Cochlear explant

Zheng JL, Gao WQ. Concanavalin A protects hair cells against gentamicm ototoxicity in rat cochlear explant cul-tnres. J Nenrobiol 1999 39(l) 29-40. 

Cochlear explants of the early postnatal rat or mouse have provided a wealth of information on mechanisms of ototoxicity and potential therapeutic protection. Despite these well-accepted findings, caveats remain about immature tissue and acute reaction conditions. Although short-term preparations may be maintained from the mature inner ear, these explants permit the analysis of acute effects of ototoxins on hair and supporting cells only. 

Driver EC, Kelley MW (2010) Transfection of mouse cochlear explants by electroporation. Curr Protoc Neurosci Chapter 4 Unit 4.34.1-10... 

In a recent work, it was shown that a neurotrophin (NT3) can be incorporated into poly pyrrole124 and released using mild electrical stimulation. These materials were found to promote a significant increase in neurite extension from a cochlear explant (Figure 1.17).125 At the skeletal level, materials capable of both monitoring and manipulating human movement are important. 

Since the above ototoxins have other targets than cochlear/ vestibular hair cells, the requirements of in vitro models for these drugs differ from models for permanent hair cell loss by cisplatin and AGs. Consequently, in vitro models for furosemide and quinine ototoxicity require the experimental assessment of the lateral wall, not so much of the organ of Corti or the vestibular organs. The action of salicylate may be studied in organ of Corti explants that allow for analysis of hair cells. 

---