Optical techniques for imaging activity in fibers innervating saccular hair cells

Martín A. Toderi; Dzmitry Vaido; Dolores Bozovic

doi:10.1117/12.2607823

2 March 2022 Optical techniques for imaging activity in fibers innervating saccular hair cells

Martín A. Toderi, Dzmitry Vaido, Dolores Bozovic

Proceedings Volume 11958, Optical Interactions with Tissue and Cells XXXIII; and Advanced Photonics in Urology; 119580H (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2607823
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2022, San Francisco, California, United States

Conference Poster

Abstract

Hair cells of the auditory and vestibular systems are capable of detecting sounds that induce sub-nanometer vibrations. These specialized cells convert mechanical deflections due to sound waves into electrical signals that are relayed to the brain through afferent neurons. This transduction involves mechanically gated ion channels that open following the deflection of mechanoreceptive hair bundles that reside on top of these cells. Moreover, internal energy-consuming processes in the hair bundle can amplify deflections and even generate innate oscillations in the absence of input. The transduction process ultimately leads to emission of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which in turn evokes spike trains in the innervating afferents. We performed measurements on in vitro preparations of the sacculus from the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). Mechanical force was imposed on the hair bundle with a stimulus probe controlled with a piezo actuator and electrical signals were sent through the nerve with a bipolar suction electrode. Under these conditions, we observed variations in the intensity of light emitted by the Ca²⁺ indicator Fluo-8. Spatial and temporal recordings of Ca²⁺ hotspots were performed on the area near the hair cell synapse, in order to elucidate the temporal dynamics of neuronal activity. Further development of this optical technique would enable the study of voltage spikes in the afferent nerve fibers, so as to correlate them to the hair bundle mechanical movement.

Citation Download Citation

Martín A. Toderi, Dzmitry Vaido, and Dolores Bozovic "Optical techniques for imaging activity in fibers innervating saccular hair cells", Proc. SPIE 11958, Optical Interactions with Tissue and Cells XXXIII; and Advanced Photonics in Urology, 119580H (2 March 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2607823

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