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Published on: August 10, 2013
Age-related changes in microvillar cells of rat olfactory epithelium
Bum Sun Kwon1, Min Kyu Kim, Woo Ho Kim
1Department of Anatomy, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28 Yongon-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul 110-799, South Korea.
Abstract:
The nature and function of microvillar cells (MVCs) of the mammalian olfactory epithelium (OE) are little understood. Previous studies have examined MVC morphology in the developing and mature OE, but not in the aged OE. The present study investigated the effect of aging on MVCs of the OE in male Sprague-Dawley rats using histological and immunohistochemical methods. OE of aged rats contained MVCs with marked hypertrophy and swollen end-feet, which reached the basement membrane. Such MVC features were not observed in the young OE. These MVC changes were more conspicuous in proximity to severely degenerated olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and supporting cells. The ratio of the number of MVCs to that of supporting cells increased with aging; however, MVCs in the aged OE were not proliferating cell nuclear antigen-immunoreactive. In addition, the total cell population was decreased in the aged OE. Thus, our results suggest that MVCs are non-neuronal and that they are more resistant to aging compared to ORNs and supporting cells.
Insights
Aging significantly alters microvillar cells (MVCs) in the olfactory epithelium (OE) of rats, causing hypertrophy and changes in cell ratios. These olfactory epithelium cells show greater resistance to aging than olfactory receptor neurons and supporting cells.
Area of Science:
- Olfactory Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Aging Research
Background:
- The function and nature of microvillar cells (MVCs) within the mammalian olfactory epithelium (OE) remain poorly understood.
- While MVC morphology has been studied in developing and mature OE, its changes in aged OE are largely uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of aging on MVCs in the rat OE.
- To compare the aging effects on MVCs with those on olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and supporting cells.
Main Methods:
- Histological examination of OE from aged and young male Sprague-Dawley rats.
- Immunohistochemical analysis to assess cell proliferation and identify specific cell types.
Main Results:
- Aged OE exhibited MVCs with significant hypertrophy and swollen end-feet extending to the basement membrane, features absent in young OE.
- MVC alterations were more pronounced near degenerated ORNs and supporting cells.
- The ratio of MVCs to supporting cells increased with age, but MVCs did not show proliferation markers, and the overall OE cell population decreased.
Conclusions:
- Microvillar cells (MVCs) are non-neuronal components of the olfactory epithelium (OE).
- MVCs demonstrate higher resilience to the aging process compared to olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and supporting cells.
