Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
11:34
Lentivirus-mediated Genetic Manipulation and Visualization of Olfactory Sensory Neurons in vivo
Published on: May 22, 2011
Host strategies against virus entry via the olfactory system
Ulrich Kalinke1, Ingo Bechmann, Claudia N Detje
1Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany. ulrich.kalinke@twincore.de
Virulence
|July 16, 2011
Summary
Neurotropic viruses readily infect olfactory sensory neurons (OSN) but are then curbed in the olfactory bulb. This review examines mechanisms limiting viral entry and spread within the central nervous system (CNS).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Olfaction involves direct interaction between environmental stimuli and olfactory sensory neurons (OSN) in the nasal cavity.
- OSN transmit signals to the olfactory bulb and then to the olfactory cortex, forming a direct pathway from the environment to the central nervous system (CNS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms that prevent neurotropic viruses from infecting OSN and entering the CNS.
- To understand how the olfactory system's anatomy influences viral entry and spread.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on olfactory system anatomy and viral neuroinvasion.
- Analysis of studies investigating viral infection of OSN and subsequent spread.
Main Results:
- Neurotropic viruses can readily infect OSN upon exposure.
- Viruses transported via OSN axons reach the olfactory bulb, where their spread is effectively controlled by a type I interferon-dependent mechanism.
- The anatomical properties of the olfactory system play a role in limiting viral entry and CNS dissemination.
Conclusions:
- The olfactory system possesses intrinsic mechanisms to limit viral neuroinvasion.
- Type I interferons are crucial in curbing viral spread within the olfactory bulb.
- Understanding these mechanisms is vital for developing strategies against neurotropic viral infections entering via the olfactory route.
Related Concept Videos
01:03Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure
The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
01:25Olfaction
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...
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
01:20Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway
Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...
The olfactory...
01:25Inhibitors Of Virion Release
Viral replication and dissemination rely on efficient mechanisms for host cell entry, genome replication, assembly, and release. Influenza viruses, such as types A and B, are negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a segmented genome, that depend on two critical surface glycoproteins to carry out these processes: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). HA initiates infection by binding to sialic acid residues on the surface of host epithelial cells, facilitating receptor-mediated...
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
01:26Defense Mechanism Against Infection
Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...