Neuroblast long-term cell cultures from human fetal olfactory epithelium respond to odors

Abstract

Primary cell cultures from human fetal olfactory neuroepithelium have been isolated, cloned, and propagated in continuous in vitro culture for approximately 1 year. The two clones we report here synthesize both neuronal proteins and olfactory-specific markers as well as the putative olfactory neurotransmitter, carnosine. In addition, patchclamp experiments reveal that these cells are electrically excitable. Following exposure to a panel of aromatic chemicals one of the cell cultures shows a specific increase in intracellular cAMP, indicating that some degree of functional maturity is expressed in vitro. The results suggest that these cells originate from the "stem cell" compartment that gives rise to mature olfactory receptor neurons. These long-term cell cultures represent models that will be useful in studying the mechanism(s) of olfaction and the regulation of olfactory neurogenesis and differentiation.

Expression and Function of Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) Receptor in Human Olfactory GnRH-secreting Neurons

“…Cell Cultures-The primary neuroblast long term cell culture, FNC-B4, was established, cloned, and propagated in vitro from human fetal olfactory epithelium, as described previously (21). Although the cells have the some properties as those of immature neurons, they can differentiate and express neuronal markers and olfactory genes, as well as neuroendocrine characteristics (21)(22)(23)(24).…”

“…Although the cells have the some properties as those of immature neurons, they can differentiate and express neuronal markers and olfactory genes, as well as neuroendocrine characteristics (21)(22)(23)(24). FNC-B4 cells, grown as a monolayer, are non-tumorigenic and have a normal human karyotype.…”

“…This adult-onset hypogonadotropic hypogonadism represents one of the few treatable forms of male infertility (15). Our contribution to clarify this complex biological problem has been to utilize the human GnRH-secreting neuronal cell line, FNC-B4 neurons (21)(22)(23)(24). These primary long term cell cultures have been established, cloned, and propagated in vitro from human fetal olfactory epithelium (21).…”

“…Our contribution to clarify this complex biological problem has been to utilize the human GnRH-secreting neuronal cell line, FNC-B4 neurons (21)(22)(23)(24). These primary long term cell cultures have been established, cloned, and propagated in vitro from human fetal olfactory epithelium (21). FNC-B4 cells expressed both neuronal proteins and olfactory genes and were responsive to odorant stimuli.…”

Seladin-1 as a target of estrogen receptor activation in the brain: A new gene for a rather old story?

“…These cells, named FNC, were (42) at the Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Forensic Medicine of the University of Florence. They showed unique features, because they stained positively for neuronal and olfactory markers, such as neuron specific-enolase and vimentin, which target maturing olfactory receptor neurons, and neural cell adhesion molecule and olfactory marker protein, which appear at a relatively later stage during differentiation (42). FNC cells are electrically excitable and following exposure to a number of different aromatic chemicals showed a specific increase in intracellular cAMP, indicating some degree of functional maturity.…”