title: Distribution of OMP-, PGP 9.5- and CaBP-like immunoreactive chemoreceptor neurons in the developing human olfactory epithelium.
abstract: We have examined the distribution of olfactory marker protein (OMP), protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and calcium-binding protein D-28k (CaBP) in the olfactory epithelium of mid- to late fetal and newborn humans using immunocytochemistry. Olfactory chemoreceptor neurons (ORNs) in a 24-week-old female fetus, a 31-week-old male fetus and a newborn male were examined. OMP-like immunoreactivity (-LI) and PGP 9.5-LI were distributed throughout ORNs at all ages. CaBP-like immunoreactivity, however, was found only in clustered or isolated fetal ORNs; in the newborn, CaBP-LI was seen only in isolated ORNs sparsely distributed throughout the OE. These findings demonstrate that human ORNs express OMP-LI nearly 4 weeks earlier in development than previously reported. PGP 9.5-LI is coincidentally abundant within these cells, suggesting it may have an important role in mature ORNs. Because the number of ORNs expressing CaBP-LI decreases during perinatal development, CaBP may be important in intracellular calcium regulation during ORN growth and maturation in the developing OE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262, USA.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Eller
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Jafek
mesh_terms: D064026:Calbindins; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D051842:Olfactory Marker Protein; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology; D018034:Olfactory Receptor Neurons / Q000737:chemistry*; D011247:Pregnancy; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / Q000032:analysis*; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
chemical_list: D064026:Calbindins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C497597:OMP protein, human; D051842:Olfactory Marker Protein; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase