Abstract
Intercellular connections via gap junctions in the stria vascularis, which constitutes the lateral wall of the cochlear duct, were investigated by the Lucifer yellow microinjection method with the aid of a confocal laser microscope. The dye injected into an intermediate cell (melanocyte) diffused into capillary endothelial cells and pericytes as well as other intermediate cells, basal cells, and fibrocytes in the spiral ligament; whereas the dye injected into a marginal cell (epithelial cell) was confined to the injected cell. The observation of dye-coupling between intermediate cells and endothelial cells and pericytes makes likely the possibility that these cells work together to play a role in the specific function of the stria vascularis (i.e., production of the positive endocochlear potential and the endolymph) and adds endothelial cells and pericytes to the current “two-cell model” of the stria vascularis.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 28 August 1997 / Accepted: 9 February 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Takeuchi, S., Ando, M. Dye-coupling of melanocytes with endothelial cells and pericytes in the cochlea of gerbils. Cell Tissue Res 293, 271–275 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004410051118
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004410051118