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Lu Y, Liu J, Li B, Wang H, Wang F, Wang S, Wu H, Han H, Hua Y. Spatial patterns of noise-induced inner hair cell ribbon loss in the mouse mid-cochlea. iScience 2024; 27:108825. [PMID: 38313060 PMCID: PMC10835352 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In the mammalian cochlea, moderate acoustic overexposure leads to loss of ribbon-type synapse between the inner hair cell (IHC) and its postsynaptic spiral ganglion neuron (SGN), causing a reduced dynamic range of hearing but not a permanent threshold elevation. A prevailing view is that such ribbon loss (known as synaptopathy) selectively impacts the low-spontaneous-rate and high-threshold SGN fibers contacting predominantly the modiolar IHC face. However, the spatial pattern of synaptopathy remains scarcely characterized in the most sensitive mid-cochlear region, where two morphological subtypes of IHC with distinct ribbon size gradients coexist. Here, we used volume electron microscopy to investigate noise exposure-related changes in the mouse IHCs with and without ribbon loss. Our quantifications reveal that IHC subtypes differ in the worst-hit area of synaptopathy. Moreover, we show relative enrichment of mitochondria in the surviving SGN terminals, providing key experimental evidence for the long-proposed role of SGN-terminal mitochondria in synaptic vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai 200125, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai 200125, China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Laboratory of Brain Atlas and Brain-inspired Intelligence, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Bei Li
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai 200125, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Shengxiong Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai 200125, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai 200125, China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Hua Han
- Laboratory of Brain Atlas and Brain-inspired Intelligence, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
- State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yunfeng Hua
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai 200125, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai 200125, China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
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2
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Moser T, Karagulyan N, Neef J, Jaime Tobón LM. Diversity matters - extending sound intensity coding by inner hair cells via heterogeneous synapses. EMBO J 2023; 42:e114587. [PMID: 37800695 PMCID: PMC10690447 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023114587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Our sense of hearing enables the processing of stimuli that differ in sound pressure by more than six orders of magnitude. How to process a wide range of stimulus intensities with temporal precision is an enigmatic phenomenon of the auditory system. Downstream of dynamic range compression by active cochlear micromechanics, the inner hair cells (IHCs) cover the full intensity range of sound input. Yet, the firing rate in each of their postsynaptic spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) encodes only a fraction of it. As a population, spiral ganglion neurons with their respective individual coding fractions cover the entire audible range. How such "dynamic range fractionation" arises is a topic of current research and the focus of this review. Here, we discuss mechanisms for generating the diverse functional properties of SGNs and formulate testable hypotheses. We postulate that an interplay of synaptic heterogeneity, molecularly distinct subtypes of SGNs, and efferent modulation serves the neural decomposition of sound information and thus contributes to a population code for sound intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Moser
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Auditory Neuroscience and Synaptic Nanophysiology GroupMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
- Cluster of Excellence “Multiscale Bioimaging of Excitable Cells”GöttingenGermany
| | - Nare Karagulyan
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Auditory Neuroscience and Synaptic Nanophysiology GroupMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
- Hertha Sponer CollegeCluster of Excellence “Multiscale Bioimaging of Excitable Cells” Cluster of ExcellenceGöttingenGermany
| | - Jakob Neef
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Auditory Neuroscience and Synaptic Nanophysiology GroupMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Lina María Jaime Tobón
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Auditory Neuroscience and Synaptic Nanophysiology GroupMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
- Hertha Sponer CollegeCluster of Excellence “Multiscale Bioimaging of Excitable Cells” Cluster of ExcellenceGöttingenGermany
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3
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Michanski S, Kapoor R, Steyer AM, Möbius W, Früholz I, Ackermann F, Gültas M, Garner CC, Hamra FK, Neef J, Strenzke N, Moser T, Wichmann C. Piccolino is required for ribbon architecture at cochlear inner hair cell synapses and for hearing. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56702. [PMID: 37477166 PMCID: PMC10481675 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202256702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) form specialized ribbon synapses with spiral ganglion neurons that tirelessly transmit sound information at high rates over long time periods with extreme temporal precision. This functional specialization is essential for sound encoding and is attributed to a distinct molecular machinery with unique players or splice variants compared to conventional neuronal synapses. Among these is the active zone (AZ) scaffold protein piccolo/aczonin, which is represented by its short splice variant piccolino at cochlear and retinal ribbon synapses. While the function of piccolo at synapses of the central nervous system has been intensively investigated, the role of piccolino at IHC synapses remains unclear. In this study, we characterize the structure and function of IHC synapses in piccolo gene-trap mutant rats (Pclogt/gt ). We find a mild hearing deficit with elevated thresholds and reduced amplitudes of auditory brainstem responses. Ca2+ channel distribution and ribbon morphology are altered in apical IHCs, while their presynaptic function seems to be unchanged. We conclude that piccolino contributes to the AZ organization in IHCs and is essential for normal hearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susann Michanski
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of NeurodegenerationUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Collaborative Research Center 889 “Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing”GöttingenGermany
- Multiscale Bioimaging of Excitable Cells, Cluster of ExcellenceGöttingenGermany
| | - Rohan Kapoor
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Auditory Neuroscience and Synaptic Nanophysiology GroupMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
- IMPRS Molecular Biology, Göttingen Graduate School for Neuroscience and Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Anna M Steyer
- Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Department of NeurogeneticsMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Wiebke Möbius
- Multiscale Bioimaging of Excitable Cells, Cluster of ExcellenceGöttingenGermany
- Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Department of NeurogeneticsMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Iris Früholz
- Developmental, Neural, and Behavioral Biology Master ProgramUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | | | - Mehmet Gültas
- Faculty of AgricultureSouth Westphalia University of Applied SciencesSoestGermany
| | - Craig C Garner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesBerlinGermany
- NeuroCureCluster of ExcellenceCharité – UniversitätsmedizinBerlinGermany
| | - F Kent Hamra
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
| | - Jakob Neef
- Collaborative Research Center 889 “Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing”GöttingenGermany
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Auditory Neuroscience and Synaptic Nanophysiology GroupMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Nicola Strenzke
- Collaborative Research Center 889 “Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing”GöttingenGermany
- Auditory Systems Physiology Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Tobias Moser
- Collaborative Research Center 889 “Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing”GöttingenGermany
- Multiscale Bioimaging of Excitable Cells, Cluster of ExcellenceGöttingenGermany
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Auditory Neuroscience and Synaptic Nanophysiology GroupMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Carolin Wichmann
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of NeurodegenerationUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Collaborative Research Center 889 “Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing”GöttingenGermany
- Multiscale Bioimaging of Excitable Cells, Cluster of ExcellenceGöttingenGermany
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4
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Vogl C, Neef J, Wichmann C. Methods for multiscale structural and functional analysis of the mammalian cochlea. Mol Cell Neurosci 2022; 120:103720. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2022.103720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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5
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Chakrabarti R, Jaime Tobón LM, Slitin L, Redondo Canales M, Hoch G, Slashcheva M, Fritsch E, Bodensiek K, Özçete ÖD, Gültas M, Michanski S, Opazo F, Neef J, Pangrsic T, Moser T, Wichmann C. Optogenetics and electron tomography for structure-function analysis of cochlear ribbon synapses. eLife 2022; 11:79494. [PMID: 36562477 PMCID: PMC9908081 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribbon synapses of cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) are specialized to indefatigably transmit sound information at high rates. To understand the underlying mechanisms, structure-function analysis of the active zone (AZ) of these synapses is essential. Previous electron microscopy studies of synaptic vesicle (SV) dynamics at the IHC AZ used potassium stimulation, which limited the temporal resolution to minutes. Here, we established optogenetic IHC stimulation followed by quick freezing within milliseconds and electron tomography to study the ultrastructure of functional synapse states with good temporal resolution in mice. We characterized optogenetic IHC stimulation by patch-clamp recordings from IHCs and postsynaptic boutons revealing robust IHC depolarization and neurotransmitter release. Ultrastructurally, the number of docked SVs increased upon short (17-25 ms) and long (48-76 ms) light stimulation paradigms. We did not observe enlarged SVs or other morphological correlates of homotypic fusion events. Our results indicate a rapid recruitment of SVs to the docked state upon stimulation and suggest that univesicular release prevails as the quantal mechanism of exocytosis at IHC ribbon synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rituparna Chakrabarti
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Collaborative Research Center 889 "Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing"GöttingenGermany
| | - Lina María Jaime Tobón
- Collaborative Research Center 889 "Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing"GöttingenGermany,Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Auditory Neuroscience & Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Loujin Slitin
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Collaborative Research Center 889 "Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing"GöttingenGermany
| | - Magdalena Redondo Canales
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Collaborative Research Center 889 "Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing"GöttingenGermany
| | - Gerhard Hoch
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Auditory Neuroscience & Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Marina Slashcheva
- Göttingen Graduate School for Neuroscience and Molecular Biosciences, University of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Elisabeth Fritsch
- Göttingen Graduate School for Neuroscience and Molecular Biosciences, University of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Kai Bodensiek
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Özge Demet Özçete
- Collaborative Research Center 889 "Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing"GöttingenGermany,Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Auditory Neuroscience & Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Mehmet Gültas
- Faculty of Agriculture, South Westphalia University of Applied SciencesSoestGermany
| | - Susann Michanski
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Collaborative Research Center 889 "Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing"GöttingenGermany
| | - Felipe Opazo
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,NanoTag Biotechnologies GmbHGöttingenGermany,Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Jakob Neef
- Collaborative Research Center 889 "Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing"GöttingenGermany,Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Auditory Neuroscience & Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Tina Pangrsic
- Collaborative Research Center 889 "Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing"GöttingenGermany,Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Auditory Neuroscience & Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany,Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable CellsGöttingenGermany,Synaptic Physiology of Mammalian Vestibular Hair Cells Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Tobias Moser
- Collaborative Research Center 889 "Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing"GöttingenGermany,Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Auditory Neuroscience & Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany,Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable CellsGöttingenGermany
| | - Carolin Wichmann
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany,Collaborative Research Center 889 "Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing"GöttingenGermany,Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable CellsGöttingenGermany
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6
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Liu J, Wang S, Lu Y, Wang H, Wang F, Qiu M, Xie Q, Han H, Hua Y. Aligned Organization of Synapses and Mitochondria in Auditory Hair Cells. Neurosci Bull 2021; 38:235-248. [PMID: 34837647 PMCID: PMC8975952 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00801-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed great functional and structural heterogeneity in the ribbon-type synapses at the basolateral pole of the isopotential inner hair cell (IHC). This feature is believed to be critical for audition over a wide dynamic range, but whether the spatial gradient of ribbon morphology is fine-tuned in each IHC and how the mitochondrial network is organized to meet local energy demands of synaptic transmission remain unclear. By means of three-dimensional electron microscopy and artificial intelligence-based algorithms, we demonstrated the cell-wide structural quantification of ribbons and mitochondria in mature mid-cochlear IHCs of mice. We found that adjacent IHCs in staggered pairs differ substantially in cell body shape and ribbon morphology gradient as well as mitochondrial organization. Moreover, our analysis argues for a location-specific arrangement of correlated ribbon and mitochondrial function at the basolateral IHC pole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419School of Artificial Intelligence, School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408 China ,grid.507732.4CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, 200031 China
| | - Shengxiong Wang
- grid.24516.340000000123704535Putuo People’s Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200060 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125 China
| | - Yan Lu
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125 China ,grid.412523.3Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200125 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125 China ,grid.412987.10000 0004 0630 1330Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, 200125 China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125 China ,grid.412523.3Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200125 China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125 China ,grid.412987.10000 0004 0630 1330Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, 200125 China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125 China
| | - Miaoxin Qiu
- grid.24516.340000000123704535Putuo People’s Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200060 China
| | - Qiwei Xie
- grid.28703.3e0000 0000 9040 3743Research Base of Beijing Modern Manufacturing Development, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124 China
| | - Hua Han
- National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China. .,School of Artificial Intelligence, School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China. .,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Yunfeng Hua
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125, China. .,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200125, China. .,Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, 200125, China.
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7
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Joshi Y, Petit CP, Miot S, Guillet M, Sendin G, Bourien J, Wang J, Pujol R, El Mestikawy S, Puel JL, Nouvian R. VGLUT3-p.A211V variant fuses stereocilia bundles and elongates synaptic ribbons. J Physiol 2021; 599:5397-5416. [PMID: 34783032 PMCID: PMC9299590 DOI: 10.1113/jp282181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract DFNA25 is an autosomal‐dominant and progressive form of human deafness caused by mutations in the SLC17A8 gene, which encodes the vesicular glutamate transporter type 3 (VGLUT3). To resolve the mechanisms underlying DFNA25, we studied phenotypes of mice harbouring the p.A221V mutation in humans (corresponding to p.A224V in mice). Using auditory brainstem response and distortion product otoacoustic emissions, we showed progressive hearing loss with intact cochlear amplification in the VGLUT3A224V/A224V mouse. The summating potential was reduced, indicating the alteration of inner hair cell (IHC) receptor potential. Scanning electron microscopy examinations demonstrated the collapse of stereocilia bundles in IHCs, leaving those from outer hair cells unaffected. In addition, IHC ribbon synapses underwent structural and functional modifications at later stages. Using super‐resolution microscopy, we observed oversized synaptic ribbons and patch‐clamp membrane capacitance measurements showed an increase in the rate of the sustained releasable pool exocytosis. These results suggest that DFNA25 stems from a failure in the mechano‐transduction followed by a change in synaptic transfer. The VGLUT3A224V/A224V mouse model opens the way to a deeper understanding and to a potential treatment for DFNA25. Key points The vesicular glutamate transporter type 3 (VGLUT3) loads glutamate into the synaptic vesicles of auditory sensory cells, the inner hair cells (IHCs). The VGLUT3‐p.A211V variant is associated with human deafness DFNA25. Mutant mice carrying the VGLUT3‐p.A211V variant show progressive hearing loss. IHCs from mutant mice harbour distorted stereocilary bundles, which detect incoming sound stimulation, followed by oversized synaptic ribbons, which release glutamate onto the afferent nerve fibres. These results suggest that DFNA25 stems from the failure of auditory sensory cells to faithfully transduce acoustic cues into neural messages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuvraj Joshi
- INM, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Stéphanie Miot
- INM, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France.,Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie UM 119, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Jing Wang
- INM, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Rémy Pujol
- INM, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Salah El Mestikawy
- Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie UM 119, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), Paris, France.,Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Régis Nouvian
- INM, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France.,INM, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
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8
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Kesharwani A, Schwarz K, Dembla E, Dembla M, Schmitz F. Early Changes in Exo- and Endocytosis in the EAE Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis Correlate with Decreased Synaptic Ribbon Size and Reduced Ribbon-Associated Vesicle Pools in Rod Photoreceptor Synapses. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910789. [PMID: 34639129 PMCID: PMC8509850 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that finally leads to demyelination. Demyelinating optic neuritis is a frequent symptom in MS. Recent studies also revealed synapse dysfunctions in MS patients and MS mouse models. We previously reported alterations of photoreceptor ribbon synapses in the experimental auto-immune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS. In the present study, we found that the previously observed decreased imunosignals of photoreceptor ribbons in early EAE resulted from a decrease in synaptic ribbon size, whereas the number/density of ribbons in photoreceptor synapses remained unchanged. Smaller photoreceptor ribbons are associated with fewer docked and ribbon-associated vesicles. At a functional level, depolarization-evoked exocytosis as monitored by optical recording was diminished even as early as on day 7 after EAE induction. Moreover compensatory, post-depolarization endocytosis was decreased. Decreased post-depolarization endocytosis in early EAE correlated with diminished synaptic enrichment of dynamin3. In contrast, basal endocytosis in photoreceptor synapses of resting non-depolarized retinal slices was increased in early EAE. Increased basal endocytosis correlated with increased de-phosphorylation of dynamin1. Thus, multiple endocytic pathways in photoreceptor synapse are differentially affected in early EAE and likely contribute to the observed synapse pathology in early EAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Kesharwani
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (K.S.); (E.D.); (M.D.); (F.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Karin Schwarz
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (K.S.); (E.D.); (M.D.); (F.S.)
| | - Ekta Dembla
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (K.S.); (E.D.); (M.D.); (F.S.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Mayur Dembla
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (K.S.); (E.D.); (M.D.); (F.S.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Frank Schmitz
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (K.S.); (E.D.); (M.D.); (F.S.)
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9
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Payne SA, Joens MS, Chung H, Skigen N, Frank A, Gattani S, Vaughn K, Schwed A, Nester M, Bhattacharyya A, Iyer G, Davis B, Carlquist J, Patel H, Fitzpatrick JAJ, Rutherford MA. Maturation of Heterogeneity in Afferent Synapse Ultrastructure in the Mouse Cochlea. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:678575. [PMID: 34220482 PMCID: PMC8248813 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.678575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Auditory nerve fibers (ANFs) innervating the same inner hair cell (IHC) may have identical frequency tuning but different sound response properties. In cat and guinea pig, ANF response properties correlate with afferent synapse morphology and position on the IHC, suggesting a causal structure-function relationship. In mice, this relationship has not been fully characterized. Here we measured the emergence of synaptic morphological heterogeneities during maturation of the C57BL/6J mouse cochlea by comparing postnatal day 17 (p17, ∼3 days after hearing onset) with p34, when the mouse cochlea is mature. Using serial block face scanning electron microscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction we measured the size, shape, vesicle content, and position of 70 ribbon synapses from the mid-cochlea. Several features matured over late postnatal development. From p17 to p34, presynaptic densities (PDs) and post-synaptic densities (PSDs) became smaller on average (PDs: 0.75 to 0.33; PSDs: 0.58 to 0.31 μm2) and less round as their short axes shortened predominantly on the modiolar side, from 770 to 360 nm. Membrane-associated synaptic vesicles decreased in number from 53 to 30 per synapse from p17 to p34. Anatomical coupling, measured as PSD to ribbon distance, tightened predominantly on the pillar side. Ribbons became less spherical as long-axes lengthened only on the modiolar side of the IHC, from 372 to 541 nm. A decreasing gradient of synaptic ribbon size along the modiolar-pillar axis was detected only at p34 after aligning synapses of adjacent IHCs to a common reference frame (median volumes in nm3 × 106: modiolar 4.87; pillar 2.38). The number of ribbon-associated synaptic vesicles scaled with ribbon size (range 67 to 346 per synapse at p34), thus acquiring a modiolar-pillar gradient at p34, but overall medians were similar at p17 (120) and p34 (127), like ribbon surface area (0.36 vs. 0.34 μm2). PD and PSD morphologies were tightly correlated to each other at individual synapses, more so at p34 than p17, but not to ribbon morphology. These observations suggest that PDs and PSDs mature according to different cues than ribbons, and that ribbon size may be more influenced by cues from the IHC than the surrounding tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby A Payne
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Matthew S Joens
- Center for Cellular Imaging, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States.,TESCAN USA, Inc., Warrendale, PA, United States
| | - Heather Chung
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Natalie Skigen
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Adam Frank
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Sonali Gattani
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Kya Vaughn
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Allison Schwed
- Graduate Program in Audiology and Communications Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Matt Nester
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Atri Bhattacharyya
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Guhan Iyer
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Bethany Davis
- Graduate Program in Audiology and Communications Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jason Carlquist
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Honey Patel
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - James A J Fitzpatrick
- Center for Cellular Imaging, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Mark A Rutherford
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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10
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Piccolo is essential for the maintenance of mouse retina but not cochlear hair cell function. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:11678-11695. [PMID: 33882456 PMCID: PMC8109093 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Piccolo is a presynaptic protein with high conservation among different species, and the expression of Piccolo is extensive in vertebrates. Recently, a small fragment of Piccolo (Piccolino), arising due to the incomplete splicing of intron 5/6, was found to be present in the synapses of retinas and cochleae. However, the comprehensive function of Piccolo in the retina and cochlea remains unclear. In this study, we generated Piccolo knockout mice using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to explore the function of Piccolo. Unexpectedly, whereas no abnormalities were found in the cochlear hair cells of the mutant mice, significant differences were found in the retinas, in which two layers (the outer nuclear layer and the outer plexiform layer) were absent. Additionally, the amplitudes of electroretinograms were significantly reduced and pigmentation was observed in the fundoscopy of the mutant mouse retinas. The expression levels of Bassoon, a homolog of Piccolo, as well as synapse-associated proteins CtBP1, CtBP2, Kif3A, and Rim1 were down-regulated. The numbers of ribbon synapses in the retinas of the mutant mice were also reduced. Altogether, the phenotype of Piccolo-/- mice resembled the symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in humans, suggesting Piccolo might be a candidate gene of RP and indicates Piccolo knockout mice are a good model for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of RP.
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11
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Liu W, Luque M, Li H, Schrott-Fischer A, Glueckert R, Tylstedt S, Rajan G, Ladak H, Agrawal S, Rask-Andersen H. Spike Generators and Cell Signaling in the Human Auditory Nerve: An Ultrastructural, Super-Resolution, and Gene Hybridization Study. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:642211. [PMID: 33796009 PMCID: PMC8008129 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.642211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The human auditory nerve contains 30,000 nerve fibers (NFs) that relay complex speech information to the brain with spectacular acuity. How speech is coded and influenced by various conditions is not known. It is also uncertain whether human nerve signaling involves exclusive proteins and gene manifestations compared with that of other species. Such information is difficult to determine due to the vulnerable, "esoteric," and encapsulated human ear surrounded by the hardest bone in the body. We collected human inner ear material for nanoscale visualization combining transmission electron microscopy (TEM), super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SR-SIM), and RNA-scope analysis for the first time. Our aim was to gain information about the molecular instruments in human auditory nerve processing and deviations, and ways to perform electric modeling of prosthetic devices. Material and Methods: Human tissue was collected during trans-cochlear procedures to remove petro-clival meningioma after ethical permission. Cochlear neurons were processed for electron microscopy, confocal microscopy (CM), SR-SIM, and high-sensitive in situ hybridization for labeling single mRNA transcripts to detect ion channel and transporter proteins associated with nerve signal initiation and conductance. Results: Transport proteins and RNA transcripts were localized at the subcellular level. Hemi-nodal proteins were identified beneath the inner hair cells (IHCs). Voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) were expressed in the spiral ganglion (SG) and axonal initial segments (AISs). Nodes of Ranvier (NR) expressed Nav1.6 proteins, and encoding genes critical for inter-cellular coupling were disclosed. Discussion: Our results suggest that initial spike generators are located beneath the IHCs in humans. The first NRs appear at different places. Additional spike generators and transcellular communication may boost, sharpen, and synchronize afferent signals by cell clusters at different frequency bands. These instruments may be essential for the filtering of complex sounds and may be challenged by various pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Head and Neck Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Luque
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hao Li
- Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Head and Neck Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Rudolf Glueckert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sven Tylstedt
- Department of Olaryngology, Västerviks Hospital, Västervik, Sweden
| | - Gunesh Rajan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Luzern, Switzerland
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Hanif Ladak
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Medical Biophysics and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Sumit Agrawal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Helge Rask-Andersen
- Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Head and Neck Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
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12
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Effertz T, Moser T, Oliver D. Recent advances in cochlear hair cell nanophysiology: subcellular compartmentalization of electrical signaling in compact sensory cells. Fac Rev 2021; 9:24. [PMID: 33659956 PMCID: PMC7886071 DOI: 10.12703/r/9-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, genetics, physiology, and structural biology have advanced into the molecular details of the sensory physiology of auditory hair cells. Inner hair cells (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs) mediate two key functions: active amplification and non-linear compression of cochlear vibrations by OHCs and sound encoding by IHCs at their afferent synapses with the spiral ganglion neurons. OHCs and IHCs share some molecular physiology, e.g. mechanotransduction at the apical hair bundles, ribbon-type presynaptic active zones, and ionic conductances in the basolateral membrane. Unique features enabling their specific function include prestin-based electromotility of OHCs and indefatigable transmitter release at the highest known rates by ribbon-type IHC active zones. Despite their compact morphology, the molecular machineries that either generate electrical signals or are driven by these signals are essentially all segregated into local subcellular structures. This review provides a brief account on recent insights into the molecular physiology of cochlear hair cells with a specific focus on organization into membrane domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Effertz
- InnerEarLab, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Moser
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099 Göttingen, Germany
- Auditory Neuroscience Group, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Multiscale Bioimaging Cluster of Excellence (MBExC), University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dominik Oliver
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Philipps University, Deutschhausstraße 2, 35037 Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Universities of Marburg and Giessen, Germany
- DFG Research Training Group, Membrane Plasticity in Tissue Development and Remodelling, GRK 2213, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
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13
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Hua Y, Ding X, Wang H, Wang F, Lu Y, Neef J, Gao Y, Moser T, Wu H. Electron Microscopic Reconstruction of Neural Circuitry in the Cochlea. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108551. [PMID: 33406431 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies reveal great diversity in the structure, function, and efferent innervation of afferent synaptic connections between the cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), which likely enables audition to process a wide range of sound pressures. By performing an extensive electron microscopic (EM) reconstruction of the neural circuitry in the mature mouse organ of Corti, we demonstrate that afferent SGN dendrites differ in abundance and composition of efferent innervation in a manner dependent on their afferent synaptic connectivity with IHCs. SGNs that sample glutamate release from several presynaptic ribbons receive more efferent innervation from lateral olivocochlear projections than those driven by a single ribbon. Next to the prevailing unbranched SGN dendrites, we found branched SGN dendrites that can contact several ribbons of 1-2 IHCs. Unexpectedly, medial olivocochlear neurons provide efferent innervation of SGN dendrites, preferring those forming single-ribbon, pillar-side synapses. We propose a fine-tuning of afferent and efferent SGN innervation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Hua
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China; Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Connectomics, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
| | - Xu Ding
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China; Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jakob Neef
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Auditory Neuroscience Group, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yunge Gao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China; Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Tobias Moser
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Auditory Neuroscience Group, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany; Multiscale Bioimaging Cluster of Excellence, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China; Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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14
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Özçete ÖD, Moser T. A sensory cell diversifies its output by varying Ca 2+ influx-release coupling among active zones. EMBO J 2020; 40:e106010. [PMID: 33346936 PMCID: PMC7917556 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020106010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The cochlea encodes sound pressures varying over six orders of magnitude by collective operation of functionally diverse spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). The mechanisms enabling this functional diversity remain elusive. Here, we asked whether the sound intensity information, contained in the receptor potential of the presynaptic inner hair cell (IHC), is fractionated via heterogeneous synapses. We studied the transfer function of individual IHC synapses by combining patch‐clamp recordings with dual‐color Rhod‐FF and iGluSnFR imaging of presynaptic Ca2+ signals and glutamate release. Synapses differed in the voltage dependence of release: Those residing at the IHC' pillar side activated at more hyperpolarized potentials and typically showed tight control of release by few Ca2+ channels. We conclude that heterogeneity of voltage dependence and release site coupling of Ca2+ channels among the synapses varies synaptic transfer within individual IHCs and, thereby, likely contributes to the functional diversity of SGNs. The mechanism reported here might serve sensory cells and neurons more generally to diversify signaling even in close‐by synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özge D Özçete
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Collaborative Research Center 889, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Auditory Neuroscience Group, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.,Göttingen Graduate Center for Neurosciences, Biophysics and Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Moser
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Collaborative Research Center 889, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Auditory Neuroscience Group, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.,Göttingen Graduate Center for Neurosciences, Biophysics and Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.,Multiscale Bioimaging Cluster of Excellence (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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15
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Moser T, Grabner CP, Schmitz F. Sensory Processing at Ribbon Synapses in the Retina and the Cochlea. Physiol Rev 2020; 100:103-144. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00026.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, sensory neuroscientists have made major efforts to dissect the structure and function of ribbon synapses which process sensory information in the eye and ear. This review aims to summarize our current understanding of two key aspects of ribbon synapses: 1) their mechanisms of exocytosis and endocytosis and 2) their molecular anatomy and physiology. Our comparison of ribbon synapses in the cochlea and the retina reveals convergent signaling mechanisms, as well as divergent strategies in different sensory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Moser
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Auditory Neuroscience Group, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany; Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany; and Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Medical School, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Chad P. Grabner
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Auditory Neuroscience Group, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany; Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany; and Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Medical School, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Frank Schmitz
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Auditory Neuroscience Group, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany; Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany; and Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Medical School, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
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16
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Chakrabarti R, Wichmann C. Nanomachinery Organizing Release at Neuronal and Ribbon Synapses. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E2147. [PMID: 31052288 PMCID: PMC6539712 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20092147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A critical aim in neuroscience is to obtain a comprehensive view of how regulated neurotransmission is achieved. Our current understanding of synapses relies mainly on data from electrophysiological recordings, imaging, and molecular biology. Based on these methodologies, proteins involved in a synaptic vesicle (SV) formation, mobility, and fusion at the active zone (AZ) membrane have been identified. In the last decade, electron tomography (ET) combined with a rapid freezing immobilization of neuronal samples opened a window for understanding the structural machinery with the highest spatial resolution in situ. ET provides significant insights into the molecular architecture of the AZ and the organelles within the presynaptic nerve terminal. The specialized sensory ribbon synapses exhibit a distinct architecture from neuronal synapses due to the presence of the electron-dense synaptic ribbon. However, both synapse types share the filamentous structures, also commonly termed as tethers that are proposed to contribute to different steps of SV recruitment and exocytosis. In this review, we discuss the emerging views on the role of filamentous structures in SV exocytosis gained from ultrastructural studies of excitatory, mainly central neuronal compared to ribbon-type synapses with a focus on inner hair cell (IHC) ribbon synapses. Moreover, we will speculate on the molecular entities that may be involved in filament formation and hence play a crucial role in the SV cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rituparna Chakrabarti
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
- Collaborative Research Center 889 "Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing", 37099 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Carolin Wichmann
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
- Collaborative Research Center 889 "Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing", 37099 Göttingen, Germany.
- Collaborative Research Center 1286 "Quantitative Synaptology", 37099 Göttingen, Germany.
- Auditory Neuroscience Group, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
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17
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Intrinsic planar polarity mechanisms influence the position-dependent regulation of synapse properties in inner hair cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:9084-9093. [PMID: 30975754 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1818358116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Encoding the wide range of audible sounds in the mammalian cochlea is collectively achieved by functionally diverse type I spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) at each tonotopic position. The firing of each SGN is thought to be driven by an individual active zone (AZ) of a given inner hair cell (IHC). These AZs present distinct properties according to their position within the IHC, to some extent forming a gradient between the modiolar and the pillar IHC side. In this study, we investigated whether signaling involved in planar polarity at the apical surface can influence position-dependent AZ properties at the IHC base. Specifically, we tested the role of Gαi proteins and their binding partner LGN/Gpsm2 implicated in cytoskeleton polarization and hair cell (HC) orientation along the epithelial plane. Using high and superresolution immunofluorescence microscopy as well as patch-clamp combined with confocal Ca2+ imaging we analyzed IHCs in which Gαi signaling was blocked by Cre-induced expression of the pertussis toxin catalytic subunit (PTXa). PTXa-expressing IHCs exhibited larger CaV1.3 Ca2+-channel clusters and consequently greater Ca2+ influx at the whole-cell and single-synapse levels, which also showed a hyperpolarized shift of activation. Moreover, PTXa expression collapsed the modiolar-pillar gradients of ribbon size and maximal synaptic Ca2+ influx. Finally, genetic deletion of Gαi3 and LGN/Gpsm2 also disrupted the modiolar-pillar gradient of ribbon size. We propose a role for Gαi proteins and LGN in regulating the position-dependent AZ properties in IHCs and suggest that this signaling pathway contributes to setting up the diverse firing properties of SGNs.
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18
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Michanski S, Smaluch K, Steyer AM, Chakrabarti R, Setz C, Oestreicher D, Fischer C, Möbius W, Moser T, Vogl C, Wichmann C. Mapping developmental maturation of inner hair cell ribbon synapses in the apical mouse cochlea. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:6415-6424. [PMID: 30867284 PMCID: PMC6442603 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1812029116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ribbon synapses of cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) undergo molecular assembly and extensive functional and structural maturation before hearing onset. Here, we characterized the nanostructure of IHC synapses from late prenatal mouse embryo stages (embryonic days 14-18) into adulthood [postnatal day (P)48] using electron microscopy and tomography as well as optical nanoscopy of apical turn organs of Corti. We find that synaptic ribbon precursors arrive at presynaptic active zones (AZs) after afferent contacts have been established. These ribbon precursors contain the proteins RIBEYE and piccolino, tether synaptic vesicles and their delivery likely involves active, microtubule-based transport pathways. Synaptic contacts undergo a maturational transformation from multiple small to one single, large AZ. This maturation is characterized by the fusion of ribbon precursors with membrane-anchored ribbons that also appear to fuse with each other. Such fusion events are most frequently encountered around P12 and hence, coincide with hearing onset in mice. Thus, these events likely underlie the morphological and functional maturation of the AZ. Moreover, the postsynaptic densities appear to undergo a similar refinement alongside presynaptic maturation. Blockwise addition of ribbon material by fusion as found during AZ maturation might represent a general mechanism for modulating ribbon size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susann Michanski
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience, InnerEarLab and Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Collaborative Research Center 889, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Smaluch
- Collaborative Research Center 889, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Presynaptogenesis and Intracellular Transport in Hair Cells Junior Research Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anna Maria Steyer
- Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Center Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rituparna Chakrabarti
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience, InnerEarLab and Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Collaborative Research Center 889, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cristian Setz
- Collaborative Research Center 889, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Presynaptogenesis and Intracellular Transport in Hair Cells Junior Research Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Auditory Neuroscience Group, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - David Oestreicher
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Presynaptogenesis and Intracellular Transport in Hair Cells Junior Research Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Fischer
- Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology, Department of Animal Evolution and Biodiversity, Georg August University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wiebke Möbius
- Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Center Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Moser
- Collaborative Research Center 889, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Center Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Auditory Neuroscience Group, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Vogl
- Collaborative Research Center 889, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Presynaptogenesis and Intracellular Transport in Hair Cells Junior Research Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Auditory Neuroscience Group, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Carolin Wichmann
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience, InnerEarLab and Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
- Collaborative Research Center 889, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Auditory Neuroscience Group, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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19
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Bullen A, Anderson L, Bakay W, Forge A. Localized disorganization of the cochlear inner hair cell synaptic region after noise exposure. Biol Open 2019; 8:bio.038547. [PMID: 30504133 PMCID: PMC6361218 DOI: 10.1242/bio.038547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence and importance of hearing damage caused by noise levels not previously thought to cause permanent hearing impairment has become apparent in recent years. The damage to, and loss of, afferent terminals of auditory nerve fibres at the cochlear inner hair cell has been well established, but the effects of noise exposure and terminal loss on the inner hair cell are less known. Using three-dimensional structural studies in mice we have examined the consequences of afferent terminal damage on inner hair cell morphology and intracellular structure. We identified a structural phenotype in the pre-synaptic regions of these damaged hair cells that persists for four weeks after noise exposure, and demonstrates a specific dysregulation of the synaptic vesicle recycling pathway. We show evidence of a failure in regeneration of vesicles from small membrane cisterns in damaged terminals, resulting from a failure of separation of small vesicle buds from the larger cisternal membranes.
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20
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Sharma K, Seo YW, Yi E. Differential Expression of Ca 2+-buffering Protein Calretinin in Cochlear Afferent Fibers: A Possible Link to Vulnerability to Traumatic Noise. Exp Neurobiol 2018; 27:397-407. [PMID: 30429649 PMCID: PMC6221833 DOI: 10.5607/en.2018.27.5.397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The synaptic contacts of cochlear afferent fibers (CAFs) with inner hair cells (IHCs) are spatially segregated according to their firing properties. CAFs also exhibit spatially segregated vulnerabilities to noise. The CAF fibers contacting the modiolar side of IHCs tend to be more vulnerable. Noise vulnerability is thought to be due to the absence of neuroprotective mechanisms in the modiolar side contacting CAFs. In this study, we investigated whether the expression of neuroprotective Ca2+-buffering proteins is spatially segregated in CAFs. The expression patterns of calretinin, parvalbumin, and calbindin were examined in rat CAFs using immunolabeling. Calretinin-rich fibers, which made up ~50% of the neurofilament (NF)-positive fibers, took the pillar side course and contacted all IHC sides. NF-positive and calretinin-poor fibers took the modiolar side pathway and contacted the modiolar side of IHCs. Both fiber categories juxtaposed the C-terminal binding protein 2 (CtBP2) puncta and were contacted by synaptophysin puncta. These results indicated that the calretinin-poor fibers, like the calretinin-rich ones, were afferent fibers and probably formed functional efferent synapses. However, the other Ca2+-buffering proteins did not exhibit CAF subgroup specificity. Most CAFs near IHCs were parvalbumin-positive. Only the pillar-side half of parvalbumin-positive fibers coexpressed calretinin. Calbindin was not detected in any nerve fibers near IHCs. Taken together, of the Ca2+-buffering proteins examined, only calretinin exhibited spatial segregation at IHC-CAF synapses. The absence of calretinin in modiolar-side CAFs might be related to the noise vulnerability of the fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kushal Sharma
- College of Pharmacy and Natural Medicine Research Institute, Mokpo National University, Muan 58554, Korea
| | - Young-Woo Seo
- Korea Basic Science Institute Gwangju Center, Gwangju 61186, Korea
| | - Eunyoung Yi
- College of Pharmacy and Natural Medicine Research Institute, Mokpo National University, Muan 58554, Korea
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21
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Horst JW, McGee J, Walsh EJ. Input-output curves of low and high spontaneous rate auditory nerve fibers are exponential near threshold. Hear Res 2018; 367:195-206. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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22
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Zhang L, Engler S, Koepcke L, Steenken F, Köppl C. Concurrent gradients of ribbon volume and AMPA-receptor patch volume in cochlear afferent synapses on gerbil inner hair cells. Hear Res 2018; 364:81-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2018.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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23
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Peterson AJ, Heil P. A simple model of the inner-hair-cell ribbon synapse accounts for mammalian auditory-nerve-fiber spontaneous spike times. Hear Res 2018; 363:1-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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24
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Bellono NW, Leitch DB, Julius D. Molecular tuning of electroreception in sharks and skates. Nature 2018; 558:122-126. [PMID: 29849147 PMCID: PMC6101975 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0160-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Ancient cartilaginous vertebrates, such as sharks, skates, and rays, possess specialized electrosensory organs that detect weak electric fields and relay this information to the central nervous system1–4. Sharks exploit this sensory modality for predation, whereas skates may also use it to detect signals from conspecifics5. Here we analyze shark and skate electrosensory cells to ask if discrete physiological properties could contribute to behaviorally-relevant sensory tuning. We show that sharks and skates use a similar low threshold voltage-gated calcium channel to initiate cellular activity but employ distinct potassium channels to modulate this activity. Electrosensory cells from sharks express specially adapted voltage-gated potassium channels that support large, repetitive membrane voltage spikes capable of driving near-maximal vesicular release from elaborate ribbon synapses. In contrast, skates use a calcium-activated potassium channel to produce small, tunable membrane voltage oscillations that elicit stimulus-dependent vesicular release. We propose that these sensory adaptations support amplified indiscriminate signal detection in sharks versus selective frequency detection in skates, potentially reflecting the electroreceptive requirements of these elasmobranch species. Our findings demonstrate how sensory systems adapt to suit an animal’s lifestyle or environmental niche through discrete molecular and biophysical modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas W Bellono
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Duncan B Leitch
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David Julius
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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25
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Neef J, Urban NT, Ohn TL, Frank T, Jean P, Hell SW, Willig KI, Moser T. Quantitative optical nanophysiology of Ca 2+ signaling at inner hair cell active zones. Nat Commun 2018; 9:290. [PMID: 29348575 PMCID: PMC5773603 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02612-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ca2+ influx triggers the release of synaptic vesicles at the presynaptic active zone (AZ). A quantitative characterization of presynaptic Ca2+ signaling is critical for understanding synaptic transmission. However, this has remained challenging to establish at the required resolution. Here, we employ confocal and stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy to quantify the number (20-330) and arrangement (mostly linear 70 nm × 100-600 nm clusters) of Ca2+ channels at AZs of mouse cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs). Establishing STED Ca2+ imaging, we analyze presynaptic Ca2+ signals at the nanometer scale and find confined elongated Ca2+ domains at normal IHC AZs, whereas Ca2+ domains are spatially spread out at the AZs of bassoon-deficient IHCs. Performing 2D-STED fluorescence lifetime analysis, we arrive at estimates of the Ca2+ concentrations at stimulated IHC AZs of on average 25 µM. We propose that IHCs form bassoon-dependent presynaptic Ca2+-channel clusters of similar density but scalable length, thereby varying the number of Ca2+ channels amongst individual AZs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Neef
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099, Göttingen, Germany.,Collaborative Research Center 889, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.,Bernstein Focus for Neurotechnology, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.,Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nicolai T Urban
- Department of Nanobiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany. .,Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Tzu-Lun Ohn
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099, Göttingen, Germany.,Collaborative Research Center 889, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.,Bernstein Focus for Neurotechnology, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Frank
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099, Göttingen, Germany.,Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Jean
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan W Hell
- Department of Nanobiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.,Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katrin I Willig
- Collaborative Research Center 889, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany. .,Department of Nanobiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany. .,Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099 Göttingen, Germany. .,Optical Nanoscopy in Neuroscience, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Tobias Moser
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099, Göttingen, Germany. .,Collaborative Research Center 889, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany. .,Bernstein Focus for Neurotechnology, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany. .,Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany. .,Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099 Göttingen, Germany. .,Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
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26
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Becker L, Schnee ME, Niwa M, Sun W, Maxeiner S, Talaei S, Kachar B, Rutherford MA, Ricci AJ. The presynaptic ribbon maintains vesicle populations at the hair cell afferent fiber synapse. eLife 2018; 7:30241. [PMID: 29328021 PMCID: PMC5794257 DOI: 10.7554/elife.30241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The ribbon is the structural hallmark of cochlear inner hair cell (IHC) afferent synapses, yet its role in information transfer to spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) remains unclear. We investigated the ribbon’s contribution to IHC synapse formation and function using KO mice lacking RIBEYE. Despite loss of the entire ribbon structure, synapses retained their spatiotemporal development and KO mice had a mild hearing deficit. IHCs of KO had fewer synaptic vesicles and reduced exocytosis in response to brief depolarization; a high stimulus level rescued exocytosis in KO. SGNs exhibited a lack of sustained excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). We observed larger postsynaptic glutamate receptor plaques, potentially compensating for the reduced EPSC rate in KO. Surprisingly, large-amplitude EPSCs were maintained in KO, while a small population of low-amplitude slower EPSCs was increased in number. The ribbon facilitates signal transduction at physiological stimulus levels by retaining a larger residency pool of synaptic vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Becker
- Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Michael E Schnee
- Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Mamiko Niwa
- Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Willy Sun
- National Institute of Deafness and Communicative Disorders, United States
| | - Stephan Maxeiner
- Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Sara Talaei
- Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Bechara Kachar
- National Institute of Deafness and Communicative Disorders, United States
| | - Mark A Rutherford
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University, St. Louis, United States
| | - Anthony J Ricci
- Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
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27
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Michalski N, Goutman JD, Auclair SM, Boutet de Monvel J, Tertrais M, Emptoz A, Parrin A, Nouaille S, Guillon M, Sachse M, Ciric D, Bahloul A, Hardelin JP, Sutton RB, Avan P, Krishnakumar SS, Rothman JE, Dulon D, Safieddine S, Petit C. Otoferlin acts as a Ca 2+ sensor for vesicle fusion and vesicle pool replenishment at auditory hair cell ribbon synapses. eLife 2017; 6:e31013. [PMID: 29111973 PMCID: PMC5700815 DOI: 10.7554/elife.31013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hearing relies on rapid, temporally precise, and sustained neurotransmitter release at the ribbon synapses of sensory cells, the inner hair cells (IHCs). This process requires otoferlin, a six C2-domain, Ca2+-binding transmembrane protein of synaptic vesicles. To decipher the role of otoferlin in the synaptic vesicle cycle, we produced knock-in mice (OtofAla515,Ala517/Ala515,Ala517) with lower Ca2+-binding affinity of the C2C domain. The IHC ribbon synapse structure, synaptic Ca2+ currents, and otoferlin distribution were unaffected in these mutant mice, but auditory brainstem response wave-I amplitude was reduced. Lower Ca2+ sensitivity and delay of the fast and sustained components of synaptic exocytosis were revealed by membrane capacitance measurement upon modulations of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, by varying Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+-channels or Ca2+ uncaging. Otoferlin thus functions as a Ca2+ sensor, setting the rates of primed vesicle fusion with the presynaptic plasma membrane and synaptic vesicle pool replenishment in the IHC active zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Michalski
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Juan D Goutman
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Sarah Marie Auclair
- Department of Cell BiologyYale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Jacques Boutet de Monvel
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Margot Tertrais
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Laboratoire de Neurophysiologie de la Synapse Auditive, Bordeaux NeurocampusUniversité de BordeauxBordeauxFrance
| | - Alice Emptoz
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Alexandre Parrin
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Sylvie Nouaille
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Marc Guillon
- Wave Front Engineering Microscopy Group, Neurophotonics Laboratory, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8250University Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris CitéParisFrance
| | - Martin Sachse
- Center for Innovation & Technological ResearchUltrapole, Institut PasteurParisFrance
| | - Danica Ciric
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Amel Bahloul
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
- Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueFrance
| | - Jean-Pierre Hardelin
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Roger Bryan Sutton
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular BiophysicsTexas Tech University Health Sciences CenterLubbockUnited States
- Center for Membrane Protein ResearchTexas Tech University Health Sciences CenterLubbockUnited States
| | - Paul Avan
- Laboratoire de Biophysique SensorielleUniversité Clermont AuvergneClermont-FerrandFrance
- UMR 1107, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleClermont-FerrandFrance
- Centre Jean PerrinClermont-FerrandFrance
| | - Shyam S Krishnakumar
- Department of Cell BiologyYale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
- Department of Clinical and Experimental EpilepsyInstitute of Neurology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - James E Rothman
- Department of Cell BiologyYale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
- Department of Clinical and Experimental EpilepsyInstitute of Neurology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Didier Dulon
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Laboratoire de Neurophysiologie de la Synapse Auditive, Bordeaux NeurocampusUniversité de BordeauxBordeauxFrance
| | - Saaid Safieddine
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
- Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueFrance
| | - Christine Petit
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
- Syndrome de Usher et Autres Atteintes Rétino-CochléairesInstitut de la VisionParisFrance
- Collège de FranceParisFrance
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28
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Spatial Gradients in the Size of Inner Hair Cell Ribbons Emerge Before the Onset of Hearing in Rats. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2017; 18:399-413. [PMID: 28361374 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-017-0620-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The size and locations of pre-synaptic ribbons and glutamate receptors within and around inner hair cells are correlated with auditory afferent response features such as the spontaneous discharge rate (SR), threshold, and dynamic range of sound intensity representation (the so-called SR-groups). To test if the development of these spatial gradients requires experience with sound intensity, we quantified the size and spatial distribution of synaptic ribbons from the inner hair cells of neonatal rats before and after the onset of hearing (from post-natal day (P) 3 to P33). To quantify ribbon size, we used high resolution fluorescence confocal microscopy and 3-D reconstructions of immunolabeled ribbons. The size, density, and spatial distribution of ribbons changed during development. At P3, ribbons were densely clustered near the basal/modiolar face of the hair cell where low SR-groups preferentially contact adult hair cells. By P12, the disparity in ribbon count was less striking and ribbons were equally likely to occupy both faces. At all ages before P12, ribbons were larger on the modiolar face than on the pillar face. These differences initially grew larger with age but collapsed around the onset of hearing. Between P12 and P33, the spatial gradients remained small and began to re-emerge around P33. Even by P12, we did not find spatial gradients in the size of the post-synaptic glutamate receptors as is found on afferent terminals contacting adult inner hair cells. These results suggest that spatial gradients in ribbon size develop in the absence of sensory experience.
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29
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Heil P, Peterson AJ. Spike timing in auditory-nerve fibers during spontaneous activity and phase locking. Synapse 2016; 71:5-36. [DOI: 10.1002/syn.21925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Heil
- Department of Systems Physiology of Learning; Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology; Magdeburg 39118 Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences; Magdeburg Germany
| | - Adam J. Peterson
- Department of Systems Physiology of Learning; Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology; Magdeburg 39118 Germany
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30
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Hair cells use active zones with different voltage dependence of Ca2+ influx to decompose sounds into complementary neural codes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E4716-25. [PMID: 27462107 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1605737113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
For sounds of a given frequency, spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) with different thresholds and dynamic ranges collectively encode the wide range of audible sound pressures. Heterogeneity of synapses between inner hair cells (IHCs) and SGNs is an attractive candidate mechanism for generating complementary neural codes covering the entire dynamic range. Here, we quantified active zone (AZ) properties as a function of AZ position within mouse IHCs by combining patch clamp and imaging of presynaptic Ca(2+) influx and by immunohistochemistry. We report substantial AZ heterogeneity whereby the voltage of half-maximal activation of Ca(2+) influx ranged over ∼20 mV. Ca(2+) influx at AZs facing away from the ganglion activated at weaker depolarizations. Estimates of AZ size and Ca(2+) channel number were correlated and larger when AZs faced the ganglion. Disruption of the deafness gene GIPC3 in mice shifted the activation of presynaptic Ca(2+) influx to more hyperpolarized potentials and increased the spontaneous SGN discharge. Moreover, Gipc3 disruption enhanced Ca(2+) influx and exocytosis in IHCs, reversed the spatial gradient of maximal Ca(2+) influx in IHCs, and increased the maximal firing rate of SGNs at sound onset. We propose that IHCs diversify Ca(2+) channel properties among AZs and thereby contribute to decomposing auditory information into complementary representations in SGNs.
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31
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Rutherford MA, Moser T. The Ribbon Synapse Between Type I Spiral Ganglion Neurons and Inner Hair Cells. THE PRIMARY AUDITORY NEURONS OF THE MAMMALIAN COCHLEA 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3031-9_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Kiefer L, Schauen A, Abendroth S, Gaese B, Nowotny M. Variation in acoustic overstimulation changes tinnitus characteristics. Neuroscience 2015; 310:176-87. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Revised: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Wichmann C, Moser T. Relating structure and function of inner hair cell ribbon synapses. Cell Tissue Res 2015; 361:95-114. [PMID: 25874597 PMCID: PMC4487357 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-2102-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In the mammalian cochlea, sound is encoded at synapses between inner hair cells (IHCs) and type I spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Each SGN receives input from a single IHC ribbon-type active zone (AZ) and yet SGNs indefatigably spike up to hundreds of Hz to encode acoustic stimuli with submillisecond precision. Accumulating evidence indicates a highly specialized molecular composition and structure of the presynapse, adapted to suit these high functional demands. However, we are only beginning to understand key features such as stimulus-secretion coupling, exocytosis mechanisms, exo-endocytosis coupling, modes of endocytosis and vesicle reformation, as well as replenishment of the readily releasable pool. Relating structure and function has become an important avenue in addressing these points and has been applied to normal and genetically manipulated hair cell synapses. Here, we review some of the exciting new insights gained from recent studies of the molecular anatomy and physiology of IHC ribbon synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Wichmann
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Collaborative Research Center 889, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - T. Moser
- Collaborative Research Center 889, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Bullen A, West T, Moores C, Ashmore J, Fleck RA, MacLellan-Gibson K, Forge A. Association of intracellular and synaptic organization in cochlear inner hair cells revealed by 3D electron microscopy. J Cell Sci 2015; 128:2529-40. [PMID: 26045447 PMCID: PMC4510854 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.170761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The ways in which cell architecture is modelled to meet cell function is a poorly understood facet of cell biology. To address this question, we have studied the cytoarchitecture of a cell with highly specialised organisation, the cochlear inner hair cell (IHC), using multiple hierarchies of three-dimensional (3D) electron microscopy analyses. We show that synaptic terminal distribution on the IHC surface correlates with cell shape, and the distribution of a highly organised network of membranes and mitochondria encompassing the infranuclear region of the cell. This network is juxtaposed to a population of small vesicles, which represents a potential new source of neurotransmitter vesicles for replenishment of the synapses. Structural linkages between organelles that underlie this organisation were identified by high-resolution imaging. Taken together, these results describe a cell-encompassing network of membranes and mitochondria present in IHCs that support efficient coding and transmission of auditory signals. Such techniques also have the potential for clarifying functionally specialised cytoarchitecture of other cell types. Summary: 3D electron microscopy reconstructs the highly organised structure of the infranuclear region of the cochlear inner hair cell, which supports synaptic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwen Bullen
- Centre for Auditory Research, UCL Ear Institute, London WC1X 8EE, UK
| | - Timothy West
- Centre for Auditory Research, UCL Ear Institute, London WC1X 8EE, UK
| | - Carolyn Moores
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Jonathan Ashmore
- Centre for Auditory Research, UCL Ear Institute, London WC1X 8EE, UK Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, UCL, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Roland A Fleck
- Centre for Ultrastructural Imaging, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | | | - Andrew Forge
- Centre for Auditory Research, UCL Ear Institute, London WC1X 8EE, UK
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Heil P, Peterson AJ. Basic response properties of auditory nerve fibers: a review. Cell Tissue Res 2015; 361:129-58. [PMID: 25920587 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-015-2177-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
All acoustic information from the periphery is encoded in the timing and rates of spikes in the population of spiral ganglion neurons projecting to the central auditory system. Considerable progress has been made in characterizing the physiological properties of type-I and type-II primary auditory afferents and understanding the basic properties of type-I afferents in response to sounds. Here, we review some of these properties, with emphasis placed on issues such as the stochastic nature of spike timing during spontaneous and driven activity, frequency tuning curves, spike-rate-versus-level functions, dynamic-range and spike-rate adaptation, and phase locking to stimulus fine structure and temporal envelope. We also review effects of acoustic trauma on some of these response properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Heil
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Brenneckestrasse 6, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany,
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Rutherford MA. Resolving the structure of inner ear ribbon synapses with STED microscopy. Synapse 2015; 69:242-55. [DOI: 10.1002/syn.21812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Rutherford
- Department of Otolaryngology; Central Institute for the Deaf, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine; St. Louis Missouri 63110
- Inner Ear Lab; Department of Otolaryngology; University of Göttingen Medical Center; Göttingen Germany D-37077
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EF-hand protein Ca2+ buffers regulate Ca2+ influx and exocytosis in sensory hair cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E1028-37. [PMID: 25691754 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1416424112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
EF-hand Ca(2+)-binding proteins are thought to shape the spatiotemporal properties of cellular Ca(2+) signaling and are prominently expressed in sensory hair cells in the ear. Here, we combined genetic disruption of parvalbumin-α, calbindin-D28k, and calretinin in mice with patch-clamp recording, in vivo physiology, and mathematical modeling to study their role in Ca(2+) signaling, exocytosis, and sound encoding at the synapses of inner hair cells (IHCs). IHCs lacking all three proteins showed excessive exocytosis during prolonged depolarizations, despite enhanced Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation of their Ca(2+) current. Exocytosis of readily releasable vesicles remained unchanged, in accordance with the estimated tight spatial coupling of Ca(2+) channels and release sites (effective "coupling distance" of 17 nm). Substitution experiments with synthetic Ca(2+) chelators indicated the presence of endogenous Ca(2+) buffers equivalent to 1 mM synthetic Ca(2+)-binding sites, approximately half of them with kinetics as fast as 1,2-Bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). Synaptic sound encoding was largely unaltered, suggesting that excess exocytosis occurs extrasynaptically. We conclude that EF-hand Ca(2+) buffers regulate presynaptic IHC function for metabolically efficient sound coding.
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A model of synaptic vesicle-pool depletion and replenishment can account for the interspike interval distributions and nonrenewal properties of spontaneous spike trains of auditory-nerve fibers. J Neurosci 2015; 34:15097-109. [PMID: 25378173 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0903-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In mammalian auditory systems, the spiking characteristics of each primary afferent (type I auditory-nerve fiber; ANF) are mainly determined by a single ribbon synapse in a single receptor cell (inner hair cell; IHC). ANF spike trains therefore provide a window into the operation of these synapses and cells. It was demonstrated previously (Heil et al., 2007) that the distribution of interspike intervals (ISIs) of cat ANFs during spontaneous activity can be modeled as resulting from refractoriness operating on a non-Poisson stochastic point process of excitation (transmitter release events from the IHC). Here, we investigate nonrenewal properties of these cat-ANF spontaneous spike trains, manifest as negative serial ISI correlations and reduced spike-count variability over short timescales. A previously discussed excitatory process, the constrained failure of events from a homogeneous Poisson point process, can account for these properties, but does not offer a parsimonious explanation for certain trends in the data. We then investigate a three-parameter model of vesicle-pool depletion and replenishment and find that it accounts for all experimental observations, including the ISI distributions, with only the release probability varying between spike trains. The maximum number of units (single vesicles or groups of simultaneously released vesicles) in the readily releasable pool and their replenishment time constant can be assumed to be constant (∼4 and 13.5 ms, respectively). We suggest that the organization of the IHC ribbon synapses not only enables sustained release of neurotransmitter but also imposes temporal regularity on the release process, particularly when operating at high rates.
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Exocytotic machineries of vestibular type I and cochlear ribbon synapses display similar intrinsic otoferlin-dependent Ca2+ sensitivity but a different coupling to Ca2+ channels. J Neurosci 2014; 34:10853-69. [PMID: 25122888 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0947-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The hair cell ribbon synapses of the mammalian auditory and vestibular systems differ greatly in their anatomical organization and firing properties. Notably, vestibular Type I hair cells (VHC-I) are surrounded by a single calyx-type afferent terminal that receives input from several ribbons, whereas cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) are contacted by several individual afferent boutons, each facing a single ribbon. The specificity of the presynaptic molecular mechanisms regulating transmitter release at these different sensory ribbon synapses is not well understood. Here, we found that exocytosis during voltage activation of Ca(2+) channels displayed higher Ca(2+) sensitivity, 10 mV more negative half-maximum activation, and a smaller dynamic range in VHC-I than in IHCs. VHC-I had a larger number of Ca(2+) channels per ribbon (158 vs 110 in IHCs), but their Ca(2+) current density was twofold smaller because of a smaller open probability and unitary conductance. Using confocal and stimulated emission depletion immunofluorescence microscopy, we showed that VHC-I had fewer synaptic ribbons (7 vs 17 in IHCs) to which Cav1.3 channels are more tightly organized than in IHCs. Gradual intracellular Ca(2+) uncaging experiments revealed that exocytosis had a similar intrinsic Ca(2+) sensitivity in both VHC-I and IHCs (KD of 3.3 ± 0.6 μM and 4.0 ± 0.7 μM, respectively). In otoferlin-deficient mice, exocytosis was largely reduced in VHC-I and IHCs. We conclude that VHC-I and IHCs use a similar micromolar-sensitive otoferlin Ca(2+) sensor and that their sensory encoding specificity is essentially determined by a different functional organization of Ca(2+) channels at their synaptic ribbons.
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Abstract
Synaptic ribbons are presynaptic protein structures found at many synapses that convey graded, "analog" sensory signals in the visual, auditory, and vestibular pathways. Ribbons, typically anchored to the presynaptic membrane and surrounded by tethered synaptic vesicles, are thought to regulate or facilitate vesicle delivery to the presynaptic membrane. No direct evidence exists, however, to indicate how vesicles interact with the ribbon or, once attached, move along the ribbon's surface to reach the presynaptic release sites at its base. To address these questions, we have created, validated, and tested a passive vesicle diffusion model of retinal rod bipolar cell ribbon synapses. We used axial (bright-field) electron tomography in the scanning transmission electron microscopy to obtain 3D structures of rat rod bipolar cell terminals in 1-μm-thick sections of retinal tissue at an isotropic spatial resolution of ∼3 nm. The resulting structures were then incorporated with previously published estimates of vesicle diffusion dynamics into numerical simulations that accurately reproduced electrophysiologically measured vesicle release/replenishment rates and vesicle pool sizes. The simulations suggest that, under physiologically realistic conditions, diffusion of vesicles crowded on the ribbon surface gives rise to a flow field that enhances delivery of vesicles to the presynaptic membrane without requiring an active transport mechanism. Numerical simulations of ribbon-vesicle interactions predict that transient binding and unbinding of multiple tethers to each synaptic vesicle may achieve sufficiently tight association of vesicles to the ribbon while permitting the fast diffusion along the ribbon that is required to sustain high release rates.
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Castellano-Muñoz M, Ricci AJ. Role of intracellular calcium stores in hair-cell ribbon synapse. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:162. [PMID: 24971053 PMCID: PMC4054790 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular calcium stores control many neuronal functions such as excitability, gene expression, synaptic plasticity, and synaptic release. Although the existence of calcium stores along with calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) has been demonstrated in conventional and ribbon synapses, functional significance and the cellular mechanisms underlying this role remains unclear. This review summarizes recent experimental evidence identifying contribution of CICR to synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity in the CNS, retina and inner ear. In addition, the potential role of CICR in the recruitment of vesicles to releasable pools in hair-cell ribbon synapses will be specifically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony J Ricci
- Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, CA, USA ; Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, CA, USA
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