Role of Kir4.1 Channels in Aminoglycoside-Induced Ototoxicity of Hair Cells

Figure 8

Changes of NKCC1 and KCNQ4 expression in control and ototoxic mice. The changes of NKCC1 and KCNQ4 expression in the outer hair cells (OHC), stria vascularis (StV), and spiral ganglion (SG) of control mice and ototoxic mice. (a–d) NKCC1 expression in control and ototoxic mice. (a) StV, OHC, and SG displayed strong expression of NKCC1. (b) Magnified image of the organ of Corti revealing the strong expression of NKCC1 in OHC. (c) NKCC1 expression of StV, OHC, and SG are decreased compared to control. (d) Magnified image of the organ of Corti revealing the significant decrease of NKCC1 in OHC. (e–h) KCNQ4 expression in an ototoxic mouse. (e) OHC and SG display strong expression of KCNQ4. (f) Magnified image of the organ of Corti revealing high-intensity fluorescence of KCNQ4 expressed in the cell body part of the OHC. (g) KCNQ4 expression in OHC and SG is decreased compared with control. (h) Magnified image of the organ of Corti revealing the significant decrease in fluorescence intensity of KCNQ4 in OHC.