title: Immunohistochemical distribution of galectin-1, galectin-3, and olfactory marker protein in human olfactory epithelium.
abstract: The expression pattern of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in the human olfactory epithelium was investigated in relation to olfactory marker protein (OMP) using confocal laser immunofluorescence in human specimens and postmortem biopsies. OMP expression was found in olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in the olfactory mucosa and in fibers of the olfactory nerve crossing the submucous connective tissue. Galectin-1 was expressed in both the connective tissue of the nasal cavity and in the basal layer of the olfactory epithelium. In contrast, galectin-3 expression was limited to cells of the upper one-third of the olfactory epithelium. Expression of galectin-3 occurred in a subset of OMP-positive cells. However, between areas of galectin-1 and galectin-3 expression in the lower and upper portion of the epithelium, OMP-positive ORNs did not stain for both galectins. Considering the potential role of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in cell differentiation and maturation, the differential localization of galectins in the olfactory epithelium appears to be consistent with a significant role of these molecules in the physiological turnover of ORNs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heilmann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hummel
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Margolis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kasper
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Witt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D037483:Galectin 1; D037502:Galectin 3; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051842:Olfactory Marker Protein; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D009832:Olfactory Nerve / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D037483:Galectin 1; D037502:Galectin 3; D006388:Hemagglutinins; D037102:Lectins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C497597:OMP protein, human; D051842:Olfactory Marker Protein