Volume alteration of isolated IHCs upon hypoosmotic treatment.

<p>(A) The morphology of IHCs isolated from 4-month-old CTR (a, c, e) and MLCK^IKO mice (g, i, k) in isosmotic D-Hank's solution. CTR (b, d, f) and MLCK^IKO (h, j, l) IHCs were also imaged after treatment with hypoosmotic solution (a mixture of D-Hank's solution and water at a ratio of 1∶2) for 10 min. Scale bars: 10 µm. (B) Quantification of the change in IHC volume induced by hypoosmotic treatment. (C) The ratio of the changes in the cell body volume induced by hypoosmotic treatment. The error bars represent means ± S.E., *P<0.05, **P<0.01.