title: Olfactory ensheathing cell membrane properties are shaped by connectivity.
abstract: Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) have been repeatedly implicated in mediating plasticity, particularly in situ in the olfactory nerve in which they support the extension of olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) axons from the olfactory epithelium to the olfactory bulb (OB). OECs are specialized glia whose processes surround OSN axon fascicles within the olfactory nerve and across the OB surface. Despite their purported importance in promoting axon extension, and following transplants, little is known about either morphology or biophysical properties of OECs in situ. In particular, cell-cell interactions that may influence OEC function are largely unexplored. Here, we studied OEC connectivity and morphology in slice preparations, preserving tissue structure and cell-cell interactions. Our analyses showed that OECs form a matrix of cellular projections surrounding axons, unique among glia, and express high levels of connexin-43. Lucifer Yellow injections revealed selective dye coupling among small subgroups of OECs. Two types of OECs were biophysically distinguished with whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings: (1) with low-input resistance (R(i)), linear current profiles, and frequently dye coupled; and (2) with high R(i), nonlinear current profiles, and infrequent dye coupling. Pharmacological blockade of gap junctions changed OEC membrane properties such that linear OECs became nonlinear. Double recordings indicated that the appearance of the nonlinear current profile was associated with the loss of electrical coupling between OECs. We conclude that the diversity of OEC current profiles can be explained by differences in gap-junction connectivity and discuss implications of this diversity for OEC influences on axon growth and excitability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rela
authors.forename: Angelique
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bordey
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Greer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D001703:Biophysics; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000378:metabolism; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000071438:Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 7; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000378:metabolism; D008469:Meclofenamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000166:cytology*; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; C086936:Fabp7 protein, mouse; D000071438:Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 7; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D007546:Isoquinolines; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009418:S100 Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D008469:Meclofenamic Acid; C017475:lucifer yellow