Choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity in the human vestibular end-organs

Cell Biol Int. 1994 Oct;18(10):979-84. doi: 10.1006/cbir.1994.1019.

Abstract

Acetylcholine (ACh) is believed to play a major role in the efferent vestibular system in several animal models, however no information regarding the role of ACh in the human efferent vestibular system has been published. Post-embedding immunohistochemistry in a hydrophilic resin was used to investigate the choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity (ChATi) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry in human vestibular end-organs. ChATi and AChE activity was found in numerous bouton-type terminals at the basal area of the vestibular hair cells. These terminals were found to contact type II vestibular hair cells and the afferent chalices surrounding type I hair cells. This study provides the first evidence that the human efferent vestibular axons and terminals are cholinergic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Axons / enzymology
  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase / metabolism*
  • Cholinergic Fibers / enzymology
  • Efferent Pathways / cytology
  • Efferent Pathways / enzymology
  • Hair Cells, Auditory / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Nerve Endings / enzymology
  • Vestibule, Labyrinth / anatomy & histology
  • Vestibule, Labyrinth / enzymology*
  • Vestibule, Labyrinth / innervation

Substances

  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase
  • Acetylcholinesterase