Olfactory neurogenesis during tissue maintenance and repair
von Katarina Dittrich
Datum der mündl. Prüfung:2018-05-31
Erschienen:2018-06-12
Betreuer:Prof. Dr. Ivan Manzini
Gutachter:Prof. Dr. Thomas Dresbach
Gutachter:Dr. Kristine Henningfeld
Gutachter:Prof. Dr. Ralf Heinrich
Gutachter:Dr. Camin Dean
Gutachter:Prof. Dr. Michael Hörner
Dateien
Name:Olfactory neurogenesis during tissue mainten...pdf
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Zusammenfassung
Englisch
During metamorphosis, the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis undergoes a fundamental transformation from a fully aquatic larva to a secondarily aquatic adult. This extensive habitat change requires major adaptations including alterations of the olfactory system. Larval Xenopus laevis has a subdivided olfactory organ consisting of two sensory epithelia lining the principal cavity (PC) and the vomeronasal organ (VNO). The main olfactory epithelium of the PC is specialized for sensing water-borne odors. During metamorphosis, this epithelium is remodeled into the adult “air nose”. An additional third olfactory epithelium, the adult “water nose”, forms in the newly developing middle cavity (MC). As a result of this rearrangement the postmetamorphotic adult frog has a tripartite olfactory organ consisting of MC, PC and the VNO. In the course of this thesis, I performed a stage by stage investigation of anatomical changes in the Xenopus olfactory organ and monitored apoptotic cell death and stem cell proliferation in all olfactory epithelia during metamorphosis. I observed a massive cell death in the sensory epithelium of the PC, suggesting that the majority of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) present in larvae is replaced during metamorphosis. The highest rate of stem cell proliferation in the PC and VNO was observed before the start of extensive apoptosis within these sensory epithelia. During the formation of the sensory epithelium lining the MC only few cells are sorted out. Supporting cells are relocated from the PC to the MC, whereas ORNs of this newly formed epithelium are developed de novo. In addition to the turnover of different cell types during metamorphosis, the olfactory epithelia of Xenopus laevis are able to recover after a substantial injury. I analyzed neuronal regeneration after mechanically or chemically induced injuries of the olfactory organ. I found that ZnSO4 irrigation of the olfactory epithelia leads to massive cell death of olfactory receptor neurons and supporting cells of the PC within one day, followed by a rapid regeneration within five days. A mechanical lesion by bilateral transection of the olfactory nerves causes a massive cell death of ORNs within the first three days after treatment, followed by low number of apoptotic cells after seven days. This thorough investigation of morphological changes also sets the basis for analysis of molecular changes using RNA-sequencing. In conclusion, the experiments conducted in the course of this thesis contribute to a deeper understanding of morphological changes of the olfactory organ during metamorphosis and regeneration. The study forms the basis to further investigate the processes of neurogenesis during olfactory tissue maintenance and under regenerative conditions.
Keywords: Neurogenesis; Olfaction; Regeneration; Metamorphosis