Evidence for a Notch1-mediated transition during olfactory ensheathing cell development.

Sophie R Miller,Clare V H Baker,Surangi N Perera,Simon R W Stott,Cristina Benito

doi:10.1111/joa.12494

Sophie R Miller, Clare V H Baker + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12494

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Abstract

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are a unique glial population found in both the peripheral and central nervous system: they ensheath bundles of unmyelinated olfactory axons from their peripheral origin in the olfactory epithelium to their central synaptic targets in the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb. Like all other peripheral glia (Schwann cells, satellite glia, enteric glia), OECs are derived from the embryonic neural crest. However, in contrast to Schwann cells, whose development has been extensively characterised, relatively little is known about their normal development in vivo. In the Schwann cell lineage, the transition from multipotent Schwann cell precursor to immature Schwann cell is promoted by canonical Notch signalling. Here, in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry data from chicken, mouse and human embryos are presented that suggest a canonical Notch‐mediated transition also occurs during OEC development.

Highlights

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) ensheath bundles of unmyelinated olfactory axons from their peripheral origin in the olfactory epithelium to their central synaptic targets in the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb
Notch1 is up-regulated in developing chicken OECs from embryonic day 5.5 The earliest stage at which developing chicken OECs have been detected is embryonic day (E)3.5, when myelin protein zero (Mpz, P0) expression is first seen on the olfactory nerve, roughly 12 hours after the first olfactory axons emerge from the olfactory epithelium at E3 (Drapkin and Silverman, 1999)
By E5.5, Notch1 expression is detected in a few Sox10-positive developing OECs associated with olfactory axons, as well as being strong in the olfactory epithelium and around blood vessels (Fig. 1C-D1)

Summary

Introduction

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) ensheath bundles of unmyelinated olfactory axons from their peripheral origin in the olfactory epithelium to their central synaptic targets in the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb (reviewed by Ekberg et al, 2012). OECs are attractive candidates for transplantation-mediated repair of the injured central nervous system (CNS): they promote axon growth, remyelinate axons, phagocytose debris and stimulate angiogenesis, and (unlike Schwann cells, the glial cells of all other peripheral nerves) migrate into astrocyte-rich areas and do not induce the astrocyte stress response (reviewed by Roet and Verhaagen, 2014). They are being investigated for peripheral nerve repair!(reviewed by Radtke and Kocsis, 2014). The high mobility group domain transcription factor Sox, which is required for

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