Ion channels profile expression in vestibular endorgans of patients with Meniere's disease and acoustic neuroma.

Abstract

The regulation of ion concentration in the endolymph (K+, Na+, Ca2+ and pH homeostasis) and water permeability are critical for normal function of the vestibular endorgans (VE). Ion channels, transporters, cotransporters and aquaporins are involved in the homeostatic ionic concentration of endolymph. The gene expression profile of these molecules was investigated in utricular macula obtained in surgery for acoustic neuroma (AN) and compared with utricular macula obtained from patients with Meniere's disease (MD). We found in MD patients an up‐regulation of Na(+)/K(+)‐ATPase cotransporter, voltage gated Na+, neuronal Ca++, and K+ neuronal channels. In contrast, we found a down‐regulation of Cl− channels, vesicular monoamine transporters and neurotransmitter transporters to GABA, dopamine, serotonin and glycine. Finally, no significant changes in expression of aquaporins 1, 4 or 6 were detected in utricles form MD patients compared with the AN patients.