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Experimental model of immune‐mediated hearing loss using cross‐species immunization
Author(s) -
Orozco Charles R.,
Niparko John K.,
Richardson Bruce C.,
Dolan David F.,
Ptok Martin U.,
Altschuler Richard A.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-199009000-00006
Subject(s) - organ of corti , stereocilia (inner ear) , inner ear , cochlea , auditory brainstem response , antigen , hearing loss , medicine , guinea pig , sensorineural hearing loss , immune system , spiral ganglion , biology , pathology , hair cell , immunology , audiology , anatomy
Abstract The presence of immune‐mediated hearing loss was investigated in an animal model. Eight guinea pigs and four mice underwent immunizations with a preparation of chick or guinea pig cochlear tissue and Freund's adjuvant. Hearing thresholds were monitored by auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing over a 5‐week period after immunization. The serum and temporal bones of test and control animals were then examined using an enzyme‐linked im‐munosorbent assay (ELISA), immunocytochemical, and his‐tological techniques. Hearing loss of 20 dB or greater occurred in eight animals. ELISA demonstrated antibodies to cochlear antigens in the sera of all test animals. Immunocytochemistry revealed immunostaining of hair cell stereocilia in the organ of Corti and saccule. Endolymphatic hydrops, and organ of Corti degeneration was observed in the temporal bones of three animals. This study provides evidence to suggest that cross‐species immunization with cochlear antigens might produce a humoral response that can be associeted with inner ear pathologic change and sensorineural hearing lose.