Extracellular matrix and cell adhesion molecules in the developing inner ear

The inner ear is a complex sensory organ that forms from a simple epithelial placode. The expression patterns of cell adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix components that have been described in the developing inner ear to date are summarized. Whilst our knowledge of the distribution of some of the known elements involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions is in some instances quite limited, these studies generally suggest many potential roles for cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in various aspects of inner ear development. However, there is a serious need for experimental studies to assess these possibilities.