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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Transplantation of Olfactory Ensheathing Cells to Evaluate Functional Recovery after Peripheral Nerve Injury
Published on: February 23, 2014
The effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on the regeneration of guinea pig olfactory epithelium
Hideo Nakamura1, Y Higuchi, H Kondoh
1Department of Otolaryngology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan. hident@med.niigata-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Olfactory receptor cells are widely thought to regenerate after degeneration and also thought to show turnover in normal circumstances in animal olfactory epithelium. The identity of the factor that controls proliferation and differentiation of olfactory receptor cells is a very important problem that has yet to be resolved. In this study, the mitogenic effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on olfactory receptor cells in guinea pig olfactory epithelium was examined. The intraperitoneal injection of 1,000 ng bFGF/day for 14 days increased the cells in proliferation detected by immunostaining with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), while neither EGF nor low-dose bFGF had any effect. These results support the idea that an adequate dose of bFGF plays an important role in the neurogenesis in the olfactory epithelium. Further study is needed to clarify the efficacy of bFGF in the damaged olfactory epithelium, but bFGF may provide a therapeutic option for olfactory disturbances caused by complete or partial loss of olfactory receptor cells.
Insights
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) promotes the proliferation of olfactory receptor cells in guinea pigs. This finding suggests bFGF may be a potential therapy for olfactory dysfunctions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Olfactory receptor cells in the olfactory epithelium undergo regeneration and turnover.
- Identifying factors controlling olfactory receptor cell proliferation and differentiation is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mitogenic effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on guinea pig olfactory receptor cells.
Main Methods:
- Guinea pigs received intraperitoneal injections of EGF or bFGF.
- Cell proliferation was assessed using immunostaining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).
Main Results:
- A dose of 1,000 ng/day of bFGF for 14 days significantly increased olfactory receptor cell proliferation.
- Neither EGF nor lower doses of bFGF showed a significant mitogenic effect.
Conclusions:
- Adequate doses of bFGF play a key role in neurogenesis within the olfactory epithelium.
- bFGF shows potential as a therapeutic agent for olfactory disturbances resulting from receptor cell loss.
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