Blocking P2X receptors can inhibit the injury-induced proliferation of olfactory epithelium progenitor cells in adult mouse

Gao, Liang; Cao, Li; Qiu, Yang; Su, Zhida; Burnstock, Geoffrey; Xiang, Zhenghua; He, Cheng

doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2010.03.030

« Previous Next »International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
Volume 74, Issue 7 , Pages 747-751, July 2010

Blocking P2X receptors can inhibit the injury-induced proliferation of olfactory epithelium progenitor cells in adult mouse

Liang Gao
- Institute of Neuroscience and MOE Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neuroscience Research Center of Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Li Cao
- Institute of Neuroscience and MOE Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neuroscience Research Center of Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Yang Qiu
- Institute of Neuroscience and MOE Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neuroscience Research Center of Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Zhida Su
- Institute of Neuroscience and MOE Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neuroscience Research Center of Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Geoffrey Burnstock
- Autonomic Neuroscience Centre, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
Zhenghua Xiang
- Institute of Neuroscience and MOE Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neuroscience Research Center of Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Corresponding author.
Cheng He
- Institute of Neuroscience and MOE Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neuroscience Research Center of Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +86 21 65515200; fax: +86 21 65492132.

Received 17 January 2010; received in revised form 16 March 2010; accepted 16 March 2010.

Abstract

Objective

The olfactory epithelium (OE) is unusual for its remarkable regenerative capacity and sustained neurogenesis of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) throughout adult life. Regeneration of ORNs is accomplished by basal cells in the OE, including stem cells and progenitor cells. Although there is considerable knowledge about the roles of OE basal cells in ORN turnover, the molecular mechanism that regulates the proliferation and differentiation of adult OE basal cells is not fully understood. As intercellular signaling molecules, purines have been reported to meditate proliferation, differentiation and migration of many kinds of neural stem cells. However, it is still unclear whether ATP, which could be released by injured ORNs, plays a role in regulating neurogenesis in ORN turnover.

Methods

RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of ionotropic purinergic receptors-P2X receptors in adult mouse OE. By using the olfactory bulbectomy model and in vivo administration of P2X receptors antagonists, the function of P2X receptors in regulating the proliferation of OE progenitor cell was evaluated.

Results

We found that basal cells in the adult mouse OE express functional P2X receptors, and blocking the activities of P2X receptors can significantly inhibit the injury-induced proliferation of OE basal cells.

Conclusion

Our research provides evidence in support of the hypothesis that purinergic signaling can serve as a paracrine signal in regulating the neurogenesis of OE in adult mouse.

Keywords: Olfactory epithelium, Progenitor cells, P2X receptors, Neurogenesis, Cell proliferation