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Markicevic M, Sturman O, Bohacek J, Rudin M, Zerbi V, Fulcher BD, Wenderoth N. Neuromodulation of striatal D1 cells shapes BOLD fluctuations in anatomically connected thalamic and cortical regions. eLife 2023; 12:e78620. [PMID: 37824184 PMCID: PMC10569790 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78620] [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: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding how the brain's macroscale dynamics are shaped by underlying microscale mechanisms is a key problem in neuroscience. In animal models, we can now investigate this relationship in unprecedented detail by directly manipulating cellular-level properties while measuring the whole-brain response using resting-state fMRI. Here, we focused on understanding how blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) dynamics, measured within a structurally well-defined striato-thalamo-cortical circuit in mice, are shaped by chemogenetically exciting or inhibiting D1 medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the right dorsomedial caudate putamen (CPdm). We characterize changes in both the BOLD dynamics of individual cortical and subcortical brain areas, and patterns of inter-regional coupling (functional connectivity) between pairs of areas. Using a classification approach based on a large and diverse set of time-series properties, we found that CPdm neuromodulation alters BOLD dynamics within thalamic subregions that project back to dorsomedial striatum. In the cortex, changes in local dynamics were strongest in unimodal regions (which process information from a single sensory modality) and weakened along a hierarchical gradient towards transmodal regions. In contrast, a decrease in functional connectivity was observed only for cortico-striatal connections after D1 excitation. Our results show that targeted cellular-level manipulations affect local BOLD dynamics at the macroscale, such as by making BOLD dynamics more predictable over time by increasing its self-correlation structure. This contributes to ongoing attempts to understand the influence of structure-function relationships in shaping inter-regional communication at subcortical and cortical levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Markicevic
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, HEST, ETH ZürichZurichSwitzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, School of Medicine, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
| | - Oliver Sturman
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, HEST, ETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Johannes Bohacek
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, HEST, ETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Markus Rudin
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Valerio Zerbi
- Neuro-X Institute, School of Engineering (STI), EPFLLausanneSwitzerland
- CIBM Centre for Biomedical ImagingLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Ben D Fulcher
- School of Physics, The University of SydneyCamperdownAustralia
| | - Nicole Wenderoth
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, HEST, ETH ZürichZurichSwitzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Future Health Technologies, Singapore-ETH Centre, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE)SingaporeSingapore
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2
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Oldham S, Ball G. A phylogenetically-conserved axis of thalamocortical connectivity in the human brain. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6032. [PMID: 37758726 PMCID: PMC10533558 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41722-8] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The thalamus enables key sensory, motor, emotive, and cognitive processes via connections to the cortex. These projection patterns are traditionally considered to originate from discrete thalamic nuclei, however recent work showing gradients of molecular and connectivity features in the thalamus suggests the organisation of thalamocortical connections occurs along a continuous dimension. By performing a joint decomposition of densely sampled gene expression and non-invasive diffusion tractography in the adult human thalamus, we define a principal axis of genetic and connectomic variation along a medial-lateral thalamic gradient. Projections along this axis correspond to an anterior-posterior cortical pattern and are aligned with electrophysiological properties of the cortex. The medial-lateral axis demonstrates phylogenetic conservation, reflects transitions in neuronal subtypes, and shows associations with neurodevelopment and common brain disorders. This study provides evidence for a supra-nuclear axis of thalamocortical organisation characterised by a graded transition in molecular properties and anatomical connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Oldham
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- The Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Gareth Ball
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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3
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Gehr C, Sibille J, Kremkow J. Retinal input integration in excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the mouse superior colliculus in vivo. eLife 2023; 12:RP88289. [PMID: 37682267 PMCID: PMC10491433 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88289] [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] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The superior colliculus (SC) is a midbrain structure that receives inputs from retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The SC contains one of the highest densities of inhibitory neurons in the brain but whether excitatory and inhibitory SC neurons differentially integrate retinal activity in vivo is still largely unknown. We recently established a recording approach to measure the activity of RGCs simultaneously with their postsynaptic SC targets in vivo, to study how SC neurons integrate RGC activity. Here, we employ this method to investigate the functional properties that govern retinocollicular signaling in a cell type-specific manner by identifying GABAergic SC neurons using optotagging in VGAT-ChR2 mice. Our results demonstrate that both excitatory and inhibitory SC neurons receive comparably strong RGC inputs and similar wiring rules apply for RGCs innervation of both SC cell types, unlike the cell type-specific connectivity in the thalamocortical system. Moreover, retinal activity contributed more to the spiking activity of postsynaptic excitatory compared to inhibitory SC neurons. This study deepens our understanding of cell type-specific retinocollicular functional connectivity and emphasizes that the two major brain areas for visual processing, the visual cortex and the SC, differently integrate sensory afferent inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Gehr
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience BerlinBerlinGermany
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Jeremie Sibille
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience BerlinBerlinGermany
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Jens Kremkow
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience BerlinBerlinGermany
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences BerlinBerlinGermany
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4
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Gorin AS, Miao Y, Ahn S, Suresh V, Su Y, Ciftcioglu UM, Sommer FT, Hirsch JA. Local interneurons in the murine visual thalamus have diverse receptive fields and can provide feature selective inhibition to relay cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.10.549394. [PMID: 37609295 PMCID: PMC10441385 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.10.549394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
By influencing the type and quality of information that relay cells transmit, local interneurons in thalamus have a powerful impact on cortex. To define the sensory features that these inhibitory neurons encode, we mapped receptive fields of optogenetically identified cells in the murine dorsolateral geniculate nucleus. Although few in number, local interneurons had diverse types of receptive fields, like their counterpart relay cells. This result differs markedly from visual cortex, where inhibitory cells are typically less selective than excitatory cells. To explore how thalamic interneurons might converge on relay cells, we took a computational approach. Using an evolutionary algorithm to search through a library of interneuron models generated from our results, we show that aggregated output from different groups of local interneurons can simulate the inhibitory component of the relay cell's receptive field. Thus, our work provides proof-of-concept that groups of diverse interneurons can supply feature-specific inhibition to relay cells.
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5
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Feord RC, Gomoliszewska A, Pienaar A, Mouland JW, Brown TM. Colour opponency is widespread across the mouse subcortical visual system and differentially targets GABAergic and non-GABAergic neurons. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9313. [PMID: 37291239 PMCID: PMC10250360 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35885-z] [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: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Colour vision plays many important roles in animal behaviour but the brain pathways processing colour remain surprisingly poorly understood, including in the most commonly used laboratory mammal, mice. Indeed, particular features of mouse retinal organisation present challenges in defining the mechanisms underlying colour vision in mice and have led to suggestions that this may substantially rely on 'non-classical' rod-cone opponency. By contrast, studies using mice with altered cone spectral sensitivity, to facilitate application of photoreceptor-selective stimuli, have revealed widespread cone-opponency across the subcortical visual system. To determine the extent to which such findings are truly reflective of wildtype mouse colour vision, and facilitate neural circuit mapping of colour-processing pathways using intersectional genetic approaches, we here establish and validate stimuli for selectively manipulating excitation of the native mouse S- and M-cone opsin classes. We then use these to confirm the widespread appearance of cone-opponency (> 25% of neurons) across the mouse visual thalamus and pretectum. We further extend these approaches to map the occurrence of colour-opponency across optogenetically identified GABAergic (GAD2-expressing) cells in key non-image forming visual centres (pretectum and intergeniculate leaflet/ventral lateral geniculate; IGL/vLGN). Strikingly, throughout, we find S-ON/M-OFF opponency is specifically enriched in non-GABAergic cells, with identified GABAergic cells in the IGL/VLGN entirely lacking this property. Collectively, therefore, we establish an important new approach for studying cone function in mice, confirming a surprisingly extensive appearance of cone-opponent processing in the mouse visual system and providing new insight into functional specialisation of the pathways processing such signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Feord
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - A Gomoliszewska
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - A Pienaar
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - J W Mouland
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - T M Brown
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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Pritz MB. Evolution of Local Circuit Neurons in Two Sensory Thalamic Nuclei in Amniotes. BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2023; 98:183-193. [PMID: 36972575 DOI: 10.1159/000530316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Local circuit neurons are present in the thalamus of all vertebrates where they are considered inhibitory. They play an important role in computation and influence the transmission of information from the thalamus to the telencephalon. In mammals, the percentage of local circuit neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus remains relatively constant across a variety of species. In contrast, the numbers of local circuit neurons in the ventral division of the medial geniculate body in mammals vary significantly depending on the species examined. To explain these observations, the numbers of local circuit neurons were investigated by reviewing the literature on this subject in these two nuclei in mammals and their respective homologs in sauropsids and by providing additional data on a crocodilian. Local circuit neurons are present in the dorsal geniculate nucleus of sauropsids just as is the case for this nucleus in mammals. However, sauropsids lack local circuits neurons in the auditory thalamic nuclei homologous to the ventral division of the medial geniculate body. A cladistic analysis of these results suggests that differences in the numbers of local circuit neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of amniotes reflect an elaboration of these local circuit neurons as a result of evolution from a common ancestor. In contrast, the numbers of local circuit neurons in the ventral division of the medial geniculate body changed independently in several mammalian lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B Pritz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- DENLABS, Draper, Utah, USA
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7
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Somaiya RD, Stebbins K, Gingrich EC, Xie H, Campbell JN, Garcia ADR, Fox MA. Sonic hedgehog-dependent recruitment of GABAergic interneurons into the developing visual thalamus. eLife 2022; 11:e79833. [PMID: 36342840 PMCID: PMC9640189 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) play critical roles in the development of inhibitory circuits in visual thalamus. We previously reported that RGC axons signal astrocytes to induce the expression of fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15), a motogen required for GABAergic interneuron migration into visual thalamus. However, how retinal axons induce thalamic astrocytes to generate Fgf15 and influence interneuron migration remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that impairing RGC activity had little impact on interneuron recruitment into mouse visual thalamus. Instead, our data show that retinal-derived sonic hedgehog (SHH) is essential for interneuron recruitment. Specifically, we show that thalamus-projecting RGCs express SHH and thalamic astrocytes generate downstream components of SHH signaling. Deletion of RGC-derived SHH leads to a significant decrease in Fgf15 expression, as well as in the percentage of interneurons recruited into visual thalamus. Overall, our findings identify a morphogen-dependent neuron-astrocyte signaling mechanism essential for the migration of thalamic interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachana Deven Somaiya
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech CarilionRoanokeUnited States
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia TechBlacksburgUnited States
| | - Katelyn Stebbins
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech CarilionRoanokeUnited States
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia TechBlacksburgUnited States
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of MedicineRoanokeUnited States
| | - Ellen C Gingrich
- Department of Biology, Drexel UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of MedicinePhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Hehuang Xie
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute at Virginia TechBlacksburgUnited States
- School of Neuroscience, College of Science, Virginia TechBlacksburgUnited States
- Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Virginia TechBlacksburgUnited States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary MedicineBlacksburgUnited States
| | - John N Campbell
- Department of Biology, University of VirginiaCharlottesvilleUnited States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of VirginiaCharlottesvilleUnited States
| | - A Denise R Garcia
- Department of Biology, Drexel UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of MedicinePhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Michael A Fox
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech CarilionRoanokeUnited States
- School of Neuroscience, College of Science, Virginia TechBlacksburgUnited States
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Virginia TechBlacksburgUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Tech Carilion School of MedicineRoanokeUnited States
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8
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MouseNet: A biologically constrained convolutional neural network model for the mouse visual cortex. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010427. [PMID: 36067234 PMCID: PMC9481165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Convolutional neural networks trained on object recognition derive inspiration from the neural architecture of the visual system in mammals, and have been used as models of the feedforward computation performed in the primate ventral stream. In contrast to the deep hierarchical organization of primates, the visual system of the mouse has a shallower arrangement. Since mice and primates are both capable of visually guided behavior, this raises questions about the role of architecture in neural computation. In this work, we introduce a novel framework for building a biologically constrained convolutional neural network model of the mouse visual cortex. The architecture and structural parameters of the network are derived from experimental measurements, specifically the 100-micrometer resolution interareal connectome, the estimates of numbers of neurons in each area and cortical layer, and the statistics of connections between cortical layers. This network is constructed to support detailed task-optimized models of mouse visual cortex, with neural populations that can be compared to specific corresponding populations in the mouse brain. Using a well-studied image classification task as our working example, we demonstrate the computational capability of this mouse-sized network. Given its relatively small size, MouseNet achieves roughly 2/3rds the performance level on ImageNet as VGG16. In combination with the large scale Allen Brain Observatory Visual Coding dataset, we use representational similarity analysis to quantify the extent to which MouseNet recapitulates the neural representation in mouse visual cortex. Importantly, we provide evidence that optimizing for task performance does not improve similarity to the corresponding biological system beyond a certain point. We demonstrate that the distributions of some physiological quantities are closer to the observed distributions in the mouse brain after task training. We encourage the use of the MouseNet architecture by making the code freely available. Task-driven deep neural networks have shown great potential in predicting functional responses of biological neurons. Nevertheless, they are not precise biological analogues, raising questions about how they should be interpreted. Here, we build new deep neural network models of the mouse visual cortex (MouseNet) that are biologically constrained in detail, not only in terms of the basic structure of their connectivity, but also in terms of the count and hence density of neurons within each area, and the spatial extent of their projections. Equipped with the MouseNet model, we can address key questions about mesoscale brain architecture and its role in task learning and performance. We ask, and provide a first set of answers, to: What is the performance of a mouse brain-sized—and mouse brain-structured—model on benchmark image classification tasks? How does the training of a network on this task affect the functional properties of specified layers within the biologically constrained architecture—both overall, and in comparison with recorded function of mouse neurons? We anticipate much future work on allied questions, and the development of more sophisticated models in both mouse and other species, based on the freely available MouseNet model and code which we develop and provide here.
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Weil T, Daly KM, Yarur Castillo H, Thomsen MB, Wang H, Mercau ME, Hattar S, Tejeda H, Fernandez DC. Daily changes in light influence mood via inhibitory networks within the thalamic perihabenular nucleus. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn3567. [PMID: 35687680 PMCID: PMC9187232 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn3567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to irregular lighting schedules leads to deficits in affective behaviors. The retino-recipient perihabenular nucleus (PHb) of the dorsal thalamus has been shown to mediate these effects in mice. However, the mechanisms of how light information is processed within the PHb remains unknown. Here, we show that the PHb contains a distinct cluster of GABAergic neurons that receive direct retinal input. These neurons are part of a larger inhibitory network composed of the thalamic reticular nucleus and zona incerta, known to modulate thalamocortical communication. In addition, PHbGABA neurons locally modulate excitatory-relay neurons, which project to limbic centers. Chronic exposure to irregular light-dark cycles alters photo-responsiveness and synaptic output of PHbGABA neurons, disrupting daily oscillations of genes associated with inhibitory and excitatory PHb signaling. Consequently, selective and chronic PHbGABA manipulation results in mood alterations that mimic those caused by irregular light exposure. Together, light-mediated disruption of PHb inhibitory networks underlies mood deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tenley Weil
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms (SLCR), National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - K. M. Daly
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms (SLCR), National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Hector Yarur Castillo
- Unit on Neuromodulation and Synaptic Integration, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michael B. Thomsen
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms (SLCR), National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Huikun Wang
- Unit on Neuromodulation and Synaptic Integration, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Maria E. Mercau
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Samer Hattar
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms (SLCR), National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hugo Tejeda
- Unit on Neuromodulation and Synaptic Integration, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Diego C. Fernandez
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms (SLCR), National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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10
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Sokhadze G, Campbell PW, Charalambakis N, Govindaiah G, Guido W, McGee AW. Cre driver mouse lines for thalamocortical circuit mapping. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:1049-1063. [PMID: 34545582 PMCID: PMC9891227 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25248] [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: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Subpopulations of neurons and associated neural circuits can be targeted in mice with genetic tools in a highly selective manner for visualization and manipulation. However, there are not well-defined Cre "driver" lines that target the expression of Cre recombinase to thalamocortical (TC) neurons. Here, we characterize three Cre driver lines for the nuclei of the dorsal thalamus: Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 3 (Olig3)-Cre, histidine decarboxylase (HDC)-Cre, and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-Cre. We examined the postnatal distribution of Cre expression for each of these lines with the Cre-dependent reporter CAG-tdTomato (Ai9). Cre-dependent expression of tdTomato reveals that Olig3-Cre expresses broadly within the thalamus, including TC neurons and interneurons, while HDC-Cre and CRH-Cre each have unique patterns of expression restricted to TC neurons within and across the sensory relay nuclei of the dorsal thalamus. Cre expression is present by the time of natural birth in all three lines, underscoring their utility for developmental studies. To demonstrate the utility of these Cre drivers for studying sensory TC circuitry, we targeted the expression of channelrhodopsin-2 to thalamus from the CAG-COP4*H134R/EYFP (Ai32) allele with either HDC-Cre or CRH-Cre. Optogenetic activation of TC afferents in primary visual cortex was sufficient to measure frequency-dependent depression. Thus, these Cre drivers provide selective Cre-dependent gene expression in thalamus suitable for both anatomical and functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guela Sokhadze
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology University of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville Kentucky USA
| | - Peter W. Campbell
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology University of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville Kentucky USA
| | - Naomi Charalambakis
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology University of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville Kentucky USA
| | - Gubbi Govindaiah
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology University of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville Kentucky USA
| | - William Guido
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology University of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville Kentucky USA
| | - Aaron W. McGee
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology University of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville Kentucky USA
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11
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Sabbagh U, Govindaiah G, Somaiya RD, Ha RV, Wei JC, Guido W, Fox MA. Diverse GABAergic neurons organize into subtype-specific sublaminae in the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus. J Neurochem 2021; 159:479-497. [PMID: 32497303 PMCID: PMC8210463 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In the visual system, retinal axons convey visual information from the outside world to dozens of distinct retinorecipient brain regions and organize that information at several levels, including either at the level of retinal afferents, cytoarchitecture of intrinsic retinorecipient neurons, or a combination of the two. Two major retinorecipient nuclei which are densely innervated by retinal axons are the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, which is important for classical image-forming vision, and ventral LGN (vLGN), which is associated with non-image-forming vision. The neurochemistry, cytoarchitecture, and retinothalamic connectivity in vLGN remain unresolved, raising fundamental questions of how it receives and processes visual information. To shed light on these important questions, used in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and genetic reporter lines to identify and characterize novel neuronal cell types in mouse vLGN. Not only were a high percentage of these cells GABAergic, we discovered transcriptomically distinct GABAergic cell types reside in the two major laminae of vLGN, the retinorecipient, external vLGN (vLGNe) and the non-retinorecipient, internal vLGN (vLGNi). Furthermore, within vLGNe, we identified transcriptionally distinct subtypes of GABAergic cells that are distributed into four adjacent sublaminae. Using trans-synaptic viral tracing and in vitro electrophysiology, we found cells in each these vLGNe sublaminae receive monosynaptic inputs from retina. These results not only identify novel subtypes of GABAergic cells in vLGN, they suggest the subtype-specific laminar distribution of retinorecipient cells in vLGNe may be important for receiving, processing, and transmitting light-derived signals in parallel channels of the subcortical visual system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ubadah Sabbagh
- Center for Neurobiology ResearchFralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech CarilionRoanokeVAUSA
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and HealthVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
| | - Gubbi Govindaiah
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and NeurobiologyUniversity of Louisville School of MedicineLouisvilleKYUSA
| | - Rachana D. Somaiya
- Center for Neurobiology ResearchFralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech CarilionRoanokeVAUSA
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and HealthVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
| | - Ryan V. Ha
- School of NeuroscienceVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
| | - Jessica C. Wei
- NeuroSURFFralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech CarilionRoanokeVAUSA
| | - William Guido
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and NeurobiologyUniversity of Louisville School of MedicineLouisvilleKYUSA
| | - Michael A. Fox
- Center for Neurobiology ResearchFralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech CarilionRoanokeVAUSA
- School of NeuroscienceVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
- Department of PediatricsVirginia Tech Carilion School of MedicineRoanokeVAUSA
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12
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Baldi P, Vershynin R. A theory of capacity and sparse neural encoding. Neural Netw 2021; 143:12-27. [PMID: 34607696 DOI: 10.1016/j.neunet.2021.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Motivated by biological considerations, we study sparse neural maps from an input layer to a target layer with sparse activity, and specifically the problem of storing K input-target associations (x,y), or memories, when the target vectors y are sparse. We mathematically prove that K undergoes a phase transition and that in general, and somewhat paradoxically, sparsity in the target layers increases the storage capacity of the map. The target vectors can be chosen arbitrarily, including in random fashion, and the memories can be both encoded and decoded by networks trained using local learning rules, including the simple Hebb rule. These results are robust under a variety of statistical assumptions on the data. The proofs rely on elegant properties of random polytopes and sub-gaussian random vector variables. Open problems and connections to capacity theories and polynomial threshold maps are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Baldi
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, United States of America.
| | - Roman Vershynin
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, United States of America.
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13
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Simko J, Markram H. Morphology, physiology and synaptic connectivity of local interneurons in the mouse somatosensory thalamus. J Physiol 2021; 599:5085-5101. [PMID: 34591324 PMCID: PMC9298088 DOI: 10.1113/jp281711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) neurons, projecting across the external medullary lamina, have long been considered to be the only significant source of inhibition of the somatosensory ventral posterior (VP) nuclei of the thalamus. Here we report for the first time effective local inhibition and disinhibition in the VP. Inhibitory interneurons were found in GAD67–GFP‐expressing mice and studied using in vitro multiple patch clamp. Inhibitory interneurons have expansive bipolar or tripolar morphologies, reach across most of the VP nucleus and display low threshold bursting behaviour. They form triadic and non‐triadic synaptic connections onto thalamocortical relay neurons and other interneurons, mediating feedforward inhibition and disinhibition. Synaptic inputs arrive before those expected from the TRN neurons, suggesting that local inhibition plays an early and significant role in the functioning of the somatosensory thalamus.
![]() Key points The physiology and structure of local interneurons in the mouse somatosensory thalamus is described for the first time. Inhibitory interneurons have extensive dendritic arborization providing significant local dendro‐dendritic inhibition in the somatosensory thalamus. Triadic and non‐triadic synaptic connectivity onto thalamic relay neurons and other interneurons provides both local feedforward inhibition and disinhibition. Interneurons of the somatosensory thalamus provide inhibition before the thalamic reticular nucleus, suggesting they play an important role in sensory perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Simko
- Laboratory of Neural Microcircuitry, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Henry Markram
- Laboratory of Neural Microcircuitry, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Blue Brain Project, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
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14
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Limited functional convergence of eye-specific inputs in the retinogeniculate pathway of the mouse. Neuron 2021; 109:2457-2468.e12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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15
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Revealing the Precise Role of Calretinin Neurons in Epilepsy: We Are on the Way. Neurosci Bull 2021; 38:209-222. [PMID: 34324145 PMCID: PMC8821741 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00753-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by hyperexcitability in the brain. Its pathogenesis is classically associated with an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Calretinin (CR) is one of the three major types of calcium-binding proteins present in inhibitory GABAergic neurons. The functions of CR and its role in neural excitability are still unknown. Recent data suggest that CR neurons have diverse neurotransmitters, morphologies, distributions, and functions in different brain regions across various species. Notably, CR neurons in the hippocampus, amygdala, neocortex, and thalamus are extremely susceptible to excitotoxicity in the epileptic brain, but the causal relationship is unknown. In this review, we focus on the heterogeneous functions of CR neurons in different brain regions and their relationship with neural excitability and epilepsy. Importantly, we provide perspectives on future investigations of the role of CR neurons in epilepsy.
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16
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Qiu Y, Zhao Z, Klindt D, Kautzky M, Szatko KP, Schaeffel F, Rifai K, Franke K, Busse L, Euler T. Natural environment statistics in the upper and lower visual field are reflected in mouse retinal specializations. Curr Biol 2021; 31:3233-3247.e6. [PMID: 34107304 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Pressures for survival make sensory circuits adapted to a species' natural habitat and its behavioral challenges. Thus, to advance our understanding of the visual system, it is essential to consider an animal's specific visual environment by capturing natural scenes, characterizing their statistical regularities, and using them to probe visual computations. Mice, a prominent visual system model, have salient visual specializations, being dichromatic with enhanced sensitivity to green and UV in the dorsal and ventral retina, respectively. However, the characteristics of their visual environment that likely have driven these adaptations are rarely considered. Here, we built a UV-green-sensitive camera to record footage from mouse habitats. This footage is publicly available as a resource for mouse vision research. We found chromatic contrast to greatly diverge in the upper, but not the lower, visual field. Moreover, training a convolutional autoencoder on upper, but not lower, visual field scenes was sufficient for the emergence of color-opponent filters, suggesting that this environmental difference might have driven superior chromatic opponency in the ventral mouse retina, supporting color discrimination in the upper visual field. Furthermore, the upper visual field was biased toward dark UV contrasts, paralleled by more light-offset-sensitive ganglion cells in the ventral retina. Finally, footage recorded at twilight suggests that UV promotes aerial predator detection. Our findings support that natural scene statistics shaped early visual processing in evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongrong Qiu
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience (GTC), International Max Planck Research School, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zhijian Zhao
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - David Klindt
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience (GTC), International Max Planck Research School, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Magdalena Kautzky
- Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN), LMU Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Klaudia P Szatko
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience (GTC), International Max Planck Research School, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Centre for Computational Neuroscience, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Frank Schaeffel
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Rifai
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, 73430 Aalen, Germany
| | - Katrin Franke
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Centre for Computational Neuroscience, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Laura Busse
- Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; Bernstein Centre for Computational Neuroscience, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Thomas Euler
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Bernstein Centre for Computational Neuroscience, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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17
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O'Reilly C, Iavarone E, Yi J, Hill SL. Rodent somatosensory thalamocortical circuitry: Neurons, synapses, and connectivity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 126:213-235. [PMID: 33766672 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
As our understanding of the thalamocortical system deepens, the questions we face become more complex. Their investigation requires the adoption of novel experimental approaches complemented with increasingly sophisticated computational modeling. In this review, we take stock of current data and knowledge about the circuitry of the somatosensory thalamocortical loop in rodents, discussing common principles across modalities and species whenever appropriate. We review the different levels of organization, including the cells, synapses, neuroanatomy, and network connectivity. We provide a complete overview of this system that should be accessible for newcomers to this field while nevertheless being comprehensive enough to serve as a reference for seasoned neuroscientists and computational modelers studying the thalamocortical system. We further highlight key gaps in data and knowledge that constitute pressing targets for future experimental work. Filling these gaps would provide invaluable information for systematically unveiling how this system supports behavioral and cognitive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian O'Reilly
- Azrieli Centre for Autism Research, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Ronin Institute, Montclair, NJ, USA; Blue Brain Project, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Elisabetta Iavarone
- Blue Brain Project, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jane Yi
- Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sean L Hill
- Blue Brain Project, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.
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18
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Atapour N, Worthy KH, Rosa MGP. Neurochemical changes in the primate lateral geniculate nucleus following lesions of striate cortex in infancy and adulthood: implications for residual vision and blindsight. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 226:2763-2775. [PMID: 33743077 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02257-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Following lesions of the primary visual cortex (V1), the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) undergoes substantial cell loss due to retrograde degeneration. However, visually responsive neurons remain in the degenerated sector of LGN, and these have been implicated in mediation of residual visual capacities that remain within the affected sectors of the visual field. Using immunohistochemistry, we compared the neurochemical characteristics of LGN neurons in V1-lesioned marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) with those of non-lesioned control animals. We found that GABAergic neurons form approximately 6.5% of the neuronal population in the normal LGN, where most of these cells express the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin. Following long-term V1 lesions in adult monkeys, we observed a marked increase (~ sevenfold) in the proportion of GABA-expressing neurons in the degenerated sector of the LGN, indicating that GABAergic cells are less affected by retrograde degeneration in comparison with magno- and parvocellular projection neurons. In addition, following early postnatal V1 lesions and survival into adulthood, we found widespread expression of GABA in putative projection neurons, even outside the degenerated sectors (lesion projection zones). Our findings show that changes in the ratio of GABAergic neurons in LGN need to be taken into account in the interpretation of the mechanisms of visual abilities that survive V1 lesions in primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafiseh Atapour
- Neuroscience Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia. .,Australian Research Council, Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Monash University Node, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Katrina H Worthy
- Neuroscience Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Marcello G P Rosa
- Neuroscience Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.,Australian Research Council, Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Monash University Node, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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19
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Fiuza FP, Queiroz JPG, Aquino ACQ, Câmara DA, Brandão LEM, Lima RH, Cavalcanti JRLP, Engelberth RCGJ, Cavalcante JS. Aging Alters Daily and Regional Calretinin Neuronal Expression in the Rat Non-image Forming Visual Thalamus. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:613305. [PMID: 33716710 PMCID: PMC7943479 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.613305] [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: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging affects the overall physiology, including the image-forming and non-image forming visual systems. Among the components of the latter, the thalamic retinorecipient inter-geniculate leaflet (IGL) and ventral lateral geniculate (vLGN) nucleus conveys light information to subcortical regions, adjusting visuomotor, and circadian functions. It is noteworthy that several visual related cells, such as neuronal subpopulations in the IGL and vLGN are neurochemically characterized by the presence of calcium binding proteins. Calretinin (CR), a representative of such proteins, denotes region-specificity in a temporal manner by variable day–night expression. In parallel, age-related brain dysfunction and neurodegeneration are associated with abnormal intracellular concentrations of calcium. Here, we investigated whether daily changes in the number of CR neurons are a feature of the aged IGL and vLGN in rats. To this end, we perfused rats, ranging from 3 to 24 months of age, within distinct phases of the day, namely zeitgeber times (ZTs). Then, we evaluated CR immunolabeling through design-based stereological cell estimation. We observed distinct daily rhythms of CR expression in the IGL and in both the retinorecipient (vLGNe) and non-retinorecipient (vLGNi) portions of the vLGN. In the ZT 6, the middle of the light phase, the CR cells are reduced with aging in the IGL and vLGNe. In the ZT 12, the transition between light to dark, an age-related CR loss was found in all nuclei. While CR expression predominates in specific spatial domains of vLGN, age-related changes appear not to be restricted at particular portions. No alterations were found in the dark/light transition or in the middle of the dark phase, ZTs 0, and 18, respectively. These results are relevant in the understanding of how aging shifts the phenotype of visual related cells at topographically organized channels of visuomotor and circadian processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe P Fiuza
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, Brazil
| | - José Pablo G Queiroz
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, Brazil
| | - Antônio Carlos Q Aquino
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Diego A Câmara
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Luiz Eduardo M Brandão
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.,Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ramon H Lima
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, Brazil
| | - José Rodolfo L P Cavalcanti
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, University of State of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Rovena Clara G J Engelberth
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Jeferson S Cavalcante
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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20
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Jager P, Moore G, Calpin P, Durmishi X, Salgarella I, Menage L, Kita Y, Wang Y, Kim DW, Blackshaw S, Schultz SR, Brickley S, Shimogori T, Delogu A. Dual midbrain and forebrain origins of thalamic inhibitory interneurons. eLife 2021; 10:e59272. [PMID: 33522480 PMCID: PMC7906600 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitous presence of inhibitory interneurons in the thalamus of primates contrasts with the sparsity of interneurons reported in mice. Here, we identify a larger than expected complexity and distribution of interneurons across the mouse thalamus, where all thalamic interneurons can be traced back to two developmental programmes: one specified in the midbrain and the other in the forebrain. Interneurons migrate to functionally distinct thalamocortical nuclei depending on their origin: the abundant, midbrain-derived class populates the first and higher order sensory thalamus while the rarer, forebrain-generated class is restricted to some higher order associative regions. We also observe that markers for the midbrain-born class are abundantly expressed throughout the thalamus of the New World monkey marmoset. These data therefore reveal that, despite the broad variability in interneuron density across mammalian species, the blueprint of the ontogenetic organisation of thalamic interneurons of larger-brained mammals exists and can be studied in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polona Jager
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Gerald Moore
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences and Centre for Neurotechnology, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Padraic Calpin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Xhuljana Durmishi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Irene Salgarella
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Lucy Menage
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Yan Wang
- RIKEN, Center for Brain Science (CBS)SaitamaJapan
| | - Dong Won Kim
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Simon R Schultz
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Stephen Brickley
- Department of Life Sciences and Centre for Neurotechnology, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Alessio Delogu
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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21
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Bjerke IE, Yates SC, Laja A, Witter MP, Puchades MA, Bjaalie JG, Leergaard TB. Densities and numbers of calbindin and parvalbumin positive neurons across the rat and mouse brain. iScience 2021; 24:101906. [PMID: 33385111 PMCID: PMC7770605 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin and calbindin are expressed in neuronal populations regulating brain networks involved in spatial navigation, memory processes, and social interactions. Information about the numbers of these neurons across brain regions is required to understand their functional roles but is scarcely available. Employing semi-automated image analysis, we performed brain-wide analysis of immunohistochemically stained parvalbumin and calbindin sections and show that these neurons distribute in complementary patterns across the mouse brain. Parvalbumin neurons dominate in areas related to sensorimotor processing and navigation, whereas calbindin neurons prevail in regions reflecting behavioral states. We also find that parvalbumin neurons distribute according to similar principles in the hippocampal region of the rat and mouse brain. We validated our results against manual counts and evaluated variability of results among researchers. Comparison of our results to previous reports showed that neuron numbers vary, whereas patterns of relative densities and numbers are consistent. Brain-wide, semi-automatic quantification of parvalbumin and calbindin neurons Largely complementary distribution of calbindin and parvalbumin neurons in mice Comparison with several previous studies shows variable numbers but similar trends Similar distribution of parvalbumin neurons in the rat and mouse hippocampal region
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingvild E Bjerke
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sharon C Yates
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arthur Laja
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Menno P Witter
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Maja A Puchades
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan G Bjaalie
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trygve B Leergaard
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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22
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Alvarado JA, Dhande OS, Prosseda PP, Kowal TJ, Ning K, Jabbehdari S, Hu Y, Sun Y. Developmental distribution of primary cilia in the retinofugal visual pathway. J Comp Neurol 2020; 529:1442-1455. [PMID: 32939774 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian visual system is composed of circuitry connecting sensory input from the retina to the processing core of the visual cortex. The two main retinorecipient brain targets, the superior colliculus (SC) and dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), bridge retinal input and visual output. The primary cilium is a conserved organelle increasingly viewed as a critical sensor for the regulation of developmental and homeostatic pathways in most mammalian cell types. Moreover, cilia have been described as crucial for neurogenesis, neuronal maturation, and survival in the cortex and retina. However, cilia in the visual relay center remain to be fully described. In this study, we characterized the ciliation profile of the SC and dLGN and found that the overall number of ciliated cells declined during development. Interestingly, shorter ciliated cells in both regions were identified as neurons, whose numbers remained stable over time, suggesting that cilia retention is a critical feature for optimal neuronal function in SC and dLGN. Our study suggests that primary cilia are important for neuronal maturation and function in cells of the SC and dLGN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A Alvarado
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Onkar S Dhande
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Philipp P Prosseda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Tia J Kowal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Ke Ning
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Sayena Jabbehdari
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yang Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA.,Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA.,Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.,Palo Alto Veterans Administration, Palo Alto, California, USA
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23
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Babl SS, Rummell BP, Sigurdsson T. The Spatial Extent of Optogenetic Silencing in Transgenic Mice Expressing Channelrhodopsin in Inhibitory Interneurons. Cell Rep 2020; 29:1381-1395.e4. [PMID: 31665647 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.09.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Optogenetic stimulation of inhibitory interneurons has become a commonly used strategy for silencing neuronal activity. This is typically achieved using transgenic mice expressing excitatory opsins in inhibitory interneurons throughout the brain, raising the question of how spatially extensive the resulting inhibition is. Here, we characterize neuronal silencing in VGAT-ChR2 mice, which express channelrhodopsin-2 in inhibitory interneurons, as a function of light intensity and distance from the light source in several cortical and subcortical regions. We show that light stimulation, even at relatively low intensities, causes inhibition not only in brain regions targeted for silencing but also in their subjacent areas. In contrast, virus-mediated expression of an inhibitory opsin enables robust silencing that is restricted to the region of opsin expression. Our results reveal important constraints on using inhibitory interneuron activation to silence neuronal activity and emphasize the necessity of carefully controlling light stimulation parameters when using this silencing strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Stefanie Babl
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Brian Paul Rummell
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Torfi Sigurdsson
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
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24
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Lipiec MA, Bem J, Koziński K, Chakraborty C, Urban-Ciećko J, Zajkowski T, Dąbrowski M, Szewczyk ŁM, Toval A, Ferran JL, Nagalski A, Wiśniewska MB. TCF7L2 regulates postmitotic differentiation programmes and excitability patterns in the thalamus. Development 2020; 147:dev.190181. [PMID: 32675279 PMCID: PMC7473649 DOI: 10.1242/dev.190181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal phenotypes are controlled by terminal selector transcription factors in invertebrates, but only a few examples of such regulators have been provided in vertebrates. We hypothesised that TCF7L2 regulates different stages of postmitotic differentiation in the thalamus, and functions as a thalamic terminal selector. To investigate this hypothesis, we used complete and conditional knockouts of Tcf7l2 in mice. The connectivity and clustering of neurons were disrupted in the thalamo-habenular region in Tcf7l2-/- embryos. The expression of subregional thalamic and habenular transcription factors was lost and region-specific cell migration and axon guidance genes were downregulated. In mice with a postnatal Tcf7l2 knockout, the induction of genes that confer thalamic terminal electrophysiological features was impaired. Many of these genes proved to be direct targets of TCF7L2. The role of TCF7L2 in terminal selection was functionally confirmed by impaired firing modes in thalamic neurons in the mutant mice. These data corroborate the existence of master regulators in the vertebrate brain that control stage-specific genetic programmes and regional subroutines, maintain regional transcriptional network during embryonic development, and induce terminal selection postnatally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Andrzej Lipiec
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland.,Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Bem
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kamil Koziński
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Chaitali Chakraborty
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Tomasz Zajkowski
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Dąbrowski
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Pasteur 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Angel Toval
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca Institute, Campus de la Salud, 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - José Luis Ferran
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca Institute, Campus de la Salud, 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Andrzej Nagalski
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
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25
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Context-dependent and dynamic functional influence of corticothalamic pathways to first- and higher-order visual thalamus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:13066-13077. [PMID: 32461374 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2002080117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Layer 6 (L6) is the sole purveyor of corticothalamic (CT) feedback to first-order thalamus and also sends projections to higher-order thalamus, yet how it engages the full corticothalamic circuit to contribute to sensory processing in an awake animal remains unknown. We sought to elucidate the functional impact of L6CT projections from the primary visual cortex to the dorsolateral geniculate nucleus (first-order) and pulvinar (higher-order) using optogenetics and extracellular electrophysiology in awake mice. While sustained L6CT photostimulation suppresses activity in both visual thalamic nuclei in vivo, moderate-frequency (10 Hz) stimulation powerfully facilitates thalamic spiking. We show that each stimulation paradigm differentially influences the balance between monosynaptic excitatory and disynaptic inhibitory corticothalamic pathways to the dorsolateral geniculate nucleus and pulvinar, as well as the prevalence of burst versus tonic firing. Altogether, our results support a model in which L6CTs modulate first- and higher-order thalamus through parallel excitatory and inhibitory pathways that are highly dynamic and context-dependent.
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26
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Chou XL, Fang Q, Yan L, Zhong W, Peng B, Li H, Wei J, Tao HW, Zhang LI. Contextual and cross-modality modulation of auditory cortical processing through pulvinar mediated suppression. eLife 2020; 9:e54157. [PMID: 32142411 PMCID: PMC7080503 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Lateral posterior nucleus (LP) of thalamus, the rodent homologue of primate pulvinar, projects extensively to sensory cortices. However, its functional role in sensory cortical processing remains largely unclear. Here, bidirectional activity modulations of LP or its projection to the primary auditory cortex (A1) in awake mice reveal that LP improves auditory processing in A1 supragranular-layer neurons by sharpening their receptive fields and frequency tuning, as well as increasing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This is achieved through a subtractive-suppression mechanism, mediated largely by LP-to-A1 axons preferentially innervating specific inhibitory neurons in layer 1 and superficial layers. LP is strongly activated by specific sensory signals relayed from the superior colliculus (SC), contributing to the maintenance and enhancement of A1 processing in the presence of auditory background noise and threatening visual looming stimuli respectively. Thus, a multisensory bottom-up SC-pulvinar-A1 pathway plays a role in contextual and cross-modality modulation of auditory cortical processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-lin Chou
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Qi Fang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Linqing Yan
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Wen Zhong
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Bo Peng
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Haifu Li
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Jinxing Wei
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Huizhong W Tao
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Li I Zhang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
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27
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Su J, Charalambakis NE, Sabbagh U, Somaiya RD, Monavarfeshani A, Guido W, Fox MA. Retinal inputs signal astrocytes to recruit interneurons into visual thalamus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:2671-2682. [PMID: 31964831 PMCID: PMC7007527 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1913053117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory interneurons comprise a fraction of the total neurons in the visual thalamus but are essential for sharpening receptive field properties and improving contrast-gain of retinogeniculate transmission. During early development, these interneurons undergo long-range migration from germinal zones, a process regulated by the innervation of the visual thalamus by retinal ganglion cells. Here, using transcriptomic approaches, we identified a motogenic cue, fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15), whose expression in the visual thalamus is regulated by retinal input. Targeted deletion of functional FGF15 in mice led to a reduction in thalamic GABAergic interneurons similar to that observed in the absence of retinal input. This loss may be attributed, at least in part, to misrouting of interneurons into nonvisual thalamic nuclei. Unexpectedly, expression analysis revealed that FGF15 is generated by thalamic astrocytes and not retino-recipient neurons. Thus, these data show that retinal inputs signal through astrocytes to direct the long-range recruitment of interneurons into the visual thalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianmin Su
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA 24016
| | - Naomi E Charalambakis
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202
| | - Ubadah Sabbagh
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA 24016
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - Rachana D Somaiya
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA 24016
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - Aboozar Monavarfeshani
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA 24016
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - William Guido
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202;
| | - Michael A Fox
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA 24016;
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016
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28
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Fang Q, Chou XL, Peng B, Zhong W, Zhang LI, Tao HW. A Differential Circuit via Retino-Colliculo-Pulvinar Pathway Enhances Feature Selectivity in Visual Cortex through Surround Suppression. Neuron 2019; 105:355-369.e6. [PMID: 31812514 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In the mammalian visual system, information from the retina streams into parallel bottom-up pathways. It remains unclear how these pathways interact to contribute to contextual modulation of visual cortical processing. By optogenetic inactivation and activation of mouse lateral posterior nucleus (LP) of thalamus, a homolog of pulvinar, or its projection to primary visual cortex (V1), we found that LP contributes to surround suppression of layer (L) 2/3 responses in V1 by driving L1 inhibitory neurons. This results in subtractive suppression of visual responses and an overall enhancement of orientation, direction, spatial, and size selectivity. Neurons in V1-projecting LP regions receive bottom-up input from the superior colliculus (SC) and respond preferably to non-patterned visual noise. The noise-dependent LP activity allows V1 to "cancel" noise effects and maintain its orientation selectivity under varying noise background. Thus, the retina-SC-LP-V1 pathway forms a differential circuit with the canonical retino-geniculate pathway to achieve context-dependent sharpening of visual representations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Fang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Xiao-Lin Chou
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Bo Peng
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Wen Zhong
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Li I Zhang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
| | - Huizhong Whit Tao
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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29
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Nakagawa Y. Development of the thalamus: From early patterning to regulation of cortical functions. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 8:e345. [PMID: 31034163 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The thalamus is a brain structure of the vertebrate diencephalon that plays a central role in regulating diverse functions of the cerebral cortex. In traditional view of vertebrate neuroanatomy, the thalamus includes three regions, dorsal thalamus, ventral thalamus, and epithalamus. Recent molecular embryological studies have redefined the thalamus and the associated axial nomenclature of the diencephalon in the context of forebrain patterning. This new view has provided a useful conceptual framework for studies on molecular mechanisms of patterning, neurogenesis and fate specification in the thalamus as well as the guidance mechanisms for thalamocortical axons. Additionally, the availability of genetic tools in mice has led to important findings on how thalamic development is linked to the development of other brain regions, particularly the cerebral cortex. This article will give an overview of the organization of the embryonic thalamus and how progenitor cells in the thalamus generate neurons that are organized into discrete nuclei. I will then discuss how thalamic development is orchestrated with the development of the cerebral cortex and other brain regions. This article is categorized under: Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: Regional Development Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Nakagawa
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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30
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Developmental Remodeling of Thalamic Interneurons Requires Retinal Signaling. J Neurosci 2019; 39:3856-3866. [PMID: 30842249 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2224-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of the mouse is a model system to study the development of thalamic circuitry. Most studies focus on relay neurons of dLGN, yet little is known about the development of the other principal cell type, intrinsic interneurons. Here we examined whether the structure and function of interneurons relies on retinal signaling. We took a loss-of-function approach and crossed GAD67-GFP mice, which express GFP in dLGN interneurons, with math5 nulls (math5-/-), mutants that lack retinal ganglion cells and retinofugal projections. In vitro recordings and 3-D reconstructions of biocytin-filled interneurons at different postnatal ages showed their development is a multistaged process involving migration, arbor remodeling, and synapse formation. Arbor remodeling begins during the second postnatal week, after migration to and dispersion within dLGN is complete. This phase includes a period of exuberant branching where arbors grow in number, complexity, and field size. Such growth is followed by branch pruning and stabilization, as interneurons adopt a bipolar architecture. The absence of retinal signaling disrupts this process. The math5-/- interneurons fail to branch and prune, and instead maintain a simple, sparse architecture. To test how such defects influence connectivity with dLGN relay neurons, we used DHPG [(RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine], the mGluR1,5 agonist that targets F2 terminals. This led to substantial increases in IPSC activity among WT relay neurons but had little impact in math5-/- mice. Together, these data suggest that retinal signaling is needed to support the arbor elaboration and synaptic connectivity of dLGN interneurons.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Presently, our understanding about the development of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus is limited to circuits involving excitatory thalamocortical relay neurons. Here we show that the other principal cell type, intrinsic interneurons, has a multistaged developmental plan that relies on retinal innervation. These findings indicate that signaling from the periphery guides the maturation of interneurons and the establishment of inhibitory thalamic circuits.
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31
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Murata Y, Colonnese MT. Thalamic inhibitory circuits and network activity development. Brain Res 2019; 1706:13-23. [PMID: 30366019 PMCID: PMC6363901 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitory circuits in thalamus and cortex shape the major activity patterns observed by electroencephalogram (EEG) in the adult brain. Their delayed maturation and circuit integration, relative to excitatory neurons, suggest inhibitory neuronal development could be responsible for the onset of mature thalamocortical activity. Indeed, the immature brain lacks many inhibition-dependent activity patterns, such as slow-waves, delta oscillations and sleep-spindles, and instead expresses other unique oscillatory activities in multiple species including humans. Thalamus contributes significantly to the generation of these early oscillations. Compared to the abundance of studies on the development of inhibition in cortex, however, the maturation of thalamic inhibition is poorly understood. Here we review developmental changes in the neuronal and circuit properties of the thalamic relay and its interconnected inhibitory thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) both in vitro and in vivo, and discuss their potential contribution to early network activity and its maturation. While much is unknown, we argue that weak inhibitory function in the developing thalamus allows for amplification of thalamocortical activity that supports the generation of early oscillations. The available evidence suggests that the developmental acquisition of critical thalamic oscillations such as slow-waves and sleep-spindles is driven by maturation of the TRN. Further studies to elucidate thalamic GABAergic circuit formation in relation to thalamocortical network function would help us better understand normal as well as pathological brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunobu Murata
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, and Institute for Neuroscience, George Washington University, 2300 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
| | - Matthew T Colonnese
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, and Institute for Neuroscience, George Washington University, 2300 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
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32
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Yagasaki Y, Miyoshi G, Miyata M. Experience-dependent MeCP2 expression in the excitatory cells of mouse visual thalamus. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198268. [PMID: 29847590 PMCID: PMC5976183 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss or gain of copy number of the gene encoding the transcription factor methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) leads to neurodevelopmental disorders (Rett and MeCP2 duplication syndrome), indicating that precisely regulated MeCP2 expression during development is critical for mental health. Consistent with this idea, MeCP2 null mutants exhibit synaptic regression in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), the visual relay center in the thalamus, a phenotype resembling that of animals reared in the dark during the visual sensitive period. It remains unclear how MeCP2 expression is regulated during circuit formation and maturation, especially in excitatory and inhibitory populations of neurons. We found that, concomitant with the initiation of the dark-rearing sensitive period, MeCP2 protein levels were elevated in glutamatergic but not GABAergic neurons of the dLGN. Moreover, MeCP2 expression in glutamatergic populations was selectively reduced by dark-rearing. Therefore, we propose that visual experience-dependent MeCP2 induction in glutamatergic populations is essential for synaptic maturation within the dLGN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Yagasaki
- Department of Physiology I (Neurophysiology), Tokyo Women’s Medical University, School of Medicine, 8–1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Women Health Care Professionals and Researchers Support, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, 8–1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Goichi Miyoshi
- Department of Physiology I (Neurophysiology), Tokyo Women’s Medical University, School of Medicine, 8–1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mariko Miyata
- Department of Physiology I (Neurophysiology), Tokyo Women’s Medical University, School of Medicine, 8–1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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