Inner ear content of glycosaminoglycans as shown by monoclonal antibodies

Inner ear cells are known to contain combinations of proteins and sugar, which histochemically have been identified to be proteoglycans. To visualize these components in the macula utriculi, crista ampullaris and in the cochlea four different monoclonal antibodies against hyaluronan (HA), keratan sulphate (KS), chondroitin-6-sulphate (C-6-S) and chondroitin-4-sulphate (C-4-S) were used. The results indicate that KS is predominantly present in the lining of the vestibular hair cells, in the otoconial layer and in nerve tissue. C-4-S is present in the sensory hairs as well as in the subepithelial layer but also in the tectorial and basilar membranes of the cochlea. HA is generally present in the surface area of vestibular hair cells, to some extent in the cochlear hair cells and in the stria vascularis. C-6-S is only present to a lesser degree in the inner ear.