1
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Li Y, Yu S, Jia X, Qiu X, He J. Defining morphologically and genetically distinct GABAergic/cholinergic amacrine cell subtypes in the vertebrate retina. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002506. [PMID: 38363811 PMCID: PMC10914270 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002506] [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: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
In mammals, retinal direction selectivity originates from GABAergic/cholinergic amacrine cells (ACs) specifically expressing the sox2 gene. However, the cellular diversity of GABAergic/cholinergic ACs of other vertebrate species remains largely unexplored. Here, we identified 2 morphologically and genetically distinct GABAergic/cholinergic AC types in zebrafish, a previously undescribed bhlhe22+ type and a mammalian counterpart sox2+ type. Notably, while sole sox2 disruption removed sox2+ type, the codisruption of bhlhe22 and bhlhe23 was required to remove bhlhe22+ type. Also, both types significantly differed in dendritic arbors, lamination, and soma position. Furthermore, in vivo two-photon calcium imaging and the behavior assay suggested the direction selectivity of both AC types. Nevertheless, the 2 types showed preferential responses to moving bars of different sizes. Thus, our findings provide new cellular diversity and functional characteristics of GABAergic/cholinergic ACs in the vertebrate retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuguang Yu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinling Jia
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoying Qiu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie He
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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2
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Boissonnet T, Tripodi M, Asari H. Awake responses suggest inefficient dense coding in the mouse retina. eLife 2023; 12:e78005. [PMID: 37922200 PMCID: PMC10624425 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78005] [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: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The structure and function of the vertebrate retina have been extensively studied across species with an isolated, ex vivo preparation. Retinal function in vivo, however, remains elusive, especially in awake animals. Here, we performed single-unit extracellular recordings in the optic tract of head-fixed mice to compare the output of awake, anesthetized, and ex vivo retinas. While the visual response properties were overall similar across conditions, we found that awake retinal output had in general (1) faster kinetics with less variability in the response latencies; (2) a larger dynamic range; and (3) higher firing activity, by ~20 Hz on average, for both baseline and visually evoked responses. Our modeling analyses further showed that such awake response patterns convey comparable total information but less efficiently, and allow for a linear population decoder to perform significantly better than the anesthetized or ex vivo responses. These results highlight distinct retinal behavior in awake states, in particular suggesting that the retina employs dense coding in vivo, rather than sparse efficient coding as has been often assumed from ex vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Boissonnet
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology LaboratoryMonterotondoItaly
- Collaboration for joint PhD degree between EMBL and Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des NeurosciencesLa TroncheFrance
| | - Matteo Tripodi
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology LaboratoryMonterotondoItaly
| | - Hiroki Asari
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology LaboratoryMonterotondoItaly
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3
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Ly K, Guo T, Tsai D, Muralidharan M, Shivdasani MN, Lovell NH, Dokos S. Simulating the impact of photoreceptor loss and inner retinal network changes on electrical activity of the retina. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 36368033 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/aca221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Objective.A major reason for poor visual outcomes provided by existing retinal prostheses is the limited knowledge of the impact of photoreceptor loss on retinal remodelling and its subsequent impact on neural responses to electrical stimulation. Computational network models of the neural retina assist in the understanding of normal retinal function but can be also useful for investigating diseased retinal responses to electrical stimulation.Approach.We developed and validated a biophysically detailed discrete neuronal network model of the retina in the software package NEURON. The model includes rod and cone photoreceptors, ON and OFF bipolar cell pathways, amacrine and horizontal cells and finally, ON and OFF retinal ganglion cells with detailed network connectivity and neural intrinsic properties. By accurately controlling the network parameters, we simulated the impact of varying levels of degeneration on retinal electrical function.Main results.Our model was able to reproduce characteristic monophasic and biphasic oscillatory patterns seen in ON and OFF neurons during retinal degeneration (RD). Oscillatory activity occurred at 3 Hz with partial photoreceptor loss and at 6 Hz when all photoreceptor input to the retina was removed. Oscillations were found to gradually weaken, then disappear when synapses and gap junctions were destroyed in the inner retina. Without requiring any changes to intrinsic cellular properties of individual inner retinal neurons, our results suggest that changes in connectivity alone were sufficient to give rise to neural oscillations during photoreceptor degeneration, and significant network connectivity destruction in the inner retina terminated the oscillations.Significance.Our results provide a platform for further understanding physiological retinal changes with progressive photoreceptor and inner RD. Furthermore, our model can be used to guide future stimulation strategies for retinal prostheses to benefit patients at different stages of disease progression, particularly in the early and mid-stages of RD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Ly
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Tianruo Guo
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - David Tsai
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.,School of Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | | | - Mohit N Shivdasani
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Nigel H Lovell
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.,Tyree Institute of Health Engineering (IHealthE), UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Socrates Dokos
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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4
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Ganczer A, Szarka G, Balogh M, Hoffmann G, Tengölics ÁJ, Kenyon G, Kovács-Öller T, Völgyi B. Transience of the Retinal Output Is Determined by a Great Variety of Circuit Elements. Cells 2022; 11:cells11050810. [PMID: 35269432 PMCID: PMC8909309 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) encrypt stimulus features of the visual scene in action potentials and convey them toward higher visual centers in the brain. Although there are many visual features to encode, our recent understanding is that the ~46 different functional subtypes of RGCs in the retina share this task. In this scheme, each RGC subtype establishes a separate, parallel signaling route for a specific visual feature (e.g., contrast, the direction of motion, luminosity), through which information is conveyed. The efficiency of encoding depends on several factors, including signal strength, adaptational levels, and the actual efficacy of the underlying retinal microcircuits. Upon collecting inputs across their respective receptive field, RGCs perform further analysis (e.g., summation, subtraction, weighting) before they generate the final output spike train, which itself is characterized by multiple different features, such as the number of spikes, the inter-spike intervals, response delay, and the rundown time (transience) of the response. These specific kinetic features are essential for target postsynaptic neurons in the brain in order to effectively decode and interpret signals, thereby forming visual perception. We review recent knowledge regarding circuit elements of the mammalian retina that participate in shaping RGC response transience for optimal visual signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Ganczer
- Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (A.G.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (G.H.); (Á.J.T.); (T.K.-Ö.)
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- MTA-PTE NAP 2 Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gergely Szarka
- Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (A.G.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (G.H.); (Á.J.T.); (T.K.-Ö.)
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- MTA-PTE NAP 2 Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Márton Balogh
- Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (A.G.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (G.H.); (Á.J.T.); (T.K.-Ö.)
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- MTA-PTE NAP 2 Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gyula Hoffmann
- Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (A.G.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (G.H.); (Á.J.T.); (T.K.-Ö.)
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- MTA-PTE NAP 2 Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ádám Jonatán Tengölics
- Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (A.G.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (G.H.); (Á.J.T.); (T.K.-Ö.)
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- MTA-PTE NAP 2 Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Garrett Kenyon
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Computer & Computational Science Division, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA;
| | - Tamás Kovács-Öller
- Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (A.G.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (G.H.); (Á.J.T.); (T.K.-Ö.)
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- MTA-PTE NAP 2 Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Béla Völgyi
- Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (A.G.); (G.S.); (M.B.); (G.H.); (Á.J.T.); (T.K.-Ö.)
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- MTA-PTE NAP 2 Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Correspondence:
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5
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Szarka G, Balogh M, Tengölics ÁJ, Ganczer A, Völgyi B, Kovács-Öller T. The role of gap junctions in cell death and neuromodulation in the retina. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1911-1920. [PMID: 33642359 PMCID: PMC8343308 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.308069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Vision altering diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, myopia, retinal vascular disease, traumatic brain injuries and others cripple many lives and are projected to continue to cause anguish in the foreseeable future. Gap junctions serve as an emerging target for neuromodulation and possible regeneration as they directly connect healthy and/or diseased cells, thereby playing a crucial role in pathophysiology. Since they are permeable for macromolecules, able to cross the cellular barriers, they show duality in illness as a cause and as a therapeutic target. In this review, we take recent advancements in gap junction neuromodulation (pharmacological blockade, gene therapy, electrical and light stimulation) into account, to show the gap junction's role in neuronal cell death and the possible routes of rescuing neuronal and glial cells in the retina succeeding illness or injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Szarka
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Márton Balogh
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ádám J. Tengölics
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Alma Ganczer
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Béla Völgyi
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamás Kovács-Öller
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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6
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Balogh B, Szarka G, Tengölics ÁJ, Hoffmann G, Völgyi B, Kovács-Öller T. LED-Induced Microglial Activation and Rise in Caspase3 Suggest a Reorganization in the Retina. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910418. [PMID: 34638759 PMCID: PMC8508983 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vision is our primary sense as the human eye is the gateway for more than 65% of information reaching the human brain. Today's increased exposure to different wavelengths and intensities of light from light emitting diode (LED) sources could induce retinal degeneration and accompanying neuronal cell death. Damage induced by chronic phototoxic reactions occurring in the retina accumulates over years and it has been suggested as being responsible for the etiology of many debilitating ocular conditions. In this work, we examined how LED stimulation affects vision by monitoring changes in the expression of death and survival factors as well as microglial activation in LED-induced damage (LID) of the retinal tissue. We found an LED-exposure-induced increase in the mRNA levels of major apoptosis-related markers BAX, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3 and accompanying widespread microglial and Caspase-3 activation. Everyday LED light exposure was accounted for in all the described changes in the retinal tissue of mice in this study, indicating that overuse of non-filtered direct LED light can have detrimental effects on the human retina as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boglárka Balogh
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.B.); (G.S.); (Á.J.T.); (G.H.); (B.V.)
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gergely Szarka
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.B.); (G.S.); (Á.J.T.); (G.H.); (B.V.)
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ádám J. Tengölics
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.B.); (G.S.); (Á.J.T.); (G.H.); (B.V.)
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gyula Hoffmann
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.B.); (G.S.); (Á.J.T.); (G.H.); (B.V.)
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Béla Völgyi
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.B.); (G.S.); (Á.J.T.); (G.H.); (B.V.)
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamás Kovács-Öller
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.B.); (G.S.); (Á.J.T.); (G.H.); (B.V.)
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Correspondence:
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7
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Kare SS, Rountree CM, Troy JB, Finan JD, Saggere L. Neuromodulation using electroosmosis. J Neural Eng 2021; 18:10.1088/1741-2552/ac00d3. [PMID: 33984848 PMCID: PMC8177066 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac00d3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective.Our laboratory has proposed chemical stimulation of retinal neurons using exogenous glutamate as a biomimetic strategy for treating vision loss caused by photoreceptor (PR) degenerative diseases. Although our previousin-vitrostudies using pneumatic actuation indicate that chemical retinal stimulation is achievable, an actuation technology that is amenable to microfabrication, as needed for anin-vivoimplantable device, has yet to be realized. In this study, we sought to evaluate electroosmotic flow (EOF) as a mechanism for delivering small quantities of glutamate to the retina. EOF has great potential for miniaturization.Approach.An EOF device to dispense small quantities of glutamate was constructed and its ability to drive retinal output tested in anin-vitropreparation of PR degenerate rat retina.Main results.We built and tested an EOF microfluidic system, with 3D printed and off-the-shelf components, capable of injecting small volumes of glutamate in a pulsatile fashion when a low voltage control signal was applied. With this device, we produced excitatory and inhibitory spike rate responses in PR degenerate rat retinae. Glutamate evoked spike rate responses were also observed to be voltage-dependent and localized to the site of injection.Significance.The EOF device performed similarly to a previously tested conventional pneumatic microinjector as a means of chemically stimulating the retina while eliminating the moving plunger of the pneumatic microinjector that would be difficult to miniaturize and parallelize. Although not implantable, the prototype device presented here as a proof of concept indicates that a retinal prosthetic based on EOF-driven chemical stimulation is a viable and worthwhile goal. EOF should have similar advantages for controlled dispensing of charged neurochemicals at any neural interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Siva Kare
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Corey M Rountree
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - John B Troy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States of America
| | - John D Finan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Laxman Saggere
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
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8
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Lee MJ, Zeck G. Electrical Imaging of Light-Induced Signals Across and Within Retinal Layers. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:563964. [PMID: 33328846 PMCID: PMC7717958 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.563964] [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: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian retina processes sensory signals through two major pathways: a vertical excitatory pathway, which involves photoreceptors, bipolar cells, and ganglion cells, and a horizontal inhibitory pathway, which involves horizontal cells, and amacrine cells. This concept explains the generation of an excitatory center—inhibitory surround sensory receptive fields—but fails to explain the modulation of the retinal output by stimuli outside the receptive field. Electrical imaging of light-induced signal propagation at high spatial and temporal resolution across and within different retinal layers might reveal mechanisms and circuits involved in the remote modulation of the retinal output. Here we took advantage of a high-density complementary metal oxide semiconductor-based microelectrode array and investigated the light-induced propagation of local field potentials (LFPs) in vertical mouse retina slices. Surprisingly, the LFP propagation within the different retinal layers depends on stimulus duration and stimulus background. Application of the same spatially restricted light stimuli to flat-mounted retina induced ganglion cell activity at remote distances from the stimulus center. This effect disappeared if a global background was provided or if gap junctions were blocked. We hereby present a neurotechnological approach and demonstrated its application, in which electrical imaging evaluates stimulus-dependent signal processing across different neural layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Jung Lee
- Neurophysics, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany.,Graduate School of Neural Information Processing, International Max Planck Research School, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Günther Zeck
- Neurophysics, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
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9
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Wang Q, Banerjee S, So C, Qiu C, Lam HIC, Tse D, Völgyi B, Pan F. Unmasking inhibition prolongs neuronal function in retinal degeneration mouse model. FASEB J 2020; 34:15282-15299. [PMID: 32985731 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001315rr] [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: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
All neurodegenerative diseases involve a relatively long period of timeframe from the onset of the disease to complete loss of functions. Extending this timeframe, even at a reduced level of function, would improve the quality of life of patients with these devastating diseases. The retina, as the part of the central nervous system and a frequent site of many distressing neurodegenerative disease, provides an ideal model to investigate the feasibility of extending the functional timeframe through pharmacologic intervention. Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a group of blinding diseases. Although the rate of progression and degree of visual loss varies, there is usually a prolonged time before patients totally lose their photoreceptors and vision. It is believed that inhibitory mechanisms are still intact and may become relatively strong after the gradual loss of photoreceptors in RP patients. Therefore, it is possible that light-evoked responses of retinal ganglion cells and visual information processes in retinal circuits could be "unmasked" by blocking these inhibitory mechanisms restoring some level of visual function. Our results indicate that if the inhibition in the inner retina was unmasked in the retina of the rd10 mouse (the well-characterized RP mimicking, clinically relevant mouse model), the light-evoked responses of many retinal ganglion cells can be induced and restore their normal light sensitivity. GABA A receptor plays a major role in this masking inhibition. ERG b-wave and behavioral tests of spatial vision partly recovered after the application of PTX. Hence, removing retinal inhibition unmasks signalling mediated by surviving cones, thereby restoring some degree of visual function. These results may offer a novel strategy to restore the visual function with the surviving cones in RP patients and other gradual and progressive neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Wang
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Seema Banerjee
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Chunghim So
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Chunting Qiu
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Hang-I Christie Lam
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Dennis Tse
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Béla Völgyi
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Szentágothai Research Centre, MTA NAP Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Feng Pan
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.,The Centre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong
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10
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Kovács-Öller T, Szarka G, Tengölics ÁJ, Ganczer A, Balogh B, Szabó-Meleg E, Nyitrai M, Völgyi B. Spatial Expression Pattern of the Major Ca 2+-Buffer Proteins in Mouse Retinal Ganglion Cells. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040792. [PMID: 32218175 PMCID: PMC7226302 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The most prevalent Ca2+-buffer proteins (CaBPs: parvalbumin—PV; calbindin—CaB; calretinin—CaR) are widely expressed by various neurons throughout the brain, including the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Even though their retinal expression has been extensively studied, a coherent assessment of topographical variations is missing. To examine this, we performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) in mouse retinas. We found variability in the expression levels and cell numbers for CaR, with stronger and more numerous labels in the dorso-central area. CaBP+ cells contributed to RGCs with all soma sizes, indicating heterogeneity. We separated four to nine RGC clusters in each area based on expression levels and soma sizes. Besides the overall high variety in cluster number and size, the peripheral half of the temporal retina showed the greatest cluster number, indicating a better separation of RGC subtypes there. Multiple labels showed that 39% of the RGCs showed positivity for a single CaBP, 30% expressed two CaBPs, 25% showed no CaBP expression, and 6% expressed all three proteins. Finally, we observed an inverse relation between CaB and CaR expression levels in CaB/CaR dual- and CaB/CaR/PV triple-labeled RGCs, suggesting a mutual complementary function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Kovács-Öller
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.S.); (A.G.); (B.B.); (E.S.-M.); (M.N.); (B.V.)
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Correspondence:
| | - Gergely Szarka
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.S.); (A.G.); (B.B.); (E.S.-M.); (M.N.); (B.V.)
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ádám J. Tengölics
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.S.); (A.G.); (B.B.); (E.S.-M.); (M.N.); (B.V.)
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Alma Ganczer
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.S.); (A.G.); (B.B.); (E.S.-M.); (M.N.); (B.V.)
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Boglárka Balogh
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.S.); (A.G.); (B.B.); (E.S.-M.); (M.N.); (B.V.)
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Edina Szabó-Meleg
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.S.); (A.G.); (B.B.); (E.S.-M.); (M.N.); (B.V.)
- Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Miklós Nyitrai
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.S.); (A.G.); (B.B.); (E.S.-M.); (M.N.); (B.V.)
- Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Béla Völgyi
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.S.); (A.G.); (B.B.); (E.S.-M.); (M.N.); (B.V.)
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
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