Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1998 Oct;41(10):1235-1240.

Middle Ear Epithelial Cell Culture in Mongolian Gerbil

• Chung JW
• Oh SH
• Kim CS

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Middle ear epithelial cells (MEECs) appear to be involved in the secretion of mucous substances and the hypersecretion of the mucus may increase the viscoelasticity of the middle ear fluid leading to the disturbance of the mucociliary transport system. The establishment of a cell culture system, therefore, provides fundamental means to define the role of epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of otitis media.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The epithelial cells were isolated with 0.1% protease from mongolian gerbil and were cultured in the growth media with 5% CO2 at 37degreesC. Cultured cells were characterized by immunofluorescent method against cytokeratins and by transmission electron microscopy. The proliferation activity of cultured cells was measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation method.
RESULTS
The cultured cells showed an polygonal shape and they reached confluency in 8th day of culture. The cells were positively stained with anti-cytokeratins by immunofl-uorescence study. By transmission EM, cultured cells showed numerous tonofilaments and desmosomes which are the characteristics of epithelial cells. Cell proliferation activity by thymidine incorporation method increased during first 48 hours and was followed by the increase in the cell number.
CONCLUSION
We have established an epithelial cell culture system using gerbil middle ear and data on the cell proliferation activity and viability at various times following the incubation. The results of the present study provide basic information necessary for fundamental studies of epithelial cells in gerbil middle ear.

Keyword

Epithelial cell culture; Middle ear; Monglian gerbil; Immunohistochemical study; Transmission electron microscope; Proliferation

MeSH Terms

Cell Count
Cell Culture Techniques
Cell Proliferation
Cells, Cultured
Desmosomes
Ear, Middle*
Epithelial Cells*
Gerbillinae*
Intermediate Filaments
Keratins
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Mucociliary Clearance
Mucus
Otitis Media
Thymidine
Keratins
Thymidine