Abstract
Cells of the immune system are present in the adult cochlea and respond to damage caused by noise exposure. However, the types of immune cells involved and their locations within the cochlea are unclear. We used flow cytometry and immunostaining to reveal the heterogeneity of the immune cells in the cochlea and validated the presence of immune cell gene expression by analyzing existing single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) data. We demonstrate that cell types of both the innate and adaptive immune system are present in the cochlea. In response to noise damage, immune cells increase in number. B, T, NK, and myeloid cells (macrophages and neutrophils) are the predominant immune cells present. Interestingly, immune cells appear to respond to noise damage by infiltrating the organ of Corti. Our studies highlight the need to further understand the role of these immune cells within the cochlea after noise exposure.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adaptive Immunity
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Animals
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology
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B-Lymphocytes / pathology
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Cochlea / immunology*
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Cochlea / injuries*
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Cochlea / pathology
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Disease Models, Animal
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Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / immunology
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Female
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Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / immunology*
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Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / pathology
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Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / physiopathology
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Immunity, Innate
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Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
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Killer Cells, Natural / pathology
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Leukocyte Common Antigens / metabolism
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Macrophages / immunology
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Macrophages / pathology
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, 129 Strain
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Transgenic
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Neutrophils / immunology
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Neutrophils / pathology
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Organ of Corti / immunology
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Organ of Corti / injuries
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Organ of Corti / pathology
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RNA-Seq
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes / pathology
Substances
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Leukocyte Common Antigens
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Ptprc protein, mouse