[The developmental expression of embryonic-neural cell adhesive molecule in human olfactory mucosa].

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the expressional features and physical function of E-NCAM (embryonic- neural cell adhesive molecule) in human fetal olfactory mucosa.

METHOD: The immune expressions of E-NCAM in human olfactory mucosa at different gestational stages was detected with the technique of immunohistochemistry.

RESULT: The positive expression of E-NCAM began at gestational week 14 (14W), and was localized in the cell bodied, dendrites, axis of olfactory neurons and olfactory nerve fiber bundles in lamina propria. The positive cells increased and the densities of staining of fiber bundles rose with the development of the fetus and reached the peak at 28W and decreased gradually then on. And at each stage the E-NCAM positive cells were localized at middle-lower parts of olfactory mucosa while the sustentacular cells and neurons at the top part were always E-NCAM negative.

CONCLUSION

The expression features of E-NCAM are coincident with the plastict transformation of olfactory neurons. The high expression of E-NCAM at early half parts of gestation is helpful to the growth of neurons in differentiation and the down-regulation at late-half parts of gestation is helpful to the stabilization of structure of mature neurons.