Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

An Effective Manual Deboning Method To Prepare Intact Mouse Nasal Tissue With Preserved Anatomical Organization
15:40

An Effective Manual Deboning Method To Prepare Intact Mouse Nasal Tissue With Preserved Anatomical Organization

Published on: August 10, 2013

A molecular basis of cell death in olfactory epithelium

A I Farbman1, J A Buchholz, Y Suzuki

  • 1Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3520, USA. afarbman@nwu.edu

The Journal of Comparative Neurology
|October 12, 1999
PubMed

Insights

The olfactory epithelium expresses Fas/FasL and TNF-alpha/TNFR1. Activating these pathways with Fas ligand or TNF-alpha increases apoptosis in olfactory epithelium cultures, suggesting their role in cell death.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The Fas receptor/Fas ligand (FasL) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNFR1)/TNF-alpha pathways are known initiators of apoptosis.
  • The olfactory epithelium is a complex sensory tissue with ongoing cell turnover.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and potential role of Fas/FasL and TNF-alpha/TNFR1 signaling in the rat olfactory epithelium.
  • To determine if these pathways can induce apoptosis in olfactory epithelium cultures.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect Fas and FasL expression in rat olfactory epithelium.
  • Organotypic cultures of fetal rat olfactory epithelium were treated with FasL or TNF-alpha.
  • Apoptotic bodies were quantified after treatment.

Main Results:

  • mRNA for Fas/FasL and TNF-alpha/TNFR1 were detected in the unperturbed olfactory epithelium.
  • Fas and FasL proteins were localized to neurons and microvillar cells.
  • Exposure to FasL or TNF-alpha significantly increased apoptotic bodies in cultured olfactory epithelium.

Conclusions:

  • The Fas/FasL and TNF-alpha/TNFR1 signaling pathways are expressed in the rat olfactory epithelium.
  • These pathways are capable of inducing apoptosis in olfactory epithelium cells.
  • Fas/FasL and TNF-alpha/TNFR1 may play a role in regulating cell death within the olfactory epithelium.

More Related Videos

Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders08:33

Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders

Published on: December 4, 2014

Rapid Dissection and Dissociation of the Mouse Olfactory Epithelium for Single-Nucleus Suspensions03:42

Rapid Dissection and Dissociation of the Mouse Olfactory Epithelium for Single-Nucleus Suspensions

Published on: August 1, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Cellular Injury IlI: Cellular Death01:11

Cellular Injury IlI: Cellular Death

Cell death is the irreversible loss of cellular structure and function, representing the final stage of severe injury. It plays a key role in both normal physiology and disease.Types of Cell DeathThe two main types are necrosis and apoptosis, though others like necroptosis and pyroptosis also exist.Necrosis:Necrosis is an unregulated form of cell death caused by severe injury such as trauma, toxins, or ischemia. It is characterized by cell swelling, membrane loss, rupture, and leakage of...