Immunohistochemical investigation of the human inner ear. Limitations and prospects.

The application of highly sensitive and specific immunohistochemical methods in routine light microscopy has been rewarded by a great many new observations. The essential underlying antigen-antibody reaction has allowed the recognition and identification of some unknown or unidentified components of the cell. Successful results are best achieved by means of reliable fixation and the use of frozen sections. Frozen sections of the human cochlea are, however, impaired by unavoidable damage to the tissues to be studied. The temporal bone has to be decalcified, resulting in a reduction of the range of suitable methods and an interference with a reliable interpretation of the results. The preservation of the specific antigenicity of the tissues is of paramount importance, allowing the detection of the investigated antigen by the antibody applied. The investigation of different fixatives and various methods of decalcification in tissues possessing some familiar and readily identifiable antigens has confirmed the immunohistochemical suitability of properly fixed and adequately decalcified human temporal bones. The present demonstration deals with some of the principal technical procedures and includes examples of their application for the study of the human inner ear. The goal of our research is the development of reliable immunohistochemical methods of fixation and decalcification to be employed in the study of specimens from patients with Ménière's disease, sudden deafness, progressive loss of hearing, genetic sensorineural syndromes, etc. This will lead to the extension of our knowledge of some unrecognized causes of sensorineural hearing loss.