Intermediate filament expression in human fetal olfactory epithelium.
Antibodies to intermediate filaments and to desmoplakin were used to investigate the histogenetic origin of the olfactory neuroepithelium. Intermediate-filaments are tissue-specific molecular cytoskeletal markers; desmoplakin is the major desmosomal protein. The olfactory epithelia of eight human fetuses, aged 7 to 10 weeks (fertilization age) were immunofluorescently labeled with antibodies to the five classes of intermediate-filament proteins and to desmoplakin. Positive immunoreactivity to keratin and to desmoplakin was observed; both results indicate the epithelial nature of this tissue. The absence of neurofilaments and glial-fibrillary acidic protein in the tissue containing sensory neurons and gliallike supporting cells is a unique feature, and may be related to the fact that olfactory neuroepithelium, like other epithelia, undergoes continuous turnover.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000032:analysis*; D051180:Desmoplakins; D005333:Fetus; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000032:analysis*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C495294:DSP protein, human; D051180:Desmoplakins; D008565:Membrane Proteins