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Neuron-specific enolase, neurofilament protein and S-100 protein in the olfactory mucosa of human fetuses

An immunohistochemical study

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Summary

Immunohistochemical examination for neuronspecific enolase (NSE), neurofilament protein (NFP), and S-100 protein was performed in the olfactory mucosa of human fetuses. NSE and NFP immunoreactivities were found in the olfactory receptor cells, while no S-100 immunoreactive cells were recognized within the olfactory epithelium. The anti-NSE serum stained various types of nerve bundles in the lamina propria mucosae; a population of the NSE-positive nerve bundles was also immunoreactive for NFP. The anti-S-100 serum clearly demonstrated Schwann cells associated with the nerve fibers in the lamina propria mucosae. These findings 1) suggest a possibility of NSE and NFP as new marker substances for olfactory cells and 2) indicate that immunohistochemistry is a useful tool to analyse the cellular components of the olfactory organs in normal and pathological conditions.

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Takahashi, S., Iwanaga, T., Takahashi, Y. et al. Neuron-specific enolase, neurofilament protein and S-100 protein in the olfactory mucosa of human fetuses. Cell Tissue Res. 238, 231–234 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00217293

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00217293

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