Abstract
In the last conference we reported keratin localization and its ultrastructure in the guinea pig cochlea immunoelectronmicroscopically by using monoclonal keratin antibody AE1. Keratin immunoreactivity was demonstrated in cochlear supporting cells, reticular laminae, Reissner's membrane etc., but was not found in hair cells. In this paper we report the changes of keratin in the KM-induced guinea pig cochlea immunoelectron-microscopically. Keratin-positive structures were observed in cytoplasm of supporting cells which expand to replace damaged hair cells in the organ of Corti. This findings suggest that keratin-positive structures may take part in maintenance of the function of supporting cells.
