A Promotive Effect of Low Level Laser on Hair Cell Viability in Postnatal Organotypic Culture of Rat Utricles

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To culture and maintain mammalian hair cells is still a big challenge. In this study, long-term organotypic culture of rat utricular maculae was established to study vestibular hair cell. The effects of low level laser on hair cell viability in postnatal organotypic culture of rat utricles were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Uticular explants were prepared from postnatal 2 to 7 rats and cultured. To improve hair cell survival, the utricles were irradiated daily with low level laser. Whole-mount utricles were stained with FM1-43 which is known to be an efficient marker to identify live hair cells in cultured tissues. Such cells visualized directly through tissue culture dish with cover glass bottom by Confocal laser scanning microscope at specific time points. RESULTS: The explanted utricular hair cells were cultured for up to 31 days in in vitro culture system. In low level laser irradiation group, utricular hair cells were more survived at 24 DIV and 31 DIV. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that low level laser promotes hair cell viability in utricular explants.