Mapping the distribution of stem/progenitor cells across the mouse middle ear during homeostasis and inflammation.

ABSTRACT: The middle ear epithelium is derived from neural crest and endoderm, which line distinct regions of the middle ear cavity. Here, we investigate the distribution of putative stem cell markers in the middle ear, combined with an analysis of the location of label-retaining cells (LRCs) to create a map of the middle ear mucosa. We show that proliferating cells and LRCs were associated with specific regions of the ear epithelium, concentrated in the hypotympanum at the base of the auditory bulla and around the ear drum. Sox2 was widely expressed in the endodermally derived ciliated pseudostratified epithelium of the hypotympanum. This part of the middle ear showed high levels of Wnt activity, as indicated by the expression of Axin2, a readout of Wnt signalling. Keratin 5 showed a more restricte

SUBMITTER: Tucker AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5825877 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature