Figure 5. Delivery of Nox3 siRNA via intra-tympanic injection reduces Nox3-associated immunofluorescence in hair cells.
(A) Surface preparations from the upper basal turns of cochlear epithelia from CBA/J mice were labeled with the Nox3 antibody 72 h after 0.3 μg Nox3 siRNA or scrambled siRNA delivery. Nox3-associated immunofluorescence in sensory hair cells was weaker in the Nox3 siRNA treated group than those of the scrambled siRNA group. These images are representative of 4 cochlear samples for each condition. Scale bar = 10 μm. Quantification of Nox3-associated immunofluorescence in outer hair cells revealed a significant decrease in the Nox3 siRNA group. The ratio of relative fluorescence in outer hair cells of scrambled to Nox3 siRNA treatment was 1:0.8 (p < 0.05, n = 4, fig. 5B).