Glutamatergic Monopolar Interneurons Provide a Novel Pathway of Excitation in the Mouse Retina

Mammalian Retinal Bipolar Cells: Morphological Identification and Systematic Classification in Rabbit Retina with a Comparative Perspective

Retinal bipolar cells (BCs) convey visual signals from photoreceptors to more than 50 types of rabbit retinal ganglion cells (Famiglietti, 2020). More than 40 years ago, 10-11 types of bipolar cell were recognized in rabbit and cat retinas (Famiglietti, 1981). Twenty years later 10 were identified in mouse, rat, and monkey, while recent molecular genetic studies indicate that there are 15 types of bipolar cell in mouse retina (Shekhar et al., 2016). The present detailed study of more than 800 bipolar cells in ten Golgi-impregnated rabbit retinas indicates that there are 14-16 types of cone bipolar cell and one type of rod bipolar cell in rabbit retina. These have been carefully analyzed in terms of dendritic and axonal morphology, and axon terminal stratification with respect to fiducial starburst amacrine cells. In fortuitous proximity, several types of bipolar cell can be related to identified ganglion cells by stratification and by contacts suggestive of synaptic connection. These results are compared with other studies of rabbit bipolar cells. Homologies with bipolar cells of mouse and monkey are considered in functional terms.

Layer-specific anatomical and physiological features of the retina's neurovascular unit

The neurovascular unit (NVU), comprising vascular, glial, and neural elements, supports the energetic demands of neural computation, but this aspect of the retina's trilaminar vessel network is poorly understood. Only the innermost vessel layer-the superficial vascular plexus (SVP)-is associated with astrocytes, like brain capillaries, whereas radial Müller glia interact with vessels in the other layers. Using serial electron microscopic reconstructions from mouse and primate retina, we find that Müller processes cover capillaries in a tessellating pattern, mirroring the wrapping of brain capillaries by tiled astrocytic endfeet. Gaps in the Müller sheath, found mainly in the intermediate vascular plexus (IVP), permit diverse neuron types to contact pericytes and the endothelial cells directly. Pericyte somata are a favored target, often at spine-like structures with reduced or absent vascular basement lamina. Focal application of ATP to the vitreal surface evoked Ca2+ signals in Müller sheaths in all three vascular layers. Pharmacological experiments confirmed that Müller sheaths express purinergic receptors that, when activated, trigger intracellular Ca2+ signals that are amplified by inositol triphosphate (IP3)-controlled intracellular Ca2+ stores. When rod photoreceptors die in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa (rd10), Müller sheaths dissociate from the deep vascular plexus (DVP) but are largely unchanged within the IVP or SVP. Thus, Müller glia interact with retinal vessels in a laminar, compartmentalized manner: glial sheaths are virtually complete in the SVP but fenestrated in the IVP, permitting direct neurovascular contacts. In the DVP, the glial sheath is only modestly fenestrated and is vulnerable to photoreceptor degeneration.

A non-conducting role of the Cav1.4 Ca2+ channel drives homeostatic plasticity at the cone photoreceptor synapse

In congenital stationary night blindness, type 2 (CSNB2)-a disorder involving the Cav1.4 (L-type) Ca2+ channel-visual impairment is mild considering that Cav1.4 mediates synaptic release from rod and cone photoreceptors. Here, we addressed this conundrum using a Cav1.4 knockout (KO) mouse and a knock-in (G369i KI) mouse expressing a non-conducting Cav1.4. Surprisingly, Cav3 (T-type) Ca2+ currents were detected in cones of G369i KI mice and Cav1.4 KO mice but not in cones of wild-type mouse, ground squirrels, and macaque retina. Whereas Cav1.4 KO mice are blind, G369i KI mice exhibit normal photopic (i.e. cone-mediated) visual behavior. Cone synapses, which fail to form in Cav1.4 KO mice, are present, albeit enlarged, and with some errors in postsynaptic wiring in G369i KI mice. While Cav1.4 KO mice lack evidence of cone synaptic responses, electrophysiological recordings in G369i KI mice revealed nominal transmission from cones to horizontal cells and bipolar cells. In CSNB2, we propose that Cav3 channels maintain cone synaptic output provided that the nonconducting role of Cav1.4 in cone synaptogenesis remains intact. Our findings reveal an unexpected form of homeostatic plasticity that relies on a non-canonical role of an ion channel.

Reconfiguration of the visual code and retinal cell type complement in closely related diurnal and nocturnal mice

How does evolution act on neuronal populations to match computational characteristics to functional demands? We address this problem by comparing visual code and retinal cell composition in closely related murid species with different behaviours. Rhabdomys pumilio are diurnal and have substantially thicker inner retina and larger visual thalamus than nocturnal Mus musculus. High-density electrophysiological recordings of visual response features in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) reveals that Rhabdomys attains higher spatiotemporal acuity both by denser coverage of the visual scene and a selective expansion of elements of the code characterised by non-linear spatiotemporal summation. Comparative analysis of single cell transcriptomic cell atlases reveals that realignment of the visual code is associated with increased relative abundance of bipolar and ganglion cell types supporting OFF and ON-OFF responses. These findings demonstrate how changes in retinal cell complement can reconfigure the coding of visual information to match changes in visual needs.

The retina's neurovascular unit: Müller glial sheaths and neuronal contacts

The neurovascular unit (NVU), comprising vascular, glial and neural elements, supports the energetic demands of neural computation, but this aspect of the retina's trilaminar vessel network is poorly understood. Only the innermost vessel layer - the superficial vascular plexus (SVP) - is ensheathed by astrocytes, like brain capillaries, whereas glial ensheathment in other layers derives from radial Müller glia. Using serial electron microscopy reconstructions from mouse and primate retina, we find that Müller processes cover capillaries in a tessellating pattern, mirroring the tiled astrocytic endfeet wrapping brain capillaries. However, gaps in the Müller sheath, found mainly in the intermediate vascular plexus (IVP), permit different neuron types to contact pericytes and the endothelial cells directly. Pericyte somata are a favored target, often at spine-like structures with a reduced or absent vascular basement lamina. Focal application of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to the vitreal surface evoked Ca2+ signals in Müller sheaths in all three vascular layers. Pharmacological experiments confirmed that Müller sheaths express purinergic receptors that, when activated, trigger intracellular Ca2+ signals that are amplified by IP3-controlled intracellular Ca2+ stores. When rod photoreceptors die in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa (rd10), Müller sheaths dissociate from the deep vascular plexus (DVP) but are largely unchanged within the IVP or SVP. Thus, Müller glia interact with retinal vessels in a laminar, compartmentalized manner: glial sheathes are virtually complete in the SVP but fenestrated in the IVP, permitting direct neural-to-vascular contacts. In the DVP, the glial sheath is only modestly fenestrated and is vulnerable to photoreceptor degeneration.

Evolutionary and developmental specialization of foveal cell types in the marmoset

In primates, high-acuity vision is mediated by the fovea, a small specialized central region of the retina. The fovea, unique to the anthropoid lineage among mammals, undergoes notable neuronal morphological changes during postnatal maturation. However, the extent of cellular similarity across anthropoid foveas and the molecular underpinnings of foveal maturation remain unclear. Here, we used high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing to profile retinal cells of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), an early divergent in anthropoid evolution from humans, apes, and macaques. We generated atlases of the marmoset fovea and peripheral retina for both neonates and adults. Our comparative analysis revealed that marmosets share almost all their foveal types with both humans and macaques, highlighting a conserved cellular structure among primate foveas. Furthermore, by tracing the developmental trajectory of cell types in the foveal and peripheral retina, we found distinct maturation paths for each. In-depth analysis of gene expression differences demonstrated that cone photoreceptors and Müller glia (MG), among others, show the greatest molecular divergence between these two regions. Utilizing single-cell ATAC-seq and gene-regulatory network inference, we uncovered distinct transcriptional regulations differentiating foveal cones from their peripheral counterparts. Further analysis of predicted ligand-receptor interactions suggested a potential role for MG in supporting the maturation of foveal cones. Together, these results provide valuable insights into foveal development, structure, and evolution.

Spatial motifs reveal patterns in cellular architecture of complex tissues

Spatial organization of cells is crucial to both proper physiological function of tissues and pathological conditions like cancer. Recent advances in spatial transcriptomics have enabled joint profiling of gene expression and spatial context of the cells. The outcome is an information rich map of the tissue where individual cells, or small regions, can be labeled based on their gene expression state. While spatial transcriptomics excels in its capacity to profile numerous genes within the same sample, most existing methods for analysis of spatial data only examine distribution of one or two labels at a time. These approaches overlook the potential for identifying higher-order associations between cell types - associations that can play a pivotal role in understanding development and function of complex tissues. In this context, we introduce a novel method for detecting motifs in spatial neighborhood graphs. Each motif represents a spatial arrangement of cell types that occurs in the tissue more frequently than expected by chance. To identify spatial motifs, we developed an algorithm for uniform sampling of paths from neighborhood graphs and combined it with a motif finding algorithm on graphs inspired by previous methods for finding motifs in DNA sequences. Using synthetic data with known ground truth, we show that our method can identify spatial motifs with high accuracy and sensitivity. Applied to spatial maps of mouse retinal bipolar cells and hypothalamic preoptic region, our method reveals previously unrecognized patterns in cell type arrangements. In some cases, cells within these spatial patterns differ in their gene expression from other cells of the same type, providing insights into the functional significance of the spatial motifs. These results suggest that our method can illuminate the substantial complexity of neural tissues, provide novel insight even in well studied models, and generate experimentally testable hypotheses.

A presynaptic source drives differing levels of surround suppression in two mouse retinal ganglion cell types

In early sensory systems, cell-type diversity generally increases from the periphery into the brain, resulting in a greater heterogeneity of responses to the same stimuli. Surround suppression is a canonical visual computation that begins within the retina and is found at varying levels across retinal ganglion cell types. Our results show that heterogeneity in the level of surround suppression occurs subcellularly at bipolar cell synapses. Using single-cell electrophysiology and serial block-face scanning electron microscopy, we show that two retinal ganglion cell types exhibit very different levels of surround suppression even though they receive input from the same bipolar cell types. This divergence of the bipolar cell signal occurs through synapse-specific regulation by amacrine cells at the scale of tens of microns. These findings indicate that each synapse of a single bipolar cell can carry a unique visual signal, expanding the number of possible functional channels at the earliest stages of visual processing.

Evolutionary and Developmental Specialization of Foveal Cell Types in the Marmoset

In primates, high-acuity vision is mediated by the fovea, a small specialized central region of the retina. The fovea, unique to the anthropoid lineage among mammals, undergoes notable neuronal morphological changes during postnatal maturation. However, the extent of cellular similarity across anthropoid foveas and the molecular underpinnings of foveal maturation remain unclear. Here, we used high throughput single cell RNA sequencing to profile retinal cells of the common marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus ), an early divergent in anthropoid evolution from humans, apes, and macaques. We generated atlases of the marmoset fovea and peripheral retina for both neonates and adults. Our comparative analysis revealed that marmosets share almost all its foveal types with both humans and macaques, highlighting a conserved cellular structure among primate foveas. Furthermore, by tracing the developmental trajectory of cell types in the foveal and peripheral retina, we found distinct maturation paths for each. In-depth analysis of gene expression differences demonstrated that cone photoreceptors and Müller glia, among others, show the greatest molecular divergence between these two regions. Utilizing single-cell ATAC-seq and gene-regulatory network inference, we uncovered distinct transcriptional regulations differentiating foveal cones from their peripheral counterparts. Further analysis of predicted ligand-receptor interactions suggested a potential role for Müller glia in supporting the maturation of foveal cones. Together, these results provide valuable insights into foveal development, structure, and evolution.

Significance statement

The sharpness of our eyesight hinges on a tiny retinal region known as the fovea. The fovea is pivotal for primate vision and is susceptible to diseases like age-related macular degeneration. We studied the fovea in the marmoset-a primate with ancient evolutionary ties. Our data illustrated the cellular and molecular composition of its fovea across different developmental ages. Our findings highlighted a profound cellular consistency among marmosets, humans, and macaques, emphasizing the value of marmosets in visual research and the study of visual diseases.

Evolution of neuronal cell classes and types in the vertebrate retina

The basic plan of the retina is conserved across vertebrates, yet species differ profoundly in their visual needs1. Retinal cell types may have evolved to accommodate these varied needs, but this has not been systematically studied. Here we generated and integrated single-cell transcriptomic atlases of the retina from 17 species: humans, two non-human primates, four rodents, three ungulates, opossum, ferret, tree shrew, a bird, a reptile, a teleost fish and a lamprey. We found high molecular conservation of the six retinal cell classes (photoreceptors, horizontal cells, bipolar cells, amacrine cells, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and Müller glia), with transcriptomic variation across species related to evolutionary distance. Major subclasses were also conserved, whereas variation among cell types within classes or subclasses was more pronounced. However, an integrative analysis revealed that numerous cell types are shared across species, based on conserved gene expression programmes that are likely to trace back to an early ancestral vertebrate. The degree of variation among cell types increased from the outer retina (photoreceptors) to the inner retina (RGCs), suggesting that evolution acts preferentially to shape the retinal output. Finally, we identified rodent orthologues of midget RGCs, which comprise more than 80% of RGCs in the human retina, subserve high-acuity vision, and were previously believed to be restricted to primates2. By contrast, the mouse orthologues have large receptive fields and comprise around 2% of mouse RGCs. Projections of both primate and mouse orthologous types are overrepresented in the thalamus, which supplies the primary visual cortex. We suggest that midget RGCs are not primate innovations, but are descendants of evolutionarily ancient types that decreased in size and increased in number as primates evolved, thereby facilitating high visual acuity and increased cortical processing of visual information.

Regional variation in the organization and connectivity of the first synapse in the primate night vision pathway

Sensitivity of primate daylight vision varies across the visual field. This is attributed to regional variations in cone photoreceptor density and synaptic connectivity of the underlying circuitry. In contrast, we have limited understanding of how synapse organization of the primate night vision pathway changes across space. Using serial electron microscopy, we reconstructed the first synapse of the night vision pathway between rod photoreceptors and second-order neurons, at multiple locations from the central part of the primate retina, fovea, to the periphery. We find that most facets of the rod synapse connectivity vary across retinal regions. However, rod synaptic divergence and convergence patterns do not change in the same manner across locations. Moreover, patterns of rod synapse organization are tightly correlated with photoreceptor density. Such regional heterogeneities revise the connectivity diagram of the primate rod synapse which will shape synapse function and sensitivity of the night vision pathway across visual space.

Sensory deprivation arrests cellular and synaptic development of the night-vision circuitry in the retina

Experience regulates synapse formation and function across sensory circuits. How inhibitory synapses in the mammalian retina are sculpted by visual cues remains unclear. By use of a sensory deprivation paradigm, we find that visual cues regulate maturation of two GABA synapse types (GABAA and GABAC receptor synapses), localized across the axon terminals of rod bipolar cells (RBCs)-second-order retinal neurons integral to the night-vision circuit. Lack of visual cues causes GABAA synapses at RBC terminals to retain an immature receptor configuration with slower response profiles and prevents receptor recruitment at GABAC synapses. Additionally, the organizing protein for both these GABA synapses, LRRTM4, is not clustered at dark-reared RBC synapses. Ultrastructurally, the total number of ribbon-output/inhibitory-input synapses across RBC terminals remains unaltered by sensory deprivation, although ribbon synapse output sites are misarranged when the circuit develops without visual cues. Intrinsic electrophysiological properties of RBCs and expression of chloride transporters across RBC terminals are additionally altered by sensory deprivation. Introduction to normal 12-h light-dark housing conditions facilitates maturation of dark-reared RBC GABA synapses and restoration of intrinsic RBC properties, unveiling a new element of light-dependent retinal cellular and synaptic plasticity.

Spatial organization of the mouse retina at single cell resolution by MERFISH

The visual signal processing in the retina requires the precise organization of diverse neuronal types working in concert. While single-cell omics studies have identified more than 120 different neuronal subtypes in the mouse retina, little is known about their spatial organization. Here, we generated the single-cell spatial atlas of the mouse retina using multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization (MERFISH). We profiled over 390,000 cells and identified all major cell types and nearly all subtypes through the integration with reference single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. Our spatial atlas allowed simultaneous examination of nearly all cell subtypes in the retina, revealing 8 previously unknown displaced amacrine cell subtypes and establishing the connection between the molecular classification of many cell subtypes and their spatial arrangement. Furthermore, we identified spatially dependent differential gene expression between subtypes, suggesting the possibility of functional tuning of neuronal types based on location.

New insights into retinal circuits through EM connectomics: what we have learnt and what remains to be learned

The retinal neural circuit is intricately wired for efficient processing of visual signals. This is well-supported by the specialized connections between retinal neurons at both the functional and ultrastructural levels. Through 3D electron microscopic (EM) reconstructions of retinal neurons and circuits we have learnt much about the specificities of connections within the retinal layers including new insights into how retinal neurons establish connections and perform sophisticated visual computations. This mini-review will summarize the retinal circuitry and provide details about the novel insights EM connectomics has brought into our understanding of the retinal circuitry. We will also discuss unresolved questions about the retinal circuitry that can be addressed by EM connectomics in the future.

Evolution of neuronal cell classes and types in the vertebrate retina

The basic plan of the retina is conserved across vertebrates, yet species differ profoundly in their visual needs (Baden et al., 2020). One might expect that retinal cell types evolved to accommodate these varied needs, but this has not been systematically studied. Here, we generated and integrated single-cell transcriptomic atlases of the retina from 17 species: humans, two non-human primates, four rodents, three ungulates, opossum, ferret, tree shrew, a teleost fish, a bird, a reptile and a lamprey. Molecular conservation of the six retinal cell classes (photoreceptors, horizontal cells, bipolar cells, amacrine cells, retinal ganglion cells [RGCs] and Muller glia) is striking, with transcriptomic differences across species correlated with evolutionary distance. Major subclasses are also conserved, whereas variation among types within classes or subclasses is more pronounced. However, an integrative analysis revealed that numerous types are shared across species based on conserved gene expression programs that likely trace back to the common ancestor of jawed vertebrates. The degree of variation among types increases from the outer retina (photoreceptors) to the inner retina (RGCs), suggesting that evolution acts preferentially to shape the retinal output. Finally, we identified mammalian orthologs of midget RGCs, which comprise >80% of RGCs in the human retina, subserve high-acuity vision, and were believed to be primate-specific (Berson, 2008); in contrast, the mouse orthologs comprise <2% of mouse RGCs. Projections both primate and mouse orthologous types are overrepresented in the thalamus, which supplies the primary visual cortex. We suggest that midget RGCs are not primate innovations, but descendants of evolutionarily ancient types that decreased in size and increased in number as primates evolved, thereby facilitating high visual acuity and increased cortical processing of visual information.

Using optogenetics to dissect rod inputs to OFF ganglion cells in the mouse retina

Introduction

Light responses of rod photoreceptor cells traverse the retina through three pathways. The primary pathway involves synapses from rods to ON-type rod bipolar cells with OFF signals reaching retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) via sign-inverting glycinergic synapses. Secondly, rod signals can enter cones through gap junctions. Finally, rods can synapse directly onto cone OFF bipolar cells.

Methods

To analyze these pathways, we obtained whole cell recordings from OFF-type α RGCs in mouse retinas while expressing channelrhodopsin-2 in rods and/or cones.

Results

Optogenetic stimulation of rods or cones evoked large fast currents in OFF RGCs. Blocking the primary rod pathway with L-AP4 and/or strychnine reduced rod-driven optogenetic currents in OFF RGCs by ~1/3. Blocking kainate receptors of OFF cone bipolar cells suppressed both rod- and cone-driven optogenetic currents in OFF RGCs. Inhibiting gap junctions between rods and cones with mecloflenamic acid or quinpirole reduced rod-driven responses in OFF RGCs. Eliminating the exocytotic Ca²⁺ sensor, synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1), from cones abolished cone-driven optogenetic responses in RGCs. Rod-driven currents were not significantly reduced after isolating the secondary pathway by eliminating Syt1 and synaptotagmin 7 (Syt7) to block synaptic release from rods. Eliminating Syt1 from both rods and cones abolished responses to optogenetic stimulation. In Cx36 KO retinas lacking rod-cone gap junctions, optogenetic activation of rods evoked small and slow responses in most OFF RGCs suggesting rod signals reached them through an indirect pathway. Two OFF cells showed faster responses consistent with more direct input from cone OFF bipolar cells.

Discussion

These data show that the secondary rod pathway supports robust inputs into OFF α RGCs and suggests the tertiary pathway recruits both direct and indirect inputs.

Immunohistochemical characterization of bipolar cells in four distantly related avian species

Visual (and probably also magnetic) signal processing starts at the first synapse, at which photoreceptors contact different types of bipolar cells, thereby feeding information into different processing channels. In the chicken retina, 15 and 22 different bipolar cell types have been identified based on serial electron microscopy and single-cell transcriptomics, respectively. However, immunohistochemical markers for avian bipolar cells were only anecdotally described so far. Here, we systematically tested 12 antibodies for their ability to label individual bipolar cells in the bird retina and compared the eight most suitable antibodies across distantly related species, namely domestic chicken, domestic pigeon, common buzzard, and European robin, and across retinal regions. While two markers (GNB3 and EGFR) labeled specifically ON bipolar cells, most markers labeled in addition to bipolar cells also other cell types in the avian retina. Staining pattern of four markers (CD15, PKCα, PKCβ, secretagogin) was species-specific. Two markers (calbindin and secretagogin) showed a different expression pattern in central and peripheral retina. For the chicken and European robin, we found slightly more ON bipolar cell somata in the inner nuclear layer than OFF bipolar cell somata. In contrast, OFF bipolar cells made more ribbon synapses than ON bipolar cells in the inner plexiform layer of these species. Finally, we also analyzed the photoreceptor connectivity of selected bipolar cell types in the European robin retina. In summary, we provide a catalog of bipolar cell markers for different bird species, which will greatly facilitate analyzing the retinal circuitry of birds on a larger scale.

Distinctive synaptic structural motifs link excitatory retinal interneurons to diverse postsynaptic partner types

Neurons make converging and diverging synaptic connections with distinct partner types. Whether synapses involving separate partners demonstrate similar or distinct structural motifs is not yet well understood. We thus used serial electron microscopy in mouse retina to map output synapses of cone bipolar cells (CBCs) and compare their structural arrangements across bipolar types and postsynaptic partners. Three presynaptic configurations emerge-single-ribbon, ribbonless, and multiribbon synapses. Each CBC type exploits these arrangements in a unique combination, a feature also found among rabbit ON CBCs. Though most synapses are dyads, monads and triads are also seen. Altogether, mouse CBCs exhibit at least six motifs, and each CBC type uses these in a stereotypic pattern. Moreover, synapses between CBCs and particular partner types appear biased toward certain motifs. Our observations reveal synaptic strategies that diversify the output within and across CBC types, potentially shaping the distinct functions of retinal microcircuits.

Classical center-surround receptive fields facilitate novel object detection in retinal bipolar cells

Antagonistic interactions between center and surround receptive field (RF) components lie at the heart of the computations performed in the visual system. Circularly symmetric center-surround RFs are thought to enhance responses to spatial contrasts (i.e., edges), but how visual edges affect motion processing is unclear. Here, we addressed this question in retinal bipolar cells, the first visual neuron with classic center-surround interactions. We found that bipolar glutamate release emphasizes objects that emerge in the RF; their responses to continuous motion are smaller, slower, and cannot be predicted by signals elicited by stationary stimuli. In our hands, the alteration in signal dynamics induced by novel objects was more pronounced than edge enhancement and could be explained by priming of RF surround during continuous motion. These findings echo the salience of human visual perception and demonstrate an unappreciated capacity of the center-surround architecture to facilitate novel object detection and dynamic signal representation.

Hierarchical partner selection shapes rod-cone pathway specificity in the inner retina

Neurons form stereotyped microcircuits that underlie specific functions. In the vertebrate retina, the primary rod and cone pathways that convey dim and bright light signals, respectively, exhibit distinct wiring patterns. Rod and cone pathways are thought to be assembled separately during development. However, using correlative fluorescence imaging and serial electron microscopy, we show here that cross-pathway interactions are involved to achieve pathway-specific connectivity within the inner retina. We found that A17 amacrine cells, a rod pathway-specific cellular component, heavily bias their synaptogenesis with rod bipolar cells (RBCs) but increase their connectivity with cone bipolar cells (CBCs) when RBCs are largely ablated. This cross-pathway synaptic plasticity occurs during synaptogenesis and is triggered even on partial loss of RBCs. Thus, A17 cells adopt a hierarchical approach in selecting postsynaptic partners from functionally distinct pathways (RBC>CBC), in which contact and/or synaptogenesis with preferred partners (RBCs) influences connectivity with less-preferred partners (CBCs).

Conserved circuits for direction selectivity in the primate retina

The detection of motion direction is a fundamental visual function and a classic model for neural computation. In the non-primate retina, direction selectivity arises in starburst amacrine cell (SAC) dendrites, which provide selective inhibition to direction-selective retinal ganglion cells (dsRGCs). Although SACs are present in primates, their connectivity and the existence of dsRGCs remain open questions. Here, we present a connectomic reconstruction of the primate ON SAC circuit from a serial electron microscopy volume of the macaque central retina. We show that the structural basis for the SACs' ability to confer directional selectivity on postsynaptic neurons is conserved. SACs selectively target a candidate homolog to the mammalian ON-sustained dsRGCs that project to the accessory optic system (AOS) and contribute to gaze-stabilizing reflexes. These results indicate that the capacity to compute motion direction is present in the retina, which is earlier in the primate visual system than classically thought.

Feature Detection by Retinal Ganglion Cells

Retinal circuits transform the pixel representation of photoreceptors into the feature representations of ganglion cells, whose axons transmit these representations to the brain. Functional, morphological, and transcriptomic surveys have identified more than 40 retinal ganglion cell (RGC) types in mice. RGCs extract features of varying complexity; some simply signal local differences in brightness (i.e., luminance contrast), whereas others detect specific motion trajectories. To understand the retina, we need to know how retinal circuits give rise to the diverse RGC feature representations. A catalog of the RGC feature set, in turn, is fundamental to understanding visual processing in the brain. Anterograde tracing indicates that RGCs innervate more than 50 areas in the mouse brain. Current maps connecting RGC types to brain areas are rudimentary, as is our understanding of how retinal signals are transformed downstream to guide behavior. In this article, I review the feature selectivities of mouse RGCs, how they arise, and how they are utilized downstream. Not only is knowledge of the behavioral purpose of RGC signals critical for understanding the retinal contributions to vision; it can also guide us to the most relevant areas of visual feature space. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Vision Science, Volume 8 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Transience of the Retinal Output Is Determined by a Great Variety of Circuit Elements

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) encrypt stimulus features of the visual scene in action potentials and convey them toward higher visual centers in the brain. Although there are many visual features to encode, our recent understanding is that the ~46 different functional subtypes of RGCs in the retina share this task. In this scheme, each RGC subtype establishes a separate, parallel signaling route for a specific visual feature (e.g., contrast, the direction of motion, luminosity), through which information is conveyed. The efficiency of encoding depends on several factors, including signal strength, adaptational levels, and the actual efficacy of the underlying retinal microcircuits. Upon collecting inputs across their respective receptive field, RGCs perform further analysis (e.g., summation, subtraction, weighting) before they generate the final output spike train, which itself is characterized by multiple different features, such as the number of spikes, the inter-spike intervals, response delay, and the rundown time (transience) of the response. These specific kinetic features are essential for target postsynaptic neurons in the brain in order to effectively decode and interpret signals, thereby forming visual perception. We review recent knowledge regarding circuit elements of the mammalian retina that participate in shaping RGC response transience for optimal visual signaling.

An uncommon neuronal class conveys visual signals from rods and cones to retinal ganglion cells

Neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) are distinguished by the neurotransmitter types they release, their synaptic connections, morphology, and genetic profiles. To fully understand how the CNS works, it is critical to identify all neuronal classes and reveal their synaptic connections. The retina has been extensively used to study neuronal development and circuit formation. Here, we describe a previously unidentified interneuron in mammalian retina. This interneuron shares some morphological, physiological, and molecular features with retinal bipolar cells, such as receiving input from photoreceptors and relaying visual signals to retinal ganglion cells. It also shares some features with amacrine cells (ACs), particularly Aii-ACs, such as their neurite morphology in the inner plexiform layer, the expression of some AC-specific markers, and possibly the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine. Thus, we unveil an uncommon interneuron, which may play an atypical role in vision.

Transient expression of a GABA receptor subunit during early development is critical for inhibitory synapse maturation and function

Developing neural circuits, including GABAergic circuits, switch receptor types. But the role of early GABA receptor expression for establishment of functional inhibitory circuits remains unclear. Tracking the development of GABAergic synapses across axon terminals of retinal bipolar cells (BCs), we uncovered a crucial role of early GABA_A receptor expression for the formation and function of presynaptic inhibitory synapses. Specifically, early α3-subunit-containing GABA_A (GABA_Aα3) receptors are a key developmental organizer. Before eye opening, GABA_Aα3 gives way to GABA_Aα1 at individual BC presynaptic inhibitory synapses. The developmental downregulation of GABA_Aα3 is independent of GABA_Aα1 expression. Importantly, lack of early GABA_Aα3 impairs clustering of GABA_Aα1 and formation of functional GABA_A synapses across mature BC terminals. This impacts the sensitivity of visual responses transmitted through the circuit. Lack of early GABA_Aα3 also perturbs aggregation of LRRTM4, the organizing protein at GABAergic synapses of rod BC terminals, and their arrangement of output ribbon synapses.

Development and diversification of bipolar interneurons in the mammalian retina

The bipolar interneurons of the mammalian retina have evolved as a diverse set of cells with distinct subtype characteristics, which reflect specialized contributions to visual circuitry. Fifteen subtypes of bipolar interneurons have been identified in the mouse retina, each with characteristic gene expression, morphology, and light responses. This review provides an overview of the developmental events that underlie the generation of the diverse bipolar cell class, summarizing the current knowledge of genetic programs that establish and maintain bipolar subtype fates, as well as the events that shape the final distribution of bipolar subtypes. With much left to be discovered, bipolar interneurons present an ideal model system for studying the interplay between cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms that influence neuronal subtype development within the central nervous system.

A High-Density Narrow-Field Inhibitory Retinal Interneuron with Direct Coupling to Müller Glia

Amacrine cells are interneurons composing the most diverse cell class in the mammalian retina. They help encode visual features, such as edges or directed motion, by mediating excitatory and inhibitory interactions between input (i.e., bipolar) and output (i.e., ganglion) neurons in the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Like other brain regions, the retina also contains glial cells that contribute to neurotransmitter uptake, metabolic regulation, and neurovascular control. Here, we report that, in mouse retina (of either sex), an abundant, though previously unstudied inhibitory amacrine cell is coupled directly to Müller glia. Electron microscopic reconstructions of this amacrine type revealed chemical synapses with known retinal cell types and extensive associations with Müller glia, the processes of which often completely ensheathe the neurites of this amacrine cell. Microinjecting small tracer molecules into the somas of these amacrine cells led to selective labeling of nearby Müller glia, leading us to suggest the name "Müller glia-coupled amacrine cell," or MAC. Our data also indicate that MACs release glycine at conventional chemical synapses, and viral retrograde transsynaptic tracing from the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus showed selective connections between MACs and a subpopulation of retinal ganglion cell types. Visually evoked responses revealed a strong preference for light increments; these "ON" responses were primarily mediated by excitatory chemical synaptic input and direct electrical coupling with other cells. This initial characterization of the MAC provides the first evidence for neuron-glia coupling in the mammalian retina and identifies the MAC as a potential link between inhibitory processing and glial function.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Gap junctions between pairs of neurons or glial cells are commonly found throughout the nervous system and play multiple roles, including electrical coupling and metabolic exchange. In contrast, gap junctions between neurons and glia cells have rarely been reported and are poorly understood. Here we report the first evidence for neuron-glia coupling in the mammalian retina, specifically between an abundant (but previously unstudied) inhibitory interneuron and Müller glia. Moreover, viral tracing, optogenetics, and serial electron microscopy provide new information about the neuron's synaptic partners and physiological responses.

Generating and Using Transcriptomically Based Retinal Cell Atlases

It has been known for over a century that the basic organization of the retina is conserved across vertebrates. It has been equally clear that retinal cells can be classified into numerous types, but only recently have methods been devised to explore this diversity in unbiased, scalable, and comprehensive ways. Advances in high-throughput single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) have played a pivotal role in this effort. In this article, we outline the experimental and computational components of scRNA-seq and review studies that have used them to generate retinal atlases of cell types in several vertebrate species. These atlases have enabled studies of retinal development, responses of retinal cells to injury, expression patterns of genes implicated in retinal disease, and the evolution of cell types. Recently, the inquiry has expanded to include the entire eye and visual centers in the brain. These studies have enhanced our understanding of retinal function and dysfunction and provided tools and insights for exploring neural diversity throughout the brain. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Vision Science, Volume 7 is September 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

OFF bipolar cell density varies by subtype, eccentricity, and along the dorsal ventral axis in the mouse retina

The neural retina is organized along central-peripheral, dorsal-ventral, and laminar planes. Cellular density and distributions vary along the central-peripheral and dorsal-ventral axis in species including primates, mice, fish, and birds. Differential distribution of cell types within the retina is associated with sensitivity to different types of damage that underpin major retinal diseases, including macular degeneration and glaucoma. Normal variation in retinal distribution remains unreported for multiple cell types in widely used research models, including mouse. Here we map the distribution of all known OFF bipolar cell (BC) populations and horizontal cells. We report significant variation in the distribution of OFF BC populations and horizontal cells along the dorsal-ventral and central-peripheral axes of the retina. Distribution patterns are much more pronounced for some populations of OFF BC cells than others and may correspond to the cell type's specialized functions.

Organization and emergence of a mixed GABA-glycine retinal circuit that provides inhibition to mouse ON-sustained alpha retinal ganglion cells

In the retina, amacrine interneurons inhibit retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dendrites to shape retinal output. Amacrine cells typically use either GABA or glycine to exert synaptic inhibition. Here, we combined transgenic tools with immunohistochemistry, electrophysiology, and 3D electron microscopy to determine the composition and organization of inhibitory synapses across the dendritic arbor of a well-characterized RGC type in the mouse retina: the ON-sustained alpha RGC. We find mixed GABA-glycine receptor synapses across this RGC type, unveiling the existence of "mixed" inhibitory synapses in the retinal circuit. Presynaptic amacrine boutons with dual release sites are apposed to ON-sustained alpha RGC postsynapses. We further reveal the sequence of postsynaptic assembly for these mixed synapses: GABA receptors precede glycine receptors, and a lack of early GABA receptor expression impedes the recruitment of glycine receptors. Together our findings uncover the organization and developmental profile of an additional motif of inhibition in the mammalian retina.

Circuit Reorganization Shapes the Developing Human Foveal Midget Connectome toward Single-Cone Resolution

The human visual pathway is specialized for the perception of fine spatial detail. The neural circuitry that determines visual acuity begins in the retinal fovea, where the resolution afforded by a dense array of cone photoreceptors is preserved in the retinal output by a remarkable non-divergent circuit: cone → midget bipolar interneuron → midget ganglion cell (the "private line"). How the private line develops is unknown; it could involve early specification of extremely precise synaptic connections or, by contrast, emerge slowly in concordance with the gradual maturation of foveal architecture and visual sensitivity. To distinguish between these hypotheses, we reconstructed the midget circuitry in the fetal human fovea by serial electron microscopy. We discovered that the midget private line is sculpted by synaptic remodeling beginning early in fetal life, with midget bipolar cells contacting a single cone by mid-gestation and bipolar cell-ganglion cell connectivity undergoing a more protracted period of refinement.

A dual role for Cav1.4 Ca2+ channels in the molecular and structural organization of the rod photoreceptor synapse

Synapses are fundamental information processing units that rely on voltage-gated Ca2+ (Cav) channels to trigger Ca2+-dependent neurotransmitter release. Cav channels also play Ca2+-independent roles in other biological contexts, but whether they do so in axon terminals is unknown. Here, we addressed this unknown with respect to the requirement for Cav1.4 L-type channels for the formation of rod photoreceptor synapses in the retina. Using a mouse strain expressing a non-conducting mutant form of Cav1.4, we report that the Cav1.4 protein, but not its Ca2+ conductance, is required for the molecular assembly of rod synapses; however, Cav1.4 Ca2+ signals are needed for the appropriate recruitment of postsynaptic partners. Our results support a model in which presynaptic Cav channels serve both as organizers of synaptic building blocks and as sources of Ca2+ ions in building the first synapse of the visual pathway and perhaps more broadly in the nervous system.

Atlas of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Organelles Significant for Clinical Imaging

Purpose

To quantify organelles impacting imaging in the cell body and intact apical processes of human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), including melanosomes, lipofuscin-melanolipofuscin (LM), mitochondria, and nuclei.

Methods

A normal perifovea of a 21-year-old white male was preserved after rapid organ recovery. An aligned image stack was generated using serial block-face scanning electron microscopy and was annotated by expert readers (TrakEM, ImageJ). Acquired measures included cell body and nuclear volume (n = 17); organelle count in apical processes (n = 17) and cell bodies (n = 8); distance of cell body organelles along a normalized apical-basal axis (n = 8); and dimensions of organelle-bounding boxes in apical processes in selected subsamples of cell bodies and apical processes.

Results

In 2661 sections through 17 cells, apical processes contained 65 ± 24 melanosomes in mononucleate (n = 15) and 131 ± 28 in binucleate cells (n = 2). Cell bodies contained 681 ± 153 LM and 734 ± 170 mitochondria. LM was excluded from the basal quartile, and mitochondria from the apical quartile. Lengths of melanosomes, LM, and mitochondria, respectively were 2305 ± 528, 1320 ± 574, and 1195 ± 294 nm. The ratio of cell body to nucleus volume was 4.6 ± 0.4. LM and mitochondria covered 75% and 63%, respectively, of the retinal imaging plane.

Conclusions

Among RPE signal sources for optical coherence tomography, LM and mitochondria are the most numerous reflective cell body organelles. These and our published data show that most melanosomes are in apical processes. Overlapping LM and previously mitochondria cushions may support multiple reflective bands in cell bodies. This atlas of subcellular reflectivity sources can inform development of advanced optical coherence tomography technologies.

A Color Vision Circuit for Non-Image-Forming Vision in the Primate Retina

Melanopsin-expressing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) synchronize our biological clocks with the external light/dark cycle [1]. In addition to photoentrainment, they mediate the effects of light experience as a central modulator of mood, learning, and health [2]. This makes a complete account of the circuity responsible for ipRGCs' light responses essential to understanding their diverse roles in our well-being. Considerable progress has been made in understanding ipRGCs' melanopsin-mediated responses in rodents [3-5]. However, in primates, ipRGCs also have a rare blue-OFF response mediated by an unknown short-wavelength-sensitive (S)-cone circuit [6]. Identifying this S-cone circuit is particularly important because ipRGCs mediate many of the wide-ranging effects of short-wavelength light on human biology. These effects are often attributed to melanopsin, but there is evidence for an S-cone contribution as well [7, 8]. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the S-OFF response is mediated by the S-ON pathway through inhibitory input from an undiscovered S-cone amacrine cell. Using serial electron microscopy in the macaque retina, we reconstructed the neurons and synapses of the S-cone connectome, revealing a novel inhibitory interneuron, an amacrine cell, receiving excitatory glutamatergic input exclusively from S-ON bipolar cells. This S-cone amacrine cell makes highly selective inhibitory synapses onto ipRGCs, resulting in a blue-OFF response. Identification of the S-cone amacrine cell provides the missing component of an evolutionarily ancient circuit using spectral information for non-image forming visual functions.

Distinct Developmental Mechanisms Act Independently to Shape Biased Synaptic Divergence from an Inhibitory Neuron

Neurons often contact more than one postsynaptic partner type and display stereotypic patterns of synaptic divergence. Such synaptic patterns usually involve some partners receiving more synapses than others. The developmental strategies generating "biased" synaptic distributions remain largely unknown. To gain insight, we took advantage of a compact circuit in the vertebrate retina, whereby the AII amacrine cell (AII AC) provides inhibition onto cone bipolar cell (BC) axons and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dendrites, but makes the majority of its synapses with the BCs. Using light and electron microscopy, we reconstructed the morphology and connectivity of mouse retinal AII ACs across postnatal development. We found that AII ACs do not elaborate their presynaptic structures, the lobular appendages, until BCs differentiate about a week after RGCs are present. Lobular appendages are present in mutant mice lacking BCs, implying that although synchronized with BC axonal differentiation, presynaptic differentiation of the AII ACs is not dependent on cues from BCs. With maturation, AII ACs maintain a constant number of synapses with RGCs, preferentially increase synaptogenesis with BCs, and eliminate synapses with wide-field amacrine cells. Thus, AII ACs undergo partner type-specific changes in connectivity to attain their mature pattern of synaptic divergence. Moreover, AII ACs contact non-BCs to the same extent in bipolarless retinas, indicating that AII ACs establish partner-type-specific connectivity using diverse mechanisms that operate in parallel but independently.

Cell types and cell circuits in human and non-human primate retina

This review summarizes our current knowledge of primate including human retina focusing on bipolar, amacrine and ganglion cells and their connectivity. We have two main motivations in writing. Firstly, recent progress in non-invasive imaging methods to study retinal diseases mean that better understanding of the primate retina is becoming an important goal both for basic and for clinical sciences. Secondly, genetically modified mice are increasingly used as animal models for human retinal diseases. Thus, it is important to understand to which extent the retinas of primates and rodents are comparable. We first compare cell populations in primate and rodent retinas, with emphasis on how the fovea (despite its small size) dominates the neural landscape of primate retina. We next summarise what is known, and what is not known, about the postreceptoral neurone populations in primate retina. The inventories of bipolar and ganglion cells in primates are now nearing completion, comprising ~12 types of bipolar cell and at least 17 types of ganglion cell. Primate ganglion cells show clear differences in dendritic field size across the retina, and their morphology differs clearly from that of mouse retinal ganglion cells. Compared to bipolar and ganglion cells, amacrine cells show even higher morphological diversity: they could comprise over 40 types. Many amacrine types appear conserved between primates and mice, but functions of only a few types are understood in any primate or non-primate retina. Amacrine cells appear as the final frontier for retinal research in monkeys and mice alike.

LRRTM4: A Novel Regulator of Presynaptic Inhibition and Ribbon Synapse Arrangements of Retinal Bipolar Cells

LRRTM4 is a transsynaptic adhesion protein regulating glutamatergic synapse assembly on dendrites of central neurons. In the mouse retina, we find that LRRTM4 is enriched at GABAergic synapses on axon terminals of rod bipolar cells (RBCs). Knockout of LRRTM4 reduces RBC axonal GABA_A and GABA_C receptor clustering and disrupts presynaptic inhibition onto RBC terminals. LRRTM4 removal also perturbs the stereotyped output synapse arrangement at RBC terminals. Synaptic ribbons are normally apposed to two distinct postsynaptic "dyad" partners, but in the absence of LRRTM4, "monad" and "triad" arrangements are also formed. RBCs from retinas deficient in GABA release also demonstrate dyad mis-arrangements but maintain LRRTM4 expression, suggesting that defects in dyad organization in the LRRTM4 knockout could originate from reduced GABA receptor function. LRRTM4 is thus a key synapse organizing molecule at RBC terminals, where it regulates function of GABAergic synapses and assembly of RBC synaptic dyads.

3D cellular reconstruction of cortical glia and parenchymal morphometric analysis from Serial Block-Face Electron Microscopy of juvenile rat

With the rapid evolution in the automation of serial electron microscopy in life sciences, the acquisition of terabyte-sized datasets is becoming increasingly common. High resolution serial block-face imaging (SBEM) of biological tissues offers the opportunity to segment and reconstruct nanoscale structures to reveal spatial features previously inaccessible with simple, single section, two-dimensional images. In particular, we focussed here on glial cells, whose reconstruction efforts in literature are still limited, compared to neurons. We imaged a 750,000 cubic micron volume of the somatosensory cortex from a juvenile P14 rat, with 20 nm accuracy. We recognized a total of 186 cells using their nuclei, and classified them as neuronal or glial based on features of the soma and the processes. We reconstructed for the first time 4 almost complete astrocytes and neurons, 4 complete microglia and 4 complete pericytes, including their intracellular mitochondria, 186 nuclei and 213 myelinated axons. We then performed quantitative analysis on the three-dimensional models. Out of the data that we generated, we observed that neurons have larger nuclei, which correlated with their lesser density, and that astrocytes and pericytes have a higher surface to volume ratio, compared to other cell types. All reconstructed morphologies represent an important resource for computational neuroscientists, as morphological quantitative information can be inferred, to tune simulations that take into account the spatial compartmentalization of the different cell types.

Voltage- and calcium-gated ion channels of neurons in the vertebrate retina

In this review, we summarize studies investigating the types and distribution of voltage- and calcium-gated ion channels in the different classes of retinal neurons: rods, cones, horizontal cells, bipolar cells, amacrine cells, interplexiform cells, and ganglion cells. We discuss differences among cell subtypes within these major cell classes, as well as differences among species, and consider how different ion channels shape the responses of different neurons. For example, even though second-order bipolar and horizontal cells do not typically generate fast sodium-dependent action potentials, many of these cells nevertheless possess fast sodium currents that can enhance their kinetic response capabilities. Ca2+ channel activity can also shape response kinetics as well as regulating synaptic release. The L-type Ca2+ channel subtype, CaV1.4, expressed in photoreceptor cells exhibits specific properties matching the particular needs of these cells such as limited inactivation which allows sustained channel activity and maintained synaptic release in darkness. The particular properties of K+ and Cl- channels in different retinal neurons shape resting membrane potentials, response kinetics and spiking behavior. A remaining challenge is to characterize the specific distributions of ion channels in the more than 100 individual cell types that have been identified in the retina and to describe how these particular ion channels sculpt neuronal responses to assist in the processing of visual information by the retina.

An S-cone circuit for edge detection in the primate retina

Midget retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the most common RGC type in the primate retina. Their responses have been proposed to mediate both color and spatial vision, yet the specific links between midget RGC responses and visual perception are unclear. Previous research on the dual roles of midget RGCs has focused on those comparing long (L) vs. middle (M) wavelength sensitive cones. However, there is evidence for several other rare midget RGC subtypes receiving S-cone input, but their role in color and spatial vision is uncertain. Here, we confirm the existence of the single S-cone center OFF midget RGC circuit in the central retina of macaque monkey both structurally and functionally. We investigated the receptive field properties of the S-OFF midget circuit with single cell electrophysiology and 3D electron microscopy reconstructions of the upstream circuitry. Like the well-studied L vs. M midget RGCs, the S-OFF midget RGCs have a center-surround receptive field consistent with a role in spatial vision. While spectral opponency in a primate RGC is classically assumed to contribute to hue perception, a role supporting edge detection is more consistent with the S-OFF midget RGC receptive field structure and studies of hue perception.

Synaptic Convergence Patterns onto Retinal Ganglion Cells Are Preserved despite Topographic Variation in Pre- and Postsynaptic Territories

Sensory processing can be tuned by a neuron's integration area, the types of inputs, and the proportion and number of connections with those inputs. Integration areas often vary topographically to sample space differentially across regions. Here, we highlight two visual circuits in which topographic changes in the postsynaptic retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dendritic territories and their presynaptic bipolar cell (BC) axonal territories are either matched or unmatched. Despite this difference, in both circuits, the proportion of inputs from each BC type, i.e., synaptic convergence between specific BCs and RGCs, remained constant across varying dendritic territory sizes. Furthermore, synapse density between BCs and RGCs was invariant across topography. Our results demonstrate a wiring design, likely engaging homotypic axonal tiling of BCs, that ensures consistency in synaptic convergence between specific BC types onto their target RGCs while enabling independent regulation of pre- and postsynaptic territory sizes and synapse number between cell pairs.

Synaptic Transfer between Rod and Cone Pathways Mediated by AII Amacrine Cells in the Mouse Retina

To understand computation in a neural circuit requires a complete synaptic connectivity map and a thorough grasp of the information-processing tasks performed by the circuit. Here, we dissect a microcircuit in the mouse retina in which scotopic visual information (i.e., single photon events, luminance, contrast) is encoded by rod bipolar cells (RBCs) and distributed to parallel ON and OFF cone bipolar cell (CBC) circuits via the AII amacrine cell, an inhibitory interneuron. Serial block-face electron microscopy (SBEM) reconstructions indicate that AIIs preferentially connect to one OFF CBC subtype (CBC2); paired whole-cell patch-clamp recordings demonstrate that, depending on the level of network activation, AIIs transmit distinct components of synaptic input from single RBCs to downstream ON and OFF CBCs. These findings highlight specific synaptic and circuit-level features that allow intermediate neurons (e.g., AIIs) within a microcircuit to filter and propagate information to downstream neurons.

Heparan Sulfate Organizes Neuronal Synapses through Neurexin Partnerships

Synapses are fundamental units of communication in the brain. The prototypical synapse-organizing complex neurexin-neuroligin mediates synapse development and function and is central to a shared genetic risk pathway in autism and schizophrenia. Neurexin's role in synapse development is thought to be mediated purely by its protein domains, but we reveal a requirement for a rare glycan modification. Mice lacking heparan sulfate (HS) on neurexin-1 show reduced survival, as well as structural and functional deficits at central synapses. HS directly binds postsynaptic partners neuroligins and LRRTMs, revealing a dual binding mode involving intrinsic glycan and protein domains for canonical synapse-organizing complexes. Neurexin HS chains also bind novel ligands, potentially expanding the neurexin interactome to hundreds of HS-binding proteins. Because HS structure is heterogeneous, our findings indicate an additional dimension to neurexin diversity, provide a molecular basis for fine-tuning synaptic function, and open therapeutic directions targeting glycan-binding motifs critical for brain development.

α2δ-4 Is Required for the Molecular and Structural Organization of Rod and Cone Photoreceptor Synapses

α2δ-4 is an auxiliary subunit of voltage-gated Cav1.4 L-type channels that regulate the development and mature exocytotic function of the photoreceptor ribbon synapse. In humans, mutations in the CACNA2D4 gene encoding α2δ-4 cause heterogeneous forms of vision impairment in humans, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of which remain unclear. To investigate the retinal function of α2δ-4, we used genome editing to generate an α2δ-4 knock-out (α2δ-4 KO) mouse. In male and female α2δ-4 KO mice, rod spherules lack ribbons and other synaptic hallmarks early in development. Although the molecular organization of cone synapses is less affected than rod synapses, horizontal and cone bipolar processes extend abnormally in the outer nuclear layer in α2δ-4 KO retina. In reconstructions of α2δ-4 KO cone pedicles by serial block face scanning electron microscopy, ribbons appear normal, except that less than one-third show the expected triadic organization of processes at ribbon sites. The severity of the synaptic defects in α2δ-4 KO mice correlates with a progressive loss of Cav1.4 channels, first in terminals of rods and later cones. Despite the absence of b-waves in electroretinograms, visually guided behavior is evident in α2δ-4 KO mice and better under photopic than scotopic conditions. We conclude that α2δ-4 plays an essential role in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of rod and cone synapses, the disruption of which may contribute to visual impairment in humans with CACNA2D4 mutations.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In the retina, visual information is first communicated by the synapse formed between photoreceptors and second-order neurons. The mechanisms that regulate the structural integrity of this synapse are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate a role for α2δ-4, a subunit of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, in organizing the structure and function of photoreceptor synapses. We find that presynaptic Ca2+ channels are progressively lost and that rod and cone synapses are disrupted in mice that lack α2δ-4. Our results suggest that alterations in presynaptic Ca2+ signaling and photoreceptor synapse structure may contribute to vision impairment in humans with mutations in the CACNA2D4 gene encoding α2δ-4.

Retinal Physiology: Non-Bipolar-Cell Excitatory Drive in the Inner Retina

The long-held view that bipolar cells provide the exclusive excitatory drive to the mammalian inner retina has been challenged: new studies indicate that, instead, at least two cells that lack the dendrites characteristic for bipolar cells, and therefore resemble amacrine cells, excite inner retinal circuits using glutamate.

Morphological Survey from Neurons to Circuits of the Mouse Retina

The mouse retina has a layered structure that is composed of five classes of neurons supported by Müller glial and pigment epithelial cells. Recent studies have made progress in the classification of bipolar and ganglion cells, and also in the wiring of rod-driven signaling, color coding, and directional selectivity. Molecular biological techniques, such as genetic manipulation, transcriptomics, and fluorescence imaging, have contributed a lot to these advancements. The mouse retina has consistently been an important experimental system for both basic and clinical neurosciences.

The Human Cell Atlas

The recent advent of methods for high-throughput single-cell molecular profiling has catalyzed a growing sense in the scientific community that the time is ripe to complete the 150-year-old effort to identify all cell types in the human body. The Human Cell Atlas Project is an international collaborative effort that aims to define all human cell types in terms of distinctive molecular profiles (such as gene expression profiles) and to connect this information with classical cellular descriptions (such as location and morphology). An open comprehensive reference map of the molecular state of cells in healthy human tissues would propel the systematic study of physiological states, developmental trajectories, regulatory circuitry and interactions of cells, and also provide a framework for understanding cellular dysregulation in human disease. Here we describe the idea, its potential utility, early proofs-of-concept, and some design considerations for the Human Cell Atlas, including a commitment to open data, code, and community.

The Human Cell Atlas

The recent advent of methods for high-throughput single-cell molecular profiling has catalyzed a growing sense in the scientific community that the time is ripe to complete the 150-year-old effort to identify all cell types in the human body. The Human Cell Atlas Project is an international collaborative effort that aims to define all human cell types in terms of distinctive molecular profiles (such as gene expression profiles) and to connect this information with classical cellular descriptions (such as location and morphology). An open comprehensive reference map of the molecular state of cells in healthy human tissues would propel the systematic study of physiological states, developmental trajectories, regulatory circuitry and interactions of cells, and also provide a framework for understanding cellular dysregulation in human disease. Here we describe the idea, its potential utility, early proofs-of-concept, and some design considerations for the Human Cell Atlas, including a commitment to open data, code, and community.

Classification of Mouse Retinal Bipolar Cells: Type-Specific Connectivity with Special Reference to Rod-Driven AII Amacrine Pathways

We confirmed the classification of 15 morphological types of mouse bipolar cells by serial section transmission electron microscopy and characterized each type by identifying chemical synapses and gap junctions at axon terminals. Although whether the previous type 5 cells consist of two or three types was uncertain, they are here clustered into three types based on the vertical distribution of axonal ribbons. Next, while two groups of rod bipolar (RB) cells, RB1, and RB2, were previously proposed, we clarify that a half of RB1 cells have the intermediate characteristics, suggesting that these two groups comprise a single RB type. After validation of bipolar cell types, we examined their relationship with amacrine cells then particularly with AII amacrine cells. We found a strong correlation between the number of amacrine cell synaptic contacts and the number of bipolar cell axonal ribbons. Formation of bipolar cell output at each ribbon synapse may be effectively regulated by a few nearby inhibitory inputs of amacrine cells which are chosen from among many amacrine cell types. We also found that almost all types of ON cone bipolar cells frequently have a minor group of midway ribbons along the axon passing through the OFF sublamina as well as a major group of terminal ribbons in the ON sublamina. AII amacrine cells are connected to five of six OFF bipolar cell types via conventional chemical synapses and seven of eight ON (cone) bipolar cell types via electrical synapses (gap junctions). However, the number of synapses is dependent on bipolar cell types. Type 2 cells have 69% of the total number of OFF bipolar chemical synaptic contacts with AII amacrine cells and type 6 cells have 46% of the total area of ON bipolar gap junctions with AII amacrine cells. Both type 2 and 6 cells gain the greatest access to AII amacrine cell signals also share those signals with other types of bipolar cells via networked gap junctions. These findings imply that the most sensitive scotopic signal may be conveyed to the center by ganglion cells that have the most numerous synapses with type 2 and 6 cells.