Localization of NKCC1 in the Cochlea and Morphology of the Cochlea in NKCC1-Knockout Mice

The distribution of the Na-K-2Cl co-transporter （NKCCl） in the cochlear K^＋ cycling pathway in cochlea and cochlear histological changes in the NKCCl knockout mice were investigated. By using immunohistochemistry and toluidine blue staining, the localization of NKCCl in cochlea of the C57BL/6J mice and the cochlear histological changes in the NKCCl knockout mice were observed. It was found that the NKCCl was expressed mainly in the stria marginal cells and the fibrocytes in the inferior portion of the spiral ligament in the adult C57BL/6J mice. Subpopulation of the fibrocytes in the suprastrial region and the limbus was also moderately immunoreactive. While in the cochlea of the NKCCl knockout mice, Reissner＇s membrane was collapsed and scala media disappeared, accompanied with the loss of inner hair cells, outer hair cells and the support cells. The tunnel of Corti was often absent. All the findings suggested the localization of NKCCl in the cochlea was closely correlated with cochlear K^＋ cycling. Loss of NKCCl led to the destruction of the cochlear structures, and subsequently influenced the physiological function of cochlea.