Figure 1

Specifications of the marginal cells of the stria vascularis in the primate cochlea. (A–D) Expression of ATP1A1, BSND, and SLC12A2 in E87 cochlea. In the apical turn, no BSND or SLC12A2 expression was detected, whereas ATP1A1 expression can generally be observed in the cochlear duct (A). In the middle turn, BSND expression can be detected as a narrow band in the lateral wall of the cochlear duct. SLC12A2 expression is also observed in developing marginal cells. SLC12A2 expression in the lateral wall of the epithelium of the cochlear duct is broader than that of BSND (Bracket in B) (C shows a higher magnification image of the box in B) (B and C). In the basal turn, both BSND and SLC12A2 exhibit broader expression than that observed in the middle turn, whereas BSND expression is narrower than that of SLC12A2 (Bracket in D). (E and F) Expressions of ATP1A1, BSND, and SLC12A2 in the E96 cochlea. In the apical turn, BSND and SLC12A2 expression cannot be detected. ATP1A1 expression is still generally observed in the cochlear duct, although it is more prominent in the lateral wall (* in E) and Kölliker’s organ (E). In the basal turn, expression of BSND and SLC12A2 is observed in developing marginal cells. Compared to that in the basal turns of E86, their expressions are wider. SLC12A2 expression is still broader than that of BSND (Bracket in F). ATP1A1 expression is restricted in developing marginal cells and Kölliker’s organ (F). The nuclei were counterstained with Hoechst (blue). Scale bar: 50 µm in A, B, D–F, 20 µm in C. KO: Kölliker’s organ.