Olfactory Epithelium Regeneration And Homeostasis: Cellular And Molecular Mechanisms And Novel Methodological Advances

The olfactory epithelium (OE) exhibits lifelong neurogenesis and robust regenerative abilities through the roles of horizontal basal cells (HBCs) and globose basal cells (GBCs), regulated by transcription factors like Sox2, p63, Pax6, Ascl1, Neurog1, and NeuroD1, along with signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, YAP, and inflammation-related regulators. Genes like Lgr5, Tmem59, Notch1, and Chil4 are crucial for OE homeostasis and regeneration within a dynamic network. Advances in single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, as well as organoid models, have uncovered new cell states and differentiation pathways, enhancing the understanding of OE regeneration and informing future strategies for olfactory function restoration.