1
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Cheung HW, Schouw AD, Altunay ZM, Maddox JW, Kresic LC, McAllister BC, Caro K, Alam S, Huang A, Pijewski RS, Lee A, Martinelli DC. Creation of a novel CRISPR-generated allele to express HA epitope-tagged C1QL1 and improved methods for its detection at synapses. FEBS Lett 2024. [PMID: 38858133 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
C1QL1 is expressed in a subset of cells in the brain and likely has pleiotropic functions, including the regulation of neuron-to-neuron synapses. Research progress on C1QL proteins has been slowed by a dearth of available antibodies. Therefore, we created a novel knock-in mouse line in which an HA-tag is inserted into the endogenous C1ql1 locus. We examined the entire brain, identifying previously unappreciated nuclei expressing C1QL1, presumably in neurons. By total numbers, however, the large majority of C1QL1-expressing cells are of the oligodendrocyte lineage. Subcellular immunolocalization of synaptic cleft proteins is challenging, so we developed a new protocol to improve signal at synapses. Lastly, we compared various anti-HA antibodies to assist future investigations using this and likely other HA epitope-tagged alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiu W Cheung
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Alexander D Schouw
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Zeynep M Altunay
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - J Wesley Maddox
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas-Austin, TX, USA
| | - Lyndsay C Kresic
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Brenna C McAllister
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Keaven Caro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Shahnawaz Alam
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Angie Huang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas-Austin, TX, USA
| | - Robert S Pijewski
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Biology, Anna Maria College, Paxton, MA, USA
| | - Amy Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas-Austin, TX, USA
| | - David C Martinelli
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- The Connecticut Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences (IBACS), Storrs, CT, USA
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2
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Schnaitmann C, Pagni M, Meyer PB, Steinhoff L, Oberhauser V, Reiff DF. Horizontal-cell like Dm9 neurons in Drosophila modulate photoreceptor output to supply multiple functions in early visual processing. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1347540. [PMID: 38813436 PMCID: PMC11133737 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1347540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Dm9 neurons in Drosophila have been proposed as functional homologs of horizontal cells in the outer retina of vertebrates. Here we combine genetic dissection of neuronal circuit function, two-photon calcium imaging in Dm9 and inner photoreceptors, and immunohistochemical analysis to reveal novel insights into the functional role of Dm9 in early visual processing. Our experiments show that Dm9 receive input from all four types of inner photoreceptor R7p, R7y, R8p, and R8y. Histamine released from all types R7/R8 directly inhibits Dm9 via the histamine receptor Ort, and outweighs simultaneous histamine-independent excitation of Dm9 by UV-sensitive R7. Dm9 in turn provides inhibitory feedback to all R7/R8, which is sufficient for color-opponent processing in R7 but not R8. Color opponent processing in R8 requires additional synaptic inhibition by R7 of the same ommatidium via axo-axonal synapses and the second Drosophila histamine receptor HisCl1. Notably, optogenetic inhibition of Dm9 prohibits color opponent processing in all types of R7/R8 and decreases intracellular calcium in photoreceptor terminals. The latter likely results from reduced release of excitatory glutamate from Dm9 and shifts overall photoreceptor sensitivity toward higher light intensities. In summary, our results underscore a key role of Dm9 in color opponent processing in Drosophila and suggest a second role of Dm9 in regulating light adaptation in inner photoreceptors. These novel findings on Dm9 are indeed reminiscent of the versatile functions of horizontal cells in the vertebrate retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Schnaitmann
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Manuel Pagni
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Patrik B. Meyer
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Steinhoff
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Vitus Oberhauser
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dierk F. Reiff
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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3
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Kartsaki E, Hilgen G, Sernagor E, Cessac B. How Does the Inner Retinal Network Shape the Ganglion Cells Receptive Field? A Computational Study. Neural Comput 2024; 36:1041-1083. [PMID: 38669693 DOI: 10.1162/neco_a_01663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
We consider a model of basic inner retinal connectivity where bipolar and amacrine cells interconnect and both cell types project onto ganglion cells, modulating their response output to the brain visual areas. We derive an analytical formula for the spatiotemporal response of retinal ganglion cells to stimuli, taking into account the effects of amacrine cells inhibition. This analysis reveals two important functional parameters of the network: (1) the intensity of the interactions between bipolar and amacrine cells and (2) the characteristic timescale of these responses. Both parameters have a profound combined impact on the spatiotemporal features of retinal ganglion cells' responses to light. The validity of the model is confirmed by faithfully reproducing pharmacogenetic experimental results obtained by stimulating excitatory DREADDs (Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs) expressed on ganglion cells and amacrine cells' subclasses, thereby modifying the inner retinal network activity to visual stimuli in a complex, entangled manner. Our mathematical model allows us to explore and decipher these complex effects in a manner that would not be feasible experimentally and provides novel insights in retinal dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Kartsaki
- Université Côte d'Azur, Inria, Biovision Team and Neuromod Institute, Sophia Antipolis, France
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, U.K.
| | - Gerrit Hilgen
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, U.K
- Health and Life Sciences, Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, U.K.
| | - Evelyne Sernagor
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, U.K.
| | - Bruno Cessac
- Université Côte d'Azur, Inria, Biovision Team and Neuromod Institute, Sophia Antipolis, France
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4
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Carleton M, Oesch NW. Asymmetric Activation of ON and OFF Pathways in the Degenerated Retina. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0110-24.2024. [PMID: 38719453 PMCID: PMC11097263 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0110-24.2024] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Retinal prosthetics are one of the leading therapeutic strategies to restore lost vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. Much work has described patterns of spiking in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in response to electrical stimulation, but less work has examined the underlying retinal circuitry that is activated by electrical stimulation to drive these responses. Surprisingly, little is known about the role of inhibition in generating electrical responses or how inhibition might be altered during degeneration. Using whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings during subretinal electrical stimulation in the rd10 and wild-type (wt) retina, we found electrically evoked synaptic inputs differed between ON and OFF RGC populations, with ON cells receiving mostly excitation and OFF cells receiving mostly inhibition and very little excitation. We found that the inhibition of OFF bipolar cells limits excitation in OFF RGCs, and a majority of both pre- and postsynaptic inhibition in the OFF pathway arises from glycinergic amacrine cells, and the stimulation of the ON pathway contributes to inhibitory inputs to the RGC. We also show that this presynaptic inhibition in the OFF pathway is greater in the rd10 retina, compared with that in the wt retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Carleton
- Department of Psychology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Nicholas W Oesch
- Department of Psychology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
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5
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Zhang L, Cavallini M, Wang J, Xin R, Zhang Q, Feng G, Sanes JR, Peng YR. Evolutionary and developmental specialization of foveal cell types in the marmoset. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2313820121. [PMID: 38598343 PMCID: PMC11032471 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313820121] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Martina Cavallini
- Department of Ophthalmology and Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Junqiang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Ruiqi Xin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Qiangge Zhang
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Guoping Feng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Joshua R. Sanes
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
| | - Yi-Rong Peng
- Department of Ophthalmology and Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
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6
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Du X, Butler AG, Chen HY. Cell-cell interaction in the pathogenesis of inherited retinal diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1332944. [PMID: 38500685 PMCID: PMC10944940 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1332944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The retina is part of the central nervous system specialized for vision. Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a group of clinically and genetically heterogenous disorders that lead to progressive vision impairment or blindness. Although each disorder is rare, IRD accumulatively cause blindness in up to 5.5 million individuals worldwide. Currently, the pathophysiological mechanisms of IRD are not fully understood and there are limited treatment options available. Most IRD are caused by degeneration of light-sensitive photoreceptors. Genetic mutations that abrogate the structure and/or function of photoreceptors lead to visual impairment followed by blindness caused by loss of photoreceptors. In healthy retina, photoreceptors structurally and functionally interact with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Müller glia (MG) to maintain retinal homeostasis. Multiple IRD with photoreceptor degeneration as a major phenotype are caused by mutations of RPE- and/or MG-associated genes. Recent studies also reveal compromised MG and RPE caused by mutations in ubiquitously expressed ciliary genes. Therefore, photoreceptor degeneration could be a direct consequence of gene mutations and/or could be secondary to the dysfunction of their interaction partners in the retina. This review summarizes the mechanisms of photoreceptor-RPE/MG interaction in supporting retinal functions and discusses how the disruption of these processes could lead to photoreceptor degeneration, with an aim to provide a unique perspective of IRD pathogenesis and treatment paradigm. We will first describe the biology of retina and IRD and then discuss the interaction between photoreceptors and MG/RPE as well as their implications in disease pathogenesis. Finally, we will summarize the recent advances in IRD therapeutics targeting MG and/or RPE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Holly Y. Chen
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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7
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Hsiang JC, Shen N, Soto F, Kerschensteiner D. Distributed feature representations of natural stimuli across parallel retinal pathways. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1920. [PMID: 38429280 PMCID: PMC10907388 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46348-y] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
How sensory systems extract salient features from natural environments and organize them across neural pathways is unclear. Combining single-cell and population two-photon calcium imaging in mice, we discover that retinal ON bipolar cells (second-order neurons of the visual system) are divided into two blocks of four types. The two blocks distribute temporal and spatial information encoding, respectively. ON bipolar cell axons co-stratify within each block, but separate laminarly between them (upper block: diverse temporal, uniform spatial tuning; lower block: diverse spatial, uniform temporal tuning). ON bipolar cells extract temporal and spatial features similarly from artificial and naturalistic stimuli. In addition, they differ in sensitivity to coherent motion in naturalistic movies. Motion information is distributed across ON bipolar cells in the upper and the lower blocks, multiplexed with temporal and spatial contrast, independent features of natural scenes. Comparing the responses of different boutons within the same arbor, we find that axons of all ON bipolar cell types function as computational units. Thus, our results provide insights into the visual feature extraction from naturalistic stimuli and reveal how structural and functional organization cooperate to generate parallel ON pathways for temporal and spatial information in the mammalian retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Chun Hsiang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ning Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Florentina Soto
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Daniel Kerschensteiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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8
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Chang L, Ran Y, Yang M, Auferkorte O, Butz E, Hüser L, Haverkamp S, Euler T, Schubert T. Spike desensitisation as a mechanism for high-contrast selectivity in retinal ganglion cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1337768. [PMID: 38269116 PMCID: PMC10806099 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1337768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In the vertebrate retina, several dozens of parallel channels relay information about the visual world to the brain. These channels are represented by the different types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), whose responses are rendered selective for distinct sets of visual features by various mechanisms. These mechanisms can be roughly grouped into synaptic interactions and cell-intrinsic mechanisms, with the latter including dendritic morphology as well as ion channel complement and distribution. Here, we investigate how strongly ion channel complement can shape RGC output by comparing two mouse RGC types, the well-described ON alpha cell and a little-studied ON cell that is EGFP-labelled in the Igfbp5 mouse line and displays an unusual selectivity for stimuli with high contrast. Using patch-clamp recordings and computational modelling, we show that a higher activation threshold and a pronounced slow inactivation of the voltage-gated Na+ channels contribute to the distinct contrast tuning and transient responses in ON Igfbp5 RGCs, respectively. In contrast, such a mechanism could not be observed in ON alpha cells. This study provides an example for the powerful role that the last stage of retinal processing can play in shaping RGC responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Chang
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanli Ran
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mingpo Yang
- Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Elisabeth Butz
- Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Laura Hüser
- Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Silke Haverkamp
- Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Computational Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior – Caesar, Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas Euler
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Timm Schubert
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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9
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Patterson SS, Girresch RJ, Mazzaferri MA, Bordt AS, Piñon-Teal WL, Jesse BD, Perera DCW, Schlepphorst MA, Kuchenbecker JA, Chuang AZ, Neitz J, Marshak DW, Ogilvie JM. Synaptic Origins of the Complex Receptive Field Structure in Primate Smooth Monostratified Retinal Ganglion Cells. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0280-23.2023. [PMID: 38290840 PMCID: PMC11078106 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0280-23.2023] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Considerable progress has been made in studying the receptive fields of the most common primate retinal ganglion cell (RGC) types, such as parasol RGCs. Much less is known about the rarer primate RGC types and the circuitry that gives rise to noncanonical receptive field structures. The goal of this study was to analyze synaptic inputs to smooth monostratified RGCs to determine the origins of their complex spatial receptive fields, which contain isolated regions of high sensitivity called "hotspots." Interestingly, smooth monostratified RGCs co-stratify with the well-studied parasol RGCs and are thus constrained to receiving input from bipolar and amacrine cells with processes sharing the same layer, raising the question of how their functional differences originate. Through 3D reconstructions of circuitry and synapses onto ON smooth monostratified and ON parasol RGCs from central macaque retina, we identified four distinct sampling strategies employed by smooth and parasol RGCs to extract diverse response properties from co-stratifying bipolar and amacrine cells. The two RGC types differed in the proportion of amacrine cell input, relative contributions of co-stratifying bipolar cell types, amount of synaptic input per bipolar cell, and spatial distribution of bipolar cell synapses. Our results indicate that the smooth RGC's complex receptive field structure arises through spatial asymmetries in excitatory bipolar cell input which formed several discrete clusters comparable with physiologically measured hotspots. Taken together, our results demonstrate how the striking differences between ON parasol and ON smooth monostratified RGCs arise from distinct strategies for sampling a common set of synaptic inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara S Patterson
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NewYork 14617
| | - Rebecca J Girresch
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103
| | - Marcus A Mazzaferri
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98104
| | - Andrea S Bordt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98104
- Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Wendy L Piñon-Teal
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103
| | - Brett D Jesse
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103
| | | | | | - James A Kuchenbecker
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98104
| | - Alice Z Chuang
- Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Jay Neitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98104
| | - David W Marshak
- Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030
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10
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Park SJ, Lei W, Pisano J, Orpia A, Minehart J, Pottackal J, Hanke-Gogokhia C, Zapadka TE, Clarkson-Paredes C, Popratiloff A, Ross SE, Singer JH, Demb JB. Molecular identification of wide-field amacrine cells in mouse retina that encode stimulus orientation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.28.573580. [PMID: 38234775 PMCID: PMC10793454 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.28.573580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Visual information processing is sculpted by a diverse group of inhibitory interneurons in the retina called amacrine cells. Yet, for most of the >60 amacrine cell types, molecular identities and specialized functional attributes remain elusive. Here, we developed an intersectional genetic strategy to target a group of wide-field amacrine cells (WACs) in mouse retina that co-express the transcription factor Bhlhe22 and the Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR; B/K WACs). B/K WACs feature straight, unbranched dendrites spanning over 0.5 mm (∼15° visual angle) and produce non-spiking responses to either light increments or decrements. Two-photon dendritic population imaging reveals Ca 2+ signals tuned to the physical orientations of B/K WAC dendrites, signifying a robust structure-function alignment. B/K WACs establish divergent connections with multiple retinal neurons, including unexpected connections with non-orientation-tuned ganglion cells and bipolar cells. Our work sets the stage for future comprehensive investigations of the most enigmatic group of retinal neurons: WACs.
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11
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Zhang L, Cavallini M, Wang J, Xin R, Zhang Q, Feng G, Sanes JR, Peng YR. Evolutionary and Developmental Specialization of Foveal Cell Types in the Marmoset. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.10.570996. [PMID: 38106142 PMCID: PMC10723441 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.10.570996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
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.
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12
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Barth-Maron A, D'Alessandro I, Wilson RI. Interactions between specialized gain control mechanisms in olfactory processing. Curr Biol 2023; 33:5109-5120.e7. [PMID: 37967554 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.10.041] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Gain control is a process that adjusts a system's sensitivity when input levels change. Neural systems contain multiple mechanisms of gain control, but we do not understand why so many mechanisms are needed or how they interact. Here, we investigate these questions in the Drosophila antennal lobe, where we identify several types of inhibitory interneurons with specialized gain control functions. We find that some interneurons are nonspiking, with compartmentalized calcium signals, and they specialize in intra-glomerular gain control. Conversely, we find that other interneurons are recruited by strong and widespread network input; they specialize in global presynaptic gain control. Using computational modeling and optogenetic perturbations, we show how these mechanisms can work together to improve stimulus discrimination while also minimizing temporal distortions in network activity. Our results demonstrate how the robustness of neural network function can be increased by interactions among diverse and specialized mechanisms of gain control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asa Barth-Maron
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Isabel D'Alessandro
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Rachel I Wilson
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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13
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Kozlowski C, Hadyniak SE, Kay JN. Retinal neurons establish mosaic patterning by excluding homotypic somata from their dendritic territory. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.17.567616. [PMID: 38014021 PMCID: PMC10680827 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.17.567616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrate retina, individual neurons of the same type are distributed regularly across the tissue in a pattern known as a mosaic. Establishment of mosaics during development requires cell-cell repulsion among homotypic neurons, but the mechanisms underlying this repulsion remain unknown. Here we show that two mouse retinal cell types, OFF and ON starburst amacrine cells, establish mosaic spacing by using their dendritic arbors to repel neighboring homotypic somata. Using newly-generated transgenic tools and single cell labeling, we identify a transient developmental period when starburst somata receive extensive contacts from neighboring starburst dendrites; these serve to exclude somata from settling within the neighbor's dendritic territory. Dendrite-soma exclusion is mediated by MEGF10, a cell-surface molecule required for starburst mosaic patterning. Our results implicate dendrite-soma exclusion as a key mechanism underlying starburst mosaic spacing, and suggest that this could be a general mechanism for mosaic patterning across many cell types and species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Kozlowski
- Departments of Neurobiology, Ophthalmology, and Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Sarah E Hadyniak
- Departments of Neurobiology, Ophthalmology, and Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Jeremy N Kay
- Departments of Neurobiology, Ophthalmology, and Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710 USA
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14
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Maheswaranathan N, McIntosh LT, Tanaka H, Grant S, Kastner DB, Melander JB, Nayebi A, Brezovec LE, Wang JH, Ganguli S, Baccus SA. Interpreting the retinal neural code for natural scenes: From computations to neurons. Neuron 2023; 111:2742-2755.e4. [PMID: 37451264 PMCID: PMC10680974 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the circuit mechanisms of the visual code for natural scenes is a central goal of sensory neuroscience. We show that a three-layer network model predicts retinal natural scene responses with an accuracy nearing experimental limits. The model's internal structure is interpretable, as interneurons recorded separately and not modeled directly are highly correlated with model interneurons. Models fitted only to natural scenes reproduce a diverse set of phenomena related to motion encoding, adaptation, and predictive coding, establishing their ethological relevance to natural visual computation. A new approach decomposes the computations of model ganglion cells into the contributions of model interneurons, allowing automatic generation of new hypotheses for how interneurons with different spatiotemporal responses are combined to generate retinal computations, including predictive phenomena currently lacking an explanation. Our results demonstrate a unified and general approach to study the circuit mechanisms of ethological retinal computations under natural visual scenes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lane T McIntosh
- Neuroscience Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hidenori Tanaka
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Physics & Informatics Laboratories, NTT Research, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA; Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Satchel Grant
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David B Kastner
- Neuroscience Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joshua B Melander
- Neuroscience Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Aran Nayebi
- Neuroscience Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Luke E Brezovec
- Neuroscience Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Surya Ganguli
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Stephen A Baccus
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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15
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Kerstein PC, Agreda YS, Curran BM, Ma L, Wright KM. Gbx2 controls amacrine cell dendrite stratification through Robo1/2 receptors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.03.551861. [PMID: 37577554 PMCID: PMC10418232 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.03.551861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Within the neuronal classes of the retina, amacrine cells (ACs) exhibit the greatest neuronal diversity in morphology and function. We show that the selective expression of the transcription factor Gbx2 is required for cell fate specification and dendritic stratification of an individual AC subtype in the mouse retina. We identify Robo1 and Robo2 as downstream effectors that when deleted, phenocopy the dendritic misprojections seen in Gbx2 mutants. Slit1 and Slit2, the ligands of Robo receptors, are localized to the OFF layers of the inner plexiform layer where we observe the dendritic misprojections in both Gbx2 and Robo1/2 mutants. We show that Robo receptors also are required for the proper dendritic stratification of additional AC subtypes, such as Vglut3+ ACs. These results show both that Gbx2 functions as a terminal selector in a single AC subtype and identify Slit-Robo signaling as a developmental mechanism for ON-OFF pathway segregation in the retina.
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16
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Constable PA, Lim JKH, Thompson DA. Retinal electrophysiology in central nervous system disorders. A review of human and mouse studies. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1215097. [PMID: 37600004 PMCID: PMC10433210 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1215097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina and brain share similar neurochemistry and neurodevelopmental origins, with the retina, often viewed as a "window to the brain." With retinal measures of structure and function becoming easier to obtain in clinical populations there is a growing interest in using retinal findings as potential biomarkers for disorders affecting the central nervous system. Functional retinal biomarkers, such as the electroretinogram, show promise in neurological disorders, despite having limitations imposed by the existence of overlapping genetic markers, clinical traits or the effects of medications that may reduce their specificity in some conditions. This narrative review summarizes the principal functional retinal findings in central nervous system disorders and related mouse models and provides a background to the main excitatory and inhibitory retinal neurotransmitters that have been implicated to explain the visual electrophysiological findings. These changes in retinal neurochemistry may contribute to our understanding of these conditions based on the findings of retinal electrophysiological tests such as the flash, pattern, multifocal electroretinograms, and electro-oculogram. It is likely that future applications of signal analysis and machine learning algorithms will offer new insights into the pathophysiology, classification, and progression of these clinical disorders including autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease. New clinical applications of visual electrophysiology to this field may lead to earlier, more accurate diagnoses and better targeted therapeutic interventions benefiting individual patients and clinicians managing these individuals and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Constable
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jeremiah K. H. Lim
- Discipline of Optometry, School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Dorothy A. Thompson
- The Tony Kriss Visual Electrophysiology Unit, Clinical and Academic Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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17
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Peng YR. Cell-type specification in the retina: Recent discoveries from transcriptomic approaches. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 81:102752. [PMID: 37499619 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the formation of the complex nervous system hinges on decoding the mechanism that specifies a vast array of neuronal types, each endowed with a unique morphology, physiology, and connectivity. As a pivotal step towards addressing this problem, seminal work has been devoted to characterizing distinct neuronal types. In recent years, high-throughput, single-cell transcriptomic methods have enabled a rapid inventory of cell types in various regions of the nervous system, with the retina exhibiting complete molecular characterization across many vertebrate species. This invaluable resource has furnished a fresh perspective for investigating the molecular principles of cell-type specification, thereby advancing our understanding of retinal development. Accordingly, this review focuses on the most recent transcriptomic characterizations of retinal cells, with a particular focus on amacrine cells and retinal ganglion cells. These investigations have unearthed new insights into their cell-type specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Rong Peng
- Department of Ophthalmology and Stein Eye Institute, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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18
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Neuenschwander S, Rosso G, Branco N, Freitag F, Tehovnik EJ, Schmidt KE, Baron J. On the Functional Role of Gamma Synchronization in the Retinogeniculate System of the Cat. J Neurosci 2023; 43:5204-5220. [PMID: 37328291 PMCID: PMC10342227 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1550-22.2023] [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: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fast gamma oscillations, generated within the retina, and transmitted to the cortex via the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), are thought to carry information about stimulus size and continuity. This hypothesis relies mainly on studies conducted under anesthesia and the extent to which it holds under more naturalistic conditions remains unclear. Using multielectrode recordings of spiking activity in the retina and the LGN of both male and female cats, we show that visually driven gamma oscillations are absent for awake states and are highly dependent on halothane (or isoflurane). Under ketamine, responses were nonoscillatory, as in the awake condition. Response entrainment to the monitor refresh was commonly observed up to 120 Hz and was superseded by the gamma oscillatory responses induced by halothane. Given that retinal gamma oscillations are contingent on halothane anesthesia and absent in the awake cat, such oscillations should be considered artifactual, thus playing no functional role in vision.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Gamma rhythms have been proposed to be a robust encoding mechanism critical for visual processing. In the retinogeniculate system of the cat, many studies have shown gamma oscillations associated with responses to static stimuli. Here, we extend these observations to dynamic stimuli. An unexpected finding was that retinal gamma responses strongly depend on halothane concentration levels and are absent in the awake cat. These results weaken the notion that gamma in the retina is relevant for vision. Notably, retinal gamma shares many of the properties of cortical gamma. In this respect, oscillations induced by halothane in the retina may serve as a valuable preparation, although artificial, for studying oscillatory dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Neuenschwander
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59076-550, Natal, Brazil
| | - Giovanne Rosso
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59076-550, Natal, Brazil
| | - Natalia Branco
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59076-550, Natal, Brazil
| | - Fabio Freitag
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59076-550, Natal, Brazil
| | - Edward J Tehovnik
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59076-550, Natal, Brazil
| | - Kerstin E Schmidt
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59076-550, Natal, Brazil
| | - Jerome Baron
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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19
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Zhdanov A, Constable P, Manjur SM, Dolganov A, Posada-Quintero HF, Lizunov A. OculusGraphy: Signal Analysis of the Electroretinogram in a Rabbit Model of Endophthalmitis Using Discrete and Continuous Wavelet Transforms. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:708. [PMID: 37370639 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10060708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The electroretinogram is a clinical test used to assess the function of the photoreceptors and retinal circuits of various cells in the eye, with the recorded waveform being the result of the summated response of neural generators across the retina. METHODS The present investigation involved an analysis of the electroretinogram waveform in both the time and time-frequency domains through the utilization of the discrete wavelet transform and continuous wavelet transform techniques. The primary aim of this study was to monitor and evaluate the effects of treatment in a New Zealand rabbit model of endophthalmitis via electroretinogram waveform analysis and to compare these with normal human electroretinograms. RESULTS The wavelet scalograms were analyzed using various mother wavelets, including the Daubechies, Ricker, Wavelet Biorthogonal 3.1 (bior3.1), Morlet, Haar, and Gaussian wavelets. Distinctive variances were identified in the wavelet scalograms between rabbit and human electroretinograms. The wavelet scalograms in the rabbit model of endophthalmitis showed recovery with treatment in parallel with the time-domain features. CONCLUSIONS The study compared adult, child, and rabbit electroretinogram responses using DWT and CWT, finding that adult signals had higher power than child signals, and that rabbit signals showed differences in the a-wave and b-wave depending on the type of response tested, while the Haar wavelet was found to be superior in visualizing frequency components in electrophysiological signals for following the treatment of endophthalmitis and may give additional outcome measures for the management of retinal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei Zhdanov
- Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Engineering School of Information Technologies, Telecommunications and Control Systems, Ural Federal University Named after the First President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, 620002 Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Paul Constable
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
| | | | - Anton Dolganov
- Engineering School of Information Technologies, Telecommunications and Control Systems, Ural Federal University Named after the First President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, 620002 Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | | | - Aleksander Lizunov
- Department of Functional Diagnostics, IRTC Eye Microsurgery Ekaterinburg Center, 620149 Yekaterinburg, Russia
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20
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Roy S, Wang D, Rudzite AM, Perry B, Scalabrino ML, Thapa M, Gong Y, Sher A, Field GD. Large-scale interrogation of retinal cell functions by 1-photon light-sheet microscopy. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100453. [PMID: 37159670 PMCID: PMC10163030 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Visual processing in the retina depends on the collective activity of large ensembles of neurons organized in different layers. Current techniques for measuring activity of layer-specific neural ensembles rely on expensive pulsed infrared lasers to drive 2-photon activation of calcium-dependent fluorescent reporters. We present a 1-photon light-sheet imaging system that can measure the activity in hundreds of neurons in the ex vivo retina over a large field of view while presenting visual stimuli. This allows for a reliable functional classification of different retinal cell types. We also demonstrate that the system has sufficient resolution to image calcium entry at individual synaptic release sites across the axon terminals of dozens of simultaneously imaged bipolar cells. The simple design, large field of view, and fast image acquisition make this a powerful system for high-throughput and high-resolution measurements of retinal processing at a fraction of the cost of alternative approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suva Roy
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Depeng Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Andra M. Rudzite
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Benjamin Perry
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Miranda L. Scalabrino
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Mishek Thapa
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Yiyang Gong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Alexander Sher
- Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Greg D. Field
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
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21
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Kremers L, Sarieva K, Hoffmann F, Zhao Z, Ueffing M, Euler T, Nikić-Spiegel I, Schubert T. Super-resolution STED imaging in the inner and outer whole-mount mouse retina. FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2023; 3:1126338. [PMID: 38983015 PMCID: PMC11196978 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2023.1126338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Since its invention, super-resolution microscopy has become a popular tool for advanced imaging of biological structures, allowing visualisation of subcellular structures at a spatial scale below the diffraction limit. Thus, it is not surprising that recently, different super-resolution techniques are being applied in neuroscience, e.g. to resolve the clustering of neurotransmitter receptors and protein complex composition in presynaptic terminals. Still, the vast majority of these experiments were carried out either in cell cultures or very thin tissue sections, while there are only a few examples of super-resolution imaging in deeper layers (30 - 50 µm) of biological samples. In that context, the mammalian whole-mount retina has rarely been studied with super-resolution microscopy. Here, we aimed at establishing a stimulated-emission-depletion (STED) microscopy protocol for imaging whole-mount retina. To this end, we developed sample preparation including horizontal slicing of retinal tissue, an immunolabeling protocol with STED-compatible fluorophores and optimised the image acquisition settings. We labelled subcellular structures in somata, dendrites, and axons of retinal ganglion cells in the inner mouse retina. By measuring the full width at half maximum of the thinnest filamentous structures in our preparation, we achieved a resolution enhancement of two or higher compared to conventional confocal images. When combined with horizontal slicing of the retina, these settings allowed visualisation of putative GABAergic horizontal cell synapses in the outer retina. Taken together, we successfully established a STED protocol for reliable super-resolution imaging in the whole-mount mouse retina at depths between 30 and 50 µm, which enables investigating, for instance, protein complex composition and cytoskeletal ultrastructure at retinal synapses in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon Kremers
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kseniia Sarieva
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Felix Hoffmann
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zhijian Zhao
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marius Ueffing
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Euler
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ivana Nikić-Spiegel
- Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Timm Schubert
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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22
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Beltrán-Matas P, Hartveit E, Veruki ML. Functional properties of GABA A receptors of AII amacrine cells of the rat retina. FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2023; 3:1134765. [PMID: 38983040 PMCID: PMC11182327 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2023.1134765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Amacrine cells are a highly diverse group of inhibitory retinal interneurons that sculpt the responses of bipolar cells, ganglion cells, and other amacrine cells. They integrate excitatory inputs from bipolar cells and inhibitory inputs from other amacrine cells, but for most amacrine cells, little is known about the specificity and functional properties of their inhibitory inputs. Here, we have investigated GABAA receptors of the AII amacrine, a critical neuron in the rod pathway microcircuit, using patch-clamp recording in rat retinal slices. Puffer application of GABA evoked robust responses, but, surprisingly, spontaneous GABAA receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents were not observed, neither under control conditions nor following application of high-K+ solution to facilitate release. To investigate the biophysical and pharmacological properties of GABAA receptors in AIIs, we therefore used nucleated patches and a fast application system. Both brief and long pulses of GABA (3 mM) evoked GABAA receptor-mediated currents with slow, multi-exponential decay kinetics. The average weighted time constant (τw) of deactivation was ~163 ms. Desensitization was even slower, with τw ~330 ms. Non-stationary noise analysis of patch responses and directly observed channel gating yielded a single-channel conductance of ~23 pS. Pharmacological investigation suggested the presence of α2 and/or α3 subunits, as well as the γ2 subunit. Such subunit combinations are typical of GABAA receptors with slow kinetics. If synaptic GABAA receptors of AII amacrines have similar functional properties, the slow deactivation and desensitization kinetics will facilitate temporal summation of GABAergic inputs, allowing effective summation and synaptic integration to occur even for relatively low frequencies of inhibitory inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Espen Hartveit
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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23
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Wang X, Roberts PA, Yoshimatsu T, Lagnado L, Baden T. Amacrine cells differentially balance zebrafish color circuits in the central and peripheral retina. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112055. [PMID: 36757846 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate inner retina is driven by photoreceptors whose outputs are already pre-processed; in zebrafish, outer retinal circuits split "color" from "grayscale" information across four cone-photoreceptor types. It remains unclear how the inner retina processes incoming spectral information while also combining cone signals to shape grayscale functions. We address this question by imaging the light-driven responses of amacrine cells (ACs) and bipolar cells (BCs) in larval zebrafish in the presence and pharmacological absence of inner retinal inhibition. We find that ACs enhance opponency in some bipolar cells while at the same time suppressing pre-existing opponency in others, so that, depending on the retinal region, the net change in the number of color-opponent units is essentially zero. To achieve this "dynamic balance," ACs counteract intrinsic color opponency of BCs via the On channel. Consistent with these observations, Off-stratifying ACs are exclusively achromatic, while all color-opponent ACs stratify in the On sublamina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Wang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK.
| | - Paul A Roberts
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Takeshi Yoshimatsu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Leon Lagnado
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK.
| | - Tom Baden
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK; Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Strasse 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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24
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Kulesh B, Bozadjian R, Parisi RJ, Leong SA, Kautzman AG, Reese BE, Keeley PW. Quantitative trait loci on chromosomes 9 and 19 modulate AII amacrine cell number in the mouse retina. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1078168. [PMID: 36816119 PMCID: PMC9932814 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1078168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sequence variants modulating gene function or expression affect various heritable traits, including the number of neurons within a population. The present study employed a forward-genetic approach to identify candidate causal genes and their sequence variants controlling the number of one type of retinal neuron, the AII amacrine cell. Data from twenty-six recombinant inbred (RI) strains of mice derived from the parental C57BL/6J (B6/J) and A/J laboratory strains were used to identify genomic loci regulating cell number. Large variation in cell number is present across the RI strains, from a low of ∼57,000 cells to a high of ∼87,000 cells. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis revealed three prospective controlling genomic loci, on Chromosomes (Chrs) 9, 11, and 19, each contributing additive effects that together approach the range of variation observed. Composite interval mapping validated two of these loci, and chromosome substitution strains, in which the A/J genome for Chr 9 or 19 was introgressed on a B6/J genetic background, showed increased numbers of AII amacrine cells as predicted by those two QTL effects. Analysis of the respective genomic loci identified candidate controlling genes defined by their retinal expression, their established biological functions, and by the presence of sequence variants expected to modulate gene function or expression. Two candidate genes, Dtx4 on Chr 19, being a regulator of Notch signaling, and Dixdc1 on Chr 9, a modulator of the WNT-β-catenin signaling pathway, were explored in further detail. Postnatal overexpression of Dtx4 was found to reduce the frequency of amacrine cells, while Dixdc1 knockout retinas contained an excess of AII amacrine cells. Sequence variants in each gene were identified, being the likely sources of variation in gene expression, ultimately contributing to the final number of AII amacrine cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Kulesh
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Rachel Bozadjian
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Ryan J. Parisi
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Stephanie A. Leong
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Amanda G. Kautzman
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin E. Reese
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Patrick W. Keeley
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
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25
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Yu WQ, Swanstrom R, Sigulinsky CL, Ahlquist RM, Knecht S, Jones BW, Berson DM, Wong RO. Distinctive synaptic structural motifs link excitatory retinal interneurons to diverse postsynaptic partner types. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112006. [PMID: 36680773 PMCID: PMC9946794 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Qing Yu
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Rachael Swanstrom
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA,The authors contributed equally
| | - Crystal L. Sigulinsky
- Department of Ophthalmology, John A. Moran Vision Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA,The authors contributed equally
| | - Richard M. Ahlquist
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195 WA, USA,The authors contributed equally
| | - Sharm Knecht
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Bryan W. Jones
- Department of Ophthalmology, John A. Moran Vision Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - David M. Berson
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI 02906, USA
| | - Rachel O. Wong
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA,Lead contact,Correspondence:
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26
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Pfeiffer RL, Jones BW. Retinal Pathoconnectomics: A Window into Neurodegeneration. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1415:297-301. [PMID: 37440048 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-27681-1_43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, the field of retinal connectomics has made huge strides in describing the precise topologies underlying retinal visual processing. The same techniques that allowed these advancements are also applicable to understanding the progression of rewiring in retinal remodeling: retinal pathoconnectomics. Pathoconnectomics is unique in its unbiased approach to understanding the impacts of deafferentation on the remaining network components and identifying aberrant connectivities leading to visual processing defects. Pathoconnectomics also paves the way for identifying underlying rules of rewiring that may be recapitulated throughout the nervous system in other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Pfeiffer
- John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Bryan W Jones
- John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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27
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Ahmed Z. Preparation of Retinal Explant Cultures. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2708:25-31. [PMID: 37558956 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3409-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Organotypic retinal explants are routinely used as alternatives to in vitro cell culture and to replace the use of animals in modelling retinal neurodegenerative diseases. Retinal explants fill the gap between in vivo which are expensive, time consuming, and complex due to inaccessibility of target tissues. However, organotypic retinal explants are less expensive and rapid and retinal cell types in the explant maintain their morphologic interactions with other cells in the retina. Therefore, retinal explants have high potential to be used as tools to assess the pharmacological and other therapies prior to in vivo validation, reducing the use of live animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zubair Ahmed
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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28
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Songco-Casey JO, Coffing GC, Piscopo DM, Pungor JR, Kern AD, Miller AC, Niell CM. Cell types and molecular architecture of the Octopus bimaculoides visual system. Curr Biol 2022; 32:5031-5044.e4. [PMID: 36318923 PMCID: PMC9815951 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Cephalopods have a remarkable visual system, with a camera-type eye and high acuity vision that they use for a wide range of sophisticated visually driven behaviors. However, the cephalopod brain is organized dramatically differently from that of vertebrates and invertebrates, and beyond neuroanatomical descriptions, little is known regarding the cell types and molecular determinants of their visual system organization. Here, we present a comprehensive single-cell molecular atlas of the octopus optic lobe, which is the primary visual processing structure in the cephalopod brain. We combined single-cell RNA sequencing with RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization to both identify putative molecular cell types and determine their anatomical and spatial organization within the optic lobe. Our results reveal six major neuronal cell classes identified by neurotransmitter/neuropeptide usage, in addition to non-neuronal and immature neuronal populations. We find that additional markers divide these neuronal classes into subtypes with distinct anatomical localizations, revealing further diversity and a detailed laminar organization within the optic lobe. We also delineate the immature neurons within this continuously growing tissue into subtypes defined by evolutionarily conserved developmental genes as well as novel cephalopod- and octopus-specific genes. Together, these findings outline the organizational logic of the octopus visual system, based on functional determinants, laminar identity, and developmental markers/pathways. The resulting atlas presented here details the "parts list" for neural circuits used for vision in octopus, providing a platform for investigations into the development and function of the octopus visual system as well as the evolution of visual processing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabrielle C Coffing
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Denise M Piscopo
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Judit R Pungor
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Andrew D Kern
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Adam C Miller
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
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29
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Fitzpatrick MJ, Kerschensteiner D. Homeostatic plasticity in the retina. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 94:101131. [PMID: 36244950 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Vision begins in the retina, whose intricate neural circuits extract salient features of the environment from the light entering our eyes. Neurodegenerative diseases of the retina (e.g., inherited retinal degenerations, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma) impair vision and cause blindness in a growing number of people worldwide. Increasing evidence indicates that homeostatic plasticity (i.e., the drive of a neural system to stabilize its function) can, in principle, preserve retinal function in the face of major perturbations, including neurodegeneration. Here, we review the circumstances and events that trigger homeostatic plasticity in the retina during development, sensory experience, and disease. We discuss the diverse mechanisms that cooperate to compensate and the set points and outcomes that homeostatic retinal plasticity stabilizes. Finally, we summarize the opportunities and challenges for unlocking the therapeutic potential of homeostatic plasticity. Homeostatic plasticity is fundamental to understanding retinal development and function and could be an important tool in the fight to preserve and restore vision.
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30
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Strauss S, Korympidou MM, Ran Y, Franke K, Schubert T, Baden T, Berens P, Euler T, Vlasits AL. Center-surround interactions underlie bipolar cell motion sensitivity in the mouse retina. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5574. [PMID: 36163124 PMCID: PMC9513071 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32762-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Motion sensing is a critical aspect of vision. We studied the representation of motion in mouse retinal bipolar cells and found that some bipolar cells are radially direction selective, preferring the origin of small object motion trajectories. Using a glutamate sensor, we directly observed bipolar cells synaptic output and found that there are radial direction selective and non-selective bipolar cell types, the majority being selective, and that radial direction selectivity relies on properties of the center-surround receptive field. We used these bipolar cell receptive fields along with connectomics to design biophysical models of downstream cells. The models and additional experiments demonstrated that bipolar cells pass radial direction selective excitation to starburst amacrine cells, which contributes to their directional tuning. As bipolar cells provide excitation to most amacrine and ganglion cells, their radial direction selectivity may contribute to motion processing throughout the visual system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Strauss
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Tübingen AI Center, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maria M Korympidou
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yanli Ran
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katrin Franke
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Timm Schubert
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tom Baden
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Philipp Berens
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Tübingen AI Center, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Euler
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Anna L Vlasits
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
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31
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Haverkamp S, Mietsch M, Briggman KL. Developmental errors in the common marmoset retina. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:1000693. [PMID: 36204677 PMCID: PMC9531312 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.1000693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although retinal organization is remarkably conserved, morphological anomalies can be found to different extents and varieties across animal species with each presenting unique characteristics and patterns of displaced and misplaced neurons. One of the most widely used non-human primates in research, the common marmoset (Callithrix jaccus) could potentially also be of interest for visual research, but is unfortunately not well characterized in this regard. Therefore, the aim of our study was to provide a first time description of structural retinal layering including morphological differences and distinctive features in this species. Retinas from animals (n = 26) of both sexes and different ages were immunostained with cell specific antibodies to label a variety of bipolar, amacrine and ganglion cells. Misplaced ganglion cells with somata in the outermost part of the inner nuclear layer and rod bipolar cells with axon terminals projecting into the outer plexiform layer instead of the inner plexiform layer independent of age or sex of the animals were the most obvious findings, whereas misplaced amacrine cells and misplaced cone bipolar axon terminals occurred to a lesser extent. With this first time description of developmental retinal errors over a wide age range, we provide a basic characterization of the retinal system of the common marmosets, which can be taken into account for future studies in this and other animal species. The finding of misplaced ganglion cells and misplaced bipolar cell axon terminals was not reported before and displays an anatomic variation worthwhile for future analyzes of their physiological and functional impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Haverkamp
- Department of Computational Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior – caesar, Bonn, Germany
- *Correspondence: Silke Haverkamp
| | - Matthias Mietsch
- Laboratory Animal Science Unit, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kevin L. Briggman
- Department of Computational Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior – caesar, Bonn, Germany
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32
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Abstract
Voltage-gated Ca2+ (Cav) channels play pivotal roles in regulating gene transcription, neuronal excitability, and neurotransmitter release. To meet the spatial and temporal demands of visual signaling, Cav channels exhibit unusual properties in the retina compared to their counterparts in other areas of the nervous system. In this article, we review current concepts regarding the specific subtypes of Cav channels expressed in the retina, their intrinsic properties and forms of modulation, and how their dysregulation could lead to retinal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany Williams
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, and Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - J Wesley Maddox
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA;
| | - Amy Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA;
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33
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Liu Z, Lu X, Villette V, Gou Y, Colbert KL, Lai S, Guan S, Land MA, Lee J, Assefa T, Zollinger DR, Korympidou MM, Vlasits AL, Pang MM, Su S, Cai C, Froudarakis E, Zhou N, Patel SS, Smith CL, Ayon A, Bizouard P, Bradley J, Franke K, Clandinin TR, Giovannucci A, Tolias AS, Reimer J, Dieudonné S, St-Pierre F. Sustained deep-tissue voltage recording using a fast indicator evolved for two-photon microscopy. Cell 2022; 185:3408-3425.e29. [PMID: 35985322 PMCID: PMC9563101 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Genetically encoded voltage indicators are emerging tools for monitoring voltage dynamics with cell-type specificity. However, current indicators enable a narrow range of applications due to poor performance under two-photon microscopy, a method of choice for deep-tissue recording. To improve indicators, we developed a multiparameter high-throughput platform to optimize voltage indicators for two-photon microscopy. Using this system, we identified JEDI-2P, an indicator that is faster, brighter, and more sensitive and photostable than its predecessors. We demonstrate that JEDI-2P can report light-evoked responses in axonal termini of Drosophila interneurons and the dendrites and somata of amacrine cells of isolated mouse retina. JEDI-2P can also optically record the voltage dynamics of individual cortical neurons in awake behaving mice for more than 30 min using both resonant-scanning and ULoVE random-access microscopy. Finally, ULoVE recording of JEDI-2P can robustly detect spikes at depths exceeding 400 μm and report voltage correlations in pairs of neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuohe Liu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Lu
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology Program, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Vincent Villette
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Yueyang Gou
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kevin L Colbert
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shujuan Lai
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sihui Guan
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michelle A Land
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jihwan Lee
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology Program, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tensae Assefa
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Daniel R Zollinger
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maria M Korympidou
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg 72076, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg 72076, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, 72076, Germany
| | - Anna L Vlasits
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg 72076, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg 72076, Germany
| | - Michelle M Pang
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sharon Su
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Changjia Cai
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Emmanouil Froudarakis
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion 70013, Greece
| | - Na Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Saumil S Patel
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cameron L Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Annick Ayon
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Pierre Bizouard
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Jonathan Bradley
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Katrin Franke
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg 72076, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg 72076, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, 72076, Germany
| | - Thomas R Clandinin
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andrea Giovannucci
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; UNC Neuroscience Center, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Andreas S Tolias
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jacob Reimer
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Stéphane Dieudonné
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - François St-Pierre
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology Program, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Sharma P, Ramachandran R. Retina regeneration: lessons from vertebrates. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 1:kvac012. [PMID: 38596712 PMCID: PMC10913848 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Unlike mammals, vertebrates such as fishes and frogs exhibit remarkable tissue regeneration including the central nervous system. Retina being part of the central nervous system has attracted the interest of several research groups to explore its regenerative ability in different vertebrate models including mice. Fishes and frogs completely restore the size, shape and tissue structure of an injured retina. Several studies have unraveled molecular mechanisms underlying retina regeneration. In teleosts, soon after injury, the Müller glial cells of the retina reprogram to form a proliferating population of Müller glia-derived progenitor cells capable of differentiating into various neural cell types and Müller glia. In amphibians, the transdifferentiation of retinal pigment epithelium and differentiation of ciliary marginal zone cells contribute to retina regeneration. In chicks and mice, supplementation with external growth factors or genetic modifications cause a partial regenerative response in the damaged retina. The initiation of retina regeneration is achieved through sequential orchestration of gene expression through controlled modulations in the genetic and epigenetic landscape of the progenitor cells. Several developmental biology pathways are turned on during the Müller glia reprogramming, retinal pigment epithelium transdifferentiation and ciliary marginal zone differentiation. Further, several tumorigenic pathways and gene expression events also contribute to the complete regeneration cascade of events. In this review, we address the various retinal injury paradigms and subsequent gene expression events governed in different vertebrate species. Further, we compared how vertebrates such as teleost fishes and amphibians can achieve excellent regenerative responses in the retina compared with their mammalian counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, Knowledge City, SAS Nagar, Sector 81, Manauli PO, 140306 Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Rajesh Ramachandran
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, Knowledge City, SAS Nagar, Sector 81, Manauli PO, 140306 Mohali, Punjab, India
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35
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Investigating the Role of GABA in Neural Development and Disease Using Mice Lacking GAD67 or VGAT Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147965. [PMID: 35887307 PMCID: PMC9318753 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal development and function of the central nervous system involves a balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. Activity of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons is modulated by inhibitory signalling of the GABAergic and glycinergic systems. Mechanisms that regulate formation, maturation, refinement, and maintenance of inhibitory synapses are established in early life. Deviations from ideal excitatory and inhibitory balance, such as down-regulated inhibition, are linked with many neurological diseases, including epilepsy, schizophrenia, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders. In the mammalian forebrain, GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, binding to GABA receptors, opening chloride channels and hyperpolarizing the cell. We review the involvement of down-regulated inhibitory signalling in neurological disorders, possible mechanisms for disease progression, and targets for therapeutic intervention. We conclude that transgenic models of disrupted inhibitory signalling—in GAD67+/− and VGAT−/− mice—are useful for investigating the effects of down-regulated inhibitory signalling in a range of neurological diseases.
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Molins B, Mesquida M, Adan A. Bioengineering approaches for modelling retinal pathologies of the outer blood-retinal barrier. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022:101097. [PMID: 35840488 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Alterations of the junctional complex of the outer blood-retinal barrier (oBRB), which is integrated by the close interaction of the retinal pigment epithelium, the Bruch's membrane, and the choriocapillaris, contribute to the loss of neuronal signalling and subsequent vision impairment in several retinal inflammatory disorders such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Reductionist approaches into the mechanisms that underlie such diseases have been hindered by the absence of adequate in vitro models using human cells to provide the 3D dynamic architecture that enables expression of the in vivo phenotype of the oBRB. Conventional in vitro cell models are based on 2D monolayer cellular cultures, unable to properly recapitulate the complexity of living systems. The main drawbacks of conventional oBRB models also emerge from the cell sourcing, the lack of an appropriate Bruch's membrane analogue, and the lack of choroidal microvasculature with flow. In the last years, the advent of organ-on-a-chip, bioengineering, and stem cell technologies is providing more advanced 3D models with flow, multicellularity, and external control over microenvironmental properties. By incorporating additional biological complexity, organ-on-a-chip devices can mirror physiologically relevant properties of the native tissue while offering additional set ups to model and study disease. In this review we first examine the current understanding of oBRB biology as a functional unit, highlighting the coordinated contribution of the different components to barrier function in health and disease. Then we describe recent advances in the use of pluripotent stem cells-derived retinal cells, Bruch's membrane analogues, and co-culture techniques to recapitulate the oBRB. We finally discuss current advances and challenges of oBRB-on-a-chip technologies for disease modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Molins
- Group of Ocular Inflammation: Clinical and Experimental Studies, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Agustí Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marina Mesquida
- Group of Ocular Inflammation: Clinical and Experimental Studies, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Agustí Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alfredo Adan
- Group of Ocular Inflammation: Clinical and Experimental Studies, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Agustí Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Clínic de Oftalmología, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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Coppolino S, Giacopelli G, Migliore M. Sequence Learning in a Single Trial: A Spiking Neurons Model Based on Hippocampal Circuitry. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL NETWORKS AND LEARNING SYSTEMS 2022; 33:3178-3183. [PMID: 33481720 DOI: 10.1109/tnnls.2021.3049281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In contrast with our everyday experience using brain circuits, it can take a prohibitively long time to train a computational system to produce the correct sequence of outputs in the presence of a series of inputs. This suggests that something important is missing in the way in which models are trying to reproduce basic cognitive functions. In this work, we introduce a new neuronal network architecture that is able to learn, in a single trial, an arbitrary long sequence of any known objects. The key point of the model is the explicit use of mechanisms and circuitry observed in the hippocampus, which allow the model to reach a level of efficiency and accuracy that, to the best of our knowledge, is not possible with abstract network implementations. By directly following the natural system's layout and circuitry, this type of implementation has the additional advantage that the results can be more easily compared to the experimental data, allowing a deeper and more direct understanding of the mechanisms underlying cognitive functions and dysfunctions and opening the way to a new generation of learning architectures.
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Rbfox1 expression in amacrine cells is restricted to GABAergic and VGlut3 glycinergic cells. Biosci Rep 2022; 42:231460. [PMID: 35730583 PMCID: PMC9272594 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20220497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Rbfox1 is a multifunctional RNA binding protein that regulates alternative splicing, transcription, mRNA stability and translation. Rbfox1 is an important regulator of gene networks involved in neurogenesis and neuronal function. Disruption of Rbfox function has been associated with several neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. We have shown earlier that Rbfox1 is expressed in retinal ganglion and amacrine cells (ACs) and that its downregulation in adult mouse retinas leads to deficiency of depth perception. In this study, we used several markers of ACs, including GABA, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), neuropeptide Y (NPY), glycine transporter (GlyT1) and vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGlut3) to identify types of ACs that express Rbfox1. Expression of Rbfox1 was observed predominantly in GABAergic ACs located in the INL and GCL. All GABAergic/cholinergic starburst ACs and virtually all NPY-positive GABAergic ACs were also Rbfox1-positive. Among glycinergic ACs, a sparse population of Rbfox1/VGlut3-positive cells was identified, indicating that Rbfox1 is expressed in a very small population of glycinergic ACs. These data contributes to our understanding about molecular differences between various types of amacrine cells and the cell-specific gene networks regulated by Rbfox1.
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Constable PA, Marmolejo-Ramos F, Gauthier M, Lee IO, Skuse DH, Thompson DA. Discrete Wavelet Transform Analysis of the Electroretinogram in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:890461. [PMID: 35733935 PMCID: PMC9207322 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.890461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To evaluate the electroretinogram waveform in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using a discrete wavelet transform (DWT) approach. Methods A total of 55 ASD, 15 ADHD and 156 control individuals took part in this study. Full field light-adapted electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded using a Troland protocol, accounting for pupil size, with five flash strengths ranging from –0.12 to 1.20 log photopic cd.s.m–2. A DWT analysis was performed using the Haar wavelet on the waveforms to examine the energy within the time windows of the a- and b-waves and the oscillatory potentials (OPs) which yielded six DWT coefficients related to these parameters. The central frequency bands were from 20–160 Hz relating to the a-wave, b-wave and OPs represented by the coefficients: a20, a40, b20, b40, op80, and op160, respectively. In addition, the b-wave amplitude and percentage energy contribution of the OPs (%OPs) in the total ERG broadband energy was evaluated. Results There were significant group differences (p < 0.001) in the coefficients corresponding to energies in the b-wave (b20, b40) and OPs (op80 and op160) as well as the b-wave amplitude. Notable differences between the ADHD and control groups were found in the b20 and b40 coefficients. In contrast, the greatest differences between the ASD and control group were found in the op80 and op160 coefficients. The b-wave amplitude showed both ASD and ADHD significant group differences from the control participants, for flash strengths greater than 0.4 log photopic cd.s.m–2 (p < 0.001). Conclusion This methodological approach may provide insights about neuronal activity in studies investigating group differences where retinal signaling may be altered through neurodevelopment or neurodegenerative conditions. However, further work will be required to determine if retinal signal analysis can offer a classification model for neurodevelopmental conditions in which there is a co-occurrence such as ASD and ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Constable
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Paul A. Constable,
| | - Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos
- Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning, The University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Mercedes Gauthier
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Irene O. Lee
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Population, Policy and Practice Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David H. Skuse
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Population, Policy and Practice Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dorothy A. Thompson
- The Tony Kriss Visual Electrophysiology Unit, Clinical and Academic Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Huang X, Kim AJ, Acarón Ledesma H, Ding J, Smith RG, Wei W. Visual Stimulation Induces Distinct Forms of Sensitization of On-Off Direction-Selective Ganglion Cell Responses in the Dorsal and Ventral Retina. J Neurosci 2022; 42:4449-4469. [PMID: 35474276 PMCID: PMC9172291 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1391-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Experience-dependent modulation of neuronal responses is a key attribute in sensory processing. In the mammalian retina, the On-Off direction-selective ganglion cell (DSGC) is well known for its robust direction selectivity. However, how the On-Off DSGC light responsiveness dynamically adjusts to the changing visual environment is underexplored. Here, we report that On-Off DSGCs tuned to posterior motion direction [i.e. posterior DSGCs (pDSGCs)] in mice of both sexes can be transiently sensitized by prior stimuli. Notably, distinct sensitization patterns are found in dorsal and ventral pDSGCs. Although responses of both dorsal and ventral pDSGCs to dark stimuli (Off responses) are sensitized, only dorsal cells show the sensitization of responses to bright stimuli (On responses). Visual stimulation to the dorsal retina potentiates a sustained excitatory input from Off bipolar cells, leading to tonic depolarization of pDSGCs. Such tonic depolarization propagates from the Off to the On dendritic arbor of the pDSGC to sensitize its On response. We also identified a previously overlooked feature of DSGC dendritic architecture that can support dendritic integration between On and Off dendritic layers bypassing the soma. By contrast, ventral pDSGCs lack a sensitized tonic depolarization and thus do not exhibit sensitization of their On responses. Our results highlight a topographic difference in Off bipolar cell inputs underlying divergent sensitization patterns of dorsal and ventral pDSGCs. Moreover, substantial crossovers between dendritic layers of On-Off DSGCs suggest an interactive dendritic algorithm for processing On and Off signals before they reach the soma.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Visual neuronal responses are dynamically influenced by the prior visual experience. This form of plasticity reflects the efficient coding of the naturalistic environment by the visual system. We found that a class of retinal output neurons, On-Off direction-selective ganglion cells, transiently increase their responsiveness after visual stimulation. Cells located in dorsal and ventral retinas exhibit distinct sensitization patterns because of different adaptive properties of Off bipolar cell signaling. A previously overlooked dendritic morphologic feature of the On-Off direction-selective ganglion cell is implicated in the cross talk between On and Off pathways during sensitization. Together, these findings uncover a topographic difference in the adaptive encoding of upper and lower visual fields and the underlying neural mechanism in the dorsal and ventral retinas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Huang
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637
- The Committee on Neurobiology Graduate Program, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637
| | - Alan Jaehyun Kim
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637
| | - Héctor Acarón Ledesma
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637
- Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637
| | - Jennifer Ding
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637
- The Committee on Neurobiology Graduate Program, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637
| | - Robert G Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637
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Kim YJ, Peterson BB, Crook JD, Joo HR, Wu J, Puller C, Robinson FR, Gamlin PD, Yau KW, Viana F, Troy JB, Smith RG, Packer OS, Detwiler PB, Dacey DM. Origins of direction selectivity in the primate retina. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2862. [PMID: 35606344 PMCID: PMC9126974 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30405-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
From mouse to primate, there is a striking discontinuity in our current understanding of the neural coding of motion direction. In non-primate mammals, directionally selective cell types and circuits are a signature feature of the retina, situated at the earliest stage of the visual process. In primates, by contrast, direction selectivity is a hallmark of motion processing areas in visual cortex, but has not been found in the retina, despite significant effort. Here we combined functional recordings of light-evoked responses and connectomic reconstruction to identify diverse direction-selective cell types in the macaque monkey retina with distinctive physiological properties and synaptic motifs. This circuitry includes an ON-OFF ganglion cell type, a spiking, ON-OFF polyaxonal amacrine cell and the starburst amacrine cell, all of which show direction selectivity. Moreover, we discovered that macaque starburst cells possess a strong, non-GABAergic, antagonistic surround mediated by input from excitatory bipolar cells that is critical for the generation of radial motion sensitivity in these cells. Our findings open a door to investigation of a precortical circuitry that computes motion direction in the primate visual system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Jin Kim
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Beth B Peterson
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Joanna D Crook
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Hannah R Joo
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jiajia Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Christian Puller
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Farrel R Robinson
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Washington National Primate Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Paul D Gamlin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294-4390, USA
| | - King-Wai Yau
- Departments of Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2185, USA
| | - Felix Viana
- Institute of Neuroscience, UMH-CSIC, San Juan de Alicante, 03550, Spain
| | - John B Troy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Robert G Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Orin S Packer
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Peter B Detwiler
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Dennis M Dacey
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
- Washington National Primate Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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Liu JH, Peter DO, Faldalen Guttormsen MS, Hossain MK, Gerking Y, Veruki ML, Hartveit E. The mosaic of AII amacrine cell bodies in rat retina is indistinguishable from a random distribution. Vis Neurosci 2022; 39:E004. [PMID: 35534787 PMCID: PMC9107964 DOI: 10.1017/s0952523822000025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate retina contains a large number of different types of neurons that can be distinguished by their morphological properties. Assuming that no location should be without a contribution from the circuitry and function linked to a specific type of neuron, it is expected that the dendritic trees of neurons belonging to a type will cover the retina in a regular manner. Thus, for most types of neurons, the contribution to visual processing is thought to be independent of the exact location of individual neurons across the retina. Here, we have investigated the distribution of AII amacrine cells in rat retina. The AII is a multifunctional amacrine cell found in mammals and involved in synaptic microcircuits that contribute to visual processing under both scotopic and photopic conditions. Previous investigations have suggested that AIIs are regularly distributed, with a nearest-neighbor distance regularity index of ~4. It has been argued, however, that this presumed regularity results from treating somas as points, without taking into account their actual spatial extent which constrains the location of other cells of the same type. When we simulated random distributions of cell bodies with size and density similar to real AIIs, we confirmed that the simulated distributions could not be distinguished from the distributions observed experimentally for AIIs in different regions and eccentricities of the retina. The developmental mechanisms that generate the observed distributions of AIIs remain to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Hao Liu
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Yola Gerking
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Espen Hartveit
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kerschensteiner
- John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Department of Neuroscience; Department of Biomedical Engineering; and Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA;
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Zapp SJ, Nitsche S, Gollisch T. Retinal receptive-field substructure: scaffolding for coding and computation. Trends Neurosci 2022; 45:430-445. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Zhang Q, Li Y, Zhuo Y. Synaptic or Non-synaptic? Different Intercellular Interactions with Retinal Ganglion Cells in Optic Nerve Regeneration. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:3052-3072. [PMID: 35266115 PMCID: PMC9016027 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02781-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Axons of adult neurons in the mammalian central nervous system generally fail to regenerate by themselves, and few if any therapeutic options exist to reverse this situation. Due to a weak intrinsic potential for axon growth and the presence of strong extrinsic inhibitors, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) cannot regenerate their axons spontaneously after optic nerve injury and eventually undergo apoptosis, resulting in permanent visual dysfunction. Regarding the extracellular environment, research to date has generally focused on glial cells and inflammatory cells, while few studies have discussed the potentially significant role of interneurons that make direct connections with RGCs as part of the complex retinal circuitry. In this study, we provide a novel angle to summarize these extracellular influences following optic nerve injury as "intercellular interactions" with RGCs and classify these interactions as synaptic and non-synaptic. By discussing current knowledge of non-synaptic (glial cells and inflammatory cells) and synaptic (mostly amacrine cells and bipolar cells) interactions, we hope to accentuate the previously neglected but significant effects of pre-synaptic interneurons and bring unique insights into future pursuit of optic nerve regeneration and visual function recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yiqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Yehong Zhuo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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Beltrán-Matas P, Castilho Á, Tencer B, Veruki ML, Hartveit E. Inhibitory inputs to an inhibitory interneuron: Spontaneous postsynaptic currents and GABA A receptors of A17 amacrine cells in the rat retina. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 55:1442-1470. [PMID: 35236011 PMCID: PMC9314042 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Amacrine cells constitute a large and heterogenous group of inhibitory interneurons in the retina. The A17 amacrine plays an important role for visual signaling in the rod pathway microcircuit of the mammalian retina. It receives excitatory input from rod bipolar cells and provides feedback inhibition to the same cells. However, from ultrastructural investigations, there is evidence for input to A17s from other types of amacrine cells, presumably inhibitory, but there is a lack of information about the identity and functional properties of the synaptic receptors and how inhibition contributes to the integrative properties of A17s. Here, we studied the biophysical and pharmacological properties of GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (spIPSCs) and GABAA receptors of A17 amacrines, using whole-cell and outside-out patch recordings from rat retinal slices. The spIPSCs displayed fast onsets (10-90% rise time ~740 μs) and double-exponential decays (τfast ~4.5 ms [43% of amplitude]; τslow ~22 ms). Ultrafast application of brief pulses of GABA (3 mM) to patches evoked responses with deactivation kinetics best fitted by a triple-exponential function (τ1 ~5.3 ms [55% of amplitude]; τ2 ~48 ms [32% amplitude]; τ3 ~187 ms). Non-stationary noise analysis of spIPSCs and patch responses yielded single-channel conductances of ~21 and ~25 pS, respectively. Pharmacological analysis suggested that the spIPSCs are mediated by receptors with an α1βγ2 subunit composition and the somatic receptors have an α2βγ2 and/or α3βγ2 composition. These results demonstrate the presence of synaptic GABAA receptors on A17s, which may play an important role in signal integration in these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Áurea Castilho
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Barbora Tencer
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Espen Hartveit
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Behrens C, Yadav SC, Korympidou MM, Zhang Y, Haverkamp S, Irsen S, Schaedler A, Lu X, Liu Z, Lause J, St-Pierre F, Franke K, Vlasits A, Dedek K, Smith RG, Euler T, Berens P, Schubert T. Retinal horizontal cells use different synaptic sites for global feedforward and local feedback signaling. Curr Biol 2022; 32:545-558.e5. [PMID: 34910950 PMCID: PMC8886496 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.11.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In the outer plexiform layer (OPL) of the mammalian retina, cone photoreceptors (cones) provide input to more than a dozen types of cone bipolar cells (CBCs). In the mouse, this transmission is modulated by a single horizontal cell (HC) type. HCs perform global signaling within their laterally coupled network but also provide local, cone-specific feedback. However, it is unknown how HCs provide local feedback to cones at the same time as global forward signaling to CBCs and where the underlying synapses are located. To assess how HCs simultaneously perform different modes of signaling, we reconstructed the dendritic trees of five HCs as well as cone axon terminals and CBC dendrites in a serial block-face electron microscopy volume and analyzed their connectivity. In addition to the fine HC dendritic tips invaginating cone axon terminals, we also identified "bulbs," short segments of increased dendritic diameter on the primary dendrites of HCs. These bulbs are in an OPL stratum well below the cone axon terminal base and make contacts with other HCs and CBCs. Our results from immunolabeling, electron microscopy, and glutamate imaging suggest that HC bulbs represent GABAergic synapses that do not receive any direct photoreceptor input. Together, our data suggest the existence of two synaptic strata in the mouse OPL, spatially separating cone-specific feedback and feedforward signaling to CBCs. A biophysical model of a HC dendritic branch and voltage imaging support the hypothesis that this spatial arrangement of synaptic contacts allows for simultaneous local feedback and global feedforward signaling by HCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Behrens
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 27, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Shubhash Chandra Yadav
- Neurosensorics/Animal Navigation, Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Str. 9-11, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Maria M Korympidou
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 27, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yue Zhang
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 27, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Silke Haverkamp
- Department of Computational Neuroethology, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - Stephan Irsen
- Electron Microscopy and Analytics, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna Schaedler
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 27, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Xiaoyu Lu
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology Program, Rice University, 6500 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Zhuohe Liu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Jan Lause
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 27, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - François St-Pierre
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology Program, Rice University, 6500 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Katrin Franke
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anna Vlasits
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Karin Dedek
- Neurosensorics/Animal Navigation, Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Str. 9-11, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Robert G Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, 422 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Thomas Euler
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Berens
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Tübingen AI Center, University of Tübingen, Maria-von-Linden-Straße 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Timm Schubert
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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Sundberg CA, Lakk M, Paul S, Figueroa KP, Scoles DR, Pulst SM, Križaj D. The RNA-binding protein and stress granule component ATAXIN-2 is expressed in mouse and human tissues associated with glaucoma pathogenesis. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:537-552. [PMID: 34350994 PMCID: PMC8716417 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Polyglutamine repeat expansions in the Ataxin-2 (ATXN2) gene were first implicated in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2, a disease associated with degeneration of motor neurons and Purkinje cells. Recent studies linked single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene to elevated intraocular pressure in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG); yet, the localization of ATXN2 across glaucoma-relevant tissues of the vertebrate eye has not been thoroughly examined. This study characterizes ATXN2 expression in the mouse and human retina, and anterior eye, using an antibody validated in ATXN2-/- retinas. ATXN2-ir was localized to cytosolic sub compartments in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) somata and proximal dendrites in addition to GABAergic, glycinergic, and cholinergic amacrine cells in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) and displaced amacrine cells. Human, but not mouse retinas showed modest immunolabeling of bipolar cells. ATXN2 immunofluorescence was prominent in the trabecular meshwork and pigmented and nonpigmented cells of the ciliary body, with analyses of primary human trabecular meshwork cells confirming the finding. The expression of ATXN2 in key POAG-relevant ocular tissues supports the potential role in autophagy and stress granule formation in response to ocular hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad A. Sundberg
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Monika Lakk
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Sharan Paul
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Karla P. Figueroa
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Daniel R. Scoles
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Stefan M. Pulst
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - David Križaj
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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49
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Dendro-somatic synaptic inputs to ganglion cells contradict receptive field and connectivity conventions in the mammalian retina. Curr Biol 2022; 32:315-328.e4. [PMID: 34822767 PMCID: PMC8792273 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The morphology of retinal neurons strongly influences their physiological function. Ganglion cell (GC) dendrites ramify in distinct strata of the inner plexiform layer (IPL) so that GCs responding to light increments (ON) or decrements (OFF) receive appropriate excitatory inputs. This vertical stratification prescribes response polarity and ensures consistent connectivity between cell types, whereas the lateral extent of GC dendritic arbors typically dictates receptive field (RF) size. Here, we identify circuitry in mouse retina that contradicts these conventions. AII amacrine cells are interneurons understood to mediate "crossover" inhibition by relaying excitatory input from the ON layer to inhibitory outputs in the OFF layer. Ultrastructural and physiological analyses show, however, that some AIIs deliver powerful inhibition to OFF GC somas and proximal dendrites in the ON layer, rendering the inhibitory RFs of these GCs smaller than their dendritic arbors. This OFF pathway, avoiding entirely the OFF region of the IPL, challenges several tenets of retinal circuitry. These results also indicate that subcellular synaptic organization can vary within a single population of neurons according to their proximity to potential postsynaptic targets.
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50
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Mouse Lines with Cre-Mediated Recombination in Retinal Amacrine Cells. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0255-21.2021. [PMID: 35045975 PMCID: PMC8856716 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0255-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Amacrine cells (ACs) are the most diverse neuronal cell type in the vertebrate retina. Yet little is known about the contribution of ACs to visual processing and retinal disease. A major challenge in evaluating AC function is genetic accessibility. A classic tool of mouse genetics, Cre-mediated recombination, can provide such access. We have screened existing genetically-modified mouse strains and identified multiple candidates that express Cre-recombinase in subsets of retinal ACs. The Cre-expressing mice were crossed to fluorescent-reporter mice to assay Cre expression. In addition, a Cre-dependent fluorescent reporter plasmid was electroporated into the subretinal space of Cre strains. Herein, we report three mouse lines (Tac1::IRES-cre, Camk2a-cre, and Scx-cre) that express Cre recombinase in sub-populations of ACs. In two of these lines, recombination occurred in multiple AC types and a small number of other retinal cell types, while recombination in the Camk2a-cre line appears specific to a morphologically distinct AC. We anticipate that these characterized mouse lines will be valuable tools to the community of researchers who study retinal biology and disease.
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