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Fig. 4 | Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Fig. 4

From: Generation of inner ear sensory neurons using blastocyst complementation in a Neurog1+/−−deficient mouse

Fig. 4

The Neurog1+/− heterozygous vestibule showed non-sensory defects that were rescued by stem cell complementation. Three-dimensional reconstructions of a a Neurog1+/+ wild type inner ear compared to b a Neurog1+/− inner ear, reveals a marked size and morphological difference between genotypes, which is particularly noticeable in the anterior (AA) and lateral ampullae (LA) (dotted boxes). A’,B’ Higher magnification images of the dotted boxes from a and b and c a comparable region from a complemented Neurog1+/− heterozygote, shows a rescue of vestibular morphogenesis. d Quantification of utricular volume in a Neurog1+/+ (n = 2), non-complemented Neurog1+/− (n = 3), and a complemented Neurog1+/− heterozygote (n = 1) shows the rescue of the non-complemented Neurog1+/− utricular size with donor stem cell complementation. e Cross-section through the saccule (SAC) and utricle (UT) in a Neurog1+/+ control shows the characteristic orthogonal orientation of the sensory maculae that is reflected in the perpendicular orientation of the sensory hair cells in each organ (small arrows). By contrast, f the Neurog1+/− heterozygous vestibule had a smaller saccule (SAC) and utricle (UT) and the hair cells in the sensory maculae were orientated in the same direction (small arrows, red). Additionally, the Neurog1+/− heterozygous anterior ampulla (AA) was unusually close to the utricle (arrowheads) (n = 4). F’ Ectopic hair cells were occasionally seen in the Neurog1+/− heterozygous vestibular ganglia adjacent to the vestibule. These non-sensory and sensory defects were rescued in g complemented Neurog1+/− heterozygote samples (n = 3). Similarly, compared to h the anterior (AA) and lateral ampullae (LA) in a Neurog1+/+ control, i the non-complemented Neurog1+/− heterozygous anterior ampullae (AA) was smaller and appeared connected to the lateral semi-circular canal (LSCC, arrowheads). I’ Ectopic hair cells were sometimes seen in the semicircular canals (box). These defects were rescued in j complemented Neurog1+/− samples. All scale bars are 100 μm. Scale bar in b also corresponds to a; scale bar in g corresponds to e and f; scale bar in j corresponds to h and i

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