Aquaporin-6 Expression in the Cochlear Sensory Epithelium Is Downregulated by Salicylates

Figure 5

Immunohistochemical localization of the aquaporin-6 protein in the mouse inner ear. Paraffin embedded cochlear sections were labeled with anti-AQP6 antibody. In the cochlea AQP6 staining was observed in the OHC region (a), especially in Deiters’ cells (a), (c). Lower signal was observed in inner phalangeal cells (a) and spiral ganglion (b). (c): higher magnification detail of the organ of Corti in the OHC region. The scheme on the right depicts the complex arrangement of Deiters’ cells (DC, brown) and outer hair cells (OHC, green). Nuclei are shown in blue. The lighter apical part of Deiters’ cells is the terminal lamina, which was not labeled. Deiters’ cell stalk and body were instead clearly labeled. Given the complex shape of these cells, it appears difficult to localize AQP6 to cytoplasmic or membrane compartments. Control sections treated with pre-immune serum show an absence of labelling (d). The micrographs are representative of four separate experiments. Scale bar: 20 𝜇m (a), (b), (d), 10 𝜇m (c).