In vitro differentiation of mouse embryo statoacoustic ganglion and sensory epithelium

Abstract Interactions between the statoacoustic ganglion and sensory vestibular epithelia have been investigated using different methods of organ and tissue cultures taken from mouse embryos on gestation day 13. Ultrastructural and biochemical observations of the degree of maturation of vestibular sensory cells and ganglion neurons grown in co-culture showed that these structures are able to replicate their in vivo ontogenic maturation and form specific “functional” links, although anomalies in development were noted. The completion of ultrastructural sensory hair cell development in isolated otocyst organotypic culture is in agreement with previous findings supporting the hypothesis that nerve fibers do not exert any direct trophic influences on the survival and maturation of sensory epithelia. Morphological and immunocytochemical observations of vestibular and cochlear ganglion neuron differentiation in isolated cultures showed that these neurons can differentiate without their peripheral and central target structure. Possible interactions at earlier stages cannot be excluded. Further studies are needed to determine whether interactions between hair cells and ganglion cells can modulate their in vitro maturation under different experimental conditions.