Abstract
Primary cell cultures from human fetal olfactory neuroepithelium have been isolated, cloned, and propagated in continuous in vitro culture for approximately 1 year. The two clones we report here synthesize both neuronal proteins and olfactory-specific markers as well as the putative olfactory neurotransmitter, carnosine. In addition, patchclamp experiments reveal that these cells are electrically excitable. Following exposure to a panel of aromatic chemicals one of the cell cultures shows a specific increase in intracellular cAMP, indicating that some degree of functional maturity is expressed in vitro. The results suggest that these cells originate from the "stem cell" compartment that gives rise to mature olfactory receptor neurons. These long-term cell cultures represent models that will be useful in studying the mechanism(s) of olfaction and the regulation of olfactory neurogenesis and differentiation.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Abortion, Legal
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Base Sequence
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Carnosine / biosynthesis
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Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / biosynthesis
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Cell Differentiation
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Clone Cells
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Cryopreservation
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Cyclic AMP / metabolism
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DNA, Complementary
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Electrophysiology / methods
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Embryo, Mammalian
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Epithelial Cells
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Epithelium / physiology
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Female
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Fetus
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Gestational Age
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Humans
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Karyotyping
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Membrane Potentials
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Nasal Mucosa / embryology
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Nasal Mucosa / innervation
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Nasal Mucosa / physiology*
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / biosynthesis
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Neurons, Afferent / cytology
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Neurons, Afferent / physiology*
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Odorants
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Oligonucleotide Probes
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Patch-Clamp Techniques
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Pregnancy
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Smell / physiology*
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Stem Cells / cytology
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Stem Cells / physiology
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Time Factors
Substances
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Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
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DNA, Complementary
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Oligonucleotide Probes
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Carnosine
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Cyclic AMP