Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) expression in normal and regenerating olfactory system of Xenopus laevis

FRONTERA, JIMENA; CERVINO, AILEN; PAZ, DANTE

ANNALS OF ANATOMY-ANATOMISCHER ANZEIGER

ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG

Lugar: ALEMANIA; Año: 2015 vol. 198 p. 41 - 48

0940-9602

Olfactory epithelium has the capability to continuously regenerate the olfactory receptor neurons throughout life. Adult neurogenesis results from proliferation and differentiation of Neural Stem Cells, and consequently, olfactory neuroepithelium offers an excellent opportunity to study neural regeneration and the factors involved in the maintenance and regeneration of all their cell types. We analyzed the expression of BDNF in the olfactory system in normal physiological conditions as well as during a massive regeneration induced by chemical destruction of the olfactory epithelium in Xenopus laevis larvae. We described the expression and presence of BDNF in the olfactory epithelium and bulb. In normal physiological conditions, sustentacular (glial) cells and a few scattered basal (stem) cells express BDNF in the olfactory epithelium, as well as the granular cells in the olfactory bulb. Moreover, during massive regeneration, we demonstrated a drastic increase of basal cells expressing BDNF as well as an increased of BDNF in the olfactory bulb and nerve. Together these results suggest an important role of BDNF in the maintenance and regeneration of the olfactory system.