Boston: A groundbreaking 3D tissue model developed by researchers at Tufts University has shed new light on how stem cells in the nose support the sense of smell, particularly in response to damage or aging.
Published on May 28 in Cell Reports Methods, the study shows that horizontal basal cells (HBCs), previously thought to be largely dormant, are vital to the regeneration of olfactory neurons.
Using a simple, lab-friendly 3D mouse organoid, the team found that HBCs marked by the protein KRT5 actively support neuron formation. When these cells were removed, neuron growth sharply declined, suggesting HBCs and another stem cell type—globose basal cells (GBCs)—work in tandem.
The study also revealed that aging diminishes this regenerative ability, possibly due to declining GBC populations. Lead author Juliana Gutschow Gameiro, who helped design the model for broad accessibility, emphasized its potential in studying conditions like COVID-19-related smell loss. Researchers aim to build a human version for drug testing and therapeutic development.
