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Transplantation of Olfactory Ensheathing Cells to Evaluate Functional Recovery after Peripheral Nerve Injury
Published on: February 23, 2014
Morphological and functional plasticity of olfactory ensheathing cells
Adele J Vincent1, Adrian K West, Meng Inn Chuah
1NeuroRepair Group, Discipline of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Tasmania Hobart, Private Bag 24, Tasmania, Australia 7001.
Journal of Neurocytology
|December 24, 2005
Summary
Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are a malleable cell type with functional plasticity, crucial for olfactory axon growth and potential CNS repair. Their role in neuroinflammation is also being explored.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) support olfactory axon growth in the primary olfactory pathway.
- OECs are investigated for their potential in central nervous system (CNS) axonal regeneration and repair.
- Conflicting views exist regarding the precise identity and biology of OECs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review experimental data on OEC identity and plasticity.
- To discuss the functional role of OECs in development and CNS injury.
- To explore potential innate immune functions of OECs.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing experimental data and recent findings.
- Discussion of OEC interactions with olfactory axons, regenerating axons, and astrocytes.
- Exploration of microarray data for OEC immune functions.
Main Results:
- OECs exhibit significant morphological and functional plasticity influenced by environmental stimuli.
- OECs play a role in guiding olfactory axon growth and may aid CNS repair.
- Emerging evidence suggests OECs might possess innate immune functions or modulate neuroinflammation.
Conclusions:
- OECs represent a single, adaptable phenotype crucial for olfactory system development and repair.
- The plasticity of OECs underpins their therapeutic potential in the injured CNS.
- Further research is needed to elucidate OEC roles in neuroinflammation and innate immunity.
