The prevalence of olfactory dysfunction increases significantly in recent years. More than 35 patients with COVID-19 have sequelae of olfactory dysfunction after recovery. However, there are no effective treatments for sensorineural olfactory dysfunction to date. This is the first report demonstrates that chitosan can promote differentiation of olfactory receptor neuronsregenerate olfactory neuroepithelium. Further intranasal administration of chitosan will be developed for treating olfactory dysfunction.

This is the first report that chitosan can promote differentiationmaturation of olfactory receptor neurons. The regulatory pathway of chitosan-mediated differentiation of human olfactory receptor neurons is through increasing insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 to sequestrate the insulin-like growth factor-type 1 receptor signaling, which inhibits maturation of olfactory receptor neurons. Further in vivo study shows that intranasal administration of chitosan regenerates olfactory neuroepithelium in the anosmic ratimproves its olfaction.

Olfactory dysfunction significantly influences patients’ life quality. Several careers need sensitive olfaction during the work. The market scale of treating olfactory dysfunction increases significantly in recent years. However, there are no effective treatment for sensorineural olfactory loss to date. Chitosan promotes the differentiation of olfactory receptor neurons,has excellent mucoadhesive property. Intranasal chitosan is a promising agent to treat olfactory dysfunction.

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