BULBECTOMY OF NEONATAL MICE INDUCES MIGRATION OF BASAL CELLS FROM THEOLFACTORY EPITHELIUM

Bulbectomy of neonatal mice induced cell migration from the olfactory epithelium in the nasal septum. We examined cell types of migrating cl usters by immunohistochemistry using anti-keratin and anti-BrdU antibo dies, and by electron microscopy. At 1-2 days after unilateral bulbect omy of P1 mice, cells migrated from the olfactory epithelium to the la mina propria of the septal olfactory mucosa. Horizontal basal cells th at reacted specifically with anti-keratin antibody, and globose basal cells characterized by a round shape and poor content of organellae in their cytoplasm, were contained in the cluster. At 1 week, migrated c lusters that contained keratin-positive horizontal basal cells were ob served in both the lamina propria and olfactory bulb on the unoperated side. At 1 month, not only basal cells but also olfactory cells and p resumed supporting cells were involved in the clusters in the lamina p ropria and olfactory bulb, suggesting that migrated cells do not trans form to other phenotypes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.