Olfactory Ensheathing Cells R Different Than Schwann Cells

Kingston, Canada -

Olfactory ensheathing cells are a type of glial cell specific to the olfactory system. The primary purpose of the olfactory ensheathing cells is to induce remyelination of damaged nerves, as well as to allow for regeneration in specific circumstances.

Numerous groups have used olfactory ensheathing cells for acceleration of spinal cord injury. For example, Dr. Hongyun Huang from the Chaoyang Hospital in Beijing, China utilizes fetal olfactory ensheathing cells in patients with injured spinal cords. Dr. Carlos Lima of Portugal implants autologous olfactory ensheathing cells in patients. Dr. Mackay-Sim from Australia also uses autologous olfactory ensheathing cells for tretment of similar patients.

In a recent paper (Jahed et al. Olfactory ensheathing cells express smooth muscle alpha-actin in vitro and in vivo. J Comp Neurol. 2007 May 9;503(2):209-223) the fate of olfactory ensheathing cells after administration into an area of spinal cord damage was assessed in a murine model.

The investigators observed that olfactory ensheathing cells but not Schwann cells express smooth muscle alpha-actin. Since this is a contractile protein and possesses several unique characteristics, the expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin specifically on the olfactory ensheathing cells provided strong support that the cells are unique from Schwann cells. The investigators propose that this newly found marker will allow for future in depth study of olfactory ensheathing cells.