Immunohistochemical study of superoxide dismutase in the olfactory mucosa

We used an anti-copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) antibody in an immunohistochemical investigation of the distribution of SOD in the mouse olfactory mucosa. We also investigated differential staining with this antibody in comparison with an antibody specific to carnosine, a marker of mature olfactory cells. Mouse olfactory mucosa were immunostained with the ABC method with anti-SOD and anti-carnosine antibodies. When anti-SOD antibody was used, the sustentacular cells were positive in the olfactory region, whereas the olfactory cells were negative. In the respiratory region, the columnar epithelial cells were positive, whereas goblet cells were negative. The olfactory cells, olfactory vesicles and axons showed positive staining with anti-carnosine antibody, whereas the sustentacular and basal cells were negative.