Tumor Necrosis Factor α Can Induce Recruitment of Inflammatory Cells to the Cochlea

Hypothesis:Leukocyte recruitment to the cochlea can be induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) at concentrations that are not cytotoxic to sensory cells in the organ of Corti.Background:Leukocytes participating in inflammation enter the inner ear via the spiral modiolar vein and its tributaries.