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Olfactory Ensheathing Cells: Nitric Oxide Production and Innate Immunity
Citation
Harris, JA and West, AK and Chuah, MI, Olfactory Ensheathing Cells: Nitric Oxide Production and Innate Immunity, Glia, 57, (16) pp. 1848-1857. ISSN 0894-1491 (2009) [Refereed Article]
Abstract
Olfactory nerves extend from the nasal cavity to the central
nervous system and provide therefore, a direct route for
pathogenic infection of the brain. Since actual infection by
this route remains relatively uncommon, powerful endogenous
mechanisms for preventing microbial infection must
exist, but these remain poorly understood. Our previous
studies unexpectedly revealed that the unique glial cells
that ensheath olfactory nerves, olfactory ensheathing cells
(OECs), expressed components of the innate immune
response. In this study, we show that OECs are able to
detect and respond to bacterial challenge via the synthesis
of nitric oxide. In vitro studies revealed that inducible nitric
oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein were present in
Escherichia coli- and Staphylococcus aureus-incubated
OECs, but were barely detectable in untreated OECs. Neuronal
NOS and endothelial NOS were not expressed by
OECs pre- and post-bacterial incubation. Nuclear translocation
of nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB), detectable in the
majority of OECs 1 h following bacterial incubation, preceded
iNOS induction which resulted in the production of
nitric oxide. NG-methyl-L-arginine significantly attenuated
nitric oxide (P < 0.001) and nitrite production (P < 0.001)
by OECs. In rat olfactory mucosa which was compromised
by irrigation with 0.17M zinc sulfate or 0.7% Triton X-100
to facilitate bacterial infiltration, OECs contributed to a robust
synthesis of iNOS. These data strongly support the hypothesis
that OECs are an essential component of the
innate immune response against bacterial invasion of the
central nervous system via olfactory nerves.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | innate immune response; nuclear factor kB; olfactory pathway; neuroglia; neuroprotection |
Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
Research Group: | Immunology |
Research Field: | Innate immunity |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Clinical health |
Objective Field: | Clinical health not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Harris, JA (Dr Julie Harris) |
UTAS Author: | West, AK (Professor Adrian West) |
UTAS Author: | Chuah, MI (Associate Professor Inn Chuah) |
ID Code: | 59115 |
Year Published: | 2009 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 36 |
Deposited By: | Menzies Institute for Medical Research |
Deposited On: | 2009-11-18 |
Last Modified: | 2012-03-01 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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