Olfactory ensheathing cells from adult female rats are hybrid glia that promote neural repair.

ABSTRACT: Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are unique glial cells found in both central and peripheral nervous systems where they support continuous axonal outgrowth of olfactory sensory neurons to their targets. Previously, we reported that following severe spinal cord injury, OECs transplanted near the injury site modify the inhibitory glial scar and facilitate axon regeneration past the scar border and into the lesion. To better understand the mechanisms underlying the reparative properties of OECs, we used single-cell RNA-sequencing of OECs from adult rats to study their gene expression programs. Our analyses revealed five diverse OEC subtypes, each expressing novel marker genes and pathways indicative of progenitor, axonal regeneration, secreted molecules, or microglia-like functions. We foun

SUBMITTER: Phelps PE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12040321 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature