The work presented in this thesis demonstrates that (1) the neurotrophins NGF and BDNF, which are secreted from OECs, significantly increase OEC proliferation, migration and phagocytosis; (2) OECs in vivo and in culture express the cytokine MIF (shown through immunolabelling, genetic expression and functional assays), and MIF stimulates OEC phagocytosis; (3) MIF is responsible for the segregation of OECs and macrophages in a model of the olfactory nerve as shown by their subsequent mingling upon MIF inhibition. The results here lend evidence that these proteins, which are secreted by OECs, may play a combinatorial role in the olfactory system’s regenerative potential and as such provide direction towards improving the therapeutic potential of OEC transplantation to treat SCI and other nervous system injuries.