- Academic Editor
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†These authors contributed equally.
Background: Olfactory impairment has been reported in
patients with depression and in rodent models of depression. Olfactory epithelium
(OE) is the only peripheral neural tissue connected to the brain that has the
potential for self-renewal. We hypothesized the olfactory deficit during
depression may be related to the dysfunction of OE progenitor cells. The aim of
the present study was therefore to evaluate the expansion and neuronal
differentiation potency of cultured OE progenitor cells obtained from a rat model
of depression. Methods: Rats were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild
stress procedures to establish a depressive-like state. Depressive-like behavior
and olfactory sensing function were then evaluated and compared with control
rats. Primary OE progenitor cells were cultured in vitro. The
proliferation potency and survival of OE progenitor cells were assessed by
5-Ethynyl-2