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Voltage‐dependent K + currents contribute to heterogeneity of olfactory ensheathing cells
Author(s) -
Rela Lorena,
Piantanida Ana Paula,
Bordey Angelique,
Greer Charles A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/glia.22834
Subject(s) - olfactory ensheathing glia , olfactory bulb , neuroscience , biology , axon , olfactory nerve , olfactory system , neuroglia , microbiology and biotechnology , central nervous system
The olfactory nerve is permissive for axon growth throughout life. This has been attributed in part to the olfactory ensheathing glial cells that encompass the olfactory sensory neuron fascicles. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) also promote axon growth in vitro and when transplanted in vivo to sites of injury. The mechanisms involved remain largely unidentified owing in part to the limited knowledge of the physiological properties of ensheathing cells. Glial cells rely for many functions on the properties of the potassium channels expressed; however, those expressed in ensheathing cells are unknown. Here we show that OECs express voltage‐dependent potassium currents compatible with inward rectifier ( K ir ) and delayed rectifier ( K DR ) channels. Together with gap junction coupling, these contribute to the heterogeneity of membrane properties observed in OECs. The relevance of K + currents expressed by ensheathing cells is discussed in relation to plasticity of the olfactory nerve. GLIA 2015;63:1646–1659