Purinergic control of intercellular communication between Hensen's cells of the guinea pig cochlea

Hensen's cells in the isolated cochlea were stimulated by extracellular adenosine 5 ' -triphosphate (XTP) applied to their endolymphatic surface while changes in membrane current and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) were measured simultaneously. The response consisted of (i) an initial rapid inward current accompanied by elevation of the [Ca(2+)](i), (ii) a more slowly rising inward current accompanied by a rise of the [Ca(2+)](i) and (iii) a slowly developing reduction of input conductance.