Ontogeny of electrically excitable cells in cultured olfactory epithelium

Structure and function of long-lived olfactory organotypic cultures from postnatal mice

The first synapse in the olfactory pathway mediates a significant transfer of information given the restricted association of specific olfactory receptor neurons with specific glomeruli in the olfactory bulb. To understand better how this connection is made and what the functional capacities of the participating cells are, we created a long-lived culture system composed of olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb tissues. Using the roller tube method of culturing, we grew epithelium-bulb cocultures, explanted from 1-4-day-old Swiss Webster mice, on Aclar for periods ranging from 18 hr to 68 days. The explants flattened so that in some areas the culture was only a few cells thick, making individual cells distinguishable. From 107 cultures studied, we identified the following cell types by expression of specific markers (oldest culture expressing marker, days in vitro, DIV): olfactory receptor neurons (neural cell adhesion molecule, 42 DIV); mature receptor neurons (olfactory marker protein, 28 DIV); postmitotic olfactory receptor neurons and olfactory bulb neurons (beta-tubulin, 68 DIV); astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein, glutamate/aspartate transporter, 68 DIV); olfactory horizontal basal cells (cytokeratin, 22 DIV). Neuronal processes formed glomeruli in 2-4-week-old cultures. We also recorded electro-olfactography responses to puffs of vapor collected over an odorant mixture containing ethyl butyrate, eugenol, (+) carvone, and (-) carvone from cultures as old as 21 DIV. These features of our olfactory culture system make this model useful for studying properties of immature and mature olfactory receptor neurons, pathfinding strategies of receptor axons, and mechanisms of information transfer in the olfactory glomerulus.

Basic fibroblast growth factor supports human olfactory neurogenesis by autocrine/paracrine mechanisms

Throughout life, olfactory sensory neurons are renewed from a population of dividing stem cells. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate the activation, self-renewal and differentiation of olfactory neuronal precursors; however, evidence indicates that soluble mediators may play a central role in olfactory neurogenesis. To identify molecules that regulate olfactory self-renewal and differentiation, we have recently established, cloned and propagated in vitro primary long-term cell cultures from the human fetal olfactory neuroepithelium. Here we show that primary human olfactory neuroblasts synthesize and release biologically active basic fibroblast growth factor which, in turn, supports neuroblast growth by autocrine/paracrine mechanisms. The growth-promoting activity of basic fibroblast growth factor is dose dependent and is accompanied by morphological changes of the cells and by an increase in the expression of neuronal-related genes. These observations indicate that endogenous basic fibroblast growth factor participates in controlling olfactory self-renewal and suggest that this cytokine represents a key regulatory element of olfactory neurogenesis.

Early olfactory fiber projections and cell migration into the rat telencephalon

The formation and development of primary olfactory axons was studied in the rat embryo using acetylcholinesterase histochemistry, immunocytochemistry for neuron-specific beta-tubulin (TuJ1) and growth associated protein 43 (GAP43), and a fluorescent tracer DiI. Olfactory axons extend from the olfactory receptor neurons localized in the olfactory epithelium. These fibers grow to reach and enter the olfactory bulbs, where they form the first relay and integrative synaptic station in the olfactory system: the olfactory glomerulus. In this communication we address the development of primary olfactory fibers: first from the olfactory placode and later from the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory fibers enter the olfactory bulbs apparently in a disordered manner but soon arrange themselves in hook shaped aggregates of fibers, with many boutons (immature synaptic terminals), to form the glomeruli. We detected this kind of structure for the first time at embryonic day 16. The olfactory receptor cells are usually anchored in the basal lamina of the olfactory epithelium but some of them, after reaching their targets, lose their epithelial attachment, leave the olfactory epithelium and migrate to and enter the olfactory bulbs. The traffic of cells between the olfactory epithelium and the brain lasts late into embryonic development. We describe four types of migratory mechanism used by different populations of cells to reach their targets in the telencephalic vesicle and propose the existence of migrating cells that enter the telencephalon. These data were corroborated by injections into the olfactory epithelium a of murine retrovirus carrying the Escherichia coli lac-Z gene.

Neurogenesis and cell death in olfactory epithelium

The olfactory epithelium (OE) of the mammal is uniquely suited as a model system for studying how neurogenesis and cell death interact to regulate neuron number during development and regeneration. To identify factors regulating neurogenesis and neuronal death in the OE, and to determine the mechanisms by which these factors act, investigators studied OE using two major experimental paradigms: tissue culture of OE; and ablation of the olfactory bulb or severing the olfactory nerve in adult animals, procedures that induce cell death and a subsequent surge of neurogenesis in the OE in vivo. These studies characterized the cellular stages in the olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) lineage, leading to the realization that at least three distinct stages of proliferating neuronal precursor cells are employed in generating ORNs. The identification of a number of factors that act to regulate proliferation and survival of ORNs and their precursors suggests that these multiple developmental stages may serve as control points at which cell number is regulated by extrinsic factors. In vivo surgical studies, which have shown that all cell types in the neuronal lineage of the OE undergo apoptotic cell death, support this idea. These studies, and the possible coregulation of neuronal birth and apoptosis in the OE, are discussed.

Cell migration from the transplanted olfactory placode in Xenopus

The eye vesicle of Xenopus borealis has been replaced with the transplanted olfactory primordium from Xenopus laevis in an attempt to determine whether cells from the transplant could migrate along the regrowing olfactory nerve and become incorporated into the CNS of the host. The use of X. laevis and X. borealis pairs allowed us to distinguish the cells of the host from those of the donor at the cellular level by means of the characteristic fluorescent nuclear spots (Q bands) of X. borealis. Transplantation was performed on pairs of animals at stages 23/24. The olfactory anlage was readily incorporated into the host, often fusing with the host homolateral organ and inhibiting the regrowth of the eye vesicle. An olfactory nerve developed from the transplanted organ. In the majority of cases, the nerve reached the diencephalon at the level of entrance of the optic nerve. Along the nerve originating from the transplanted organ we observed a stream of cells with the characteristics of the donor. These cells penetrated the host's CNS and became incorporated into it. The nature of these cells has not been ascertained by specific neuronal markers. However, on the basis of their morphology and disposition, the hypothesis suggested is that some of the migrating cells are neurons.

Growth of olfactory epithelial tissue in vitro: lectin staining of axons

In vitro methods have been used to study several aspects of development of olfactory epithelium. In this paper, the value of growing olfactory tissue in explant cultures is reviewed and some experiments are reported on the identification of lectin receptors on olfactory axons by the use of lectin-gold complexes. Both concanavalin A-gold (con A-gold) and wheat germ agglutinin-gold consistently decorated olfactory axons in explant cultures. Con A-gold also bound to the tips of growth cone filopodia, suggesting the glycoconjugate molecules containing alpha-methyl-pyranoside are important in adherence of growth cones to their substrate. The wide range in density of lectin-gold particles suggested that axons, and the sensory cells from which they arise, are not a uniform population, i.e., they have different molecular fingerprints. This was supported by the observation that soybean agglutinin-gold stained some axons very well, but others remained unstained. Peanut agglutinin did not bind to any axons.

Continuous culture of neuronal cells from adult human olfactory epithelium

Cells from the olfactory epithelium of adult human cadavers have been propagated in primary culture and subsequently cloned. These cells exhibit neuronal properties including: neuron-specific enolase, olfactory marker protein, neurofilaments, and growth-associated protein 43. Simultaneously, the cells exhibit nonneuronal properties such as glial fibrillary acidic protein and keratin, the latter suggesting properties of neuroblasts or stem cells. These clonal cultures contain 5-10% of cells sufficiently differentiated to show odorant-dependent cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) or calcium-release responses when challenged with submicromolar concentrations of odorants. The potential of culturing neuronal cells from patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease or schizophrenia, could enable the study of the pathophysiology of these neurons in the culture dish and allow new approaches to the study of mental illness.

Toxic and neoplastic responses in the nasal passages: future research needs

It is evident that much remains to be learned about the nasal passages and their responses to toxic materials. For the nose of both laboratory animals and humans, information is needed in the areas of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, neurobiology, physiopathology, and oncology. This article briefly discussed toxic and neoplastic responses of the nasal passages, and identified a number of issues and questions that provide potentially valuable areas for further research. It was stated that: (1) Histopathologic examination of the nose could profit from the development of a good all-purpose fixative. (2) A consistent and appropriate classification of nasal passageways, epithelia, and other structures is needed to avoid further confusion. (3) A workable scheme for lesion mapping is needed for routine description of lesion distribution in the nasal passages in rodent toxicology studies. (4) Quantitative data are needed concerning regional substrate specificities and kinetics of nasal enzymes in animals and humans for a wide range of enzymes responsible for metabolism of xenobiotics. Moreover, the following questions should be addressed in the future: (1) What is the nature of the progenitor cells in the olfactory epithelium, basal cells alone, or basal and ductular cells? (2) What determines the resistance of regenerated rat olfactory epithelium to subsequent methyl bromide exposure? (3) Can this resistance phenomenon be demonstrated with other olfactory toxicants and in other species? (4) What influence do cage contaminant gases have on olfactory research in laboratories using rodents? The authors also believe that, despite the fact that nasal airflow has been a subject of investigation for many years, much remains to be learned about this complex process. It is expected that the application of computer technology to mathematical modeling of nasal airflow and regional gas uptake will yield significant new information for the understanding of mechanisms responsible for the distribution of upper respiratory tract lesions in animals and humans. The combination of models of regional uptake, wall flux rates, critical biochemical events, nasal blood flow, and other features of nasal physiology, and integration of these models with lower respiratory tract models, will provide valuable tools for investigations of nasal pathology and toxicology. It was also stressed that the effects of toxicants on olfactory function in humans deserve more attention since, in some past studies, it was suggested that the protection afforded by current TLVs against olfactory toxicity may be marginal. A simple and sensitive olfactometric test of general application for toxicology testing in animals remains to be validated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cell cultures of neuroblasts from rat olfactory epithelium that show odorant responses

We have developed procedures that permit isolation and propagation of clonal cell cultures from the olfactory epithelium of the 5- to 7-day-old rat that appear to represent the neuroblasts that repopulate the sensory neurons in the olfactory epithelium throughout life. The cell lines we report here synthesize neuron-specific enolase, which is a neuron marker, 43-kDa growth-associated protein, a protein associated with neuronal growth cones, and carnosine, a possible olfactory neurotransmitter. In two of the cell lines we have found dose-dependent cAMP accumulation following exposure to submicromolar concentrations of chemical odorants in the medium. These two cell lines show different patterns of odorant specificity when tested against a panel of six chemicals commonly used as test odorants. We anticipate that these and similarly derived cell lines will prove valuable in studying aspects of neurogenesis and olfaction.

Expression of carbonic anhydrase II gene in early brain cells as revealed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry

A mouse carbonic anhydrase (CA II) complementary(c) DNA probe was used for in situ hybridization on mouse brain cultured cells in order to follow CA II gene expression during brain development. An improved method was established using biotinated probes that resulted in a high sensitivity and an absence of background; this method could be combined with immunohistochemistry. Hypothalamic cells of embryonic day (ED) 12-14 mice were cultured for various periods. Chronologic appearance of CA II messenger(m)RNA and protein was studied. The CA II gene transcripts are detectable as early as ED 12-13, although the protein they encode is not detectable until ED 17-18. Gene expression is restricted to 0.1% of the total population. Northern blot analysis confirmed the presence of CA II transcripts in embryonic hypothalamus. At postnatal stage, the majority of glial cells express both the CA II mRNA and the protein. Our results favour the early appearance of a glial lineage in a precise area of the developing CNS. The precocity of CA II gene transcription makes in situ hybridization an invaluable approach in defining the onset of nerve cell lineages during embryonic development.

Cell suspensions from porcine olfactory mucosa. Changes in membrane potential and membrane fluidity in response to various odorants

A suspension of olfactory epithelial cells was prepared from porcine olfactory mucosa and the physiological functions of the suspension were examined. The membrane potential of the cell suspension, which was monitored by measuring the fluorescence changes of rhodamine 6G, was depolarized by an increase in the K+ concentration in the external medium. Various odorants depolarized the cell suspension in a dose-dependent fashion. The magnitude of depolarization by odorants was either unchanged or slightly increased by a reduction of the concentration of Na+, Ca2+, and Cl- in the external medium, which suggests that changes in the permeabilities of specific ions are not involved in depolarization by odorants. The application of various odorants to the cell suspension induced changes in the membrane fluidity at different sites of the membrane that were monitored with various fluorescent dyes [8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonate, n-(9-anthroyloxy) stearic acids, 12-(9-anthroyloxy) oleic acid, and (1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene)], which suggests that the odorants having different odors are adsorbed on different sites in the membrane. On the basis of these results, a possible mechanism of odor discrimination is discussed.

Monoclonal antibodies to mammalian carnosine synthetase

A set of mouse monoclonal antibodies has been generated against rabbit muscle carnosine synthetase. The immunoreactivity of these antibodies has been characterized using an immunoassay that permits the separation and direct measurement of the synthetase activity on a second antibody bead complex. Four IgG monoclonal antibodies bind the carnosine synthetase activity from muscle of all mammals tested (mouse, rat, rabbit, cow, dog, and monkey) but not that from chicken muscle. This indicates the mammalian enzymes share epitopes that are absent from the avian enzyme. In addition, relative tissue levels of synthetase activity can be quantified with this immunoassay. Thus, high levels of carnosine synthetase activity are immunoprecipitated from the olfactory tissues of both rat and rabbit. Synthetase activity is generally lower in other tissues (muscle, brain, heart, liver, and gut). Nevertheless, the cross-reactivity of the synthetase from several tissues (olfactory mucosa, muscle, brain, gut, heart, and liver) of a single species indicates the enzyme protein contains similar epitopes in these tissues. Immunoaffinity purification of this low-abundance, unstable enzyme should now be possible for subsequent studies of structure and regulation.