Microcircuits for night vision in mouse retina

Ultraweak signals can cause synaptic depression and adaptation

Synaptic depression at conventional synapses is usually caused by strong or prolonged stimuli, like tetanic bursts of afferent fiber discharge at high frequencies. In this issue of Neuron, Dunn and Rieke report that, in the retina, even the weakest stimuli, single photons, can lead to synaptic depression at ribbon-type synapses and adaptation of neuronal output to ambient light levels.

Type 4 OFF cone bipolar cells of the mouse retina express calsenilin and contact cones as well as rods

Immunocytochemical discrimination of distinct bipolar cell types in the mouse retina is a prerequisite for analyzing retinal circuitry in wild-type and transgenic mice. Here we demonstrate that among the more than 10 anatomically defined mouse bipolar cell types, type 4 bipolar cells are specifically recognized by anti-calsenilin antibodies. Axon terminals in the inner plexiform layer are not readily identifiable because calsenilin is also expressed in a subset of amacrine and ganglion cells. In contrast, in the outer plexiform layer calsenilin immunoreactivity allows the analysis of photoreceptor to type 4 bipolar cell contacts. A dense plexus of calsenilin-positive dendrites makes several basal contacts at cone pedicles. An individual calsenilin-positive bipolar cell contacts five to seven cones. In addition, some calsenilin-positive dendrites contact rod photoreceptors. On average we counted 10 rod spherule contacts per type 4 bipolar cell, and approximately 10% of rods contacted type 4 bipolar cells. We suggest that type 4 bipolar cells, together with the recently described type 3a and b cells, provide an alternative and direct route from rods to OFF cone bipolar cells. In the Bassoon DeltaEx4/5 mouse, a mouse mutant that shows extensive remodeling of the rod system including sprouting of horizontal and rod bipolar cells into the outer nuclear layer due to impaired synaptic transmission, we found that in addition mixed-input (type 3 and 4) OFF bipolar cells sprout to ectopic sites. In contrast, true cone-selective type 1 and 2 OFF cone bipolar cells did not show sprouting in the Bassoon mouse mutant.

Regulation of ON bipolar cell activity

Synaptic transmission from photoreceptors to all types of ON bipolar cells is primarily mediated by the mGluR6 receptor. This receptor, which is apparently expressed uniquely in the nervous system by ON bipolar cells, couples negatively to a nonselective cation channel. This arrangement results in a sign reversal at photoreceptor/ON bipolar cell synapse, which is necessary in order to establish parallel ON and OFF pathways in the retina. The synapse is an important target for second messenger molecules that are known to modulate synaptic transmission elsewhere in the nervous system, second messengers that act on a time scale ranging from milliseconds to minutes. This review focuses on two of these molecules, Ca2+ and cGMP, summarizing our current knowledge of how they modulate gain at the photoreceptor/ON bipolar cell synapse, as well as their proposed sites of action within the mGluR6 cascade. The implications of plasticity at this synapse for retinal function will also be examined.

Contribution of voltage-gated sodium channels to the b-wave of the mammalian flash electroretinogram

Voltage-gated sodium channels (Na(v) channels) in retinal neurons are known to contribute to the mammalian flash electroretinogram (ERG) via activity of third-order retinal neurons, i.e. amacrine and ganglion cells. This study investigated the effects of tetrodotoxin (TTX) blockade of Na(v) channels on the b-wave, an ERG wave that originates mainly from activity of second-order retinal neurons. ERGs were recorded from anaesthetized Brown Norway rats in response to brief full-field flashes presented over a range of stimulus energies, under dark-adapted conditions and in the presence of steady mesopic and photopic backgrounds. Recordings were made before and after intravitreal injection of TTX (approximately 3 microm) alone, 3-6 weeks after optic nerve transection (ONTx) to induce ganglion cell degeneration, or in combination with an ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, 200 microm) to block light-evoked activity of inner retinal, horizontal and OFF bipolar cells, or with the glutamate agonist N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA, 100-200 microm) to reduce light-evoked inner retinal activity. TTX reduced ERG amplitudes measured at fixed times corresponding to b-wave time to peak. Effects of TTX were seen under all background conditions, but were greatest for mesopic backgrounds. In dark-adapted retina, b-wave amplitudes were reduced only when very low stimulus energies affecting the inner retina, or very high stimulus energies were used. Loss of ganglion cells following ONTx did not affect b-wave amplitudes, and injection of TTX in eyes with ONTx reduced b-wave amplitudes by the same amount for each background condition as occurred when ganglion cells were intact, thereby eliminating a ganglion cell role in the TTX effects. Isolation of cone-driven responses by presenting test flashes after cessation of a rod-saturating conditioning flash indicated that the TTX effects were primarily on cone circuits contributing to the mixed rod-cone ERG. NMDA significantly reduced only the additional effects of TTX on the mixed rod-cone ERG observed under mesopic conditions, implicating inner retinal involvement in those effects. After pharmacological blockade with CNQX, TTX still reduced b-wave amplitudes in cone-isolated ERGs indicating Na(v) channels in ON cone bipolar cells themselves augment b-wave amplitude and sensitivity. This augmentation was largest under dark-adapted conditions, and decreased with increasing background illumination, indicating effects of background illumination on Na(v) channel function. These findings indicate that activation of Na(v) channels in ON cone bipolar cells affects the b-wave of the rat ERG and must be considered when analysing results of ERG studies of retinal function.

Postreceptoral contributions to the light-adapted ERG of mice lacking b-waves

The purpose of this study was to determine the contributions of postreceptoral neurons to the light-adapted ERG of the Nob mouse, a model for complete-type congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB1) that lacks a b-wave from depolarizing bipolar cells. Ganzfeld ERGs were recorded from anesthetized adult control mice, control mice injected intravitreally with L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (Control APB mice) to remove On pathway activity, and Nob mice. ERGs also were recorded after PDA (cis-2,3-piperidine-dicarboxylic acid, 3-5mM) was injected to block transmission to hyperpolarizing (Off) bipolar and horizontal cells, and all third-order neurons. Stimuli were brief (<4ms, 0.4-2.5log sc td s) and long (200ms, 2.5-4.6log sc td) LED flashes (lambda(max)=513nm, on a rod suppressing background (2.6log sc td). Sinusoidal modulation of the LEDs (mean, 2.6log sc td; contrast, 100%; 3-36Hz) was used to study flicker ERGs. Brief-flash ERGs of Nob mice presented as long-lasting negative waves with a positive-going intrusion that started about 50ms after the flash and peaked around 120ms. Control APB mice had similar responses, and in both cases, PDA removed the positive-going intrusion. For long flashes, PDA removed a small, slow "d-wave" after light offset. With sinusoidal stimulation, the fundamental (F1) amplitude of control mice ERG peaked at 8Hz ( approximately 70microV). For Nob mice the peak was approximately 20microV at 6Hz before PDA and approximately 10muV at 3Hz or lower after PDA. F1 responses were present up to 21Hz in control and Nob eyes and 15Hz in Nob eyes after PDA. Between 3 and 6Hz, F1 phase was 170-210 degrees more delayed in Nob than control mice; phase was hardly altered by PDA. With vector analysis, a substantial postreceptoral input to the Nob flicker ERG was revealed. In control mice, the second harmonic (F2) response showed peaks of approximately 10mocrpV at 3Hz and 13Hz. Nob mice showed almost no F2. In summary, in this study it was found that in Nob mice, postreceptoral neurons from the Off pathway make a positive-going contribution to the light-adapted flash ERG, and contribute substantially to sinusoidal flicker ERG.

Lack of photoreceptor signaling alters the expression of specific synaptic proteins in the retina

Synaptic modulation by activity-dependent changes constitutes a cellular mechanism for neuronal plasticity. However, it is not clear how the complete lack of neuronal signaling specifically affects elements involved in the communication between neurons. In the retina, it is now well established that both chemical and electrical synapses are essential to mediate the transmission of visual signaling triggered by the photoreceptors. In this study, we compared the expression of synaptic proteins in the retinas of wild-type (WT) vs. rd/rd mice, an animal model that displays inherited and specific ablation of photoreceptors caused by a mutation in the gene encoding the beta-subunit of rod cGMP-phosphodiesterase (Pde6brd1). We specifically examined the expression of connexins (Cx), the proteins that form the gap junction channels of electrical synapses, in addition to synaptophysin and synapsin I, which are involved in the release of neurotransmitters at chemical synapses. Our results revealed that Cx36 gene expression levels are lower in the retinas of rd/rd when compared with WT. Confocal analysis indicated that Cx36 immunolabeling almost disappeared in the outer plexiform layer without significant changes in protein distribution within the inner plexiform layer of rd/rd retinas. Likewise, synaptophysin expression remarkably decreased in the outer plexiform layer of rd/rd retinas, and this down-regulation was also associated with diminished transcript levels. Furthermore, we observed down-regulation of Cx57 gene expression in rd/rd retinas when compared with WT and also changes in protein distribution. Interestingly, Cx45 and synapsin I expression in rd/rd retinas showed no noticeable changes when compared with WT. Taken together, our results revealed that the loss of photoreceptors leads to decreased expression of some synaptic proteins. More importantly, this study provides evidence that neuronal activity regulates, but is not essential to maintain, the expression of synaptic elements.

Spatial relationships of connexin36, connexin57 and zonula occludens-1 in the outer plexiform layer of mouse retina

Horizontal cells form gap junctions with each other in mammalian retina, and lacZ reporter analyses have recently indicated that these cells express the Cx57 gene, which codes for the corresponding gap junctional protein. Using anti-connexin57 antibodies, we detected connexin57 protein in immunoblots of mouse retina, and found punctate immunolabeling of this connexin co-distributed with calbindin-positive horizontal cells in the retinal outer plexiform layer. Double immunofluorescence labeling was conducted to determine the spatial relationships of connexin36, connexin57, the gap junction-associated protein zonula occludens-1 and the photoreceptor ribbon synapse-associated protein bassoon in the outer plexiform layer. Connexin36 was substantially co-localized with zonula occludens-1 in the outer plexiform layer, and both of these proteins were frequently located in close spatial proximity to bassoon-positive ribbon synapses. Connexin57 was often found adjacent to, but not overlapping with, connexin36-positive and zonula occludens-1-positive puncta, and was also located adjacent to bassoon-positive ribbon synapses at rod spherules, and intermingled with such synapses at cone pedicles. These results suggest zonula occludens-1 interaction with connexin36 but not with Cx57 in the outer plexiform layer, and an absence of connexin57/connexin36 heterotypic gap junctional coupling in mouse retina. Further, an arrangement of synaptic contacts within rod spherules is suggested whereby gap junctions between horizontal cell terminals containing connexin57 occur in very close proximity to ribbon synapses formed by rod photoreceptors, as well as in close proximity to Cx36-containing gap junctions between rods and cones.

How robust is a neural circuit?

Design in engineering begins with the problem of robustness-by what factor should intrinsic capacity exceed normal demand? Here we consider robustness for a neural circuit that crosses the retina from cones to ganglion cells. The circuit's task is to represent the visual scene at many successive stages, each time by modulating a stream of stochastic events: photoisomerizations, then transmitter quanta, then spikes. At early stages, the event rates are high to achieve some critical signal-to-noise ratio and temporal bandwidth, which together set the information rate. Then neural circuits concentrate the information and repackage it, so that nearly the same total information can be represented by modulating far lower event rates. This is important for spiking because of its high metabolic cost. Considering various measurements at the outer and inner retina, we conclude that the "safety factors" are about 2-10, similar to other tissues.

Type 3a and type 3b OFF cone bipolar cells provide for the alternative rod pathway in the mouse retina

The mammalian retina provides several pathways to relay the information from the photoreceptors to the ganglion cells. Cones feed into ON and OFF cone bipolar cells that excite ON and OFF ganglion cells, respectively. In the "classical" rod pathway, rods feed into rod bipolar cells that provide input to both the ON and the OFF pathway via AII amacrine cells. Recent evidence suggests an alternative rod pathway in which rods directly contact some types of OFF cone bipolar cells. The mouse has become an important model system for retinal research. We performed an immunohistochemical analysis on the level of light and electron microscopy to identify the bipolar cells and ganglion cells that are involved in the alternative rod pathway of the mouse retina. 1) We identify a new bipolar cell type, showing that type 3 OFF cone bipolar cells comprise two distinct cell types, that we termed 3a and 3b. Type 3a cells express the ion channel HCN4. Type 3b bipolar cells represent a hitherto unknown cell type that can be identified with antibodies against the regulatory subunit RIIbeta of protein kinase A. 2) We show that both 3a and 3b cells form flat contacts at cone pedicles and rod spherules. 3) Finally, we identify an OFF ganglion cell type whose dendrites costratify with type 3a and 3b bipolar cell axon terminals. These newly identified cell types represent the basis of a neuronal circuit in the mammalian retina that could provide for an alternative fast rod pathway.

Spatiotemporal regulation of ATP and Ca2+ dynamics in vertebrate rod and cone ribbon synapses

PURPOSE

In conventional neurons, Ca2+ enters presynaptic terminals during an action potential and its increased local concentration triggers transient exocytosis. In contrast, vertebrate photoreceptors are nonspiking neurons that maintain sustained depolarization and neurotransmitter release from ribbon synapses in darkness and produce light-dependent graded hyperpolarizing responses. Rods transmit single photon responses with high fidelity, whereas cones are less sensitive and exhibit faster response kinetics. These differences are likely due to variations in presynaptic Ca2+ dynamics. Metabolic coupling and cross-talk between mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase (PMCA), and Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) coordinately control presynaptic ATP production and Ca2+ dynamics. The goal of our structural and functional studies was to determine the spatiotemporal regulation of ATP and Ca2+ dynamics in rod spherules and cone pedicles.

METHODS

Central retina tissue from C57BL/6 mice was used. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) experiments were conducted on fixed-frozen vertical sections. Primary antibodies were selected for their tissue/cellular specificity and ability to recognize single, multiple or all splice variants of selected isoforms. Electron microscopy (EM) and 3-D electron tomography (ET) studies used our standard procedures on thin- and thick-sectioned retinas, respectively. Calibrated fluo-3-Ca2+ imaging experiments of dark- and light-adapted rod and cone terminals in retinal slices were conducted.

RESULTS

Confocal microscopy showed that mitochondria, ER, PMCA, and NCX1 exhibited distinct retinal lamination patterns and differential distribution in photoreceptor synapses. Antibodies for three distinct mitochondrial compartments differentially labeled retinal areas with high metabolic demand: rod and cone inner segments, previously undescribed cone juxtanuclear mitochondria and the two plexiform layers. Rod spherule membranes uniformly and intensely stained for PMCA, whereas the larger cone pedicles preferentially stained for NCX1 at their active zones and PMCA near their mitochondria. EM and ET revealed that mitochondria in rod spherules and cone pedicles differed markedly in their number, location, size, volume, and total cristae surface area, and cristae junction diameter. Rod spherules had one large ovoid mitochondrion located near its active zone, whereas cone pedicles averaged five medium-sized mitochondria clustered far from their active zones. Most spherules had one ribbon synapse, whereas pedicles contained numerous ribbon synapses. Fluo-3 imaging studies revealed that during darkness rod spherules maintained a lower [Ca2+] than cone pedicles, whereas during light adaptation pedicles rapidly lowered their [Ca2+] below that observed in spherules.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that ATP demand and mitochondrial ATP production are greater in cone pedicles than rod spherules. Rod spherules employ high affinity/low turnover PMCA and their mitochondrion to maintain a relatively low [Ca2+] in darkness, which increases their sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio. In contrast, cone pedicles utilize low affinity/high turnover NCX to rapidly lower their high [Ca2+] during light adaptation, which increases their response kinetics. Spatiotemporal fluo-3-Ca2+ imaging results support our immunocytochemical results. The clustering of cone pedicle mitochondria likely provides increased protection from Ca2+ overload and permeability transition. In summary, these novel studies reveal that several integrated cellular and subcellular components interact to regulate ATP and Ca2+ dynamics in rod and cone synaptic terminals. These results should provide a greater understanding of in vivo photoreceptor synaptic terminal exocytosis/endocytosis, Ca2+ overload and therapies for retinal degenerations.

Glutamatergic input is coded by spike frequency at the soma and proximal dendrite of AII amacrine cells in the mouse retina

In the mammalian retina, AII amacrine cells play a crucial role in scotopic vision. They transfer rod signals from rod bipolar cells to the cone circuit, and divide these signals into the ON and OFF pathways at the discrete synaptic layers. AII amacrine cells have been reported to generate tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive repetitive spikes of small amplitude. To investigate the properties of the spikes, we performed whole-cell patch-clamping of AII amacrine cells in mouse retinal slices. The spike frequency increased in proportion to the concentration of glutamate puffer-applied to the arboreal dendrite and to the intensity of the depolarizing current injection. The spike activity was suppressed by L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid, a glutamate analogue that hyperpolarizes rod bipolar cells, puffer-applied to the outer plexiform layer. Therefore, it is most likely that the spike frequency generated by AII amacrine cells is dependent on the excitatory glutamatergic input from rod bipolar cells. Gap junction blockers reduced the range of intensity of input with which spike frequency varies. Application of TTX to the soma and the proximal dendrite of AII amacrine cells blocked the voltage-gated Na(+) current significantly more than application to the arboreal dendrite, indicating that the Na(+) channels are mainly localized in these regions. Our results suggest that the intensity of the glutamatergic input from rod bipolar cells is coded by the spike frequency at the soma and the proximal dendrite of AII amacrine cells, raising the possibility that the spikes could contribute to the OFF pathway to enhance release of neurotransmitter.

Relative contributions of rod and cone bipolar cell inputs to AII amacrine cell light responses in the mouse retina

AII amacrine cells (AIIACs) are crucial relay stations for rod-mediated signals in the mammalian retina and they receive synaptic inputs from depolarizing and hyperpolarizing bipolar cells (DBCs and HBCs) as well as from other amacrine cells. Using whole-cell voltage-clamp technique in conjunction with pharmacological tools, we found that the light-evoked current response of AIIACs in the mouse retina is almost completely mediated by two DBC synaptic inputs: a 6,7-dinitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX)-resistant component mediated by cone DBCs (DBC(C)s) through an electrical synapse, and a DNQX-sensitive component mediated by rod DBCs (DBC(R)s). This scheme is supported by AIIAC current responses recorded from two knockout mice. The dynamic range of the AIIAC light response in the Bhlhb4-/- mouse (which lacks DBC(R)s) resembles that of the DNQX-resistant component, and that of the connexin36 (Cx36)-/- mouse resembles the DNQX-sensitive component. By comparing the light responses of the DBC(C)s with the DNQX-resistant AIIAC component, and light responses of the DBC(R)s with the DNQX-sensitive AIIAC component, we obtained the input-output relations of the DBC(C)-->AIIAC electrical synapse and the DBC(R)-->AIIAC chemical synapse. Similar to other glutamatergic chemical synapses in the retina, the DBC(R)-->AIIAC synapse is non-linear. Its highest voltage gain (approximately 5) is found near the dark membrane potential, and it saturates for presynaptic signals larger than 5.5 mV. The DBC(C)-->AIIAC electrical synapse is approximately linear (voltage gain of 0.92), consistent with the linear junctional conductance found in retinal electrical synapses. Moreover, relative DBC(R) and DBC(C) contributions to the AIIAC response at various light intensity levels are determined.

Temporal response properties of the primary and secondary rod-signaling pathways in normal and Gnat2 mutant mice

Multiple signaling pathways have been proposed for rod vision in the mammalian retina. The primary and secondary rod pathways have been characterized in humans with the scotopic 15-Hz flicker electroretinogram (ERG). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the response properties of these pathways in the mouse are similar to those of humans. C57BL/6J and Gnat2(cpfl3) mutant mice lacking functional cones were used in these experiments. Standard ERG recording techniques were employed. Response functions were obtained for a range of flash intensities (-4.7logcd-s/m(2) to -0.2logcd-s/m(2)) and temporal modulation frequencies (1-30Hz). The mouse intensity-response functions to 15-Hz flickering stimuli possessed the same features as that of humans - a local amplitude minimum and a rapid phase change in the intensity region where the primary and secondary pathways are mutually inhibitory. However, the secondary pathway in the mouse did not achieve the same level of sensitivity as previously shown for humans, suggesting inter-species differences in post-receptoral signal processing. In Gnat2(cpfl3) mutant mice, the secondary pathway was completely abolished. Measurements of temporal acuity indicated that the primary and secondary rod pathways could mediate temporal frequencies as high as 30 and 50Hz, respectively. The response functions for mice are similar to those of humans, although the evidence suggests that the primary rod pathway dominates all rod-mediated signal processing in the mouse. Nevertheless, these results demonstrate the feasibility of measuring non-invasively the performance characteristics of the primary and secondary rod retinal pathways in the mouse and provide a mechanism for testing hypotheses about the action of disease where post-receptoral cells are differentially affected.

Cross-talk between ON and OFF channels in the salamander retina: Indirect bipolar cell inputs to ON–OFF ganglion cells

It has been widely accepted that ON and OFF channels in the visual system are segregated with little cross-communication, except for the mammalian rod bipolar cell-AII amacrine cell-ganglion cell pathway. Here, we show that in the tiger salamander retina the light responses of a subpopulation of ON-OFF ganglion cells are mediated by crossing the ON and OFF bipolar cell pathways. Although the majority of ON-OFF ganglion cells (type I cells) receive direct excitatory inputs from depolarizing and hyperpolarizing bipolar cells (DBCs and HBCs), about 5% (type II cells) receive indirect excitatory inputs from DBCs and 20% (type III cells) receive indirect excitatory inputs from HBCs. These indirect bipolar cell inputs are likely to be mediated by a subpopulation of amacrine cells that exhibit transient hyperpolarizing light responses (AC(H)s) and make GABAergic/glycinergic synapses on DBC or HBC axon terminals. GABA and glycine receptor antagonists enhanced the ON and OFF excitatory cation current (DeltaI(C)) in type I ganglion cells, but completely suppressed the ON DeltaI(C) mediated by DBCs in type II cells and the OFF DeltaI(C) mediated by HBCs in types III cells. Dendrites of type I cells ramify in both sublamina A and B, type II cells exclusively in sublamina A, and type III cells exclusively in sublamina B of the inner plexiform layer. These results demonstrate that indirect, amacrine cell-mediated bipolar cell-ganglion cell synaptic pathways exist in a non-mammalian retina, and that bidirectional cross-talk between ON and OFF channels is present in the vertebrate retina.

Expression of connexins 36, 43, and 45 during postnatal development of the mouse retina

Gap junction channels formed by connexins (Cx) may play essential roles in some processes that occur during retinal development, such as apoptosis and calcium wave spread. The present study was undertaken to determine the distribution pattern of Cx36, Cx43, and Cx45 by immunofluorescence, as well as their gene expression levels by quantitative PCR during postnatal development of the mouse retina. Our results showed an increased expression of neuronal Cx36 from P1 until P10, when this Cx reached adult levels, and it was mainly distributed in the outer and inner plexiform layers. In turn, Cx43 was almost absent in retinal progenitor cells at P1, it became more prominent in glial cell processes about P10, and did not change until adulthood. Double-labeling studies in situ and in vitro with antivimentin, a Müller cell marker, confirmed that Cx43 was expressed by these cells. In addition, quantitative PCR showed that Cx43 and vimentin shared very similar temporal expression patterns. Finally, in contrast to Cx36 and Cx43, Cx45 mRNA was strongly down-regulated during development. In early postnatal days, Cx45 was seen ubiquitously distributed throughout the retina in cells undergoing proliferation and differentiation, as well in differentiated neurons. In adult retina, this protein had a more restricted distribution both in neurons and glial cells, as confirmed in situ and in vitro. In conclusion, we observed a distinct temporal expression pattern for Cx36, Cx43, and Cx45, which is probably related to particular roles in retinal function and maintenance of homeostasis during development of the mouse retina.

Abundance and ultrastructural diversity of neuronal gap junctions in the OFF and ON sublaminae of the inner plexiform layer of rat and mouse retina

Neuronal gap junctions are abundant in both outer and inner plexiform layers of the mammalian retina. In the inner plexiform layer (IPL), ultrastructurally-identified gap junctions were reported primarily in the functionally-defined and anatomically-distinct ON sublamina, with few reported in the OFF sublamina. We used freeze-fracture replica immunogold labeling and confocal microscopy to quantitatively analyze the morphologies and distributions of neuronal gap junctions in the IPL of adult rat and mouse retina. Under "baseline" conditions (photopic illumination/general anesthesia), 649 neuronal gap junctions immunogold-labeled for connexin36 were identified in rat IPL, of which 375 were photomapped to OFF vs. ON sublaminae. In contrast to previous reports, the volume-density of gap junctions was equally abundant in both sublaminae. Five distinctive morphologies of gap junctions were identified: conventional crystalline and non-crystalline "plaques" (71% and 3%), plus unusual "string" (14%), "ribbon" (7%) and "reticular" (2%) forms. Plaque and reticular gap junctions were distributed throughout the IPL. However, string and ribbon gap junctions were restricted to the OFF sublamina, where they represented 48% of gap junctions in that layer. In string and ribbon junctions, curvilinear strands of connexons were dispersed over 5 to 20 times the area of conventional plaques having equal numbers of connexons. To define morphologies of gap junctions under different light-adaptation conditions, we examined an additional 1150 gap junctions from rats and mice prepared after 30 min of photopic, mesopic and scotopic illumination, with and without general anesthesia. Under these conditions, string and ribbon gap junctions remained abundant in the OFF sublamina and absent in the ON sublamina. Abundant gap junctions in the OFF sublamina of these two rodents with rod-dominant retinas revealed previously-undescribed but extensive pathways for inter-neuronal communication; and the wide dispersion of connexons in string and ribbon gap junctions suggests unique structural features of gap junctional coupling in the OFF vs. ON sublamina.

Capacitance measurements in the mouse rod bipolar cell identify a pool of releasable synaptic vesicles

The mouse is an important model system for understanding the molecular basis of neuronal signaling and diseases of synaptic communication. However, the best-characterized retinal ribbon-style synapses are those of nonmammalian vertebrates. To remedy this situation, we asked whether it would be feasible to track synaptic vesicle dynamics in the isolated mouse rod bipolar cell using time-resolved capacitance measurements. The results demonstrate that membrane depolarization triggered an increase in membrane capacitance that was Ca(2+) dependent and restricted to the synaptic compartment, consistent with exocytosis. The amplitude of the capacitance response recorded from the easily accessible soma of an intact mouse rod bipolar cell was identical to that recorded directly from the small synaptic terminal, suggesting that in the carefully selected cohort of cells presented here, axonal resistance was not a significant barrier to current flow. This supposition was supported by the analysis of passive membrane properties and a comparison of membrane capacitance measurements in cells with and without synaptic terminals and reinforced by the lack of an effect of sine-wave frequency (200-1,600 Hz) on the measured capacitance increase. The magnitude of the capacitance response increased with Ca(2+) entry until a plateau was reached at a spatially averaged intraterminal calcium of about 600 nM. We interpret this plateau, nominally 30 fF, as corresponding to a releasable pool of synaptic vesicles. The robustness of this measure suggests that capacitance measurements may be used in the mouse rod bipolar cell to compare pool size across treatment conditions.

The impact of photoreceptor noise on retinal gain controls

Multiple retinal mechanisms preserve visual sensitivity as the properties of the light inputs change. Rapid gain controls match the effective signaling range of retinal neurons to the local image statistics. Such gain controls trade an increased sensitivity for some aspects of the inputs for a decreased sensitivity to others. Rapid, local gain control comes at another cost: noise in the signal controlling gain (e.g. from the photoreceptors) will cause gain itself to vary even when the statistics of the light input are constant. Recent advances in identifying retinal pathways and the sites and mechanisms of mean and contrast adaptation have begun to clarify the tradeoffs associated with different gain control locations and how these tradeoffs differ for rod and cone vision.

Melanopsin regulates visual processing in the mouse retina

The discovery of melanopsin-dependent inner retinal photoreceptors in mammals has precipitated a fundamental reassessment of such non-image forming (NIF) light responses as circadian photoentrainment and the pupil light reflex. By contrast, it remains unclear whether these new photoreceptors also play a role in classical image-forming vision. The retinal ganglion cells that subserve inner retinal photoreception (ipRGCs) project overwhelmingly to brain areas involved in NIF responses, indicating that, in terms of central signaling, their predominant function is non-image forming. However, ipRGCs also exhibit intraretinal communication via gap junction coupling, which could allow them to modulate classical visual pathways within this tissue. Here, we explore this second possibility by using melanopsin knockout (Opn4-/-) mice to examine the role of inner retinal photoreceptors in diurnal regulation of retinal function. By using electroretinography in wild-type mice, we describe diurnal rhythms in both the amplitude and speed of the retinal cone pathway that are a function of both prior light exposure and circadian phase. Unexpectedly, loss of the melanopsin gene abolishes circadian control of these parameters, causing significant attenuation of the diurnal variation in cone vision. Our results demonstrate for the first time a melanopsin-dependent regulation of visual processing within the retina, revealing an important function for inner retinal photoreceptors in optimizing classical visual pathways according to time of day.

High-Density Presynaptic Transporters Are Required for Glutamate Removal from the First Visual Synapse

Reliable synaptic transmission depends not only on the release machinery and the postsynaptic response mechanism but also on removal or degradation of transmitter from the synaptic cleft. Accumulating evidence indicates that postsynaptic and glial excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) contribute to glutamate removal. However, the role of presynaptic EAATs is unclear. Here, we show in the mouse retina that glutamate is removed from the synaptic cleft at the rod to rod bipolar cell (RBC) synapse by presynaptic EAATs rather than by postsynaptic or glial EAATs. The RBC currents evoked by electrical stimulation of rods decayed slowly after pharmacological blockade of EAATs. Recordings of the evoked RBC currents from EAAT subtype-deficient mice and the EAAT-coupled anion current reveal that functional EAATs are localized to rod terminals. Model simulations suggest that rod EAATs are densely packed near the release site and that rods are equipped with an almost self-sufficient glutamate recollecting system.

The optimal synapse for sparse, binary signals in the rod pathway

The sparsity of photons at very low light levels necessitates a nonlinear synaptic transfer function between the rod photoreceptors and the rod-bipolar cells. We examine different ways to characterize the performance of the pathway: the error rate, two variants of the mutual information, and the signal-to-noise ratio. Simulation of the pathway shows that these approaches yield substantially different performance at very low light levels and that maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio yields the best performance when judged from simulated images. The results are compared to recent data.

Photoreceptor calcium channels: Insight from night blindness

The genetic locus for incomplete congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB2) has been identified as the CACNA1f gene, encoding the α1F calcium channel subunit, a member of the L-type family of calcium channels. The electroretinogram associated with CSNB2 implicates α1F in synaptic transmission between retinal photoreceptors and bipolar cells. Using a recently developed monoclonal antibody to α1F, we localize the channel to ribbon active zones in rod photoreceptor terminals of the mouse retina, supporting a role for α1F in mediating glutamate release from rods. Detergent extraction experiments indicate that α1F is part of a detergent-resistant active zone complex, which also includes the synaptic ribbons. Comparison of native mouse rod calcium currents with recombinant α1F currents reveals that the current–voltage relationship for the native current is shifted approximately 30 mV to more hyperpolarized potentials than for the recombinant α1F current, suggesting modulation of the native channel by intracellular factors. Lastly, we present evidence for L-type α1D calcium channel subunits in cone terminals of the mouse retina. The presence of α1D channels in cones may explain the residual visual abilities of individuals with CSNB2.

Effects of ambient lighting on visual discrimination, forward masking and attentional facilitation

Differences between neural processing underling day and night vision occur at initial transduction steps. However, comparison of a visual task performance in photopic versus scotopic situations has an intrinsic problem: ambient light levels directly affect the contrast between stimuli and background. By using a simple but innovative method, we were able to maintain the stimuli/background contrast in order to appropriately evaluate the effects of ambient lighting on visual discrimination, attentional facilitation and forward masking. Our results revealed that ambient light levels does not affect spatial accuracy in central vision, but peripheral stimuli are more rapidly recognized when presented in photopic conditions. Additionally, our data suggest that ambient lighting do not unbalance the opposing effects of attentional facilitation versus forward masking. Modulation of cell coupling that takes place in the retina triggered by ambient light levels may underlie differences in visual discrimination in photopic and scotopic conditions.

Retinal processing near absolute threshold: from behavior to mechanism

Vision at absolute threshold is based on signals produced in a tiny fraction of the rod photoreceptors. This requires that the rods signal the absorption of single photons, and that the resulting signals are transmitted across the retina and encoded in the activity sent from the retina to the brain. Behavioral and ganglion cell sensitivity has often been interpreted to indicate that these biophysical events occur noiselessly, i.e., that vision reaches limits to sensitivity imposed by the division of light into discrete photons and occasional photon-like noise events generated in the rod photoreceptors. We argue that this interpretation is not unique and provide a more conservative view of the constraints behavior and ganglion cell experiments impose on phototransduction and retinal processing. We summarize what is known about how these constraints are met and identify some of the outstanding open issues.

Structure and function of ribbon synapses

Sensory neurons with short conduction distances can use nonregenerative, graded potentials to modulate transmitter release continuously. This mechanism can transmit information at much higher rates than spiking. Graded signaling requires a synapse to sustain high rates of exocytosis for relatively long periods, and this capacity is the special virtue of ribbon synapses. Vesicles tethered to the ribbon provide a pool for sustained release that is typically fivefold greater than the docked pool available for fast release. The current article, which is part of the TINS Synaptic Connectivity series, reviews recent evidence for this fundamental computational strategy and its underlying cell biology.

Postsynaptic calcium feedback between rods and rod bipolar cells in the mouse retina

Light-evoked currents were recorded from rod bipolar cells in a dark-adapted mouse retinal slice preparation. Low-intensity light steps evoked a sustained inward current. Saturating light steps evoked an inward current with an initial peak that inactivated, with a time constant of about 60-70 ms, to a steady plateau level that was maintained for the duration of the step. The inactivation was strongest at hyperpolarized potentials, and absent at positive potentials. Inactivation was mediated by an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration, as it was abolished in cells dialyzed with 10 mM BAPTA, but was present in cells dialyzed with 1 mM EGTA. Moreover, responses to brief flashes of light were broader in the presence of intracellular BAPTA indicating that the calcium feedback actively shapes the time course of the light responses. Recovery from inactivation observed for paired-pulse stimuli occurred with a time constant of about 375 ms. Calcium feedback could act to increase the dynamic range of the bipolar cells, and to reduce variability in the amplitude and duration of the single-photon signal. This may be important for nonlinear processing at downstream sites of convergence from rod bipolar cells to AII amacrine cells. A model in which intracellular calcium rapidly binds to the light-gated channel and reduces the conductance can account for the results.

Probing inner retinal circuits in the rod pathway: a comparison of c-fos activation in mutant mice

We have used wild-type mice and mice possessing defects in specific retinal circuits in order to more clearly define functional circuits of the inner retina. The retina of the nob mouse lacks communication between photoreceptors and depolarizing bipolar cells (DBCs). Thus, all light driven activity in the nob mouse is mediated via remaining hyperpolarizing bipolar cell (HBC) circuits. Transducin null (Tr alpha-/-) mice lack rod photoreceptor activity and thus remaining retinal circuits are solely generated via cone photoreceptor activity. Activation in inner retinal circuits in each of these mice was identified by monitoring light-induced expression of an immediate early gene, c-fos. The number of cells expressing c-fos in the inner retina was dependent upon stimulus intensity and was altered in a systematic fashion in mice with known retinal mutations. To determine whether c-fos is activated via circuits other than photoreceptors in the outer retina, we examined c-fos expression in tulp1-/- mice that lack photoreceptors in the outer retina; these mice showed virtually no c-fos activity following light exposure. Double-labeling immunohistochemical studies were carried out to more clearly define the population of c-fos expressing amacrine cells. Our results indicate that c-fos may be used to map functional circuits in the retina.

Expression and functions of neuronal gap junctions

Gap junctions are channel-forming structures in contacting plasma membranes that allow direct metabolic and electrical communication between almost all cell types in the mammalian brain. At least 20 connexin genes and 3 pannexin genes probably code for gap junction proteins in mice and humans. Gap junctions between murine neurons (also known as electrical synapses) can be composed of connexin 36, connexin 45 or connexin 57 proteins, depending on the type of neuron. Furthermore, pannexin 1 and 2 are likely to form electrical synapses. Here, we discuss the roles of connexin and pannexin genes in the formation of neuronal gap junctions, and evaluate recent functional analyses of electrical synapses that became possible through the characterization of mouse mutants that show targeted defects in connexin genes.

Background light adaptation of the retinal neuronal adaptive system. II. Dynamic effects

The dynamic effects of continuous exposure to light on the neuronal adaptive system of the retina, as indicated by the oscillatory response (OPs) of the electroretinogram (ERG) were studied in the albino rat. Digitally filtered OPs and the a- and b-waves of the corneal ERG were simultaneously recorded in dark adaptation, during continuous light adaptation to four levels of background light (BGL) changing in steps of two log units from 1.43 x 10(-6) cd/m2, referred to as 'low and high scotopic, low and high mesopic' levels. Exposed to 'high scotopic' BGL the total oscillatory response (SOP) significantly enhanced within the first minute, whereas the amplitudes of the a- and b-waves were unaffected. In 'low mesopic' BGL the SOP increased within the first minute, whereas the a- and b-waves significantly decreased. 'High mesopic' BGL instantaneously and profoundly reduced both the SOP and the slow potentials. The individual OPs changed in amplitudes mainly within the first minute of BGL. In general, the earlier OPs (O1 and O2) reacted more to the two 'scotopic' BGL levels, whereas the later OPs (O3 and 04) were more affected by the relatively brighter two 'mesopic' conditions. In conclusion, the rapid increase of the OPs within the first minute of 'high scotopic' and 'low mesopic' BGL exposure may represent a rudimentary light adaptational effect in the rod-dominated rat retina. These findings also suggest that the neuronal adaptive mechanism of the retina seems to be a robust system, probably attaining preservation of visual abilities in the rat on exposure to light.

Transmission of single photon signals through a binary synapse in the mammalian retina

At very low light levels the sensitivity of the visual system is determined by the efficiency with which single photons are captured, and the resulting signal transmitted from the rod photoreceptors through the retinal circuitry to the ganglion cells and on to the brain. Although the tiny electrical signals due to single photons have been observed in rod photoreceptors, little is known about how these signals are preserved during subsequent transmission to the optic nerve. We find that the synaptic currents elicited by single photons in mouse rod bipolar cells have a peak amplitude of 5-6 pA, and that about 20 rod photoreceptors converge upon each rod bipolar cell. The data indicates that the first synapse, between rod photoreceptors and rod bipolar cells, signals a binary event: the detection, or not, of a photon or photons in the connected rod photoreceptors. We present a simple model that demonstrates how a threshold nonlinearity during synaptic transfer allows transmission of the single photon signal, while rejecting the convergent neural noise from the 20 other rod photoreceptors feeding into this first synapse.

Synaptic contacts between an identified type of ON cone bipolar cell and ganglion cells in the mouse retina

We surveyed the potential contacts between an identified type of bipolar cell and retinal ganglion cells in the mouse. By crossing two existing mouse strains (line 357 and line GFP-M), we created a double transgenic strain in which GFP is expressed by all members of a single type of ON cone bipolar cell and a sparse, mixed population of retinal ganglion cells. The GFP-expressing bipolar cells appear to be those termed CB4a of Pignatelli & Strettoi [(2004) J. Comp. Neurol., 476, 254-266] and type 7 of Ghosh et al. [(2004) J. Comp. Neurol., 469, 70-82 and J. Comp. Neurol., 476, 202-203]. The labelled ganglion cells include examples of most or all types of ganglion cells present in the mouse. By studying the juxtaposition of their processes in three dimensions, we could learn which ganglion cell types are potential synaptic targets of the line 357 bipolar cell. Of 12 ganglion cell types observed, 10 types could be definitively ruled out as major synaptic targets of the line 357 bipolar cells. One type of monostratified ganglion cell and one bistratified cell tightly cofasciculate with axon terminals of the line 357 bipolar cells. Double labelling for kinesin II demonstrates colocalization of bipolar cell ribbons at the sites of contact between these two types of ganglion cell and the line 357 bipolar cells.

Simultaneous Contribution of Two Rod Pathways to AII Amacrine and Cone Bipolar Cell Light Responses

Rod signals traverse several synapses en route to cone bipolar cells. In one pathway, rods communicate directly with cones via gap junctions. In a second pathway, signals flow rods-rod bipolars-AII amacrines-cone bipolars. The relative contribution of each pathway to retinal function is not well understood. Here we have examined this question from the perspective of the AII amacrine. AIIs form bidirectional electrical synapses with on cone bipolars. Consequently, as on cone bipolars are activated by outer plexiform inputs, they too should contribute to the AII response. Rod bipolar inputs to AIIs were blocked by AMPA receptor antagonists, revealing a smaller, non-AMPA component of the light response. This small residual response did not reverse between −70 and +70 mV and was blocked by carbenoxolone, suggesting that the current arose in on cone bipolars and was transmitted to AIIs via gap junctions. The residual component was evident for stimuli 2 log units below cone threshold and was prolonged for bright stimuli, demonstrating that it was rod driven. Because the rod bipolar-AII pathway was blocked, the rod-driven residual current likely was generated via the rod-cone pathway activation of on cone bipolars. Thus for a large range of intensities, rod signals reach the inner retina by both rod bipolar-AII and rod-cone coupling pathways.

Synaptic circuitry mediating light-evoked signals in dark-adapted mouse retina

Light-evoked excitatory cation current (DeltaIC) and inhibitory chloride current (DeltaICl) of rod and cone bipolar cells and AII amacrine cells (AIIACs) were recorded from slices of dark-adapted mouse retinas, and alpha ganglion cells were recorded from flatmounts of dark-adapted mouse retinas. The cell morphology was revealed by Lucifer yellow fluorescence with a confocal microscope. DeltaIC of all rod depolarizing bipolar cells (DBCRs) exhibited similar high sensitivity to 500 nm light, but two patterns of DeltaICl were observed with slightly different axon morphologies. At least two types of cone depolarizing bipolar cells (DBCCs) were identified: one with axon terminals ramified in 70-85% of IPL depth and DBCR-like DeltaIC sensitivity, and the other with axon terminals ramified in 55-75% of IPL depth and much lower DeltaIC sensitivity. The relative rod/cone inputs to DBCs and AIIACs were analyzed by comparing the DeltaIC and DeltaICl thresholds and dynamic ranges with the corresponding values of rods and cones. On average, the sensitivity of a DBCR to the 500 nm light is about 20 times higher than that of a rod. The sensitivity of an AIIAC is more than 1000 times higher than that of a rod, suggesting that AIIAC responses are pooled through a coupled network of about 40 AIIACs. Interactions of rod and cone signals in dark-adapted mouse retinas appear asymmetrical: rod signals spread into the cone system more efficiently than cone signals into the rod system. The mouse synaptic circuitry allows small rod signals to be highly amplified and effectively transmitted to the cone system via rod/cone and AIIAC/DBCC coupling. Three types of alpha ganglion cells (alphaGCs) were identified. (1) ONGCs exhibits no spike activity in darkness, increased spikes in light, sustained inward DeltaIC, sustained outward DeltaICl of varying amplitude, and large soma (20-25 microm in diameter) with an alpha-cell-like dendritic field about 180-350 microm stratifying near 70% of the IPL depth. (2) Transient OFFalphaGCs (tOFFalphaGCs) exhibit no spike activity in darkness, transient increased spikes at light offset, small sustained outward DeltaIC in light, a large transient inward DeltaIC at light offset, a sustained outward DeltaICl, and a morphology similar to the ONalphaGCs except for that their dendrites stratified near 30% of the IPL depth. (3) Sustained OFFalpha GCs (sOFFalphaGCs) exhibit maintained spike activity of 5-10 Hz in darkness, sustained decrease of spikes in light, sustained outward DeltaIC, sustained outward DeltaICl, and a morphology similar to the tOFFalphaGCs. By comparing the response thresholds and dynamic ranges of alphaGCs with those of the pre-ganglion cells, our data suggest that the light responses of each type of alphaGCs are mediated by different sets of bipolar cells and amacrine cells.

Transmission of scotopic signals from the rod to rod-bipolar cell in the mammalian retina

Mammals can see at low scotopic light levels where only 1 rod in several thousand transduces a photon. The single photon signal is transmitted to the brain by the ganglion cell, which collects signals from more than 1000 rods to provide enough amplification. If the system were linear, such convergence would increase the neural noise enough to overwhelm the tiny rod signal. Recent studies provide evidence for a threshold nonlinearity in the rod to rod bipolar synapse, which removes much of the background neural noise. We argue that the height of the threshold should be 0.85 times the amplitude of the single photon signal, consistent with the saturation observed for the single photon signal. At this level, the rate of false positive events due to neural noise would be masked by the higher rate of dark thermal events. The evidence presented suggests that this synapse is optimized to transmit the single photon signal at low scotopic light levels.

Light signaling in scotopic conditions in the rabbit, mouse and rat retina: a physiological and anatomical study

In the dark, light signals are conventionally routed through the following circuit: rods synapse onto rod bipolar (RB) cells, which in turn contact AII amacrine cells. AII cells segregate the light signal into the on and off pathways by making electrical synapses with on cone bipolar (CB) cells and glycinergic inhibitory chemical synapses with off CB cells. These bipolar cells synapse onto their respective ganglion cells, which transfer on and off signals to the visual centers of the brain. Two alternative pathways have recently been postulated for the signal transfer in scotopic conditions: 1) electrical coupling between rods and cones, and 2) a circuit independent of cone photoreceptors, implying direct contacts between rods and off CB cells. Anatomical evidence supports the existence of both these circuits. To investigate the contribution of these alternative pathways to scotopic vision in the mammalian retina, we have performed patch-clamp recordings from ganglion cells in the dark-adapted retina of the rabbit, mouse, and rat. Approximately one-half of the ganglion cells in the rabbit retina received off signals through a circuit that was independent of RB cells. This was shown by their persistence in the presence of the glutamate agonist 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB), which blocks rod-->RB cell signaling. Consistent with this result, strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist, was unable to abolish these off responses. In addition, we were able to show that some off cone bipolar dendrites terminate at rod spherules and make potential contacts. In the mouse retina, however, there seems to be a very low proportion of off signals carried by an APB-resistant pathway. No ganglion cells in the rat retina displayed APB- and strychnine-resistant responses. Our data support signaling through flat contacts between rods and off CB cells as the alternative route, but suggest that the significance of this pathway differs between species.

In vivo studies of signaling in rod pathways of the mouse using the electroretinogram

PURPOSE

(a) To examine the possibility that there is a threshold in the synaptic mechanism linking rods to rod bipolar cells that can reduce the transmission of continuous noise from the rods without blocking the transmission of any significant proportion of single-photon responses. (b) To estimate the level of this threshold and the amplitude of the continuous noise which it can serve to reduce. (c) To identify the location of the threshold mechanism in the rod to rod bipolar cell pathway.

METHODS

Corneal electroretinogram recordings were made from dark-adapted mice anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine after inner-retinal components had been suppressed to isolate PII, the response of depolarizing bipolar cells. Suppression was achieved by intravitreal injections of GABA, TTX, or in Cx36 KO animals by crushing the optic nerve and waiting for ganglion cells to degenerate.

RESULTS

All energy-scaled records of isolated PII obtained with ganzfeld stimuli that gave rise to much less than one photoisomerization (R*) per rod (0.01-0.2 R*/rod), had an essentially identical waveform. Stronger stimuli caused a reduction in the peak amplitude of energy-scaled records (saturation) and stimuli strong enough to produce multiple isomerizations in individual rods resulted in a shortening of the response latency and an increase of the energy-scaled amplitude at early times (supralinearity). The shape of the rising edge of isolated PII changed with flash energy in a way that was consistent with the existence of a synaptic threshold whose level was less than one tenth of the amplitude of single-photon signals and a continuous noise whose rms amplitude was even less than this. However, when measured at the time of the peak, the amplitude of PII increased linearly in proportion to stimulus energy from the very lowest levels up to the point where there was, on average, 0.2 R*/rod.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a threshold nonlinearity operating at the output of the rod to rod bipolar cell synapse that can usefully reduce the transmission of continuous rod noise without significantly affecting the transmission of single-photon signals. This nonlinearity does not affect the overall linear function of the rod pathway at levels at which it is effectively operating in a photon-counting mode.

Bipolar cells of the mouse retina: a gene gun, morphological study

One of the key elements concerning our understanding of the organization of the mouse retina is the complete classification of the various types of bipolar cells. With the present study, we tried to contribute to this important issue. Unfortunately, most of the antibodies that stain specifically bipolar cells in the retina of other mammals hardly work for the retina of the mouse. We succeeded in overcoming this limitation by using a relatively novel technique based on the gene gun transfer of fluorescent dyes to cells. Hence, we were able to stain a considerable number of bipolar cells that could be characterized according to morphological and comparative criteria. We also performed a complete morphometric analysis of a subset of bipolar cells stained by anti-neurokinin-3 receptor antibodies. We found nine types of cone bipolar cells and one type of rod bipolar cell; these data are consistent with the findings of previous studies on the retinas of other mammals, such as rabbits, rats, and monkeys and with a recent study based on the mouse retina (Ghosh et al. [2004] J Comp Neurol 469:70-82). Our results also confirm the existence of a common structural similarity among mammalian retinas. It remains to be elucidated what is exactly the functional role of the various types of cone bipolar cells and what is the specific contribution they provide to the perception of a given visual stimulus. Most probably, each bipolar cell type constitutes a specialized channel for the computation of a selected component of the visual stimulus. More complex signal coding, involving the coordinated activity of various types of bipolar cells, could also be postulated, as it has been shown for ganglion cells (Meister [1996] Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 93:609-614).

Parallel processing in the mammalian retina

Our eyes send different 'images' of the outside world to the brain - an image of contours (line drawing), a colour image (watercolour painting) or an image of moving objects (movie). This is commonly referred to as parallel processing, and starts as early as the first synapse of the retina, the cone pedicle. Here, the molecular composition of the transmitter receptors of the postsynaptic neurons defines which images are transferred to the inner retina. Within the second synaptic layer - the inner plexiform layer - circuits that involve complex inhibitory and excitatory interactions represent filters that select 'what the eye tells the brain'.

Functionally intact glutamate-mediated signaling in bipolar cells of the TRKB knockout mouse retina

In the juvenile trkB knockout (trkB−/−) mouse, retina synaptic communication from rods to bipolar cells is severely compromised as evidenced by a complete absence of electroretinogram (ERG)b-wave, even though the inner retina appears anatomically normal (Rohrer et al., 1999). Since it is well known that theb-wave reflects light-dependent synaptic activation of ON bipolar cellsviatheir metabotropic glutamate receptor, mGluR6, we sought to analyze the anatomical and functional integrity of the glutamatergic synapses at these and other bipolar cells in thetrkB−/−mouse. Although rod bipolar cells from wild-type juvenile mice were determined to be immunopositive for trkB, postsynaptic metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate receptor-mediated pathways in ON and OFF bipolar cells were found to be functionally intact, based on patch electrode recordings, using brief applications (“puffs”) of glutamate or its analog, 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB), a selective agonist for mGluR6 receptors. Ionotropic glutamate receptor function was assayed in OFF-cone bipolar and horizontal cells by applying exogenous glutamatergic agonists in the presence of the channel-permeant guanidinium analogue, 1-amino-4-guanidobutane (AGB). Electron-microscopic analysis revealed that the ribbon synapses between rods and postsynaptic rod bipolar and horizontal cells were formed at the appropriate age and appear to be structurally intact, and immunohistochemical analysis did not detect profound defects in the expression of excitatory amino acid transporters involved in glutamate clearance from the synaptic cleft. These data indicate that there does not appear to be evidence for postsynaptic deficits in glutamatergic signaling in the ON and OFF bipolar cells of mice lacking trkB.

Direct synaptic connections between rods and OFF cone bipolar cells in the rabbit retina

Mammalian retinal circuits are broadly divided into rod and cone pathways, responsible for dark- and light-adapted vision, respectively. The classic rod pathway employs a single type of rod bipolar cell, which synapses with AII amacrine cells. AII amacrine cells then pass the signal to ON and OFF cone bipolar cells, respectively. Alternatively, rod signals may enter cones via gap junctions between rods and cones, and then pass from cones to cone bipolar cells. Thus, this second rod pathway does not utilize rod bipolar cells. Finally, in rodents, a third rod pathway, involving direct connections between rods and certain OFF cone bipolar cells, has been suggested. In this study, 56 OFF cone bipolar cells in the rabbit retina were dye-injected with Lucifer Yellow and their photoreceptor connections were examined by confocal microscopy in wholemount. The locations of rod and cone terminals were marked with antibodies to mGluR6 or synaptic proteins. Most OFF cone bipolar dendrites terminated at cone pedicles but some made potential contacts with rod spherules. The synaptic nature of these sites was confirmed by the presence of GluR2 receptors. All three OFF bipolar cell types had dendrites that terminated at rod spherules. However, approximately 80% of Ba2 and Ba3, but only 26% of Ba1 OFF cone bipolar cells made rod contacts. This variability suggests differential rod input to certain retinal pathways. In summary, we report anatomical evidence for direct connections between rods and OFF cone bipolar cells in a nonrodent mammal. Our data suggest that this alternative rod pathway may be a common feature of the mammalian retina.

Expression pattern of lacZ reporter gene representing connexin36 in transgenic mice

Targeted deletion of the connexin36 (Cx36) gene in the mouse genome leads to visual transmission defects, weakened synchrony of rhythmic inhibitory potentials in the neocortex, and disruption of gamma-frequency network oscillations. We have generated transgenic mice in which a reporter protein consisting of the exon1 coded N-terminal part of Cx36 fused to beta-galactosidase (N36-beta-gal) is expressed instead of Cx36. Here, we have used these mice for a detailed analysis of the reporter gene expression. By beta-gal staining of adult retina, we found expression of the lacZ reporter gene in the ganglion cell layer, in two rows of the inner nuclear layer, and in the photoreceptor layer. In the brain, beta-gal staining was present in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons of the cerebellar nuclei, in non-GABAergic neurons of the inferior olive, in mitral cells of the olfactory bulb, and in parvalbumin-positive cells of the cerebral cortex. Outside the central nervous system, N36-beta-gal signals were detected in insulin producing beta-cells of the pancreas and in the medulla of the adrenal gland of adult Cx36(+/del[LacZ]) mice. This expression pattern suggests that Cx36 fulfills functional roles not only in several types of neurons in the retina and central nervous system but also in excitable cells of the pancreas and adrenal gland.

Light-evoked current responses in rod bipolar cells, cone depolarizing bipolar cells and AII amacrine cells in dark-adapted mouse retina

Light-evoked excitatory cation current (DeltaI(C)) and inhibitory chloride current (DeltaI(Cl)) of rod and cone depolarizing bipolar cells (DBC(R)s and DBC(C)s) and AII amacrine cells (AIIACs) in dark-adapted mouse retinal slices were studied by whole-cell voltage-clamp recording techniques, and the cell morphology was revealed by Lucifer yellow fluorescence with a confocal microscope. DeltaI(C) of all DBC(R)s exhibited similar high sensitivity to 500 nm light, but two patterns of DeltaI(Cl) were observed in DBC(R)s with slightly different axon morphology. At least two types of DBC(C)s were identified: one with axon terminals ramified in 70-85% of the depth of the inner plexiform layer (IPL) and DBC(R)-like DeltaI(C) sensitivity, whereas the other with axon terminals ramified in 55-75% of IPL depth and much lower DeltaI(C) sensitivity. The relative rod/cone inputs to DBCs and AIIACs were analysed by comparing the DeltaI(C) and DeltaI(Cl) thresholds and dynamic ranges with the corresponding values of rods and cones. On average, the sensitivity of a DBC(R) to the 500 nm light is about 20 times higher than that of a rod. The sensitivity of an AIIAC is more than 1000 times higher than that of a rod, suggesting that AIIAC responses are pooled through a coupled network of about 40 AIIACs. Interactions of rod and cone signals in dark-adapted mouse retina appear asymmetrical: rod signals spread into the cone system more efficiently than cone signals into the rod system. The mouse synaptic circuitry allows small rod signals to be highly amplified, and effectively transmitted to the cone system via rod-cone and AIIAC-DBC(C) coupling.

Stratum-by-stratum projection of light response attributes by retinal bipolar cells of Ambystoma

The visual system processes light images by projecting various representations of the visual world to segregated regions in the brain through parallel channels. Retinal bipolar cells constitute the first parallel channels that carry different light response attributes to different parts of the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Here we present a systematic study on detailed axonal morphology and light response characteristics of over 200 bipolar cells in dark-adapted salamander retinal slices by the whole-cell voltage clamp and Lucifer yellow fluorescence (with a confocal microscope) techniques. Four major groups of bipolar cells were identified according to the patterns of axon terminal ramification in the IPL: 36% were narrowly monostratified (whose axon terminals ramified in one of the 10 strata of the IPL), 27% were broadly monostratified, 19% were multistratified, and 18% bore pyramidally branching axons. By analysing the bipolar cells with narrowly monostratified axon terminals in each of the 10 strata of the IPL, we found that several key light response attributes are highly correlated with the strata in which the cells' axon terminals ramify. The 10 IPL strata appear to be the basic building blocks for attributes of light-evoked signal outputs in all bipolar cells, and several general stratum-by-stratum rules were identified by analysing the broadly monostratified, multistratified and pyramidally branching cells. These rules not only uncover mechanisms by which third-order retinal cells integrate and compute bipolar cell signals, but also shed considerable light on how bipolar cells in other vertebrates process visual information and how physiological signals may shape the morphology and projection of output synapses of visual neurones during development.

Electrical synapses: a dynamic signaling system that shapes the activity of neuronal networks

Gap junctions consist of intercellular channels dedicated to providing a direct pathway for ionic and biochemical communication between contacting cells. After an initial burst of publications describing electrical coupling in the brain, gap junctions progressively became less fashionable among neurobiologists, as the consensus was that this form of synaptic transmission would play a minimal role in shaping neuronal activity in higher vertebrates. Several new findings over the last decade (e.g. the implication of connexins in genetic diseases of the nervous system, in processing sensory information and in synchronizing the activity of neuronal networks) have brought gap junctions back into the spotlight. The appearance of gap junctional coupling in the nervous system is developmentally regulated, restricted to distinct cell types and persists after the establishment of chemical synapses, thus suggesting that this form of cell-cell signaling may be functionally interrelated with, rather than alternative to chemical transmission. This review focuses on gap junctions between neurons and summarizes the available data, derived from molecular, biological, electrophysiological, and genetic approaches, that are contributing to a new appreciation of their role in brain function.

Selective transmission of single photon responses by saturation at the rod-to-rod bipolar synapse

A threshold-like nonlinearity in signal transfer from mouse rod photoreceptors to rod bipolar cells dramatically improves the absolute sensitivity of the rod signals. The work described here reaches three conclusions about the mechanisms generating this nonlinearity. (1) The nonlinearity is caused primarily by saturation of the feedforward rod-to-rod bipolar synapse and not by feedback from horizontal or amacrine cells. This saturation renders the rod bipolar current insensitive to small changes in transmitter release from the rod. (2) Saturation occurs within the G protein cascade that couples receptors to channels in the rod bipolar dendrites, with little or no contribution from presynaptic mechanisms or saturation of the postsynaptic receptors. (3) Between 0.5 and 2 bipolar transduction channels are open in darkness at each synapse, compared to the approximately 30 channels open at the peak of the single photon response.

Connexin35/36 gap junction proteins are expressed in photoreceptors of the tiger salamander retina

Photoreceptors in the vertebrate retina are electrically coupled with one another. Such coupling plays important roles in visual information processing. Physiological properties of rod-rod and rod-cone coupling have been best studied in the salamander retina, yet the cellular and molecular basis of these electrical synapses has not been established. Recently, connexin35/36 (Cx35/36) gap junction proteins were found to be highly expressed in brain and retina, suggesting that it may mediate photoreceptor coupling. To test this idea, we examined the cellular distribution of Cx35/36 in the salamander retina. Western blot analysis showed the expression of Cx35/36 proteins, and confocal microscopy revealed characteristic punctate Cx35/36 immunoreactivity in both synaptic layers. In addition, Cx35/36-positive plaques were detected in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) between neighboring rods, and these plaques outlined the mosaic of the rod network at a level distal to the external limiting membrane. Moreover, although Cx35/36 plaques were detected between some cones and their adjacent rods, the number and size of these plaques was smaller, and their staining intensity was diminished compared with the plaques between adjacent rods. Furthermore, Lucifer yellow injection together with confocal microscopy revealed that Cx35/36-puncta were colocalized with finlike structures of rod cell membrane, with the ultrastructure of gap junctions between paired rod fins having been found by electron microscopy. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that Cx35/36 expression in photoreceptors is primarily located between rods and to a lesser extent between rods and cones, suggesting that Cx35/36 may participate in electrical coupling between rods and between rods and cones in the salamander retina.

Control of late off-center cone bipolar cell differentiation and visual signaling by the homeobox gene Vsx1

Retinal bipolar cells are interneurons that transmit visual signals from photoreceptors to ganglion cells. Although the visual pathways mediated by bipolar cells have been well characterized, the genes that regulate their development and function are largely unknown. To determine the role in bipolar cell development of the homeobox gene Vsx1, whose retinal expression is restricted to a major subset of differentiating and mature cone bipolar (CB) cells, we targeted the gene in mice. Bipolar cell fate was not altered in the absence of Vsx1 function, because the pan-bipolar markers Chx10 and Ret-B1 continued to be expressed in inner nuclear layer neurons labeled by the Vsx1-targeting reporter gene, tauLacZ. The specification, number, and gross morphology of the subset of on-center and off-center (OFF)-CB cells defined by tauLacZ expression from the Vsx1 locus were also normal in Vsx1(tauLacZ)/Vsx1(tauLacZ) mice. However, the terminal differentiation of OFF-CB cells in the retina of Vsx1(tauLacZ)/Vsx1(tauLacZ) mice was incomplete, as demonstrated by a substantial reduction in the expression of at least four markers (recoverin, NK3R, Neto1, and CaB5) for these interneurons. These molecular abnormalities were associated with defects in retinal function and documented by electroretinography and in vitro ganglion cell recordings specific to cone visual signaling. In particular, there was a general reduction in the light-mediated activity of OFF, but not on-center, ganglion cells. Thus, Vsx1 is required for the late differentiation and function of OFF-CB cells and is associated with a heritable OFF visual pathway-specific retinal defect.

The population of bipolar cells in the rabbit retina

The population of bipolar cells in the rabbit retina was studied using Golgi impregnation and photocatalyzed filling of single cells with dihydrorhodamine, a quantitative sampling technique. The Golgi method revealed the morphology and stratification of cells in detail. The photofilling method allowed us to estimate the frequency of the cell types. From a sample of 243 Golgi-impregnated bipolar cells and 107 photofilled cells, we identified 1 type of rod bipolar cell and 12 types of cone bipolar cells. An analysis based on retinal coverage indicates that this number of types could be contained within the number of bipolar cells known to exist. The dendrites of most cone bipolars contacted all the cones within the individual cone bipolar cell's dendritic field. Types of bipolar cell were encountered at roughly similar frequency, without any one type predominating. The rabbit retina thus contains about a dozen parallel and roughly equipotent through-pathways.

Types of bipolar cells in the mouse retina

We studied the morphology of bipolar cells in fixed vertical tissue sections (slices) of the mouse retina by injecting the cells with Lucifer Yellow and Neurobiotin. Nine different cone bipolar cell types and one rod bipolar cell type were distinguished. The major criteria for classifying the cells were the branching pattern and stratification level of their axon terminals in the inner plexiform layer (IPL). To assess this, the IPL was subdivided into five strata of equal width. The slices were immunostained for calretinin, which labels three horizontal bands serving as a standard measure for the precise localization of the axon terminals. Immunostaining the retina with antibodies against the G-protein Ggamma13, a marker for ON-bipolar cells, made it possible to separate OFF- and ON-bipolar cells. At least two OFF-cone bipolar cells (Types 1 and 2) were immunolabeled with antibodies against the neurokinin 3 receptors (NK3R). A further OFF- and an ON-cone bipolar cell (Types 3 and 5) were immunostained with antibodies against the calcium-binding protein CaB5. The bipolar cell types described here were compared with previous schemes of rat and primate bipolar cells. Homologous types between the three species are discussed.