| First Author | Rivas A | Year | 2005 |
| Journal | Otol Neurotol | Volume | 26 |
| Issue | 3 | Pages | 415-24 |
| PubMed ID | 15891643 | Mgi Jnum | J:110797 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3641254 | Doi | 10.1097/01.mao.0000169764.00798.84 |
| Citation | Rivas A, et al. (2005) Inner ear abnormalities in a Kcnq1 (Kvlqt1) knockout mouse: a model of Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome. Otol Neurotol 26(3):415-24 |
| abstractText | HYPOTHESIS: Mice lacking functional KCNQ1 (previously known as KvLQT1) channels exhibit functional and structural abnormalities that indicate disturbed production of endolymph. BACKGROUND: Congenital deafness associated with cardiac conduction abnormalities (Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome) is associated with dysfunctional KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel complex. This potassium channel plays a critical role in the production and homeostasis of endolymph by the stria vascularis. A preliminary report documented severe abnormalities of the scala media and vestibular compartments of a single mouse lacking functional KCNQ1 alleles. METHODS: Hearing thresholds were measured in three Kcnq1 knockout mice, two heterozygous mice, and one wild-type mouse by auditory brainstem response recordings using clicks, after which the temporal bones were removed. After fixation and dehydration, the ears were embedded in araldite, sectioned at 20-microm thickness, stained with toluidine blue on glass slides, and examined with the light microscope. RESULTS: Kcnq1 knockout mice were deaf and demonstrated circling behavior. They exhibited a marked atrophy of the stria vascularis, contraction of the endolymphatic compartments, and collapse and adhesion of surrounding membranes. There was a complete degeneration of the organ of Corti and an associated degeneration of the spiral ganglion. CONCLUSION: Kcnq1 knockout mice exhibit histopathologic findings that are comparable to those reported in human temporal bone cases of Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, and provide further evidence that KCNQ1 channel dysfunction can lead to congenital deafness in this syndrome. |
