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Cell and Tissue Research Jan 2021There are 3559 species of mosquitoes in the world (Harbach 2018) but, so far, only a handful of them have been a focus of olfactory neuroscience and neurobiology... (Review)
Review
There are 3559 species of mosquitoes in the world (Harbach 2018) but, so far, only a handful of them have been a focus of olfactory neuroscience and neurobiology research. Here we discuss mosquito olfactory anatomy and function and connect these to mosquito ecology. We highlight the least well-known and thus most interesting aspects of mosquito olfactory systems and discuss promising future directions. We hope this review will encourage the insect neuroscience community to work more broadly across mosquito species instead of focusing narrowly on the main disease vectors.
Topics: Animals; Mosquito Vectors; Olfactory Receptor Neurons
PubMed: 33475852
DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03407-2 -
Cellular & Molecular Immunology Feb 2024Numerous pathogens can infect the olfactory tract, yet the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has strongly emphasized the importance of the olfactory mucosa as an immune... (Review)
Review
Numerous pathogens can infect the olfactory tract, yet the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has strongly emphasized the importance of the olfactory mucosa as an immune barrier. Situated in the nasal passages, the olfactory mucosa is directly exposed to the environment to sense airborne odorants; however, this also means it can serve as a direct route of entry from the outside world into the brain. As a result, olfactotropic infections can have serious consequences, including dysfunction of the olfactory system, CNS invasion, dissemination to the lower respiratory tract, and transmission between individuals. Recent research has shown that a distinctive immune response is needed to protect this neuronal and mucosal tissue. A better understanding of innate, adaptive, and structural immune barriers in the olfactory mucosa is needed to develop effective therapeutics and vaccines against olfactotropic microbes such as SARS-CoV-2. Here, we summarize the ramifications of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the olfactory mucosa, review the subsequent immune response, and discuss important areas of future research for olfactory immunity to infectious disease.
Topics: Humans; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Olfactory Mucosa; Brain; Immunity
PubMed: 38143247
DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01119-5 -
Cell and Tissue Research Jan 2021
Topics: Animals; Humans; Odorants; Olfactory Bulb; Olfactory Cortex; Olfactory Mucosa; Olfactory Pathways; Olfactory Perception; Receptors, Odorant; Smell
PubMed: 33447882
DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03389-1 -
Science Translational Medicine Dec 2022SARS-CoV-2 causes profound changes in the sense of smell, including total smell loss. Although these alterations are often transient, many patients with COVID-19 exhibit...
SARS-CoV-2 causes profound changes in the sense of smell, including total smell loss. Although these alterations are often transient, many patients with COVID-19 exhibit olfactory dysfunction that lasts months to years. Although animal and human autopsy studies have suggested mechanisms driving acute anosmia, it remains unclear how SARS-CoV-2 causes persistent smell loss in a subset of patients. To address this question, we analyzed olfactory epithelial samples collected from 24 biopsies, including from nine patients with objectively quantified long-term smell loss after COVID-19. This biopsy-based approach revealed a diffuse infiltrate of T cells expressing interferon-γ and a shift in myeloid cell population composition, including enrichment of CD207 dendritic cells and depletion of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. Despite the absence of detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA or protein, gene expression in the barrier supporting cells of the olfactory epithelium, termed sustentacular cells, appeared to reflect a response to ongoing inflammatory signaling, which was accompanied by a reduction in the number of olfactory sensory neurons relative to olfactory epithelial sustentacular cells. These findings indicate that T cell-mediated inflammation persists in the olfactory epithelium long after SARS-CoV-2 has been eliminated from the tissue, suggesting a mechanism for long-term post-COVID-19 smell loss.
Topics: Animals; Humans; COVID-19; Anosmia; SARS-CoV-2; RNA, Viral; Olfaction Disorders; Olfactory Mucosa; Gene Expression
PubMed: 36542694
DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.add0484 -
Chemical Senses Jan 2021As vectors of disease, mosquitoes are a global threat to human health. The Anopheles mosquito is the deadliest mosquito species as the insect vector of the... (Review)
Review
As vectors of disease, mosquitoes are a global threat to human health. The Anopheles mosquito is the deadliest mosquito species as the insect vector of the malaria-causing parasite, which kills hundreds of thousands every year. These mosquitoes are reliant on their sense of smell (olfaction) to guide most of their behaviors, and a better understanding of Anopheles olfaction identifies opportunities for reducing the spread of malaria. This review takes a detailed look at Anopheles olfaction. We explore a range of topics from chemosensory receptors, olfactory neurons, and sensory appendages to behaviors guided by olfaction (including host-seeking, foraging, oviposition, and mating), to vector management strategies that target mosquito olfaction. We identify many research areas that remain to be addressed.
Topics: Animals; Anopheles; Behavior, Animal; Olfactory Receptor Neurons; Receptors, Odorant; Smell
PubMed: 33885760
DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjab021 -
Development (Cambridge, England) Feb 2022The mammalian main olfactory bulb is a crucial processing centre for the sense of smell. The olfactory bulb forms early during development and is functional from birth.... (Review)
Review
The mammalian main olfactory bulb is a crucial processing centre for the sense of smell. The olfactory bulb forms early during development and is functional from birth. However, the olfactory system continues to mature and change throughout life as a target of constitutive adult neurogenesis. Our Review synthesises current knowledge of prenatal, postnatal and adult olfactory bulb development, focusing on the maturation, morphology, functions and interactions of its diverse constituent glutamatergic and GABAergic cell types. We highlight not only the great advances in the understanding of olfactory bulb development made in recent years, but also the gaps in our present knowledge that most urgently require addressing.
Topics: Animals; Axons; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; Neurogenesis; Olfactory Bulb; Olfactory Receptor Neurons; Signal Transduction; Synapses
PubMed: 35147186
DOI: 10.1242/dev.200210 -
Cell and Tissue Research Jan 2021Trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) are a family of G protein-coupled receptors that function as odorant receptors in the main olfactory system of vertebrates.... (Review)
Review
Trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) are a family of G protein-coupled receptors that function as odorant receptors in the main olfactory system of vertebrates. TAARs are monoallelically expressed in primary sensory neurons where they couple to the same transduction cascade as canonical olfactory receptors and are mapped onto glomeruli within a specific region of the olfactory bulb. TAARs have a high affinity for volatile amines, a class of chemicals that are generated during the decomposition of proteins and are ubiquitous physiological metabolites that are found in body fluids. Thus, amines are proposed to play an important role in intra- and interspecific communication such as signaling the sex of the conspecific, the quality of the food source, or even the proximity of a predator. TAARs have a crucial role in the perception of these behaviorally relevant compounds as the genetic deletion of all or even individual olfactory TAARs can alter the behavioral response and reduce the sensitivity to amines. The small size of this receptor family combined with the ethological relevance of their ligands makes the TAARs an attractive model system for probing olfactory perception. This review will summarize the current knowledge on the olfactory TAARs and discuss whether they represent a unique subsystem within the main olfactory system.
Topics: Amines; Animals; Olfactory Receptor Neurons
PubMed: 33237477
DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03331-5 -
The Journal of Neuroscience : the... Nov 2023Smell loss has caught public attention during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Research on olfactory function in health and disease gains new momentum. Smell deficits have... (Review)
Review
Smell loss has caught public attention during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Research on olfactory function in health and disease gains new momentum. Smell deficits have long been recognized as an early clinical sign associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we review research on the associations between olfactory deficits and neuropathological conditions, focusing on recent progress in four areas: (1) human clinical studies of the correlations between smell deficits and neuropsychiatric disorders; (2) development of olfactory mucosa-derived tissue and cell models for studying the molecular pathologic mechanisms; (3) recent findings in brain imaging studies of structural and functional connectivity changes in olfactory pathways in neuropsychiatric disorders; and (4) application of preclinical animal models to validate and extend the findings from human subjects. Together, these studies have provided strong evidence of the link between the olfactory system and neuropsychiatric disorders, highlighting the relevance of deepening our understanding of the role of the olfactory system in pathophysiological processes. Following the lead of studies reviewed here, future research in this field may open the door to the early detection of neuropsychiatric disorders, personalized treatment approaches, and potential therapeutic interventions through nasal administration techniques, such as nasal brush or nasal spray.
Topics: Humans; Smell; Olfaction Disorders; Pandemics; COVID-19; Olfactory Mucosa
PubMed: 37940584
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1380-23.2023 -
Otolaryngology--head and Neck Surgery :... Jun 2021This study aimed to investigate the differences in olfactory cleft (OC) morphology in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) anosmia compared to control subjects and...
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the differences in olfactory cleft (OC) morphology in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) anosmia compared to control subjects and postviral anosmia related to infection other than severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
STUDY DESIGN
Prospective.
SETTING
This study comprises 91 cases, including 24 cases with anosmia due to SARS-CoV-2, 38 patients with olfactory dysfunction (OD) due to viral infection other than SARS-CoV-2, and a control group of 29 normosmic cases.
METHODS
All cases had paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT), and cases with OD had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dedicated to the olfactory nerve. The OC width and volumes were measured on CT, and T2-weighted signal intensity (SI), olfactory bulb volumes, and olfactory sulcus depths were assessed on MRI.
RESULTS
This study showed 3 major findings: the right and left OC widths were significantly wider in anosmic patients due to SARS-CoV-2 (group 1) or OD due to non-SARS-CoV-2 viral infection (group 2) when compared to healthy controls. OC volumes were significantly higher in group 1 or 2 than in healthy controls, and T2 SI of OC area was higher in groups 1 and 2 than in healthy controls. There was no significant difference in olfactory bulb volumes and olfactory sulcus depths on MRI among groups 1 and 2.
CONCLUSION
In this study, patients with COVID-19 anosmia had higher OC widths and volumes compared to control subjects. In addition, there was higher T2 SI of the olfactory bulb in COVID-19 anosmia compared to control subjects, suggesting underlying inflammatory changes. There was a significant negative correlation between these morphological findings and threshold discrimination identification scores.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level 4.
Topics: Adult; Anosmia; COVID-19; Case-Control Studies; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Cavity; Olfactory Bulb; Olfactory Mucosa; Organ Size; Prospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 33045908
DOI: 10.1177/0194599820965920 -
Stem Cell Research & Therapy Sep 2023Refractory epilepsy is also known as drug-resistant epilepsy with limited clinical treatment. Benefitting from its safety and easy availability, olfactory mucosa...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Refractory epilepsy is also known as drug-resistant epilepsy with limited clinical treatment. Benefitting from its safety and easy availability, olfactory mucosa mesenchymal stem cells (OM-MSCs) are considered a preferable MSC source for clinical application. This study aims to investigate whether OM-MSCs are a promising alternative source for treating refractory epilepsy clinically and uncover the mechanism by OM-MSCs administration on an epileptic mouse model.
METHODS
OM-MSCs were isolated from turbinal and characterized by flow cytometry. Autologous human OM-MSCs treatment on a patient was carried out using intrathecal administration. Epileptic mouse model was established by 1 mg/kg scopolamine and 300 mg/kg pilocarpine treatment (intraperitoneal). Stereotaxic microinjection was employed to deliver the mouse OM-MSCs. Mouse electroencephalograph recording was used to investigate the seizures. Brain structure was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining of GFAP, IBA1, MAP2, TUBB3, OLIG2, CD4, CD25, and FOXP3 was carried out to investigate the neural cells and Treg cells. QRT-PCR and ELISA were performed to determine the cytokines (Il1b, Il6, Tnf, Il10) on mRNA and protein level. Y-maze, the object location test, and novel object recognition test were performed to measure the cognitive function. Footprint test, rotarod test, balance beam test, and grip strength test were conducted to evaluate the locomotive function. Von Frey testing was carried out to assess the mechanical allodynia.
RESULTS
Many beneficial effects of the OM-MSC treatment on disease status, including seizure type, frequency, severity, duration, and cognitive function, and no apparent adverse effects were observed at the 8-year follow-up case. Brain MRI indicated that autologous OM-MSC treatment alleviated brain atrophy in epilepsy patients. A study in an epileptic mouse model revealed that OM-MSC treatment recruited Treg cells to the brain, inhibited inflammation, rebuilt the neural network, and improved the cognitive, locomotive, and perceptive functions of epileptic mice.
CONCLUSIONS
Autologous OM-MSC treatment is efficacious for improving chronic refractory epilepsy, suggesting a future therapeutic candidate for epilepsy.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study was registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200055357).
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Drug Resistant Epilepsy; Brain; Neural Networks, Computer; Disease Models, Animal; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Olfactory Mucosa
PubMed: 37674249
DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03458-6