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Updated: Feb 6, 2026
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Odorant-induced Responses Recorded from Olfactory Receptor Neurons using the Suction Pipette Technique
Published on: April 5, 2012
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FGF20-Expressing, Wnt-Responsive Olfactory Epithelial Progenitors Regulate Underlying Turbinate Growth to Optimize
Lu M Yang1, Sung-Ho Huh1, David M Ornitz1
1Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Developmental Cell
|August 14, 2018
Summary
Researchers identified olfactory epithelium progenitor cells that expand to cover the nasal cavity. These cells, regulated by Wnt signaling, control olfactory epithelium surface area and turbinate growth, crucial for the sense of smell.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- The olfactory epithelium (OE) is vital for smell, lining the nasal cavity's turbinates.
- Understanding OE development and its scaling with nasal structures is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify olfactory epithelium progenitor cells responsible for OE expansion.
- Investigate the signaling pathways regulating OE progenitor cell behavior and turbinate growth.
Main Methods:
- Utilized engineered fibroblast growth factor 20 (Fgf20) knockin alleles in mice.
- Analyzed Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathways' role in OE progenitor cells.
- Examined FGF20 signaling to the nasal mesenchyme.
Main Results:
- Discovered Fgf20-positive epithelium-spanning progenitor (FEP) cells that expand horizontally.
- Demonstrated Wnt signaling suppresses FEP differentiation and upregulates Fgf20.
- Showed FGF20 signaling regulates turbinate growth in the mesenchyme.
Conclusions:
- Identified a novel OE progenitor population (FEP cells) essential for OE development.
- Established a link between Wnt/FGF20 signaling and the coordinated scaling of OE with turbinate structures.
- These findings provide insights into the mechanisms governing the sense of smell and nasal cavity development.
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