Visualization of Reissner's membrane in the mouse inner ear using highly sensitive magnetic resonance imaging analysis

Although research on hearing loss, including the identification of causative genes, has become increasingly active, the pathogenic mechanism of hearing loss remains unclear. One of the reasons for this is that the structure of the inner ear of mice, which is commonly used as a genetically modified animal model, is too small and complex, making it difficult to accurately capture abnormalities and dynamic changes in vivo. Especially, Reissner's membrane is a very important structure that separates the perilymph and endolymph of the inner ear. This malformation or damage induces abnormalities in hearing and balance. Until now, imaging analyses, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography, are performed to investigate the inner ear structure in vivo; however, it has been difficult to analyze the small inner ear structure of mice owing to resolution. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an image analysis method that can accurately capture the structure of the inner ear of mice including Reissner's membrane, both dynamically and statically. This study aimed to investigate whether it is possible to accurately capture the structure (e.g., Reissner's membrane) and abnormalities of the inner ear of mice using an 11.7 T MRI. By combining two types of MRI methods, in vivo and ex vivo, we succeeded for the first time in capturing the fine structure of the normal mouse inner ear, such as the Reissner's membrane, and inflammatory lesions of otitis media mouse models in detail and accurately. In the future, we believe that understanding the state of Reissner's membrane during living conditions will greatly contribute to the development of research on inner ear issues, such as hearing loss. •Our ex vivo MRI successfully visualized Reissner's membrane for the first time.•The inner ear was analyzed using 11.7 TMRI, the highest resolution reported so far.•In vivo MRI analysis was able to capture the timing of structural changes.•Ex vivo MRI analysis provided clear images of the inner ear.•A combined method of in vivo &ex vivo MRI is useful for analysis of the inner ear.