Survival and neurite growth of Scarpa ganglion neurons

Introduction In the past, studies on the effects of neurotrophic factors on neurons of the inner ear were mainly carried out on cultured spiral ganglion neurons. However, neurodegenerative diseases or neurotoxic damage can also affect the vestibular ganglion (Scarpa ganglion). The data on optimal culture conditions, neuronal survival and response to neurotrophic factors is insufficient for this cell type. Material and Methods The pars superior of the Scarpa ganglion of postnatal rats (P3-5) was harvested and, after cell dissociation, cultured for 48h with BDNF. After immunohistochemical staining of neuronal cells, survival, neurite growth and morphology of vestibular ganglion neurons were determined. Spiral ganglion neurons were cultured and analysed under identical conditions for comparison. Results The results show that vestibular ganglion neurons can be successfully cultured under the same conditions as spiral ganglion neurons. Neuronal survival tended to be better in vestibular cultures and could be improved by the addition of BDNF, just as in spiral ganglion cell cultures. There were cell type-specific differences in neuronal morphology and neurite growth. Conclusions The culture conditions established for spiral ganglion neurons can also be applied to vestibular ganglion neurons. The two cell types showed similar response behaviour to BDNF, but exhibit differences for individual neuronal parameters. This suggests that the efficacy of neurotrophic factors and regenerative substances must also be evaluated individually for each of the two cell types. Publication History Article published online: 12 May 2023 Georg Thieme Verlag Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany