Distribution of parvalbumin immunoreactivity in the rat septal area

Medial and dorsal lateral septum involving social disruption stress-primed escalation in acid-induced writhes

Introduction

Stress may cause prospective escalations in abdominal pain magnitude and accumbal TRPV1 expression, while central neural circuits mediating these stress effects remain unclear.

Methods

Using retrograde tracing methods, we first demonstrated the existence of a medial septal-dorsal lateral septal -accumbal circuit very likely involving social disruption stress-primed escalations in acid-induced writhes and accumbal TRPV1 level. An intersectional viral strategy and virus-carrying hM3Dq and hM4Di DREADDs were, then, employed to selectively modulate GABAergic and cholinergic neuronal activity in medial and dorsal lateral septum.

Results

Exciting medial septal GABAergic neuron was found to prevent social disruption stress-primed escalations in acid-induced writhes and accumbal TRPV1 and PKCε expressions. Likewise, inactivating dorsal lateral septal cholinergic neurons was also effective in abolishing these stress-primed escalations. Inactivating GABAergic neuron in non-stressed animals' medial septum was found to reproduce the stress-primed effects in causing heightened acid-induced writhes and accumbal TRPV1 and PKCε levels.

Discussion

These results, taken together, prompt us to conclude that social disruption stress may produce plastic changes in a newly-identified medial septal-dorsal lateral septal-accumbal circuit. Moreover, medial septal GABAergic hypoactivity and dorsal lateral septal cholinergic hyperactivity are, at least, two likely causes reflecting such stress-produced escalations in abdominal pain magnitude and pain transduction-related protein over-expression in nucleus accumbens.

Septohippocampal transmission from parvalbumin-positive neurons features rapid recovery from synaptic depression

Parvalbumin-containing projection neurons of the medial-septum-diagonal band of Broca ([Formula: see text]) are essential for hippocampal rhythms and learning operations yet are poorly understood at cellular and synaptic levels. We combined electrophysiological, optogenetic, and modeling approaches to investigate [Formula: see text] neuronal properties. [Formula: see text] neurons had intrinsic membrane properties distinct from acetylcholine- and somatostatin-containing MS-DBB subtypes. Viral expression of the fast-kinetic channelrhodopsin ChETA-YFP elicited action potentials to brief (1-2 ms) 470 nm light pulses. To investigate [Formula: see text] transmission, light pulses at 5-50 Hz frequencies generated trains of inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in CA1 stratum oriens interneurons. Using a similar approach, optogenetic activation of local hippocampal PV ([Formula: see text]) neurons generated trains of [Formula: see text]-mediated IPSCs in CA1 pyramidal neurons. Both synapse types exhibited short-term depression (STD) of IPSCs. However, relative to [Formula: see text] synapses, [Formula: see text] synapses possessed lower initial release probability, transiently resisted STD at gamma (20-50 Hz) frequencies, and recovered more rapidly from synaptic depression. Experimentally-constrained mathematical synapse models explored mechanistic differences. Relative to the [Formula: see text] model, the [Formula: see text] model exhibited higher sensitivity to calcium accumulation, permitting a faster rate of calcium-dependent recovery from STD. In conclusion, resistance of [Formula: see text] synapses to STD during short gamma bursts enables robust long-range GABAergic transmission from MS-DBB to hippocampus.

Ontogeny of calcium-binding proteins in the cingulate cortex of the guinea pig: The same onset but different developmental patterns

This paper compared the density of calbindin D28k (CB), calretinin (CR) and parvalbumin (PV) containing neurons in prenatal, newborn and postnatal periods in the cingulate cortex (CC) of the guinea pig as an animal model. The distribution and co-distribution among calcium-binding proteins (CaBPs) was also investigated during the entire ontogeny. The study found that CB-positive neurons exhibited the highest density in the developing CC. The CC development in the prenatal period took place with a high level of CB and CR immunoreactivity and both of these proteins reached peak density during fetal life. The density of PV-positive neurons, in contrast to CB and CR-positive neurons, reached high levels postnatally. The observed changes of the CaBPs-positive neuron density in the developing CC coincide with developmental events in the guinea pig. E.g. the eyes opening moment may be preceded by elevated levels of CB and CR at E50, whereas high immunoreactivity of PV from P10 to P40 with a peak at P20 may indicate the participation of PV in enhancement of the inhibitory cortical pathway maturation.

Rebound spiking in layer II medial entorhinal cortex stellate cells: Possible mechanism of grid cell function

Rebound spiking properties of medial entorhinal cortex (mEC) stellate cells induced by inhibition may underlie their functional properties in awake behaving rats, including the temporal phase separation of distinct grid cells and differences in grid cell firing properties. We investigated rebound spiking properties using whole cell patch recording in entorhinal slices, holding cells near spiking threshold and delivering sinusoidal inputs, superimposed with realistic inhibitory synaptic inputs to test the capacity of cells to selectively respond to specific phases of inhibitory input. Stellate cells showed a specific phase range of hyperpolarizing inputs that elicited spiking, but non-stellate cells did not show phase specificity. In both cell types, the phase range of spiking output occurred between the peak and subsequent descending zero crossing of the sinusoid. The phases of inhibitory inputs that induced spikes shifted earlier as the baseline sinusoid frequency increased, while spiking output shifted to later phases. Increases in magnitude of the inhibitory inputs shifted the spiking output to earlier phases. Pharmacological blockade of h-current abolished the phase selectivity of hyperpolarizing inputs eliciting spikes. A network computational model using cells possessing similar rebound properties as found in vitro produces spatially periodic firing properties resembling grid cell firing when a simulated animal moves along a linear track. These results suggest that the ability of mEC stellate cells to fire rebound spikes in response to a specific range of phases of inhibition could support complex attractor dynamics that provide completion and separation to maintain spiking activity of specific grid cell populations.

A parvalbumin-containing, axosomatic synaptic network in the rat medial septum: relevance to rhythmogenesis*

The medial septal diagonal band complex (MS/DB), made up of cholinergic and GABAergic neurons, plays an important role in the generation of the hippocampal theta rhythm. A GABAergic neuron type in the MS/DB that has fast spiking properties was shown previously to contain parvalbumin immunoreactivity and to form axosomatic connections with unidentified somata. The aim in the current study was to determine the neurochemical identities of these target neurons. In slices and in perfused-fixed brain, staining for parvalbumin immunoreactivity first of all revealed the presence of two types of parvalbumin-positive somata in the MS/DB: medially located neurons with parvalbumin-positive basket-like terminals on them, and more laterally located neurons with fewer parvalbumin-positive contacts on them. In MS/DB slices, the terminals of fast spiking neurons filled with biocytin correspondingly made either numerous contacts that surrounded the parvalbumin-positive cell body in basket-like formation, or 1-5 contacts on a localized patch of the soma. These contacts were shown by electron microscopy to form synaptic junctions. No terminals of biocytin-filled fast spiking neurons were observed on cholinergic neurons, and dual staining in perfused-fixed brain did not reveal the presence of parvalbumin-containing terminals on cholinergic somata. Our results suggest therefore that there are two subtypes of parvalbumin-containing neuron in the MS/DB, and that these are interconnected via axosomatic synapses. The contrasting topographical organization of the two types of parvalbumin-containing neuron suggests that they may receive different types of afferent input, but this will require substantiation in future studies. We propose that generation of rhythmic activity in the MS/DB is controlled by contrasting contributions from two types of parvalbumin-positive neuron, and that the role of the cholinergic neuron is modulatory.

Complementary Distribution of Calbindin D-28k and Parvalbumin in the Basal Forebrain and Midbrain of the Squirrel Monkey

The distribution of cell bodies expressing either calbindin D-28k or parvalbumin immunoreactivity in the basal forebrain and midbrain of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) was studied on contiguous sections incubated with monoclonal antibodies raised against calbindin or parvalbumin. In the nucleus accumbens, medium-sized calbindin-positive neurons formed two cell bridges joining the ventral part of the striatum to the olfactory tubercle, whereas medium-sized parvalbumin-positive cells in the same area were much less numerous and more uniformly distributed. The medial and dorsal septal nuclei contained a small number of elongated calbindin-positive neurons and only a few parvalbumin-immunoreactive cells. In the nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca, calbindin and parvalbumin were found to label two distinct but closely intermingled neuronal populations. In the striatum, medium-sized calbindin-immunoreactive cells occurred in very large numbers and appeared to be confined to the extrastriosomal matrix. Medium-sized, parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons were also present in the striatum but they were less numerous than the calbindin-positive cells. The calbindin-positive neurons in the dorsal portion of the striatum were less intensely stained than those in the ventral portion, whereas this pattern did not occur for neurons expressing parvalbumin immunoreactivity. At the pallidal level, neurons in both segments were devoid of calbindin but displayed a very strong parvalbumin immunoreactivity. Most of the large neurons of the nucleus basalis of Meynert were strongly calbindin-immunoreactive and many of them invaded dorsally the medullary laminae of the pallidal complex. The neurons of the subthalamic nucleus were markedly enriched with parvalbumin but displayed only light calbindin staining. In the substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area complex, calbindin-immunoreactive cells abounded in the ventral tegmental area and in the dorsal tier of the pars compacta of the substantia nigra, but were absent in the ventral tier of the pars compacta and in the entire pars reticulata of the substantia nigra. In contrast, numerous parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons occurred in the pars reticulata and pars lateralis, but none were found in the pars compacta and ventral tegmental area. These findings reveal that the patterns of calbindin and parvalbumin distribution in primate basal forebrain and midbrain are strikingly complementary, suggesting a synergistic role for these calcium-binding proteins in basal forebrain and midbrain function.

Perineuronal nets ensheath fast spiking, parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the medial septum/diagonal band complex

Perineuronal nets, composed of extracellular matrix material, have previously been associated with parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the medial septum/diagonal band (MS/DB) complex of the rat. The aim of this study was to correlate the presence of perineuronal nets with electrophysiological properties and parvalbumin immunoreactivity in MS/DB neurons. Intracellular recordings were made from cells in a brain slice preparation maintained in vitro, and neurons were characterized into four populations: (i) slow-firing neurons, (ii) burst-firing neurons, (iii) fast spiking neurons with narrow action potentials and a small degree of spike frequency adaptation, and (iv) regular spiking neurons with broader action potentials and a high degree of spike frequency adaptation. Following electrophysiological characterization, neurons were filled with biocytin, processed for parvalbumin immunoreactivity and stained for perineuronal nets using Wisteria floribunda lectin. The three substances were viewed with triple fluorescence. Fast spiking, nonadapting neurons, shown previously to contain parvalbumin immunoreactivity, were nearly all ensheathed by perineuronal nets. There was a population of small parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons which did not possess perineuronal nets, and which were not encountered with the intracellular electrodes. The other three neuron types in the MS/DB did not contain parvalbumin immunoreactivity or perineuronal nets. In keeping with this neurochemical profile for electrophysiologically identified neurons, burst-firing neurons had action potential parameters more similar to those of regular spiking than of fast spiking neurons. We conclude that fast spiking neurons, presumed to be GABAergic septohippocampal projection neurons, are surrounded by supportive structures to enable the high level of neuronal discharge required for producing disinhibition of hippocampal pyramidal neurons.

Parvalbumin-immunoreactive, fast-spiking neurons in the medial septum/diagonal band complex of the rat: intracellular recordings in vitro

The medial septum/diagonal band complex is composed predominantly of cholinergic and GABAergic neurons, and it projects to the hippocampal formation. A proportion of the GABAergic neurons contain parvalbumin, a calcium-binding protein that has previously been localized in fast-spiking, non-accommodating GABAergic neurons in the cerebral cortex and neostriatum. The aim of the present study was to determine whether parvalbumin is localized preferentially in a similar electrophysiological class of neuron in the medial septum/diagonal band complex. The study was carried out using in vitro intracellular recording, intracellular biocytin filling and parvalbumin immunocytochemistry. Three main classes of neurons were identified according to standard criteria: burst-firing, slow-firing and fast-firing neuronal populations. The fast-firing neurons were subdivided into two subpopulations based on whether or not they displayed accommodation. The fast-spiking, non-accommodating cells were furthermore found to be spontaneously active at resting potentials, and to possess action potentials of significantly (P < 0.05) shorter duration (half width: 0.61 +/- 0.12 ms) than those of the regular-spiking, accommodating neurons (1.0 +/- 0.34 ms). Of the neurons that were successfully filled with biocytin and processed for parvalbumin immunoreactivity, 82% of the fast-spiking, non-accommodating cells possessed parvalbumin immunoreactivity, while none of the regular-spiking, accommodating neurons were found to be immunoreactive for parvalbumin. The slow-firing neurons, shown previously to be cholinergic, did not stain for parvalbumin immunoreactivity, in agreement with studies showing parvalbumin to be localized solely in GABAergic neurons in the medial septum/diagonal band complex. In conclusion, these findings suggest the presence of a previously uncharacterized population of neurons in the medial septum/diagonal band complex that generate high-frequency, non-adaptive discharge. This property correlates with the localization of parvalbumin in these neurons, which suggests that parvalbumin fulfils the same role in the medial septum/diagonal band complex that it does in other parts of the brain. The fast-spiking neurons in the medial septum/diagonal band complex may play an essential role in the GABAergic influence of the septum on the hippocampal formation.

Parvalbumin immunoreactive neurons in the rat septal complex have substantial glial coverage and receive few direct contacts from catecholaminergic terminals

Our previous studies have demonstrated that septohippocampal neurons in the rat septal complex have substantial glial coverage and have a number of synaptic associations with catecholaminergic terminals. While similar ultrastructural characteristics are observed for septal cholinergic neurons, the morphology and synaptic relations of catecholaminergic terminals with septal GABAergic neurons is largely unknown. Since the GABAergic septohippocampal neurons colocalize the calcium-binding protein, parvalbumin (PVA), the present study examined the ultrastructural relations of PVA neurons with catecholaminergic terminals in the septal complex. Single sections were dually labeled with antibodies to PVA and either tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH). By light microscopy, processes with TH- and DBH- (TH/DBH) immunoreactivity were near PVA-labeled neurons. By electron microscopy, PVA-labeled perikarya had an average diameter of 14.9+/-6 microm and were ovoid or elongated. PVA-labeled perikarya (n = 124) had a large amount of astrocytic coverage (75+/-14%) and a low amount of terminal coverage (15+/-12%). PVA-labeled perikarya and dendrites mostly were contacted by terminals lacking immunoreactivity for either PVA or TH/DBH (82% of 1,663). Of the TH/DBH terminals or axons near PVA somata and dendrites, few (3% of 1,663) directly contacted them while the majority abutted adjacent glial or neuronal profiles. Some TH/DBH- and PVA-labeled terminals contacted the same dendrites; a few of these contained immunoreactivity for PVA. The results demonstrate that PVA-containing GABAergic septal neurons, like cholinergic neurons, are mostly surrounded by astrocytes and have very little terminal coverage. However, in contrast to cholinergic neurons, PVA-containing neurons are contacted primarily by non-catecholaminergic terminals suggesting that any functional interactions would be indirect. These findings further support the functional diversity of subpopulations of septohippocampal neurons.

Genetic variation in the morphology of the septo-hippocampal cholinergic and GABAergic system in mice. I. Cholinergic and GABAergic markers

In the present study, variations of cholinergic and GABAergic markers in the medial septum/vertical limb of the diagonal band of Broca (MS/vDB) and the hippocampus of eight different inbred mouse strains were investigated. By means of immunocytochemistry against the acetylcholine-synthesizing enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the cholinergic neurons were visualized and the number of ChAT-positive neuronal profiles in the MS/vDB was counted. Cholinergic and GABAergic septo-hippocampal projection neurons were detected with a combined retrograde tracing and immunocytochemical approach. In order to quantify the cholinergic innervation of various hippocampal sub-regions, we estimated the density of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-containing fibers as visualized by AChE histochemistry. Additionally, the densities of muscarinic receptors (mainly the subtypes M1 and M2) in different hippocampal areas of seven inbred strains were measured by means of quantitative receptor autoradiography. We found significant strain differences for the number of ChAT-positive neurons in the MS/vDB; in the numbers of cholinergic septo-hippocampal projection neurons; in the density of cholinergic fibers in hippocampal subfields CA3c, CA1, and in the dentate gyrus; and in the density of muscarinic receptors in the hippocampus. In contrast the GABAergic component of the septo-hippocampal projection did not differ between the strains investigated. The number of ChAT-reactive neurons in the MS/vDB was not correlated with either hippocampal cholinergic markers. This might be attributed to different collateralization of cholinergic neurons or to different projections of these neurons to other brain regions. These results show a strong hereditary variability within the septo-hippocampal cholinergic system in mice. In view of the role of the cholinergic system in learning and memory processes, strain differences in cholinergic markers might be helpful in explaining behavioral variation.

Regional and cellular expression sites of the alpha 1 subunit of GABAA receptors in the rat basal forebrain: a cytochemical study with glutamic acid decarboxylase, choline acetyltransferase, calcium-binding proteins and nitric oxide synthase as second markers

Forebrain sections of adult male Wistar rats were processed for the immunohistochemical detection of the GABAA receptor alpha 1 subunit. Alternate sections were used for double-staining with antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the calcium binding proteins parvalbumin (PARV), calbindin (CALB) and calretinin (CR) as well as to nitric oxide synthase (NOS). alpha 1 receptor subunit-immunoreactive neurons were found to be inhomogeneously distributed in the rat basal forebrain. Numerous alpha 1 subunit-immunostained neurons occupied the central part of medial septum and diagonal band, the whole ventral pallidum and the globus pallidus. A moderate number was found in the lateral septum, and only very few in the striatum and nucleus accumbens. Double-immunofluorescence labelling revealed an apparently complete co-expression of GAD-immunoreactivity in alpha 1 subunit-immunoreactive cells of rat basal forebrain, but only a region-dependent proportion of GAD-immunoreactive cells showed alpha 1 subunit-immunoreactivity. Co-expression of PARV-immunoreactivity characterized the vast majority of the alpha 1 subunit-immunoreactive cells in the medial septum, diagonal band, ventral pallidum and globus pallidus. Striatal alpha 1 subunit-immunopositive neurons appeared PARV-immunonegative and did also not react with the other immunoreagents used in this study, except the GAD-antibody. CR-immunoreactivity was co-expressed in alpha 1 subunit-immunopositive cells of the ventral lateral septal nucleus and only exceptionally in the ventral pallidum, where the vast majority of CR-positive cells was monolabelled. A small minority of ChAT-immunoreactive, but in no case CALB- and NOS-immunoreactive cells were found to express the alpha 1 subunit-immunoreactivity. These findings confirm the data obtained by analyses of other brain regions suggesting a preferred co-existence of this GABAA receptor subunit with PARV and to a lesser degree with CR.

Expression, control, and probable functional significance of the neuronal theta-rhythm

The data on theta-modulation of neuronal activity in the hippocampus and related structures, obtained by the author and her colleagues have been reviewed. Analysis of extracellularly recorded neuronal activity in alert rabbits, intact and after various brain lesions, in slices and transplants of the hippocampus and septum allow one to make the following conclusions. Integrity of the medial septal area (MS-DB) and its efferent connections are indispensable for theta-modulation of neuronal activity and EEG of the hippocampus. The expression of hippocampal theta depends on the proportion of the MS-DB cells involved in the rhythmic process, and its frequency in the whole theta-range, is determined by the corresponding frequencies of theta-burst in the MS-DB. The neurons of the MS-DB have the properties of endogenous rhythmic burst and regular single spike oscillators. Input signals ascending to the MS-DB from the pontomesencephalic reticular formation increase both the frequency of the MS-DB theta-bursts and the proportion of neurons involved in theta-activity; serotonergic midbrain raphe nuclei have the opposite effect on the MS-DB rhythmic activity and hippocampal EEG theta. Increase of endogenous acetylcholine (by physostigmine) also increases the proportion of the MS-DB neurons discharging in theta-bursts (both in intact and basally-undercut septum), but does not influence the theta-frequency. The primary effect of the MS-DB on hippocampal neurons (pyramidal and non-pyramidal) consists in GABAergic reset inhibition. Reset inhibition, after which theta-modulation follows in constant phase relation, is triggered also by sensory stimuli. About two-thirds of the hippocampal pyramidal neurons are tonically inhibited by sensory stimuli which evoke EEG theta, while others are excited, or do not change their activity. Anticholinergic drugs restrict the population of rhythmic neurons but do not completely suppress theta-bursts in the MS-DB and hippocampus. Under their action, EEG theta can be evoked (presumably through GABAergic MS-DB influences) by strong reticular or sensory stimuli with corresponding high frequency. However information processing in this condition is defective: expression of reset is increased, responses to electrical stimulation of the perforant path and to sensory stimuli are often augmented, habituation to sensory stimuli is absent and tonic responses are curtailed. On a background of continuous theta induced by increase of endogenous acetylcholine, reset is absent or reduced, responsiveness of the hippocampal neurons to electrical and sensory stimulation is strongly reduced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Age-related changes in parvalbumin- and GABA-immunoreactive cells in the rat septum

The calcium binding protein parvalbumin is present in GABAergic neurons of the medial septum-diagonal band of Broca (MS-DBB) region that project to the hippocampal formation. We examined the distribution pattern, the number, and the morphological features of the parvalbumin-containing cells (parv+) in the MS-DBB region of 2- to 3-, 8- to 9-, 15- to 16-, and 26- to 27-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats. A significant reduction in the number of parv+ cells was observed as a function of age. The mean somal area of the parv+ cells was significantly reduced in the 26- to 27-month-old rats. A significant reduction in the number of parv+ cells was also observed in the 26- to 27-month-old rats in the cingulate cortex, but not in the striatum or the hippocampal formation. No significant age-related changes were observed in the number of the GABA-immunoreactive cells in the MS-DBB region nor in the cingulate cortex. In conclusion, there is an age-related decrease in the number of parv+ cells, with no change in the number of GABA-immunoreactive cells in the MS-DBB region of the rat. Because GABA and parvalbumin are colocalized in the MS-DBB neurons, the results suggest that the level of parvalbumin is decreased, but that the cells are not lost.

AF64A affects septal choline acetyltransferase but not parvalbumin immunoreactive cells

Rats received bilateral intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusions of either AF64A (1.5 nmol/ventricle; n = 9) or vehicle (3.0 microliters/ventricle; n = 7). Four weeks later, the animals were anesthetized and their brains processed to visualize and quantify choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactive (IR) and parvalbumin-IR GABAergic neurons in the septal complex by immunocytochemistry (PAP method). AF64A significantly reduced the number of ChAT-IR perikarya in the medial septum (28%), ventral limb of the diagonal band of Broca (30%), and horizontal limb of the diagonal band of Broca (20%), but did not affect the number of parvalbumin-containing GABAergic neurons in any of the septal subdivisions. These results provide further evidence that AF64A is a selective cholinotoxin.

Distribution of parvalbumin-containing neurons and lectin-binding perineuronal nets in the rat basal forebrain

In sections of rat brain treated for Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA) labelling the occurrence of parvalbumin (PARV)-, calbindin (CALB)- or choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity was analyzed in the basal forebrain using dual-peroxidase and double-fluorescence methods. Only PARV-immunoreactive (-ir) neurons were surrounded by WFA-labelled, i.e. N-acetylgalactosamine-containing, perineuronal lattice-like structures known as perineuronal nets. The distribution of these nets and PARV-ir cells in the rat basal forebrain was documented to obtain detailed data on their co-existence. A remarkable diversity in distribution of both markers was observed, as PARV-ir neurons are only associated with nets in the medial septal nucleus, the nuclei of the diagonal band and the magnocellular preoptic nucleus, but not in the ventral pallidum or the substantia innominata/nucleus basalis complex. These differences in the neuronal microenvironment may reflect system-related specializations of neurons within the basal forebrain nuclei.

Calbindin D-28K and NADPH-diaphorase activity are localized in different populations of periglomerular cells in the rat olfactory bulb

Calbindin D-28k (CaBP) immunocytochemistry and NADPH-diaphorase (ND) histochemistry have been combined in the rat olfactory bulb by successive incubations of the same sections. The outer strata showed a similar neuronal staining pattern for both markers with positive periglomerular neurons (although the CaBP-stained periglomerular cells were six-fold more abundant than the ND-active ones) and larger neurons scattered in the glomerular and external plexiform layers. Both populations of periglomerular cells were distinct but they did not show specific morphological characteristics nor a predominant distribution around ND-positive and negative glomeruli. The colocalization study demonstrates that the larger ND and CaBP-stained juxtaglomerular cells, identified according to their size, location and processes branching patterns as two types of short axon cells (superficial short-axon and Van Gehuchten Cells) were also independent populations.

Fine structure of rat septohippocampal neurons: I. Identification of septohippocampal projection neurons by retrograde tracing combined with electron microscopic immunocytochemistry and intracellular staining

In this report the normal dendritic organization and fine structure of identified septohippocampal projection neurons is described as a prerequisite for a time course analysis of retrograde changes in these neurons following axotomy (see Naumann et al., J. Comp. Neurol. 325:219-242, 1992). Septohippocampal projection neurons were retrogradely labeled by injection of the fluorescent tracer Fluoro-Gold into the hippocampus. Next, retrogradely labeled cells in Vibratome sections of the medial septum/diagonal band complex were intracellularly stained with the fluorescent dye Lucifer Yellow (LY). Photooxidation of LY resulted in a stable electron-dense reaction product, which allowed us to study these double-labeled neurons by electron microscopy. Another series of sections containing retrogradely labeled neurons were immunostained for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) or parvalbumin (PARV). In this way the fine structure of two different chemically characterized subpopulations of septohippocampal neurons could be compared with that of the LY-injected neurons. Intracellular filling of retrogradely labeled neurons with LY stained the cell body and the entire dendritic arbor. Essentially, three classes of neurons could be distinguished, i.e., bipolar cells, multipolar neurons, and an intermediate group. All these neurons displayed smooth, often varicose dendrites lacking spines. Mainly located close to the midline, there was a group of cells with only very few if any LY-stained dendrites. In the electron microscope, the double-labeled neurons were easily identified by numerous electron-dense lysosomes associated with transported Fluoro-Gold and the diffuse reaction product resulting from photooxidation. They displayed fine-structural characteristics as previously described for cholinergic neurons. In fact, our fine-structural analysis of ChAT-positive Fluoro-Gold-labeled neurons, but also of back-filled PARV-positive cells, gave very similar results. All these neurons had infolded nuclei, abundant cytoplasmic organelles, and a few axosomatic synapses. Thus, a plain electron microscopic study does not allow one to distinguish between subpopulations of septohippocampal projection neurons.

Calbindin D-28K- and parvalbumin-reacting neurons in the hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory nuclei of the rat

The distribution of calbindin D-28K- and parvalbumin-reacting neurons in the hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory nuclei of the rat was studied using the avidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase method and highly specific monoclonal antibodies. Incubation with anticalbindin D-28K-antiserum revealed immunoreactive neurons in the following nuclei: supraoptic, paraventricular (both in the magnocellular and parvicellular regions), circularis, fornicals and medial forebrain bundle. Incubation with parvalbumin antiserum displayed immunoreactive neurons only in the circularis nucleus. Additionally, it was possible to observe scattered calbindin and parvalbumin immunoreactive neurons (which do not form part of the nuclei considered) located in the hypothalamic area between the supraoptic and the paraventricular nuclei, especially for the calbindin D-28K antiserum.

Distribution of parvalbumin immunoreactivity in the human brain

The cellular distribution of parvalbumin-like immunoreactivity (PA-LI) in the human brain was investigated by peroxidase-antiperoxidase methods using antiserum to rat skeletal muscle parvalbumin. PA-LI was present in non-pyramidal neurons of the cerebral cortices, stellate cells, basket cells and Purkinje cells in cerebellar cortices, and neurons of some nuclei in human brain stem; the distribution of PA-LI in human brain was very similar to that in rat brain. These results indicate that PA-LI is widely distributed in a specific subpopulation of neurons of the human brain.