Figure 13.

Comparison of percentage loss across three supporting cell populations—Deiters’ cells, pillar cells (inner and outer pillar cells), and Hensen’s cells—in the apical (A), middle (B), and basal (C) regions of the cochlea, which correspond to distances of 0–45%, 45–85%, and 85–100% from the apex, respectively. In each plot, the left panel shows the comparison of the average percentage loss, and the right panel shows individual values from each confocal image. The three dots along the vertical lines represent the percentage loss of three types of supporting cells within the same confocal images. On the x-axis, individual data points are arranged in order of increasing Deiters’ cell loss. Notice that minimal loss is observed in Deiters’ and pillar cells within the apical and middle regions. In contrast, Hensen’s cells exhibit a greater degree of loss compared to Deiters’ and pillar cells in the middle region, despite considerable individual variation. This includes instances where negative values suggest a higher number of Hensen’s cells than in control ears. In the basal region, all three types of supporting cells showed an increased loss, with Hensen’s cell loss being greater than that of the pillar and Deiters’ cells. However, at the extreme base, while Deiters’ and pillar cell loss continued to increase, Hensen’s cell loss did not further increase. (D) Schematic representation of OHC and IHC loss across the three cochlear regions (apex, middle, and base). Unlike the localized loss of supporting cells, OHC and IHC loss extends throughout the cochlea, with the greatest loss occurring in the middle and basal regions, while the apical region exhibits greater survival, as indicated by the dark blue line for OHCs and the dark purple line for IHCs.