21 and P5. The GABAA receptor antagonists, bicuculline (10(-5) M; n = 10) and picrotoxin (10(-4) M; n = 10), significantly decreased the excitatory action of GABA and muscimol (10(-3) M). Additionally, CNQX 10(-6) M, MCPG 10(-5) M and 7ClKyn 10(-5) M (n = 5) were co-applied by bath substitution (n = 5). Both the basal discharge and the GABA action significantly decreased in these experimental conditions. The chloride channel blocker 9-AC 0.5 mM produced an important reduction in the effect of GABA 10(-3) (n = 5) and 10(-4) M (n = 5). Thus, our results suggest an excitatory role of GABA in the resting activity of the vestibular afferents that can be explained by changes in the gradient of concentration of Cl(-) during development. We show for the first time that the magnitude of this GABA effect decreases at later stages of embryonic and early postnatal development. Taking into account the results with glutamatergic antagonists, we conclude that GABA has a presynaptic action but is not the neurotransmitter in the vestibular afferent synapses, although it could act as a facilitator of the spontaneous activity and may regulate glutamate release.

Morphological and morphometric study on human Scarpa ganglion development.

CONCLUSION: In Scarpa neurons the cell and nuclear area increases and nuclear/cytoplasm ratio decreases with fetal age (p < 0.0001). There are statistically significant differences in cell area between all fetal groups, except for the interval 45-74 mm crown-rump-length (CRL). Displacement of a neuron within the internal auditory meatus (IAM) occurs from 9 weeks in the fetus until the neonate. METHODS: A light microscopic histomorphometric study of the Scarpa ganglion in human fetuses from spontaneous abortions measuring 45, 74, 90, 134, 145 and 270 mm CRL and a from a 1-day-old neonate (360 mm) was carried out. Cell and nuclear area, ganglion area and distances from the Scarpa ganglion neurons to the endocranial porus of the IAM were measured. RESULTS: In the 45, 74, 90 and 134 mm CRL human fetuses the cartilaginous labyrinthine capsule appears divided by the facial nerve and the Scarpa ganglion into two compartments: rostral and dorsal. Ovoidal Scarpa ganglion in the 45 mm CRL lies within the IAM near its endocranial porus (15 µm). In the otic capsule of the 145 mm CRL fetus an endochondral ossification appears in the IAM base, where Scarpa ganglion neurons are displayed in two groups: superior and inferior divided by a vascular-connective septum. This anatomy remains from this specimen until the neonate specimen.

Members of the BMP, Shh, and FGF morphogen families promote chicken statoacoustic ganglion neurite outgrowth and neuron survival in vitro.

Mechanosensory hair cells of the chicken inner ear are innervated by the peripheral processes of statoacoustic ganglion (SAG) neurons. Members of several morphogen families are expressed within and surrounding the chick inner ear during stages of SAG axon outgrowth and pathfinding. On the basis of their localized expression patterns, we hypothesized that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), and sonic hedgehog (Shh) may function as guidance cues for growing axons and/or may function as trophic factors once axons have reached their targets. To test this hypothesis, three-dimensional collagen cultures were used to grow Embryonic Day 4 (E4) chick SAG explants for 24 h in the presence of purified proteins or beads soaked in proteins. The density of neurite outgrowth was quantified to determine effects on neurite outgrowth. Explants displayed enhanced neurite outgrowth when cultured in the presence of purified BMP4, BMP7, a low concentration of Shh, FGF8, FGF10, or FGF19. In contrast, SAG neurons appeared unresponsive to FGF2. Collagen gel cultures were labeled with terminal dUTP nick-end labeling and immunostained with anti-phosphohistone H3 to determine effects on neuron survival and proliferation, respectively. Treatments that increased neurite outgrowth also yielded significantly fewer apoptotic cells, with no effect on cell proliferation. When presented as focal sources, BMP4, Shh, and FGFs -8, -10, and -19 promoted asymmetric outgrowth from the ganglion in the direction of the beads. BMP7-soaked beads did not induce this response. These results suggest that a subset of morphogens enhance both survival and axon outgrowth of otic neurons.

Development of spontaneous activity and response properties of primary lagenar neurons in the chick.

Here, we report for the first time developmental changes in spontaneous activity and in response properties of single nerve fibers from the macular chick lagena. Such aspects are important in order to get insight into the functional role of the lagena which remains undetermined. For this purpose, we used intracellular and extracellular single-unit recording techniques in an isolated inner ear preparation from the chicken at ages E15 and P1. At E15, afferent fibers displayed a low irregular spontaneous discharge rate (41 +/- 14 spikes/s, CV = 1.17 +/- 0.1), which was replaced by regular high frequency spontaneous activity at P1 (CV = 0.48 +/- 0.8, 89 +/- 27 spikes/s). During the developmental period including E15, the percentage of silent neurons was 60% while that of P1 was 40%. The synaptic activity was higher at E15 than at P1. The action potential waveform generated at E15 had small amplitude and derivative depolarization, and consequently, a large duration in correlation with respect to action potential waveform at P1 (respectively: 53 +/- 2 vs. 65 +/- 3 mV, 60 +/- 11 vs. 109 +/- 20 mV/ms, 3.6 +/- 0.4 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.12 ms). In addition, we recognized two response dynamics to the injection of current steps: phasic, or rapidly adapting neurons and tonic, or slowly adapting neurons. Our results indicate similar developmental processes for the lagena as described for the vestibular system in other species, in agreement with the known morphological characteristics of this otholitic end organ. The presence of more than one subtype of afferent neuron also correlates with previous reports on vestibular afferents with analogous electrophysiological properties, strongly suggesting the vestibular nature of the lagena.

Differentiation of the facio-vestibulocochlear ganglionic complex in human embryos of developmental stages 13-15.

A study was made on 18 embryos of developmental stages 13-15 (5(th) week). Serial sections made in horizontal, frontal, and sagittal planes were stained with routine histological methods and some of them were treated with silver. In embryos of stage 13, the otic vesicle is at the rhombomere 5, and close to the vesicle is the facial-vestibulocochlear ganglionic complex in which the geniculate, vestibular, and cochlear ganglion may be discerned. These ganglia are well demarcated in embryos of stage 14. In the last investigated stage (15(th)) the nerve fibres of the ganglia reach the common afferent tract.

Expression of the Gata3 transcription factor in the acoustic ganglion of the developing avian inner ear.

During the development of the inner ear, auditory and vestibular ganglion neurons are generated in a highly regulated sequential process. First, neuroblasts are specified, delaminate from the epithelium of the otocyst, and migrate to form the auditory-vestibular ganglion (AVG). These neuroblasts then undergo proliferation and differentiate into afferent neurons of the auditory and vestibular ganglia. The zinc finger transcription factor Gata3 has been shown to play a role in cell proliferation and differentiation in various regions of the inner ear. Here we profile the spatiotemporal expression pattern of Gata3 in the developing auditory and vestibular ganglia of the chick embryo. Gata3 is expressed in a distinct population of sensorineural precursor cells within the otic epithelium, but is not expressed in migrating or proliferating neuroblasts. Following terminal mitosis, Gata3 expression is restricted to very few cells in the auditory ganglion and is not expressed in any cells of the vestibular ganglion. Gata3 expression levels then increase in auditory neurons as they mature. The increase of Gata3 in auditory ganglion neurons is accompanied by decreased expression of NeuroD. Our results suggest that Gata3 may be specifically involved in the differentiation of auditory ganglion neurons.

The involvement of Cav3.2/alpha1H T-type calcium channels in excitability of mouse embryonic primary vestibular neurones.

Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated calcium channels probably influences neuronal ontogenesis. Many developing neurones transiently express T-type/Cav3 calcium channels that contribute to their electrical activity and potentially to their morphological differentiation. Here we have characterized the electrophysiological properties and the functional role of a large T-type calcium current that is present in mouse developing primary vestibular neurones at embryonic day E17. This T-type current showed fast activation and inactivation, as well as slow deactivation kinetics. The overlap of activation and inactivation parameters produced a window current between -65 and -45 mV. Recovery from short-term inactivation was slow suggesting the presence of the Cav3.2 subunit. This T-type current was blocked by micromolar concentrations of Ni2+ and was inhibited by fast perfusion velocities in a similar fashion to recombinant Cav3.2 T-type channels expressed in HEK-293 cells. More importantly, current clamp experiments have revealed that the T-current could elicit afterdepolarization potentials during the repolarization phase of action potentials, and occasionally generate calcium spikes. Taken together, we demonstrate that the Cav3.2 subunit is likely to be the main T-type calcium channel subunit expressed in embryonic vestibular neurones and should play a key role in the excitability of these neurones during the ontogenesis of vestibular afferentation.

Dlx gene expression during chick inner ear development.

Members of the Dlx gene family play essential roles in the development of the zebrafish and mouse inner ear, but little is known regarding Dlx genes and avian inner ear development. We have examined the inner ear expression patterns of Dlx1, Dlx2, Dlx3, Dlx5, and Dlx6 during the first 7 days of chicken embryonic development. Dlx1 and Dlx2 expression was seen only in nonneuronal cells of the cochleovestibular ganglion and nerves from stage 21 to stage 32. Dlx3 marks the otic placode beginning at stage 9 and becomes limited to epithelium adjacent to the hindbrain as invagination of the placode begins. Dlx3 expression then resolves to the dorsal otocyst and gradually becomes limited to the endolymphatic sac by stage 30. Dlx5 and Dlx6 expression in the developing inner ear is first seen at stages 12 and 13, respectively, in the rim of the otic pit, before spreading throughout the dorsal otocyst. As morphogenesis proceeds, Dlx5 and Dlx6 expression is seen throughout the forming semicircular canals and endolymphatic structures. During later stages, both genes are seen to mark the distal surface of the forming canals and display expression complementary to that of BMP4 in the vestibular sensory regions. Dlx5 expression is also seen in the lagena macula and the cochlear and vestibular nerves by stage 30. These findings suggest important roles for Dlx genes in the vestibular and neural development of the avian inner ear.

Differential expression of Eph receptors and ephrins in the cochlear ganglion and eighth cranial nerve of the chick embryo.

The cochleovestibular ganglion of the chick differentiates at early embryonic stages as VIIIth nerve axons enter the brainstem. The tonotopic organization of the auditory portion of the VIIIth nerve can be discerned at the time axons initially reach their brainstem targets. The mechanisms underlying this early organization are not known. Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ligands, the ephrins, have a demonstrated role in guiding axons to topographically appropriate locations in other areas of the nervous system. In order to begin to test whether Eph proteins have a similar role in the auditory system, we investigated the tonotopic expression of several Eph receptors and ephrins in the VIIIth nerve during embryonic ages corresponding to the initial innervation of the auditory brainstem. Expression patterns of EphA4, EphB2, EphB5, ephrin-A2, and ephrin-B1 were evaluated immunohistochemically at embryonic days 4 through 10. Protein expression was observed in the cochlear ganglion and VIIIth nerve axons at these ages. EphB5, ephrin-A2, and ephrin-B1 were expressed throughout the nerve. EphA4 and EphB2 had complementary expression patterns within the nerve, with EphA4 expression higher in the dorsolateral part of the nerve and EphB2 expression higher in the ventromedial part of the nerve. These regions may correspond to auditory and vestibular components, respectively. Moreover, EphA4 expression was higher toward the low-frequency region of both the centrally and peripherally projecting branches of cochlear ganglion cells. Regional variation of Eph protein expression may influence the target selection and topography of developing VIIIth nerve projections.

EphB receptors influence growth of ephrin-B1-positive statoacoustic nerve fibers.

The Eph family of receptors and ligands has been implicated in a variety of developmental processes, including the provision of inhibitory guidance cues to developing nerve fibers. A unique property of the B class of receptors is that they are able to phosphorylate ephrin-B ligands, allowing for bi-directional, or reverse signalling. While most of the studies to date have focused on central nerve fibers, little is known about the role of Eph molecules in guiding nerve fibers of the peripheral nervous system. In the present study, ephrin-B1 was found to be highly expressed on developing peripheral nerve fibers including auditory and vestibular (statoacoustic) and dorsal root ganglion nerve fibers. In vitro assays revealed that EphB-Fc receptors inhibited further growth of statoacoustic nerve fibers. In contrast, EphA7-Fc and ephrin-B2-Fc did not prevent further growth of SAG. Together, these results suggest a role for EphB receptors in providing guidance signals to ephrin-B1-positive SAG nerve fibers.

The developmental segregation of posterior crista and saccular vestibular fibers in mice: a carbocyanine tracer study using confocal microscopy.

The developmental segregation of gravistatic input mediated by saccular fibers and of angular acceleration input mediated by posterior crista (PC) fibers was analyzed for the first time in a developing mammal using carbocyanine dye tracing in fixed tissue. The data reveal a more extensive projection of either endorgan in 7-day-old mice (P7) than has previously been reported in adult mammals. While we confirm and extend many previous findings, we also describe a novel segregation of saccular and posterior crista fibers in the anterior half of the medial vestibular nucleus (Mv) not reported before. Our developmental analysis shows a progressive segregation of posterior crista and saccular fibers to their respective discrete projection areas between embryonic day 15 (E15) and birth (P0). Retention of overlap in young adult animals appears to reflect the early embryonic overlap found in most areas. The vestibular projection does not show a topological projection as has been described in many other sensory systems. We propose that the unique projection features of the vestibular endorgans may relate to the transformation of vestibular signals into a motor output in the three neuron reflex arc of the VOR, of which the primary vestibular projection constitutes the first leg.

Morphological changes of vestibular ganglion cells in human fetuses and in pediatric patients.

The temporal bone histopathology of human vestibular ganglion cells of fetuses and pediatric patients was studied. In the first study, we traced the morphological changes in vestibular ganglion cells in human fetuses ranging from 13 weeks to 39 weeks of gestational age by using 13 temporal bone serial sections. Vestibular ganglion cells had reached histological maturity by the 24th week of gestation and the volume of vestibular ganglion cell cytoplasm increased until the 39th week of gestation. In the second study, the temporal bone serial sections of seven neonates, eight infants and five children were investigated to reveal pathological changes in vestibular ganglion cells. Morphological changes in vestibular ganglion cells in human fetuses were revealed. Vestibular ganglion cells were changed pathologically by intracranial disease and variety etiology affecting the inner ear, because these are located in the internal auditory canal between the brain and labyrinth.

Expression of a voltage-dependent potassium channel protein (Kv3.1) in the embryonic development of the auditory system.

The present study traces the development of a voltage-dependent potassium channel protein (Kv3.1) in the avian homologue of the cochlear nucleus, in the cochleovestibular ganglion, and in the otic epithelium from early developmental stages until near hatching. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies to the carboxy terminus (recognizing the Kv3.1b splice variant) and to the amino terminus (recognizing either form of Kv3.1) was used on Hamburger-Hamilton-staged chicken embryos. There were three periods in the relative levels of immunostaining in these regions. Early (E2-6), when precursor cells proliferate, migrate, and form axons, there was staining when using either antibody. In the middle period (E6-11), marked by hair cell differentiation, dendritic growth, and early synapse formation, staining levels decreased. In the late period (E11-19), when auditory function begins, staining increased rapidly, especially for Kv3.1b. Early Kv3.1 expression occurs in neuronal and hair cell precursors before they differentiate or function. Later, in the otic epithelium, a high level of Kv3.1 in cilia may precede or coincide with the onset of hair cell function. In neurons, some features of its localization correlate with axon outgrowth and synapse formation, others with the onset of neural activity and function.

Local nonpermissive and oriented permissive cues guide vestibular axons to the cerebellum.

Information that originates from peripheral sensory organs is conveyed by axons of cephalic sensory cranial ganglia connecting the sensory organs to appropriate central targets in the brain. Thus, the establishment of correct axonal projections by sensory afferents is one of the most important issues in neural development. Previously, we examined the development of the vestibular nerve that originates from the VIIIth ganglion using a flat whole-mount preparation of the rat hindbrain and developed an in vitro, culture preparation that can recapitulate vestibular nerve development (Tashiro, Y., Endo, T., Shirasaki, R., Miyahara, M., Heizmann, C. W. and Murakami, F. (2000) J. Comp. Neurol. 417, 491-500). Both in vivo and in vitro, the ascending branch of the VIIIth ganglion projecting to the cerebellum reaches the base of the cerebellar primordium and starts to splay out towards the rhombic lip, apparently avoiding the ventral metencephalon. We now examine the nature of cues that guide vestibulocerebellar axons by applying various manipulations to the flat whole-mount in vitro preparation. Our observations suggest that local nonpermissive cues and oriented cues play a pivotal role in the guidance of vestibular axons to their central target.

Transcription factor GATA-3 alters pathway selection of olivocochlear neurons and affects morphogenesis of the ear.

Patterning the vertebrate ear requires the coordinated expression of genes that are involved in morphogenesis, neurogenesis, and hair cell formation. The zinc finger gene GATA-3 is expressed both in the inner ear and in afferent and efferent auditory neurons. Specifically, GATA-3 is expressed in a population of neurons in rhombomere 4 that extend their axons across the floor plate of rhombomere 4 (r4) at embryonic day 10 (E10) and reach the sensory epithelia of the ear by E13.5. The distribution of their cell bodies corresponds to that of the cell bodies of the cochlear and vestibular efferent neurons as revealed by labeling with tracers. Both GATA-3 heterozygous and GATA-3 null mutant mice show unusual axonal projections, such as misrouted crossing fibers and fibers in the facial nerve, that are absent in wild-type littermates. This suggests that GATA-3 is involved in the pathfinding of efferent neuron axons that navigate to the ear. In the ear, GATA-3 is expressed inside the otocyst and the surrounding periotic mesenchyme. The latter expression is in areas of branching of the developing ear leading to the formation of semicircular canals. Ears of GATA-3 null mutants remain cystic, with a single extension of the endolymphatic duct and no formation of semicircular canals or saccular and utricular recesses. Thus, both the distribution of GATA-3 and the effects of null mutations on the ear suggest involvement of GATA-3 in morphogenesis of the ear. This study shows for the first time that a zinc finger factor is involved in axonal navigation of the inner ear efferent neurons and, simultaneously, in the morphogenesis of the inner ear.

Neuroepithelial 'compartments' and the specification of vestibular projections.

The implication that there exist coherent vestibulo-ocular neuron pools with specific functions may provide new insight into how conjugate eye movements are synthesized within the vestibulo-ocular reflex. The systematic relationship between pool position and synergistic principle terminations, the 'hodological mosaic' suggests, moreover, a determinate groundplan established by developmental mechanisms operative at early stages in the hindbrain neuroepithelium. From such a groundplan, evolutionary and use-dependent modifications could mold connectivity patterns functionally appropriate for each species and individual. How the expression of developmentally regulatory genes contributes to establishing the mosaic organization of the vestibular system is the current focus of our research.

Sensory organ generation in the chicken inner ear: contributions of bone morphogenetic protein 4, serrate1, and lunatic fringe.

The chicken inner ear is a remarkably complex structure consisting of eight morphologically distinct sensory organs. Unraveling how these sensory organs are specified during development is key to understanding how such a complex structure is generated. Previously, we have shown that each sensory organ in the chicken inner ear arises independently in the rudimentary otocyst based on Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (Bmp4) expression. Here, we compare the expression of Bmp4 with two other putative sensory organ markers, Lunatic Fringe (L-fng) and chicken Serrate1 (Ser1), both of which are components of the Notch signaling pathway. L-fng and Ser1 expression domains were asymmetrically distributed in the otic cup. At this early stage, expression of L-fng is similar to Delta1 (Dl1), in an anteroventral domain apparently corresponding to the neurogenic region, while Ser1 is expressed at both the anterior and posterior poles. By the otocyst stage, the expression of both L-fng and Ser1 largely coincided in the medial region. All presumptive sensory organs, as identified by Bmp4 expression, arose within the broad L-fng- and Ser1-positive domain, indicating the existence of a sensory-competent region in the rudimentary otocyst. In addition, there is a qualitative difference in the levels of expression between L-fng and Ser1 such that L-fng expression was stronger in the ventral anterior, whereas Ser1 was stronger in the dorsal posterior region of this broad domain. This early difference in expression may presage the differences among sensory organs as they arise from this sensory competent zone.

EphB2 guides axons at the midline and is necessary for normal vestibular function.

Mice lacking the EphB2 receptor tyrosine kinase display a cell-autonomous, strain-specific circling behavior that is associated with vestibular phenotypes. In mutant embryos, the contralateral inner ear efferent growth cones exhibit inappropriate pathway selection at the midline, while in mutant adults, the endolymph-filled lumen of the semicircular canals is severely reduced. EphB2 is expressed in the endolymph-producing dark cells in the inner ear epithelium, and these cells show ultrastructural defects in the mutants. A molecular link to fluid regulation is provided by demonstrating that PDZ domain-containing proteins that bind the C termini of EphB2 and B-ephrins can also recognize the cytoplasmic tails of anion exchangers and aquaporins. This suggests EphB2 may regulate ionic homeostasis and endolymph fluid production through macromolecular associations with membrane channels that transport chloride, bicarbonate, and water.