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Wang F, Zhong W, Yang Q, Zhao W, Liu X, Rao B, Lin X, Zhang J. Distribution and synaptic organization of substance P-like immunoreactive neurons in the mouse retina. Brain Struct Funct 2023; 228:1703-1724. [PMID: 37481742 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02688-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Substance P (SP), a neuroprotective peptidergic neurotransmitter, is known to have immunoreactivity (IR) localized to amacrine and/or ganglion cells in a variety of species' retinas, but it has not yet been studied in the mouse retina. Thus, we investigated the distribution and synaptic organization of SP-IR by confocal and electron microscopy immunocytochemistry in the mouse retina. SP-IR was distributed in the inner nuclear layer (INL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), and ganglion cell layer (GCL). Most of the SP-IR somas belonged to amacrine cells (2.5% of all) in the INL and their processes stratified into the S1, S3, and S5 layers of the IPL, with the most intense band in the S5 layer. Some SP-IR somas can also be observed in the GCL, which were identified as displaced amacrine cells (82%, 1269/1550) and ganglion cells (18%, 281/1550) by antibodies against AP2α and RBPMS, respectively. Such SP-IR ganglion cells (1.2% of all RGCs) can be further divided into 3 subgroups expressing SP/α-Synuclein (α-Syn), SP/GAD67, and/or SP/GAD67/α-Syn. Possible physiological and pathological roles of these ganglion cells are discussed. Further, electron microscopy evidence demonstrates that SP-IR amacrine cells receive major inputs from other SP-IR amacrine cell processes (146/242 inputs) and output mostly to SP-negative amacrine cell processes (291/673 outputs), suggesting series inhibition among amacrine cells. These results reveal for the first time an explicit distribution, novel ganglion cell features, and synaptic organization of SP-IR in the mouse retina, which is important for the future use of mouse models to study the roles of SP in healthy and diseased (including Parkinson's disease) retinal states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Wenhui Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Qingwen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Wenna Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Xiaoqing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Bilin Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- Laboratory of Retinal Physiology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- Laboratory of Retinal Physiology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- Laboratory of Retinal Physiology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
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Pérez De Sevilla Müller L, Shelley J, Weiler R. Displaced amacrine cells of the mouse retina. J Comp Neurol 2008; 505:177-89. [PMID: 17853452 DOI: 10.1002/cne.21487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterize and classify the displaced amacrine cells in the mouse retina. Amacrine cells in the ganglion cell layer were injected with fluorescent dyes in flat-mounted retinas. Dye-filled displaced amacrine cells were classified according to dendritic field size, horizontal and vertical stratification patterns, and general morphology. We identified 10 different morphological types of displaced amacrine cell. Six of the cell types identified here are novel cell types that have not been described previously in the mouse retina, to the best of our knowledge. The displaced amacrine cells included four types of medium-field cells, with dendritic field diameters of 200-500 microm, and six types of wide-field cells, with dendritic fields extending over 500 microm. Narrow-field displaced amacrine cells, with dendritic field diameters smaller than 200 microm, were not encountered. The most frequently labeled displaced amacrine cell type was the starburst amacrine cell. At least three cell types identified here have nondisplaced counterparts in the inner nuclear layer as well. Displaced amacrine cells display a rich variety of stratification and branching patterns, which surely reflect the wide range of their functional roles in the processing of visual signals in the inner retina.
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Bailes HJ, Trezise AEO, Collin SP. The number, morphology, and distribution of retinal ganglion cells and optic axons in the Australian lungfishNeoceratodus forsteri(Krefft 1870). Vis Neurosci 2006; 23:257-73. [PMID: 16638177 DOI: 10.1017/s0952523806232103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2005] [Accepted: 12/31/2005] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Australian lungfishNeoceratodus forsterimay be the closest living relative to the first tetrapods and yet little is known about their retinal ganglion cells. This study reveals that lungfish possess a heterogeneous population of ganglion cells distributed in a horizontal streak across the retinal meridian, which is formed early in development and maintained through to adult stages. The number and complement of both ganglion cells and a population of putative amacrine cells within the ganglion cell layer are examined using retrograde labelling from the optic nerve and transmission electron-microscopic analysis of axons within the optic nerve. At least four types of retinal ganglion cells are present and lie predominantly within a thin ganglion cell layer, although two subpopulations are identified, one within the inner plexiform and the other within the inner nuclear layer. A subpopulation of retinal ganglion cells comprising up to 7% of the total population are significantly larger (>400 μm2) and are characterized as giant or alpha-like cells. Up to 44% of cells within the retinal ganglion cell layer represent a population of presumed amacrine cells. The optic nerve is heavily fasciculated and the proportion of myelinated axons increases with body length from 17% in subadults to 74% in adults. Spatial resolving power, based on ganglion cell spacing, is low (1.6–1.9 cycles deg−1,n= 2) and does not significantly increase with growth. This represents the first detailed study of retinal ganglion cells in sarcopterygian fish, and reveals that, despite variation amongst animal groups, trends in ganglion cell density distribution and characteristics of cell types were defined early in vertebrate evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena J Bailes
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Rybicka KK, Udin SB. Connections of contralaterally projecting isthmotectal axons and
GABA-immunoreactive neurons in Xenopus tectum: An ultrastructural
study. Vis Neurosci 2005; 22:305-15. [PMID: 16079006 DOI: 10.1017/s0952523805223064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2004] [Accepted: 01/25/2005] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the circuitry that mediates binocular interactions in
the tectum of Xenopus frogs, we have begun to identify the tectal
cells that receive ipsilateral eye input relayed via the nucleus
isthmi. Isthmotectal axons were labeled with horseradish peroxidase, and
thin sections were labeled by postembedding immunogold reaction with
antibodies to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Ultrastructural examination
reveals that many isthmotectal axons terminate on GABA-immunoreactive
dendrites. Other isthmotectal axons contact postsynaptic structures that
are unlabeled but have an appearance consistent with previously described
GABA-poor zones of GABA-immunoreactive dendrites. We also examined the
unlabeled inputs to the dendrites that were postsynaptic to filled
isthmotectal axons. The most common nonisthmic inputs to those dendrites
were GABA-immunoreactive processes with symmetric morphology.
Surprisingly, we found only one input with the retinotectal
characteristics of densely packed round, clear vesicles and minimal GABA
immunoreactivity. These results indicate that isthmotectal axons synapse
onto inhibitory interneurons, that retinotectal and isthmotectal axons do
not synapse close to each other on the same dendrites, and that inhibitory
connections are the closest neighbors to isthmotectal synapses.
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Zhang J, Yang Z, Wu SM. Immuocytochemical analysis of spatial organization of
photoreceptors and amacrine and ganglion cells in the tiger salamander
retina. Vis Neurosci 2004; 21:157-66. [PMID: 15259567 DOI: 10.1017/s0952523804042075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, using double- or triple-label
immunocytochemistry in conjunction with confocal microscopy, we aimed
to examine the population and distribution of photoreceptors, GABAergic
and glycinergic amacrine cells, and ganglion cells, which are basic but
important parameters for studying the structure–function
relationship of the salamander retina. We found that the outer nuclear
layer (ONL) contained 82,019 ± 3203 photoreceptors, of which 52%
were rods and 48% were cones. The density of photoreceptors peaked at
∼8000 cells/mm2 in the ventral and dropped to
∼4000 cells/mm2 in the dorsal retina. In addition,
the rod/cone ratio was less than 1 in the central retina but larger
than 1 in the periphery. Moreover, in the proximal region of the inner
nuclear layer (INL3), the total number of cells was 50,576 ±
8400. GABAergic and glycinergic amacrine cells made up approximately
78% of all cells in this layer, including 43% GABAergic, 32%
glycinergic, and 3% GABA/glycine colocalized amacrine cells. The
density of these amacrine cells was ∼6500 cells/mm2
in the ventral and ∼3200 cells/mm2 in the dorsal
area. The ratio of GABAergic to glycinergic amacrine cells was larger
than 1. Furthermore, in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), among a total of
36,007 ± 2010 cells, ganglion cells accounted for 65.7 ±
1.5% of the total cells, whereas displaced GABAergic and glycinergic
amacrine cells comprised about 4% of the cells in this layer. The
ganglion cell density was ∼1800 cells/mm2 in the
ventral and ∼600 cells/mm2 in the dorsal retina. Our
data demonstrate that all three major cell types are not uniformly
distributed across the salamander retina. Instead, they exhibit a
higher density in the ventral than in the dorsal retina and their
spatial arrangement is associated with the retinal topography. These
findings provide a basic anatomical reference for the
electrophysiological study of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine. One Baylor Plaza, Houston 77030, USA.
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Debski EA. Distribution and regulation of substance P-related peptide in the frog visual system. Microsc Res Tech 2001; 54:220-8. [PMID: 11514978 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.1134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Modulation of visual signal activity has consequences for both signal processing and for activity-dependent structuring mechanisms. Among the neuromodulatory agents found in visual areas are substance P (SP)-related peptides. This article reviews what is known about these substances in the amphibian retina and optic tectum with special emphasis on the leopard frog, Rana pipiens. It is found that the distribution of these SP-related peptides is remarkably similar to that seen in mammals. This suggests that study of model amphibian systems may significantly enhance our understanding of how neuropeptides contribute to visual system function and organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Debski
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, USA.
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Deng P, Cuenca N, Doerr T, Pow DV, Miller R, Kolb H. Localization of neurotransmitters and calcium binding proteins to neurons of salamander and mudpuppy retinas. Vision Res 2001; 41:1771-83. [PMID: 11369041 DOI: 10.1016/s0042-6989(01)00060-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We wished to identify the different types of retinal neurons on the basis of their content of neuroactive substances in both larval tiger salamander and mudpuppy retinas, favored species for electrophysiological investigation. Sections and wholemounts of retinas were labeled by immunocytochemical methods to demonstrate three calcium binding protein species and the common neurotransmitters, glycine, GABA and acetylcholine. Double immunostained sections and single labeled wholemount retinas were examined by confocal microscopy. Immunostaining patterns appeared to be the same in salamander and mudpuppy. Double and single cones, horizontal cells, some amacrine cells and ganglion cells were strongly calbindin-immunoreactive (IR). Calbindin-IR horizontal cells colocalized GABA. Many bipolar cells, horizontal cells, some amacrine cells and ganglion cells were strongly calretinin-IR. One type of horizontal cell and an infrequently occurring amacrine cell were parvalbumin-IR. Acetylcholine as visualized by ChAT-immunoreactivity was seen in a mirror-symmetric pair of amacrine cells that colocalized GABA and glycine. Glycine and GABA colocalized with calretinin, calbindin and occasionally with parvalbumin in amacrine cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Deng
- John Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 75 N. Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
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Repérant J, Rio JP, Ward R, Wasowicz M, Miceli D, Medina M, Pierre J. Enrichment of glutamate-like immunoreactivity in the retinotectal terminals of the viper Vipera aspis: an electron microscope quantitative immunogold study. J Chem Neuroanat 1997; 12:267-80. [PMID: 9243346 DOI: 10.1016/s0891-0618(97)00018-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
A post-embedding immunogold study was carried out to estimate the immunoreactivity to glutamate in retinal terminals, P axon terminals and dendrites containing synaptic vesicles in the superficial layers of the optic tectum of Vipera. Retinal terminals, identified following either intraocular injection of tritiated proline, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or short-term survivals after retinal ablation, were observed to be highly glutamate-immunoreactive. A detailed quantitative analysis showed that about 50% of glutamate immunoreactivity was localized over the synaptic vesicles, 35.8% over mitochondria and 14.2% over the axoplasmic matrix. The close association of immunoreactivity with the synaptic vesicles could indicate that Vipera retino-tectal terminals may use glutamate as their neurotransmitter. P axon terminals and dendrites containing synaptic vesicles, strongly gamma-aminobutyric (GABA)-immunoreactive, were shown to be also moderately glutamate-immunoreactive, but two to three times less than retinal terminals. Moreover, in P axon terminals, the glutamate immunoreactivity was denser over mitochondria than over synaptic vesicles, possibly reflecting the 'metabolic' pool of glutamate, which serves as a precursor in the formation of GABA.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Repérant
- INSERM U-106, Laboratoire de Neuromorphologie, Paris, France
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Sherry DM, St Jules RS, Townes-Anderson E. Morphologic and neurochemical target selectivity of regenerating adult photoreceptors in vitro. J Comp Neurol 1996; 376:476-88. [PMID: 8956112 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9861(19961216)376:3<476::aid-cne9>3.0.co;2-#] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Regenerating adult central nervous system (CNS) neurons must re-establish synaptic circuits in an environment very different from that present during development. However, the complexity of CNS circuitry has made it extremely difficult to assess the selectivity and mechanisms of synaptic regeneration at the cellular level in vivo. The synaptic preferences of adult photoreceptors were examined by using a defined cell culture system known to support regenerative process growth, presynaptic varicosity formation, and establishment of functional synapses. Immunolabeling for synaptic vesicle protein 2 and ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that cell-cell contacts made by photoreceptors were synaptic in nature. Target selectivity was determined by quantitative analysis of contacts onto normal and novel target cell types in cultures in which opportunities to contact all retinal cell types were present. Target cells were identified by morphology and immunolabeling for the amino acid neurotransmitters glutamate, aspartate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glycine. Regenerating photoreceptors showed a strong preference for novel multipolar cell targets (amacrine and ganglion cells) over normal photoreceptor, horizontal, and bipolar cell targets. Additionally, photoreceptors were selective for targets containing the transmitter GABA. These results indicate first, that the normal synaptic partners for photoreceptors are not intrinsically the optimal targets for regenerative synapse formation, and second, that GABA may modulate synaptic targeting by adult photoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Sherry
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Texas 77204-6052, USA
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10
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Yamagata M, Sanes JR. Target-independent diversification and target-specific projection of chemically defined retinal ganglion cell subsets. Development 1995; 121:3763-76. [PMID: 8582286 DOI: 10.1242/dev.121.11.3763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In diverse vertebrate species, defined subsets of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs, the neurons that project from retina to brain) are distinguishable on the basis of their dendritic morphology, physiological properties, neurotransmitter content and synaptic targets. Little is known about when this diversity arises, whether diversification requires target-derived signals, and how subtype-specific projection patterns are established. Here, we have used markers for two chemically defined RGC subsets in chick retina to address these issues. Antibodies to substance P (SP) and the nicotine acetylcholine receptor (AChR) beta 2 subunit label two small (< 10%), mutually exclusive groups of RGCs in mature retina. SP and AChRs accumulate in distinct RGCs before retinotectal synapses have formed. Moreover, both populations of RGCs form in retinae that develop following tectal ablation or transplantation to the coelomic cavity. Thus, RGC subsets acquire distinct neurotransmitter phenotypes in the absence of extraretinal cues. In the mature optic tectum, SP- and AChR-positive RGC axonal arbors are confined to distinct retinorecipient (synaptic) laminae. In the developing tectum, SP- and AChR-positive axons are initially intermingled in a superficial fiber layer, but then enter and arborize in appropriate laminae soon after those laminae form. Importantly, SP-positive axons, which synapse in a superficial lamina, never extend into the deeper, AChR-positive lamina. Tectal interneurons rich in SP receptors are concentrated in the lamina to which SP-positive RGC axons project, and a set of cholinergic (choline acetyltransferase-positive) tectal projection neurons elaborate dendrites in the lamina to which AChR-positive RGC axons project. These populations of tectal neurons, which are likely targets of the RGC subsets, form in tecta that develop following enucleation. Thus, RGCs and their targets can diversify in each others absence. Accordingly, we propose that the lamina-selective connectivity we observe reflects the presence of complementary cues on RGC subsets and their laminar targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Yamagata
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Tyler CJ, Fite KV, Devries GJ. Distribution of GAD-like immunoreactivity in the retina and central visual system of Rana pipiens. J Comp Neurol 1995; 353:439-50. [PMID: 7751441 DOI: 10.1002/cne.903530311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Immunohistochemistry was used to survey the distribution of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the synthesizing enzyme for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), throughout the visual system of the frog Rana pipiens. GAD-like immunoreactivity (GAD-LI) was assessed in the retina, in primary retinorecipient targets, and in thalamic nuclear groups postsynaptic to primary retinal terminal zones. Within the retina, the inner plexiform layer displayed intense GAD-LI, but immunoreactivity was absent in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). Putative amacrine, bipolar, and horizontal cell somata were also labeled. Centrally, GAD-LI was observed in all primary visual nuclei. Dense, GAD-like immunoreactive punctate structures (puncta), presumably terminals, were observed in the pretectal nucleus lentiformis mesencephali, posterior thalamic neuropil, and uncinate neuropil. GAD-like immunoreactive puncta were noted in several laminae of the optic tectum, with the highest concentrations located within the 9th and 8th laminae. Moderate numbers of GAD-like immunoreactive puncta were found in the mesencephalic nucleus of the basal optic root, and two thalamic neuropils--corpus geniculatum and neuropil of Bellonci. The ventrolateral area, posterocentral nucleus, and posterolateral nucleus all contained sparse amounts of GAD-LI. These observations suggest that GABA plays an important physiological role in all central visual areas of Rana pipiens.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Tyler
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003-7710, USA
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