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Li Y, Fang Y, Li K, Yang H, Duan S, Sun L. Morphological Tracing and Functional Identification of Monosynaptic Connections in the Brain: A Comprehensive Guide. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:1364-1378. [PMID: 38700806 PMCID: PMC11365912 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01196-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Behavioral studies play a crucial role in unraveling the mechanisms underlying brain function. Recent advances in optogenetics, neuronal typing and labeling, and circuit tracing have facilitated the dissection of the neural circuitry involved in various important behaviors. The identification of monosynaptic connections, both upstream and downstream of specific neurons, serves as the foundation for understanding complex neural circuits and studying behavioral mechanisms. However, the practical implementation and mechanistic understanding of monosynaptic connection tracing techniques and functional identification remain challenging, particularly for inexperienced researchers. Improper application of these methods and misinterpretation of results can impede experimental progress and lead to erroneous conclusions. In this paper, we present a comprehensive description of the principles, specific operational details, and key steps involved in tracing anterograde and retrograde monosynaptic connections. We outline the process of functionally identifying monosynaptic connections through the integration of optogenetics and electrophysiological techniques, providing practical guidance for researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Li
- Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yuanyuan Fang
- Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Kaiyuan Li
- Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hongbin Yang
- Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Shumin Duan
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Li Sun
- Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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Hsieh AL, Ganesh S, Kula T, Irshad M, Ferenczi EA, Wang W, Chen YC, Hu SH, Li Z, Joshi S, Haigis MC, Sabatini BL. Widespread Neuroanatomical Integration and Distinct Electrophysiological Properties of Glioma-Innervating Neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.25.609573. [PMID: 39253454 PMCID: PMC11383025 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.25.609573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common malignant primary brain tumors and are often associated with severe neurological deficits and mortality. Unlike many cancers, gliomas rarely metastasize outside the brain, indicating a possible dependency on unique features of brain microenvironment. Synapses between neurons and glioma cells exist, suggesting that glioma cells rely on neuronal inputs and synaptic signaling for proliferation. Yet, the locations and properties of neurons that innervate gliomas have remained elusive. In this study, we utilized transsynaptic tracing with a pseudotyped, glycoprotein-deleted rabies virus to specifically infect TVA and glycoprotein-expressing human glioblastoma cells in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model, allowing us to identify the neurons that form synapses onto the gliomas. Comprehensive whole-brain mapping revealed that these glioma-innervating neurons (GINs) consistently arise at brain regions, including diverse neuromodulatory centers and specific cortical layers, known to project to the glioma locations. Molecular profiling revealed that these long-range cortical GINs are predominantly glutamatergic, and subsets express both glutamatergic and GABAergic markers, whereas local striatal GINs are largely GABAergic. Electrophysiological studies demonstrated that while GINs share passive intrinsic properties with cortex-innervating neurons, their action potential waveforms are altered. Our study introduces a novel method for identifying and mapping GINs and reveals their consistent integration into existing location-dependent neuronal network involving diverse neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. The observed intrinsic electrophysiological differences in GINs lay the groundwork for future investigations into how these alterations may correspond with the postsynaptic characteristics of glioma cells. Significance We have developed a novel system utilizing rabies virus-based monosynaptic tracing to directly visualize neurons that synapse onto human glioma cells implanted in mouse brain. This approach enables the mapping and quantitative analysis of these glioma-innervating neurons (GINs) in the entire mouse brain and overcomes previous barriers of molecular and electrophysiological analysis of these neurons due to the inability to identify them. Our findings indicate that GINs integrate into existing neural networks in a location-specific manner. Long-range GINs are mostly glutamatergic, with a subset expressing both glutamatergic and GABAergic markers and local striatal GINs are GABAergic, highlighting a complex neuromodulatory profile. Additionally, GINs exhibit unique action potential characteristics, distinct from similarly selected neurons in non-tumor-bearing brains. This study provides new insights into neuronal adaptations in response to forming putative synapses onto glioma, elucidating the intricate synaptic relationship between GINs and gliomas.
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Peng B, Huang JJ, Li Z, Zhang LI, Tao HW. Cross-modal enhancement of defensive behavior via parabigemino-collicular projections. Curr Biol 2024; 34:3616-3631.e5. [PMID: 39019036 PMCID: PMC11373540 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.06.052] [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: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Effective detection and avoidance from environmental threats are crucial for animals' survival. Integration of sensory cues associated with threats across different modalities can significantly enhance animals' detection and behavioral responses. However, the neural circuit-level mechanisms underlying the modulation of defensive behavior or fear response under simultaneous multimodal sensory inputs remain poorly understood. Here, we report in mice that bimodal looming stimuli combining coherent visual and auditory signals elicit more robust defensive/fear reactions than unimodal stimuli. These include intensified escape and prolonged hiding, suggesting a heightened defensive/fear state. These various responses depend on the activity of the superior colliculus (SC), while its downstream nucleus, the parabigeminal nucleus (PBG), predominantly influences the duration of hiding behavior. PBG temporally integrates visual and auditory signals and enhances the salience of threat signals by amplifying SC sensory responses through its feedback projection to the visual layer of the SC. Our results suggest an evolutionarily conserved pathway in defense circuits for multisensory integration and cross-modality enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Peng
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Junxiang J Huang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Graduate Program in Biomedical and Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Zhong Li
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Li I Zhang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Huizhong Whit Tao
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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Li Y, Liu ZW, Santana GM, Capaz AM, Doumazane E, Gao XB, Renier N, Dietrich MO. Neurons for infant social behaviors in the mouse zona incerta. Science 2024; 385:409-416. [PMID: 39052814 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk7411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the neural basis of infant social behaviors is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms of early social and emotional development. In this work, we report a specific population of somatostatin-expressing neurons in the zona incerta (ZISST) of preweaning mice that responds dynamically to social interactions, particularly those with their mother. Bidirectional neural activity manipulations in pups revealed that widespread connectivity of preweaning ZISST neurons to sensory, emotional, and cognitive brain centers mediates two key adaptive functions associated with maternal presence: the reduction of behavior distress and the facilitation of learning. These findings reveal a population of neurons in the infant mouse brain that coordinate the positive effects of the relationship with the mother on an infant's behavior and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexuan Li
- Laboratory of Physiology of Behavior, Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Zhong-Wu Liu
- Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Gustavo M Santana
- Laboratory of Physiology of Behavior, Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Ana Marta Capaz
- Laboratoire de Plasticité Structurale, Sorbonne Université, ICM Paris Brain Institute, INSERM U1127, CNRS UMR7225, AP-HP, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Etienne Doumazane
- Laboratoire de Plasticité Structurale, Sorbonne Université, ICM Paris Brain Institute, INSERM U1127, CNRS UMR7225, AP-HP, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Xiao-Bing Gao
- Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Nicolas Renier
- Laboratoire de Plasticité Structurale, Sorbonne Université, ICM Paris Brain Institute, INSERM U1127, CNRS UMR7225, AP-HP, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Marcelo O Dietrich
- Laboratory of Physiology of Behavior, Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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Bouin A, Wu G, Koyuncu OO, Ye Q, Kim KY, Wu MY, Tong L, Chen L, Phan S, Mackey MR, Ramachandra R, Ellisman MH, Holmes TC, Semler BL, Xu X. New rabies viral resources for multi-scale neural circuit mapping. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:1951-1967. [PMID: 38355784 PMCID: PMC11322437 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02451-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Comparisons and linkage between multiple imaging scales are essential for neural circuit connectomics. Here, we report 20 new recombinant rabies virus (RV) vectors that we have developed for multi-scale and multi-modal neural circuit mapping tools. Our new RV tools for mesoscale imaging express a range of improved fluorescent proteins. Further refinements target specific neuronal subcellular locations of interest. We demonstrate the discovery power of these new tools including the detection of detailed microstructural changes of rabies-labeled neurons in aging and Alzheimer's disease mouse models, live imaging of neuronal activities using calcium indicators, and automated measurement of infected neurons. RVs that encode GFP and ferritin as electron microscopy (EM) and fluorescence microscopy reporters are used for dual EM and mesoscale imaging. These new viral variants significantly expand the scale and power of rabies virus-mediated neural labeling and circuit mapping across multiple imaging scales in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Bouin
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Ginny Wu
- Department Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Orkide O Koyuncu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Qiao Ye
- Department Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Keun-Young Kim
- The National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research (NCMIR) and the Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Michele Y Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Liqi Tong
- Department Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Lujia Chen
- Department Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Sebastien Phan
- The National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research (NCMIR) and the Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Mason R Mackey
- The National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research (NCMIR) and the Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ranjan Ramachandra
- The National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research (NCMIR) and the Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Mark H Ellisman
- The National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research (NCMIR) and the Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Todd C Holmes
- Physiology & Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- The Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Bert L Semler
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- The Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Department Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Department Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- The Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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Martín-Guerrero SM, Martín-Estebané M, Lara Ordóñez AJ, Cánovas M, Martín-Oliva D, González-Maeso J, Cutillas PR, López-Giménez JF. Maternal Immune Activation imprints translational dysregulation and differential MAP2 phosphorylation in descendant neural stem cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.07.597886. [PMID: 38895311 PMCID: PMC11185659 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.07.597886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Alterations induced by maternal immune activation (MIA) during gestation impact the subsequent neurodevelopment of progeny, a process that in humans, has been linked to the development of several neuropsychiatric conditions. To undertake a comprehensive examination of the molecular mechanisms governing MIA, we have devised an in vitro model based on neural stem cells (NSCs) sourced from fetuses carried by animals subjected to Poly I:C treatment. These neural progenitors demonstrate proliferative capacity and can be effectively differentiated into both neurons and glial cells. Transcriptomic, proteomic, and phosphoproteomic analyses conducted on these cellular models, in conjunction with counterparts from control treatments, revealed discernible shifts in the expression levels of a specific subset of proteins implicated in neuronal function. Noteworthy, we found an absence of congruence between these alterations at the transcriptomic level, suggesting that differences in protein translation contribute to the observed dysregulation. Furthermore, the phosphoproteomic data highlighted a discernible discrepancy in the basal phosphorylation of proteins between differentiated cells from both experimental groups, particularly within proteins associated with cytoskeletal architecture and synaptic functionality, notably those belonging to the MAP family. Observed alterations in MAP phosphorylation were found to potentially have functional consequences as they correlate with changes in neuronal plasticity and the establishment of neuronal synapses. Our data agrees with previous published observations and further underscore the importance of MAP2 phosphorylation state on its function and the impact that this protein has in neuronal structure and function.
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Gonzalez-Ramos A, Puigsasllosas-Pastor C, Arcas-Marquez A, Tornero D. Updated Toolbox for Assessing Neuronal Network Reconstruction after Cell Therapy. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:487. [PMID: 38790353 PMCID: PMC11118929 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11050487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy has proven to be a promising treatment for a range of neurological disorders, including Parkinson Disease, drug-resistant epilepsy, and stroke, by restoring function after brain damage. Nevertheless, evaluating the true effectiveness of these therapeutic interventions requires a deep understanding of the functional integration of grafted cells into existing neural networks. This review explores a powerful arsenal of molecular techniques revolutionizing our ability to unveil functional integration of grafted cells within the host brain. From precise manipulation of neuronal activity to pinpoint the functional contribution of transplanted cells by using opto- and chemo-genetics, to real-time monitoring of neuronal dynamics shedding light on functional connectivity within the reconstructed circuits by using genetically encoded (calcium) indicators in vivo. Finally, structural reconstruction and mapping communication pathways between grafted and host neurons can be achieved by monosynaptic tracing with viral vectors. The cutting-edge toolbox presented here holds immense promise for elucidating the impact of cell therapy on neural circuitry and guiding the development of more effective treatments for neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Gonzalez-Ramos
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Claudia Puigsasllosas-Pastor
- Laboratory of Neural Stem Cells and Brain Damage, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Arcas-Marquez
- Laboratory of Neural Stem Cells and Brain Damage, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Tornero
- Laboratory of Neural Stem Cells and Brain Damage, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Korkutata M, De Luca R, Fitzgerald B, Arrigoni E, Scammell TE. Afferent projections to the Calca /CGRP-expressing parabrachial neurons in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.07.593004. [PMID: 38766214 PMCID: PMC11100666 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.07.593004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The parabrachial nucleus (PB), located in the dorsolateral pons, contains primarily glutamatergic neurons which regulate responses to a variety of interoceptive and cutaneous sensory signals. The lateral PB subpopulation expressing the Calca gene which produces the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) relays signals related to threatening stimuli such as hypercarbia, pain, and nausea, yet the afferents to these neurons are only partially understood. We mapped the afferent projections to the lateral part of the PB in mice using conventional cholera toxin B subunit (CTb) retrograde tracing, and then used conditional rabies virus retrograde tracing to map monosynaptic inputs specifically targeting the PB Calca /CGRP neurons. Using vesicular GABA (vGAT) and glutamate (vGLUT2) transporter reporter mice, we found that lateral PB neurons receive GABAergic afferents from regions such as the lateral part of the central nucleus of the amygdala, lateral dorsal subnucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, substantia innominata, and the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray. Additionally, they receive glutamatergic afferents from the infralimbic and insular cortex, paraventricular nucleus, parasubthalamic nucleus, trigeminal complex, medullary reticular nucleus, and nucleus of the solitary tract. Using anterograde tracing and confocal microscopy, we then identified close axonal appositions between these afferents and PB Calca /CGRP neurons. Finally, we used channelrhodopsin-assisted circuit mapping to test whether some of these inputs directly synapse upon the PB Calca /CGRP neurons. These findings provide a comprehensive neuroanatomical framework for understanding the afferent projections regulating the PB Calca /CGRP neurons.
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Gao P, Rivera M, Lin X, Holmes TC, Zhao H, Xu X. Immunolabeling-compatible PEGASOS tissue clearing for high-resolution whole mouse brain imaging. Front Neural Circuits 2024; 18:1345692. [PMID: 38694272 PMCID: PMC11061518 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2024.1345692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Novel brain clearing methods revolutionize imaging by increasing visualization throughout the brain at high resolution. However, combining the standard tool of immunostaining targets of interest with clearing methods has lagged behind. We integrate whole-mount immunostaining with PEGASOS tissue clearing, referred to as iPEGASOS (immunostaining-compatible PEGASOS), to address the challenge of signal quenching during clearing processes. iPEGASOS effectively enhances molecular-genetically targeted fluorescent signals that are otherwise compromised during conventional clearing procedures. Additionally, we demonstrate the utility of iPEGASOS for visualizing neurochemical markers or viral labels to augment visualization that transgenic mouse lines cannot provide. Our study encompasses three distinct applications, each showcasing the versatility and efficacy of this approach. We employ whole-mount immunostaining to enhance molecular signals in transgenic reporter mouse lines to visualize the whole-brain spatial distribution of specific cellular populations. We also significantly improve the visualization of neural circuit connections by enhancing signals from viral tracers injected into the brain. Last, we show immunostaining without genetic markers to selectively label beta-amyloid deposits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, facilitating the comprehensive whole-brain study of pathological features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Gao
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Matthew Rivera
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Xiaoxiao Lin
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Todd C. Holmes
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Hu Zhao
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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10
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Weiler S, Rahmati V, Isstas M, Wutke J, Stark AW, Franke C, Graf J, Geis C, Witte OW, Hübener M, Bolz J, Margrie TW, Holthoff K, Teichert M. A primary sensory cortical interareal feedforward inhibitory circuit for tacto-visual integration. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3081. [PMID: 38594279 PMCID: PMC11003985 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47459-2] [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: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Tactile sensation and vision are often both utilized for the exploration of objects that are within reach though it is not known whether or how these two distinct sensory systems combine such information. Here in mice, we used a combination of stereo photogrammetry for 3D reconstruction of the whisker array, brain-wide anatomical tracing and functional connectivity analysis to explore the possibility of tacto-visual convergence in sensory space and within the circuitry of the primary visual cortex (VISp). Strikingly, we find that stimulation of the contralateral whisker array suppresses visually evoked activity in a tacto-visual sub-region of VISp whose visual space representation closely overlaps with the whisker search space. This suppression is mediated by local fast-spiking interneurons that receive a direct cortico-cortical input predominantly from layer 6 neurons located in the posterior primary somatosensory barrel cortex (SSp-bfd). These data demonstrate functional convergence within and between two primary sensory cortical areas for multisensory object detection and recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Weiler
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neuronal Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, 25 Howland Street, London, W1T 4JG, UK
| | - Vahid Rahmati
- Jena University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Marcel Isstas
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of General Zoology and Animal Physiology, Erbertstraße 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Johann Wutke
- Jena University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Andreas Walter Stark
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Applied Optics and Biophysics, Fröbelstieg 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Franke
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Applied Optics and Biophysics, Fröbelstieg 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena Center for Soft Matter, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Abbe Center of Photonics, Albert-Einstein-Straße 6, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Jürgen Graf
- Jena University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Geis
- Jena University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Otto W Witte
- Jena University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Mark Hübener
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jürgen Bolz
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of General Zoology and Animal Physiology, Erbertstraße 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Troy W Margrie
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neuronal Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, 25 Howland Street, London, W1T 4JG, UK
| | - Knut Holthoff
- Jena University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Manuel Teichert
- Jena University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany.
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11
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Espinosa F, Pop IV, Lai HC. Electrophysiological Properties of Proprioception-Related Neurons in the Intermediate Thoracolumbar Spinal Cord. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0331-23.2024. [PMID: 38627062 PMCID: PMC11055654 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0331-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Proprioception, the sense of limb and body position, is required to produce accurate and precise movements. Proprioceptive sensory neurons transmit muscle length and tension information to the spinal cord. The function of excitatory neurons in the intermediate spinal cord, which receive this proprioceptive information, remains poorly understood. Using genetic labeling strategies and patch-clamp techniques in acute spinal cord preparations in mice, we set out to uncover how two sets of spinal neurons, Clarke's column (CC) and Atoh1-lineage neurons, respond to electrical activity and how their inputs are organized. Both sets of neurons are located in close proximity in laminae V-VII of the thoracolumbar spinal cord and have been described to receive proprioceptive signals. We find that a majority of CC neurons have a tonic-firing type and express a distinctive hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih). Atoh1-lineage neurons, which cluster into two spatially distinct populations, are mostly a fading-firing type and display similar electrophysiological properties to each other, possibly due to their common developmental lineage. Finally, we find that CC neurons respond to stimulation of lumbar dorsal roots, consistent with prior knowledge that CC neurons receive hindlimb proprioceptive information. In contrast, using a combination of electrical stimulation, optogenetic stimulation, and transsynaptic rabies virus tracing, we find that Atoh1-lineage neurons receive heterogeneous, predominantly local thoracic inputs that include parvalbumin-lineage sensory afferents and local interneuron presynaptic inputs. Altogether, we find that CC and Atoh1-lineage neurons have distinct membrane properties and sensory input organization, representing different subcircuit modes of proprioceptive information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Espinosa
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Iliodora V Pop
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Helen C Lai
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
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12
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Seiler JL, Zhuang X, Nelson AB, Lerner TN. Dopamine across timescales and cell types: Relevance for phenotypes in Parkinson's disease progression. Exp Neurol 2024; 374:114693. [PMID: 38242300 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) synthesize and release dopamine, a critical neurotransmitter for movement and learning. SNc dopamine neurons degenerate in Parkinson's Disease (PD), causing a host of motor and non-motor symptoms. Here, we review recent conceptual advances in our basic understanding of the dopamine system - including our rapidly advancing knowledge of dopamine neuron heterogeneity - with special attention to their importance for understanding PD. In PD patients, dopamine neuron degeneration progresses from lateral SNc to medial SNc, suggesting clinically relevant heterogeneity in dopamine neurons. With technical advances in dopamine system interrogation, we can understand the relevance of this heterogeneity for PD progression and harness it to develop new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian L Seiler
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Xiaowen Zhuang
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Weill Institute for Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Alexandra B Nelson
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Weill Institute for Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
| | - Talia N Lerner
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program (NUIN), Evanston, IL, USA; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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13
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Krizan J, Song X, Fitzpatrick MJ, Shen N, Soto F, Kerschensteiner D. Predation without direction selectivity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2317218121. [PMID: 38483997 PMCID: PMC10962952 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2317218121] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Across the animal kingdom, visual predation relies on motion-sensing neurons in the superior colliculus (SC) and its orthologs. These neurons exhibit complex stimulus preferences, including direction selectivity, which is thought to be critical for tracking the unpredictable escape routes of prey. The source of direction selectivity in the SC is contested, and its contributions to predation have not been tested experimentally. Here, we use type-specific cell removal to show that narrow-field (NF) neurons in the mouse SC guide predation. In vivo recordings demonstrate that direction-selective responses of NF cells are independent of recently reported stimulus-edge effects. Monosynaptic retrograde tracing reveals that NF cells receive synaptic input from direction-selective ganglion cells. When we eliminate direction selectivity in the retina of adult mice, direction-selective responses in the SC, including in NF cells, are lost. However, eliminating retinal direction selectivity does not affect the hunting success or strategies of mice, even when direction selectivity is removed after mice have learned to hunt, and despite abolishing the gaze-stabilizing optokinetic reflex. Thus, our results identify the retinal source of direction selectivity in the SC. They show that NF cells in the SC guide predation, an essential spatial orienting task, independent of their direction selectivity, revealing behavioral multiplexing of complex neural feature preferences and highlighting the importance of feature-selective manipulations for neuroethology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Krizan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
- Graduate program in Neuroscience, Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Xiayingfang Song
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
- Graduate program in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO63130
| | - Michael J. Fitzpatrick
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
- Graduate program in Neuroscience, Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Ning Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Florentina Soto
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Daniel Kerschensteiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO63130
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14
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Zhi X, Wu F, Qian J, Ochiai Y, Lian G, Malagola E, Chen D, Ryeom SW, Wang TC. Nociceptive neurons interact directly with gastric cancer cells via a CGRP/Ramp1 axis to promote tumor progression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.04.583209. [PMID: 38496544 PMCID: PMC10942283 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.04.583209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Cancer cells have been shown to exploit neurons to modulate their survival and growth, including through establishment of neural circuits within the central nervous system (CNS) 1-3 . Here, we report a distinct pattern of cancer-nerve interactions between the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and gastric cancer (GC). In multiple GC mouse models, nociceptive nerves demonstrated the greatest degree of nerve expansion in an NGF-dependent manner. Neural tracing identified CGRP+ peptidergic neurons as the primary gastric sensory neurons. Three-dimensional co-culture models showed that sensory neurons directly connect with gastric cancer spheroids through synapse-like structures. Chemogenetic activation of sensory neurons induced the release of calcium into the cytoplasm of cancer cells, promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Pharmacological ablation of sensory neurons or treatment with CGRP inhibitors suppressed tumor growth and extended survival. Depolarization of gastric tumor membranes through in vivo optogenetic activation led to enhanced calcium flux in nodose ganglia and CGRP release, defining a cancer cell-peptidergic neuronal circuit. Together, these findings establish the functional connectivity between cancer and sensory neurons, identifying this pathway as a potential therapeutic target.
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15
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Liu M, Gao Y, Xin F, Hu Y, Wang T, Xie F, Shao C, Li T, Wang N, Yuan K. Parvalbumin and Somatostatin: Biomarkers for Two Parallel Tectothalamic Pathways in the Auditory Midbrain. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1655232024. [PMID: 38326037 PMCID: PMC10919325 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1655-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The inferior colliculus (IC) represents a crucial relay station in the auditory pathway, located in the midbrain's tectum and primarily projecting to the thalamus. Despite the identification of distinct cell classes based on various biomarkers in the IC, their specific contributions to the organization of auditory tectothalamic pathways have remained poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that IC neurons expressing parvalbumin (ICPV+) or somatostatin (ICSOM+) represent two minimally overlapping cell classes throughout the three IC subdivisions in mice of both sexes. Strikingly, regardless of their location within the IC, these neurons predominantly project to the primary and secondary auditory thalamic nuclei, respectively. Cell class-specific input tracing suggested that ICPV+ neurons primarily receive auditory inputs, whereas ICSOM+ neurons receive significantly more inputs from the periaqueductal gray and the superior colliculus (SC), which are sensorimotor regions critically involved in innate behaviors. Furthermore, ICPV+ neurons exhibit significant heterogeneity in both intrinsic electrophysiological properties and presynaptic terminal size compared with ICSOM+ neurons. Notably, approximately one-quarter of ICPV+ neurons are inhibitory neurons, whereas all ICSOM+ neurons are excitatory neurons. Collectively, our findings suggest that parvalbumin and somatostatin expression in the IC can serve as biomarkers for two functionally distinct, parallel tectothalamic pathways. This discovery suggests an alternative way to define tectothalamic pathways and highlights the potential usefulness of Cre mice in understanding the multifaceted roles of the IC at the circuit level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Yixiao Gao
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Fengyuan Xin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ying Hu
- Zhili College, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Fenghua Xie
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua Laboratory of Brain and Intelligence, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chengjun Shao
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ningyu Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Kexin Yuan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua Laboratory of Brain and Intelligence, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
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16
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Velica A, Kullander K. A flowchart for adequate controls in virus-based monosynaptic tracing experiments identified Cre-independent leakage of the TVA receptor in RΦGT mice. BMC Neurosci 2024; 25:9. [PMID: 38383317 PMCID: PMC10882902 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-024-00848-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A pseudotyped modified rabies virus lacking the rabies glycoprotein (G-protein), which is crucial for transsynaptic spread, can be used for monosynaptic retrograde tracing. By coupling the pseudotyped virus with transgene expression of the G-protein and the avian leukosis and sarcoma virus subgroup A receptor (TVA), which is necessary for cell entry of the virus, researchers can investigate specific neuronal populations. Responder mouse lines, like the RΦGT mouse line, carry the genes encoding the G-protein and TVA under Cre-dependent expression. These mouse lines are valuable tools because they reduce the number of viral injections needed compared to when using helper viruses. Since RΦGT mice do not express Cre themselves, introducing the pseudotyped rabies virus into their brain should not result in viral cell entry or spread. RESULTS We present a straightforward flowchart for adequate controls in tracing experiments, which we employed to demonstrate Cre-independent expression of TVA in RΦGT mice. CONCLUSIONS Our observations revealed TVA leakage, indicating that RΦGT mice should be used with caution for transgene expression of TVA. Inaccurate tracing outcomes may occur if TVA is expressed in the absence of Cre since background leakage leads to nonspecific cell entry. Moreover, conducting appropriate control experiments can identify the source of potential caveats in virus-based neuronal tracing experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Velica
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 815, Husargatan 3, Uppsala, 751 08, Sweden.
| | - Klas Kullander
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 815, Husargatan 3, Uppsala, 751 08, Sweden
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17
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Novello M, Bosman LWJ, De Zeeuw CI. A Systematic Review of Direct Outputs from the Cerebellum to the Brainstem and Diencephalon in Mammals. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:210-239. [PMID: 36575348 PMCID: PMC10864519 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01499-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The cerebellum is involved in many motor, autonomic and cognitive functions, and new tasks that have a cerebellar contribution are discovered on a regular basis. Simultaneously, our insight into the functional compartmentalization of the cerebellum has markedly improved. Additionally, studies on cerebellar output pathways have seen a renaissance due to the development of viral tracing techniques. To create an overview of the current state of our understanding of cerebellar efferents, we undertook a systematic review of all studies on monosynaptic projections from the cerebellum to the brainstem and the diencephalon in mammals. This revealed that important projections from the cerebellum, to the motor nuclei, cerebral cortex, and basal ganglia, are predominantly di- or polysynaptic, rather than monosynaptic. Strikingly, most target areas receive cerebellar input from all three cerebellar nuclei, showing a convergence of cerebellar information at the output level. Overall, there appeared to be a large level of agreement between studies on different species as well as on the use of different types of neural tracers, making the emerging picture of the cerebellar output areas a solid one. Finally, we discuss how this cerebellar output network is affected by a range of diseases and syndromes, with also non-cerebellar diseases having impact on cerebellar output areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuele Novello
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Chris I De Zeeuw
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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18
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Liu D, Hu SW, Wang D, Zhang Q, Zhang X, Ding HL, Cao JL. An Ascending Excitatory Circuit from the Dorsal Raphe for Sensory Modulation of Pain. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0869232023. [PMID: 38124016 PMCID: PMC10860493 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0869-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is an important nucleus in pain regulation. However, the underlying neural pathway and the function of specific cell types remain unclear. Here, we report a previously unrecognized ascending facilitation pathway, the DRN to the mesoaccumbal dopamine (DA) circuit, for regulating pain. Chronic pain increased the activity of DRN glutamatergic, but not serotonergic, neurons projecting to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) (DRNGlu-VTA) in male mice. The optogenetic activation of DRNGlu-VTA circuit induced a pain-like response in naive male mice, and its inhibition produced an analgesic effect in male mice with neuropathic pain. Furthermore, we discovered that DRN ascending pathway regulated pain through strengthened excitatory transmission onto the VTA DA neurons projecting to the ventral part of nucleus accumbens medial shell (vNAcMed), thereby activated the mesoaccumbal DA neurons. Correspondingly, optogenetic manipulation of this three-node pathway bilaterally regulated pain behaviors. These findings identified a DRN ascending excitatory pathway that is crucial for pain sensory processing, which can potentially be exploited toward targeting pain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Liu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Su-Wan Hu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Di Wang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Hai-Lei Ding
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
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19
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Tong Y, Cho S, Coenen VA, Döbrössy MD. Input-output relation of midbrain connectomics in a rodent model of depression. J Affect Disord 2024; 345:443-454. [PMID: 37890539 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The symptoms associated with depression are believed to arise from disruptions in information processing across brain networks. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) influences reward-based behavior, motivation, addiction, and psychiatric disorders, including depression. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB), is an emerging therapy for treatment-resistant depression. Understanding the depression associated anatomical networks crucial for comprehending its antidepressant effects. METHODS Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL), a rodent model of depression and Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10 each) were used in this study. We used monosynaptic tracing to map inputs of VTA efferent neurons: VTA-to-NAc nucleus accumbens (NAc) (both core and shell) and VTA-to-prefrontal cortex (PFC). Quantitative analysis explored afferent diversity and strengths. RESULTS VTA efferent neurons receive a variety of afferents with varying input weights and predominant neuromodulatory representation. Notably, NAc-core projecting VTA neurons showed stronger afferents from dorsal raphe, while NAc shell-projecting VTA neurons displayed lower input strengths from cortex, thalamus, zona incerta and pretectal area in FSL rats. NAc shell-projecting VTA neurons showed the most difference in connectivity across the experimental groups. LIMITATIONS Lack of functional properties of the anatomical connections is the major limitation of this study. Incomplete labeling and the cytotoxicity of the rabies virus should be made aware of. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide the first characterization of inputs to different VTA ascending projection neurons, shedding light on critical differences in the connectome of the midbrain-forebrain system. Moreover, these differences support potential network effects of these circuits in the context of MFB DBS neuromodulation for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Tong
- Laboratory of Stereotaxy and Interventional Neurosciences, Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - S Cho
- Laboratory of Stereotaxy and Interventional Neurosciences, Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - V A Coenen
- Laboratory of Stereotaxy and Interventional Neurosciences, Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Basics in Neuromodulation, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; IMBIT (Institute for Machine-Brain Interfacing Technology), University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - M D Döbrössy
- Laboratory of Stereotaxy and Interventional Neurosciences, Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Basics in Neuromodulation, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
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20
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Smith J, Honig-Frand A, Antila H, Choi A, Kim H, Beier KT, Weber F, Chung S. Regulation of stress-induced sleep fragmentation by preoptic glutamatergic neurons. Curr Biol 2024; 34:12-23.e5. [PMID: 38096820 PMCID: PMC10872481 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Sleep disturbances are detrimental to our behavioral and emotional well-being. Stressful events disrupt sleep, in particular by inducing brief awakenings (microarousals, MAs), resulting in sleep fragmentation. The preoptic area of the hypothalamus (POA) is crucial for sleep control. However, how POA neurons contribute to the regulation of MAs and thereby impact sleep quality is unknown. Using fiber photometry in mice, we examine the activity of genetically defined POA subpopulations during sleep. We find that POA glutamatergic neurons are rhythmically activated in synchrony with an infraslow rhythm in the spindle band of the electroencephalogram during non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMs) and are transiently activated during MAs. Optogenetic stimulation of these neurons promotes MAs and wakefulness. Exposure to acute social defeat stress fragments NREMs and significantly increases the number of transients in the calcium activity of POA glutamatergic neurons during NREMs. By reducing MAs, optogenetic inhibition during spontaneous sleep and after stress consolidates NREMs. Monosynaptically restricted rabies tracing reveals that POA glutamatergic neurons are innervated by brain regions regulating stress and sleep. In particular, presynaptic glutamatergic neurons in the lateral hypothalamus become activated after stress, and stimulating their projections to the POA promotes MAs and wakefulness. Our findings uncover a novel circuit mechanism by which POA excitatory neurons regulate sleep quality after stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Adam Honig-Frand
- Department of Neuroscience, Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hanna Antila
- Department of Neuroscience, Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ashley Choi
- Department of Neuroscience, Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hannah Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kevin T Beier
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Franz Weber
- Department of Neuroscience, Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Shinjae Chung
- Department of Neuroscience, Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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21
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Jeong M, Choi JH, Jang H, Sohn DH, Wang Q, Lee J, Yao L, Lee EJ, Fan J, Pratelli M, Wang EH, Snyder CN, Wang XY, Shin S, Gittis AH, Sung TC, Spitzer NC, Lim BK. Viral vector-mediated transgene delivery with novel recombinase systems for targeting neuronal populations defined by multiple features. Neuron 2024; 112:56-72.e4. [PMID: 37909037 PMCID: PMC10916502 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.09.038] [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: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of neuronal diversity and connectivity is essential for understanding the anatomical and cellular mechanisms that underlie functional contributions. With the advent of single-cell analysis, growing information regarding molecular profiles leads to the identification of more heterogeneous cell types. Therefore, the need for additional orthogonal recombinase systems is increasingly apparent, as heterogeneous tissues can be further partitioned into increasing numbers of specific cell types defined by multiple features. Critically, new recombinase systems should work together with pre-existing systems without cross-reactivity in vivo. Here, we introduce novel site-specific recombinase systems based on ΦC31 bacteriophage recombinase for labeling multiple cell types simultaneously and a novel viral strategy for versatile and robust intersectional expression of any transgene. Together, our system will help researchers specifically target different cell types with multiple features in the same animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minju Jeong
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jun-Hyeok Choi
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hyeonseok Jang
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Dong Hyun Sohn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Qingdi Wang
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Joann Lee
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Li Yao
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Eun Ji Lee
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jiachen Fan
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Marta Pratelli
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Eric H Wang
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Christen N Snyder
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Xiao-Yun Wang
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sora Shin
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA; Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Aryn H Gittis
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Tsung-Chang Sung
- Transgenic Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas C Spitzer
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Byung Kook Lim
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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22
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Angelakos CC, Girven KS, Liu Y, Gonzalez OC, Murphy KR, Jennings KJ, Giardino WJ, Zweifel LS, Suko A, Palmiter RD, Clark SD, Krasnow MA, Bruchas MR, de Lecea L. A cluster of neuropeptide S neurons regulates breathing and arousal. Curr Biol 2023; 33:5439-5455.e7. [PMID: 38056461 PMCID: PMC10842921 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a highly conserved peptide found in all tetrapods that functions in the brain to promote heightened arousal; however, the subpopulations mediating these phenomena remain unknown. We generated mice expressing Cre recombinase from the Nps gene locus (NpsCre) and examined populations of NPS+ neurons in the lateral parabrachial area (LPBA), the peri-locus coeruleus (peri-LC) region of the pons, and the dorsomedial thalamus (DMT). We performed brain-wide mapping of input and output regions of NPS+ clusters and characterized expression patterns of the NPS receptor 1 (NPSR1). While the activity of all three NPS+ subpopulations tracked with vigilance state, only NPS+ neurons of the LPBA exhibited both increased activity prior to wakefulness and decreased activity during REM sleep, similar to the behavioral phenotype observed upon NPSR1 activation. Accordingly, we found that activation of the LPBA but not the peri-LC NPS+ neurons increased wake and reduced REM sleep. Furthermore, given the extended role of the LPBA in respiration and the link between behavioral arousal and breathing rate, we demonstrated that the LPBA but not the peri-LC NPS+ neuronal activation increased respiratory rate. Together, our data suggest that NPS+ neurons of the LPBA represent an unexplored subpopulation regulating breathing, and they are sufficient to recapitulate the sleep/wake phenotypes observed with broad NPS system activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Caleb Angelakos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kasey S Girven
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; University of Washington Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Yin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Oscar C Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Keith R Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kim J Jennings
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - William J Giardino
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Larry S Zweifel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Azra Suko
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; University of Washington Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Richard D Palmiter
- Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Stewart D Clark
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Mark A Krasnow
- Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; University of Washington Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Luis de Lecea
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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23
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Thompson A, Arano R, Saleem U, Preciado R, Munoz L, Nelson I, Ramos K, Kim Y, Li Y, Xu W. Brain-wide circuit-specific targeting of astrocytes. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100653. [PMID: 38052209 PMCID: PMC10753298 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are integral components of brain circuitry. They enwrap synapses, react to neuronal activity, and regulate synaptic transmission. Astrocytes are heterogeneous and exhibit distinct features and functions in different circuits. Selectively targeting the astrocytes associated with a given neuronal circuit would enable elucidation of their circuit-specific functions but has been technically challenging to date. Recently, we constructed anterograde transneuronal viral vectors based on yellow fever vaccine YFV-17D. Among them, the replication-incompetent YFVΔNS1-Cre can selectively turn on reporter genes in postsynaptic neurons if the viral gene NS1 is expressed in postsynaptic neurons. Here we show that without exogenous expression of NS1 at the postsynaptic sites, locally injected YFVΔNS1-Cre selectively turns on reporter genes in astrocytes in downstream brain regions. The targeting of astrocytes can occur across the whole brain but is specific for the neuronal circuits traced. Therefore, YFVΔNS1-Cre provides a tool for selective genetic targeting of astrocytes to reveal their circuit-specific roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Thompson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rachel Arano
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Uzair Saleem
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rebecca Preciado
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lizbeth Munoz
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ian Nelson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Katarina Ramos
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yerim Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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24
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Patiño M, Lagos WN, Patne NS, Miyazaki PA, Bhamidipati SK, Collman F, Callaway EM. Postsynaptic cell type and synaptic distance do not determine efficiency of monosynaptic rabies virus spread measured at synaptic resolution. eLife 2023; 12:e89297. [PMID: 38096019 PMCID: PMC10721217 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Retrograde monosynaptic tracing using glycoprotein-deleted rabies virus is an important component of the toolkit for investigation of neural circuit structure and connectivity. It allows for the identification of first-order presynaptic connections to cell populations of interest across both the central and peripheral nervous system, helping to decipher the complex connectivity patterns of neural networks that give rise to brain function. Despite its utility, the factors that influence the probability of transsynaptic rabies spread are not well understood. While it is well established that expression levels of rabies glycoprotein used to trans-complement G-deleted rabies can result in large changes in numbers of inputs labeled per starter cell (convergence index [CI]), it is not known how typical values of CI relate to the proportions of synaptic contacts or input neurons labeled. And it is not known whether inputs to different cell types, or synaptic contacts that are more proximal or distal to the cell body, are labeled with different probabilities. Here, we use a new rabies virus construct that allows for the simultaneous labeling of pre- and postsynaptic specializations to quantify the proportion of synaptic contacts labeled in mouse primary visual cortex. We demonstrate that with typical conditions about 40% of first-order presynaptic excitatory synapses to cortical excitatory and inhibitory neurons are labeled. We show that using matched tracing conditions there are similar proportions of labeled contacts onto L4 excitatory pyramidal, somatostatin (Sst) inhibitory, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (Vip) starter cell types. Furthermore, we find no difference in the proportions of labeled excitatory contacts onto postsynaptic sites at different subcellular locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maribel Patiño
- Systems Neurobiology Laboratories, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Willian N Lagos
- Systems Neurobiology Laboratories, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Neelakshi S Patne
- Systems Neurobiology Laboratories, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Paula A Miyazaki
- Systems Neurobiology Laboratories, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Sai Krishna Bhamidipati
- Systems Neurobiology Laboratories, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | | | - Edward M Callaway
- Systems Neurobiology Laboratories, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
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25
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Gianni G, Pasqualetti M. Wiring and Volume Transmission: An Overview of the Dual Modality for Serotonin Neurotransmission. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:4093-4104. [PMID: 37966717 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in the modulation of a multitude of physiological and behavioral processes. In spite of the relatively reduced number of serotonin-producing neurons present in the mammalian CNS, a complex long-range projection system provides profuse innervation to the whole brain. Heterogeneity of serotonin receptors, grouped in seven families, and their spatiotemporal expression pattern account for its widespread impact. Although neuronal communication occurs primarily at tiny gaps called synapses, wiring transmission, another mechanism based on extrasynaptic diffusion of neuroactive molecules and referred to as volume transmission, has been described. While wiring transmission is a rapid and specific one-to-one modality of communication, volume transmission is a broader and slower mode in which a single element can simultaneously act on several different targets in a one-to-many mode. Some experimental evidence regarding ultrastructural features, extrasynaptic localization of receptors and transporters, and serotonin-glia interactions collected over the past four decades supports the existence of a serotonergic system of a dual modality of neurotransmission, in which wiring and volume transmission coexist. To date, in spite of the radical difference in the two modalities, limited information is available on the way they are coordinated to mediate the specific activities in which serotonin participates. Understanding how wiring and volume transmission modalities contribute to serotonergic neurotransmission is of utmost relevance for the comprehension of serotonin functions in both physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Gianni
- Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Massimo Pasqualetti
- Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
- Centro per l'Integrazione della Strumentazione Scientifica dell'Università di Pisa (CISUP), 56126 Pisa, Italy
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26
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Ciabatti E, González-Rueda A, de Malmazet D, Lee H, Morgese F, Tripodi M. Genomic stability of self-inactivating rabies. eLife 2023; 12:e83459. [PMID: 37921437 PMCID: PMC10666929 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transsynaptic viral vectors provide means to gain genetic access to neurons based on synaptic connectivity and are essential tools for the dissection of neural circuit function. Among them, the retrograde monosynaptic ΔG-Rabies has been widely used in neuroscience research. A recently developed engineered version of the ΔG-Rabies, the non-toxic self-inactivating (SiR) virus, allows the long term genetic manipulation of neural circuits. However, the high mutational rate of the rabies virus poses a risk that mutations targeting the key genetic regulatory element in the SiR genome could emerge and revert it to a canonical ΔG-Rabies. Such revertant mutations have recently been identified in a SiR batch. To address the origin, incidence and relevance of these mutations, we investigated the genomic stability of SiR in vitro and in vivo. We found that "revertant" mutations are rare and accumulate only when SiR is extensively amplified in vitro, particularly in suboptimal production cell lines that have insufficient levels of TEV protease activity. Moreover, we confirmed that SiR-CRE, unlike canonical ΔG-Rab-CRE or revertant-SiR-CRE, is non-toxic and that revertant mutations do not emerge in vivo during long-term experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hassal Lee
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular BiologyCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Fabio Morgese
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular BiologyCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Marco Tripodi
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular BiologyCambridgeUnited Kingdom
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27
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Lodge DJ, Elam HB, Boley AM, Donegan JJ. Discrete hippocampal projections are differentially regulated by parvalbumin and somatostatin interneurons. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6653. [PMID: 37863893 PMCID: PMC10589277 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42484-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
People with schizophrenia show hyperactivity in the ventral hippocampus (vHipp) and we have previously demonstrated distinct behavioral roles for vHipp cell populations. Here, we test the hypothesis that parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SST) interneurons differentially innervate and regulate hippocampal pyramidal neurons based on their projection target. First, we use eGRASP to show that PV-positive interneurons form a similar number of synaptic connections with pyramidal cells regardless of their projection target while SST-positive interneurons preferentially target nucleus accumbens (NAc) projections. To determine if these anatomical differences result in functional changes, we used in vivo opto-electrophysiology to show that SST cells also preferentially regulate the activity of NAc-projecting cells. These results suggest vHipp interneurons differentially regulate that vHipp neurons that project to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and NAc. Characterization of these cell populations may provide potential molecular targets for the treatment schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders associated with vHipp dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Lodge
- Department of Pharmacology and Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Division, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Hannah B Elam
- Department of Pharmacology and Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Division, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Angela M Boley
- Department of Pharmacology and Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Division, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer J Donegan
- Department of Pharmacology and Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Center for Early Life Adversity, Department of Neuroscience, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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28
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Stern DB, Wilke A, Root CM. Anatomical Connectivity of the Intercalated Cells of the Amygdala. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0238-23.2023. [PMID: 37775310 PMCID: PMC10576262 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0238-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The intercalated cells of the amygdala (ITCs) are a fundamental processing structure in the amygdala that remain relatively understudied. They are phylogenetically conserved from insectivores through primates, inhibitory, and project to several of the main processing and output stations of the amygdala and basal forebrain. Through these connections, the ITCs are best known for their role in conditioned fear, where they are required for fear extinction learning and recall. Prior work on ITC connectivity is limited, and thus holistic characterization of their afferent and efferent connectivity in a genetically defined manner is incomplete. The ITCs express the FoxP2 transcription factor, affording genetic access to these neurons for viral input-output mapping. To fully characterize the anatomic connectivity of the ITCs, we used cre-dependent viral strategies in FoxP2-cre mice to reveal the projections of the main (mITC), caudal (cITC), and lateral (lITC) clusters along with their presynaptic sources of innervation. Broadly, the results confirm many known pathways, reveal previously unknown ones, and demonstrate important novel insights about each nucleus's unique connectivity profile and relative distributions. We show that the ITCs receive information from a wide range of cortical, subcortical, basal, amygdalar, hippocampal, and thalamic structures, and project broadly to areas of the basal forebrain, hypothalamus, and entire extent of the amygdala. The results provide a comprehensive map of their connectivity and suggest that the ITCs could potentially influence a broad range of behaviors by integrating information from a wide array of sources throughout the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Stern
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Anna Wilke
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Cory M Root
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
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29
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Li L, Liu Z. Genetic Approaches for Neural Circuits Dissection in Non-human Primates. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1561-1576. [PMID: 37258795 PMCID: PMC10533465 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01067-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic tools, which can be used for the morphology study of specific neurons, pathway-selective connectome mapping, neuronal activity monitoring, and manipulation with a spatiotemporal resolution, have been widely applied to the understanding of complex neural circuit formation, interactions, and functions in rodents. Recently, similar genetic approaches have been tried in non-human primates (NHPs) in neuroscience studies for dissecting the neural circuits involved in sophisticated behaviors and clinical brain disorders, although they are still very preliminary. In this review, we introduce the progress made in the development and application of genetic tools for brain studies on NHPs. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of each approach and provide a perspective for using genetic tools to study the neural circuits of NHPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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30
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Ma L, Liu H, Xu Z, Yang M, Zhang Y. Application of the wholebrain calculation interactive framework to map whole-brain neural connectivity networks. J Chem Neuroanat 2023; 132:102304. [PMID: 37331669 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2023.102304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to develop a simple and feasible method of mapping the neural network topology of the mouse brain. Wild-type C57BL/6 J mice (n = 10) aged 8-10 weeks were injected with the cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) tracer in the anterior (NAcCA) and posterior (NAcCP) parts of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core and in the medial (NAcSM) and lateral (NAcSL) parts of the NAc shell. The labeled neurons were reconstructed using the WholeBrain Calculation Interactive Framework. The NAcCA receives neuronal projections from the olfactory areas (OLF) and isocortex; the thalamus and isocortex project more fibers to the NAcSL, and the hypothalamus send more fiber projections to the NAcSM. Cell resolution can be automatically annotated, analyzed, and visualized using the WholeBrain Calculation Interactive Framework, making large-scale mapping of mouse brains at cellular and subcellular resolutions easier and more accurate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Ma
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - He Liu
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Ziyi Xu
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Mengli Yang
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Yinghua Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China.
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31
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Rivera JF, Weng W, Huang H, Rao S, Herring BE, Arnold DB. ATLAS: A rationally designed anterograde transsynaptic tracer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.12.557425. [PMID: 37745471 PMCID: PMC10515852 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.12.557425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Neural circuits, which constitute the substrate for brain processing, can be traced in the retrograde direction, from postsynaptic to presynaptic cells, using methods based on introducing modified rabies virus into genetically marked cell types. These methods have revolutionized the field of neuroscience. However, similarly reliable, transsynaptic, and non-toxic methods to trace circuits in the anterograde direction are not available. Here, we describe such a method based on an antibody-like protein selected against the extracellular N-terminus of the AMPA receptor subunit GluA1 (AMPA.FingR). ATLAS (Anterograde Transsynaptic Label based on Antibody-like Sensors) is engineered to release the AMPA.FingR and its payload, which can include Cre recombinase, from presynaptic sites into the synaptic cleft, after which it binds to GluA1, enters postsynaptic cells through endocytosis and subsequently carries its payload to the nucleus. Testing in vivo and in dissociated cultures shows that ATLAS mediates monosynaptic tracing from genetically determined cells that is strictly anterograde, synaptic, and non-toxic. Moreover, ATLAS shows activity dependence, which may make tracing active circuits that underlie specific behaviors possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline F. Rivera
- Department of Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Weiguang Weng
- Department of Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Haoyang Huang
- Department of Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- These authors contributed equally
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Sadhna Rao
- Department of Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Bruce E. Herring
- Department of Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Don B. Arnold
- Department of Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
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32
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Wang Y, Chen Z, Ma G, Wang L, Liu Y, Qin M, Fei X, Wu Y, Xu M, Zhang S. A frontal transcallosal inhibition loop mediates interhemispheric balance in visuospatial processing. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5213. [PMID: 37626171 PMCID: PMC10457336 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40985-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Interhemispheric communication through the corpus callosum is required for both sensory and cognitive processes. Impaired transcallosal inhibition causing interhemispheric imbalance is believed to underlie visuospatial bias after frontoparietal cortical damage, but the synaptic circuits involved remain largely unknown. Here, we show that lesions in the mouse anterior cingulate area (ACA) cause severe visuospatial bias mediated by a transcallosal inhibition loop. In a visual-change-detection task, ACA callosal-projection neurons (CPNs) were more active with contralateral visual field changes than with ipsilateral changes. Unilateral CPN inactivation impaired contralateral change detection but improved ipsilateral detection by altering interhemispheric interaction through callosal projections. CPNs strongly activated contralateral parvalbumin-positive (PV+) neurons, and callosal-input-driven PV+ neurons preferentially inhibited ipsilateral CPNs, thus mediating transcallosal inhibition. Unilateral PV+ neuron activation caused a similar behavioral bias to contralateral CPN activation and ipsilateral CPN inactivation, and bilateral PV+ neuron activation eliminated this bias. Notably, restoring interhemispheric balance by activating contralesional PV+ neurons significantly improved contralesional detection in ACA-lesioned animals. Thus, a frontal transcallosal inhibition loop comprising CPNs and callosal-input-driven PV+ neurons mediates interhemispheric balance in visuospatial processing, and enhancing contralesional transcallosal inhibition restores interhemispheric balance while also reversing lesion-induced bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjie Wang
- Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Zhaonan Chen
- Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Guofen Ma
- Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Lizhao Wang
- Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yanmei Liu
- Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Meiling Qin
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Xiang Fei
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Min Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Siyu Zhang
- Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.
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33
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Wang X, Liu Z, Angelov M, Feng Z, Li X, Li A, Yang Y, Gong H, Gao Z. Excitatory nucleo-olivary pathway shapes cerebellar outputs for motor control. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1394-1406. [PMID: 37474638 PMCID: PMC10400430 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01387-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
The brain generates predictive motor commands to control the spatiotemporal precision of high-velocity movements. Yet, how the brain organizes automated internal feedback to coordinate the kinematics of such fast movements is unclear. Here we unveil a unique nucleo-olivary loop in the cerebellum and its involvement in coordinating high-velocity movements. Activating the excitatory nucleo-olivary pathway induces well-timed internal feedback complex spike signals in Purkinje cells to shape cerebellar outputs. Anatomical tracing reveals extensive axonal collaterals from the excitatory nucleo-olivary neurons to downstream motor regions, supporting integration of motor output and internal feedback signals within the cerebellum. This pathway directly drives saccades and head movements with a converging direction, while curtailing their amplitude and velocity via the powerful internal feedback mechanism. Our finding challenges the long-standing dogma that the cerebellum inhibits the inferior olivary pathway and provides a new circuit mechanism for the cerebellar control of high-velocity movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Milen Angelov
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Zhao Feng
- Research Unit of Multimodal Cross Scale Neural Signal Detection and Imaging, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiangning Li
- Research Unit of Multimodal Cross Scale Neural Signal Detection and Imaging, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Anan Li
- Research Unit of Multimodal Cross Scale Neural Signal Detection and Imaging, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou, China
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China
| | - Hui Gong
- Research Unit of Multimodal Cross Scale Neural Signal Detection and Imaging, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou, China
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhenyu Gao
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Haufler D, Ito S, Koch C, Arkhipov A. Simulations of cortical networks using spatially extended conductance-based neuronal models. J Physiol 2023; 601:3123-3139. [PMID: 36567262 PMCID: PMC10290729 DOI: 10.1113/jp284030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hodgkin-Huxley model of action potential generation and propagation, published in the Journal of Physiology in 1952, initiated the field of biophysically detailed computational modelling in neuroscience, which has expanded to encompass a variety of species and components of the nervous system. Here we review the developments in this area with a focus on efforts in the community towards modelling the mammalian neocortex using spatially extended conductance-based neuronal models. The Hodgkin-Huxley formalism and related foundational contributions, such as Rall's cable theory, remain widely used in these efforts to the current day. We argue that at present the field is undergoing a qualitative change due to new very rich datasets describing the composition, connectivity and functional activity of cortical circuits, which are being integrated systematically into large-scale network models. This trend, combined with the accelerating development of convenient software tools supporting such complex modelling projects, is giving rise to highly detailed models of the cortex that are extensively constrained by the data, enabling computational investigation of a multitude of questions about cortical structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shinya Ito
- Mindscope Program, Allen Institute, Seattle, 98109
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35
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Rigney N, de Vries GJ, Petrulis A. Sex differences in afferents and efferents of vasopressin neurons of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and medial amygdala in mice. Horm Behav 2023; 154:105407. [PMID: 37523807 PMCID: PMC10529859 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Steroid-sensitive vasopressin (AVP) neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and medial amygdala (MeA) have been implicated in the control of social behavior, but the connectional architecture of these cells is not well understood. Here we used a modified rabies virus (RV) approach to identify cells that provide monosynaptic input to BNST and MeA AVP cells, and an adeno-associated viral (AAV) anterograde tracer strategy to map the outputs of these cells. Although the location of in- and outputs of these cells generally overlap, we observed several sex differences with differences in density of outputs typically favoring males, but the direction of sex differences in inputs vary based on their location. Moreover, the AVP cells located in both the BNST and MeA are in direct contact with each other suggesting that AVP cells in these two regions act in a coordinated manner, and possibly differently by sex. This study represents the first comprehensive mapping of the sexually dimorphic and steroid-sensitive AVP neurons in the mouse brain.
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36
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Naffaa MM, Khan RR, Kuo CT, Yin HH. Cortical regulation of neurogenesis and cell proliferation in the ventral subventricular zone. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112783. [PMID: 37422764 PMCID: PMC10422956 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurogenesis and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) are controlled by cell-intrinsic molecular pathways that interact with extrinsic signaling cues. In this study, we identify a circuit that regulates neurogenesis and cell proliferation in the lateral ventricle-subventricular zone (LV-SVZ). Our results demonstrate that direct glutamatergic projections from the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), as well as inhibitory projections from calretinin+ local interneurons, modulate the activity of cholinergic neurons in the subependymal zone (subep-ChAT+). Furthermore, in vivo optogenetic stimulation and inhibition of the ACC-subep-ChAT+ circuit are sufficient to control neurogenesis in the ventral SVZ. Both subep-ChAT+ and local calretinin+ neurons play critical roles in regulating ventral SVZ neurogenesis and LV-SVZ cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moawiah M Naffaa
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Rehan R Khan
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Chay T Kuo
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Henry H Yin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
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37
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Sengupta M, Bagnall MW. Spinal Interneurons: Diversity and Connectivity in Motor Control. Annu Rev Neurosci 2023; 46:79-99. [PMID: 36854318 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-083122-025325] [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: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The spinal cord is home to the intrinsic networks for locomotion. An animal in which the spinal cord has been fully severed from the brain can still produce rhythmic, patterned locomotor movements as long as some excitatory drive is provided, such as physical, pharmacological, or electrical stimuli. Yet it remains a challenge to define the underlying circuitry that produces these movements because the spinal cord contains a wide variety of neuron classes whose patterns of interconnectivity are still poorly understood. Computational models of locomotion accordingly rely on untested assumptions about spinal neuron network element identity and connectivity. In this review, we consider the classes of spinal neurons, their interconnectivity, and the significance of their circuit connections along the long axis of the spinal cord. We suggest several lines of analysis to move toward a definitive understanding of the spinal network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohini Sengupta
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA;
| | - Martha W Bagnall
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA;
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38
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Osanai H, Nair IR, Kitamura T. Dissecting cell-type-specific pathways in medial entorhinal cortical-hippocampal network for episodic memory. J Neurochem 2023; 166:172-188. [PMID: 37248771 PMCID: PMC10538947 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Episodic memory, which refers to our ability to encode and recall past events, is essential to our daily lives. Previous research has established that both the entorhinal cortex (EC) and hippocampus (HPC) play a crucial role in the formation and retrieval of episodic memories. However, to understand neural circuit mechanisms behind these processes, it has become necessary to monitor and manipulate the neural activity in a cell-type-specific manner with high temporal precision during memory formation, consolidation, and retrieval in the EC-HPC networks. Recent studies using cell-type-specific labeling, monitoring, and manipulation have demonstrated that medial EC (MEC) contains multiple excitatory neurons that have differential molecular markers, physiological properties, and anatomical features. In this review, we will comprehensively examine the complementary roles of superficial layers of neurons (II and III) and the roles of deeper layers (V and VI) in episodic memory formation and recall based on these recent findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisayuki Osanai
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Indrajith R Nair
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Takashi Kitamura
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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39
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Varadarajan SG, Wang F, Dhande OS, Le P, Duan X, Huberman AD. Postsynaptic neuronal activity promotes regeneration of retinal axons. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112476. [PMID: 37141093 PMCID: PMC10247459 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112476] [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: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The wiring of visual circuits requires that retinal neurons functionally connect to specific brain targets, a process that involves activity-dependent signaling between retinal axons and their postsynaptic targets. Vision loss in various ophthalmological and neurological diseases is caused by damage to the connections from the eye to the brain. How postsynaptic brain targets influence retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axon regeneration and functional reconnection with the brain targets remains poorly understood. Here, we established a paradigm in which the enhancement of neural activity in the distal optic pathway, where the postsynaptic visual target neurons reside, promotes RGC axon regeneration and target reinnervation and leads to the rescue of optomotor function. Furthermore, selective activation of retinorecipient neuron subsets is sufficient to promote RGC axon regeneration. Our findings reveal a key role for postsynaptic neuronal activity in the repair of neural circuits and highlight the potential to restore damaged sensory inputs via proper brain stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supraja G Varadarajan
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Onkar S Dhande
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Phung Le
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Xin Duan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andrew D Huberman
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; BioX, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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40
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Inácio AR, Lam KC, Zhao Y, Pereira F, Gerfen CR, Lee S. Distinct brain-wide presynaptic networks underlie the functional identity of individual cortical neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.25.542329. [PMID: 37425800 PMCID: PMC10327181 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.25.542329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal connections provide the scaffolding for neuronal function. Revealing the connectivity of functionally identified individual neurons is necessary to understand how activity patterns emerge and support behavior. Yet, the brain-wide presynaptic wiring rules that lay the foundation for the functional selectivity of individual neurons remain largely unexplored. Cortical neurons, even in primary sensory cortex, are heterogeneous in their selectivity, not only to sensory stimuli but also to multiple aspects of behavior. Here, to investigate presynaptic connectivity rules underlying the selectivity of pyramidal neurons to behavioral state 1-12 in primary somatosensory cortex (S1), we used two-photon calcium imaging, neuropharmacology, single-cell based monosynaptic input tracing, and optogenetics. We show that behavioral state-dependent neuronal activity patterns are stable over time. These are not determined by neuromodulatory inputs but are instead driven by glutamatergic inputs. Analysis of brain-wide presynaptic networks of individual neurons with distinct behavioral state-dependent activity profiles revealed characteristic patterns of anatomical input. While both behavioral state-related and unrelated neurons had a similar pattern of local inputs within S1, their long-range glutamatergic inputs differed. Individual cortical neurons, irrespective of their functional properties, received converging inputs from the main S1-projecting areas. Yet, neurons that tracked behavioral state received a smaller proportion of motor cortical inputs and a larger proportion of thalamic inputs. Optogenetic suppression of thalamic inputs reduced behavioral state-dependent activity in S1, but this activity was not externally driven. Our results revealed distinct long-range glutamatergic inputs as a substrate for preconfigured network dynamics associated with behavioral state.
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41
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Lee C, Côté SL, Raman N, Chaudhary H, Mercado BC, Chen SX. Whole-brain mapping of long-range inputs to the VIP-expressing inhibitory neurons in the primary motor cortex. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1093066. [PMID: 37275468 PMCID: PMC10237295 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1093066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The primary motor cortex (MOp) is an important site for motor skill learning. Interestingly, neurons in MOp possess reward-related activity, presumably to facilitate reward-based motor learning. While pyramidal neurons (PNs) and different subtypes of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons (INs) in MOp all undergo cell-type specific plastic changes during motor learning, the vasoactive intestinal peptide-expressing inhibitory interneurons (VIP-INs) in MOp have been shown to preferentially respond to reward and play a critical role in the early phases of motor learning by triggering local circuit plasticity. To understand how VIP-INs might integrate various streams of information, such as sensory, pre-motor, and reward-related inputs, to regulate local plasticity in MOp, we performed monosynaptic rabies tracing experiments and employed an automated cell counting pipeline to generate a comprehensive map of brain-wide inputs to VIP-INs in MOp. We then compared this input profile to the brain-wide inputs to somatostatin-expressing inhibitory interneurons (SST-INs) and parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory interneurons (PV-INs) in MOp. We found that while all cell types received major inputs from sensory, motor, and prefrontal cortical regions, as well as from various thalamic nuclei, VIP-INs received more inputs from the orbital frontal cortex (ORB) - a region associated with reinforcement learning and value predictions. Our findings provide insight on how the brain leverages microcircuit motifs by both integrating and partitioning different streams of long-range input to modulate local circuit activity and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice Lee
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sandrine L. Côté
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nima Raman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Hritvic Chaudhary
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bryan C. Mercado
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Simon X. Chen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Center for Neural Dynamics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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42
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Ruigrok TJH, Wang X, Sabel-Goedknegt E, Coulon P, Gao Z. A disynaptic basal ganglia connection to the inferior olive: potential for basal ganglia influence on cerebellar learning. Front Syst Neurosci 2023; 17:1176126. [PMID: 37215357 PMCID: PMC10196041 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2023.1176126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that the cerebellum and the basal ganglia are interconnected at subcortical levels. However, a subcortical basal ganglia connection to the inferior olive (IO), being the source of the olivocerebellar climbing fiber system, is not known. We have used classical tracing with CTb, retrograde transneuronal infection with wildtype rabies virus, conditional tracing with genetically modified rabies virus, and examination of material made available by the Allen Brain Institute, to study potential basal ganglia connections to the inferior olive in rats and mice. We show in both species that parvalbumin-positive, and therefore GABAergic, neurons in the entopeduncular nucleus, representing the rodent equivalent of the internal part of the globus pallidus, innervate a group of cells that surrounds the fasciculus retroflexus and that are collectively known as the area parafascicularis prerubralis. As these neurons supply a direct excitatory input to large parts of the inferior olivary complex, we propose that the entopeduncular nucleus, as a main output station of the basal ganglia, provides an inhibitory influence on olivary excitability. As such, this connection may influence olivary involvement in cerebellar learning and/or could be involved in transmission of reward properties that have recently been established for olivocerebellar signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiaolu Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Patrice Coulon
- Institute de Neurosciences de la Timone, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Zhenyu Gao
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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43
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Frezel N, Ranucci M, Foster E, Wende H, Pelczar P, Mendes R, Ganley RP, Werynska K, d'Aquin S, Beccarini C, Birchmeier C, Zeilhofer HU, Wildner H. c-Maf-positive spinal cord neurons are critical elements of a dorsal horn circuit for mechanical hypersensitivity in neuropathy. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112295. [PMID: 36947543 PMCID: PMC10157139 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Corticospinal tract (CST) neurons innervate the deep spinal dorsal horn to sustain chronic neuropathic pain. The majority of neurons targeted by the CST are interneurons expressing the transcription factor c-Maf. Here, we used intersectional genetics to decipher the function of these neurons in dorsal horn sensory circuits. We find that excitatory c-Maf (c-MafEX) neurons receive sensory input mainly from myelinated fibers and target deep dorsal horn parabrachial projection neurons and superficial dorsal horn neurons, thereby connecting non-nociceptive input to nociceptive output structures. Silencing c-MafEX neurons has little effect in healthy mice but alleviates mechanical hypersensitivity in neuropathic mice. c-MafEX neurons also receive input from inhibitory c-Maf and parvalbumin neurons, and compromising inhibition by these neurons caused mechanical hypersensitivity and spontaneous aversive behaviors reminiscent of c-MafEX neuron activation. Our study identifies c-MafEX neurons as normally silent second-order nociceptors that become engaged in pathological pain signaling upon loss of inhibitory control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Frezel
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Ranucci
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Edmund Foster
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Pawel Pelczar
- Center for Transgenic Models (CTM), University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Raquel Mendes
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Robert P Ganley
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Karolina Werynska
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Simon d'Aquin
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Camilla Beccarini
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland; Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Hendrik Wildner
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
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44
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Coomer C, Naumova D, Talay M, Zolyomi B, Snell N, Sorkac A, Chanchu JM, Cheng J, Roman I, Li J, Robson D, Barnea G, Halpern ME. Transsynaptic labeling and transcriptional control of zebrafish neural circuits. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.03.535421. [PMID: 37066422 PMCID: PMC10103993 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.03.535421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Deciphering the connectome, the ensemble of synaptic connections that underlie brain function is a central goal of neuroscience research. The trans-Tango genetic approach, initially developed for anterograde transsynaptic tracing in Drosophila, can be used to map connections between presynaptic and postsynaptic partners and to drive gene expression in target neurons. Here, we describe the successful adaptation of trans-Tango to visualize neural connections in a living vertebrate nervous system, that of the zebrafish. Connections were validated between synaptic partners in the larval retina and brain. Results were corroborated by functional experiments in which optogenetic activation of retinal ganglion cells elicited responses in neurons of the optic tectum, as measured by trans-Tango-dependent expression of a genetically encoded calcium indicator. Transsynaptic signaling through trans-Tango reveals predicted as well as previously undescribed synaptic connections, providing a valuable in vivo tool to monitor and interrogate neural circuits over time.
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45
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Sirucek L, Ganley RP, Zeilhofer HU, Schweinhardt P. Diffuse noxious inhibitory controls and conditioned pain modulation: a shared neurobiology within the descending pain inhibitory system? Pain 2023; 164:463-468. [PMID: 36017879 PMCID: PMC9916052 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sirucek
- Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Integrative Spinal Research Group, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Robert Philip Ganley
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Petra Schweinhardt
- Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Integrative Spinal Research Group, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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46
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Tasaka GI, Maggi C, Taha E, Mizrahi A. The local and long-range input landscape of inhibitory neurons in mouse auditory cortex. J Comp Neurol 2023; 531:502-514. [PMID: 36453284 PMCID: PMC10107844 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Roughly 20% of the neurons in the mouse cortex are inhibitory interneurons (INs). Of these, the three major subtypes are parvalbumin (PV), somatostatin (SST), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) expressing neurons. We used monosynaptic rabies tracing to compare the presynaptic input landscape onto these three IN subtypes in the mouse primary auditory cortex (A1). We compared both local patterns of monosynaptic inputs as well as long-range input patterns. The local monosynaptic input landscape to SST neurons was more widespread as compared to PV and VIP neurons. The brain-wide input landscape was rich and heterogeneous with >40 brain regions connecting to all the three INs subtypes from both hemispheres. The general pattern of the long-range input landscape was similar among the groups of INs. Nevertheless, a few differences could be identified. At low resolution, the proportion of local versus long-range inputs was smaller for PV neurons. At mesoscale resolution, we found fewer inputs from temporal association area to VIP INs, and more inputs to SST neurons from basal forebrain and lateral amygdala. Our work can be used as a resource for a quantitative comparison of the location and level of inputs impinging onto discrete populations of neurons in mouse A1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen-Ichi Tasaka
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Claudia Maggi
- The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Elham Taha
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Adi Mizrahi
- The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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47
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Organizational Principles of the Centrifugal Projections to the Olfactory Bulb. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054579. [PMID: 36902010 PMCID: PMC10002860 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Centrifugal projections in the olfactory system are critical to both olfactory processing and behavior. The olfactory bulb (OB), the first relay station in odor processing, receives a substantial number of centrifugal inputs from the central brain regions. However, the anatomical organization of these centrifugal connections has not been fully elucidated, especially for the excitatory projection neurons of the OB, the mitral/tufted cells (M/TCs). Using rabies virus-mediated retrograde monosynaptic tracing in Thy1-Cre mice, we identified that the three most prominent inputs of the M/TCs came from the anterior olfactory nucleus (AON), the piriform cortex (PC), and the basal forebrain (BF), similar to the granule cells (GCs), the most abundant population of inhibitory interneurons in the OB. However, M/TCs received proportionally less input from the primary olfactory cortical areas, including the AON and PC, but more input from the BF and contralateral brain regions than GCs. Unlike organizationally distinct inputs from the primary olfactory cortical areas to these two types of OB neurons, inputs from the BF were organized similarly. Furthermore, individual BF cholinergic neurons innervated multiple layers of the OB, forming synapses on both M/TCs and GCs. Taken together, our results indicate that the centrifugal projections to different types of OB neurons may provide complementary and coordinated strategies in olfactory processing and behavior.
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48
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Yao L, Ye Q, Liu Y, Yao S, Yuan S, Xu Q, Deng B, Tang X, Shi J, Luo J, Wu J, Wu Z, Liu J, Tang C, Wang L, Xu N. Electroacupuncture improves swallowing function in a post-stroke dysphagia mouse model by activating the motor cortex inputs to the nucleus tractus solitarii through the parabrachial nuclei. Nat Commun 2023; 14:810. [PMID: 36781899 PMCID: PMC9925820 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36448-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As a traditional medical therapy, stimulation at the Lianquan (CV23) acupoint, located at the depression superior to the hyoid bone, has been shown to be beneficial in dysphagia. However, little is known about the neurological mechanism by which this peripheral stimulation approach treats for dysphagia. Here, we first identified a cluster of excitatory neurons in layer 5 (L5) of the primary motor cortex (M1) that can regulate swallowing function in male mice by modulating mylohyoid activity. Moreover, we found that focal ischemia in the M1 mimicked the post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) pathology, as indicated by impaired water consumption and electromyographic responses in the mylohyoid. This dysfunction could be rescued by electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at the CV23 acupoint (EA-CV23) in a manner dependent on the excitatory neurons in the contralateral M1 L5. Furthermore, neuronal activation in both the parabrachial nuclei (PBN) and nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), which was modulated by the M1, was required for the ability of EA-CV23 treatment to improve swallowing function in male PSD model mice. Together, these results uncover the importance of the M1-PBN-NTS neural circuit in driving the protective effect of EA-CV23 against swallowing dysfunction and thus reveal a potential strategy for dysphagia intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Yao
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qiuping Ye
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.,Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yun Liu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.,Department of Physiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Shuqi Yao
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Si Yuan
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qin Xu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bing Deng
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiaorong Tang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jiahui Shi
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jianyu Luo
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Junshang Wu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhennan Wu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jianhua Liu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.,Acupuncture Research Team, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Chunzhi Tang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Lin Wang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Nenggui Xu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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49
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Yao S, Wang Q, Hirokawa KE, Ouellette B, Ahmed R, Bomben J, Brouner K, Casal L, Caldejon S, Cho A, Dotson NI, Daigle TL, Egdorf T, Enstrom R, Gary A, Gelfand E, Gorham M, Griffin F, Gu H, Hancock N, Howard R, Kuan L, Lambert S, Lee EK, Luviano J, Mace K, Maxwell M, Mortrud MT, Naeemi M, Nayan C, Ngo NK, Nguyen T, North K, Ransford S, Ruiz A, Seid S, Swapp J, Taormina MJ, Wakeman W, Zhou T, Nicovich PR, Williford A, Potekhina L, McGraw M, Ng L, Groblewski PA, Tasic B, Mihalas S, Harris JA, Cetin A, Zeng H. A whole-brain monosynaptic input connectome to neuron classes in mouse visual cortex. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:350-364. [PMID: 36550293 PMCID: PMC10039800 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01219-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Identification of structural connections between neurons is a prerequisite to understanding brain function. Here we developed a pipeline to systematically map brain-wide monosynaptic input connections to genetically defined neuronal populations using an optimized rabies tracing system. We used mouse visual cortex as the exemplar system and revealed quantitative target-specific, layer-specific and cell-class-specific differences in its presynaptic connectomes. The retrograde connectivity indicates the presence of ventral and dorsal visual streams and further reveals topographically organized and continuously varying subnetworks mediated by different higher visual areas. The visual cortex hierarchy can be derived from intracortical feedforward and feedback pathways mediated by upper-layer and lower-layer input neurons. We also identify a new role for layer 6 neurons in mediating reciprocal interhemispheric connections. This study expands our knowledge of the visual system connectomes and demonstrates that the pipeline can be scaled up to dissect connectivity of different cell populations across the mouse brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenqin Yao
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Quanxin Wang
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Karla E Hirokawa
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
- Cajal Neuroscience, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Linzy Casal
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Andy Cho
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Tom Egdorf
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Amanda Gary
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Hong Gu
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Leonard Kuan
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kyla Mace
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kat North
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
- Cajal Neuroscience, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Sam Seid
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jackie Swapp
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Thomas Zhou
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Philip R Nicovich
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
- Cajal Neuroscience, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Medea McGraw
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lydia Ng
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Julie A Harris
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
- Cajal Neuroscience, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ali Cetin
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
- CNC Program, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Hongkui Zeng
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA.
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50
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Lee JH, Kim WB, Park EH, Cho JH. Neocortical synaptic engrams for remote contextual memories. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:259-273. [PMID: 36564546 PMCID: PMC9905017 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01223-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
While initial encoding of contextual memories involves the strengthening of hippocampal circuits, these memories progressively mature to stabilized forms in neocortex and become less hippocampus dependent. Although it has been proposed that long-term storage of contextual memories may involve enduring synaptic changes in neocortical circuits, synaptic substrates of remote contextual memories have been elusive. Here we demonstrate that the consolidation of remote contextual fear memories in mice correlated with progressive strengthening of excitatory connections between prefrontal cortical (PFC) engram neurons active during learning and reactivated during remote memory recall, whereas the extinction of remote memories weakened those synapses. This synapse-specific plasticity was CREB-dependent and required sustained hippocampal signals, which the retrosplenial cortex could convey to PFC. Moreover, PFC engram neurons were strongly connected to other PFC neurons recruited during remote memory recall. Our study suggests that progressive and synapse-specific strengthening of PFC circuits can contribute to long-term storage of contextual memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hye Lee
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Woong Bin Kim
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Eui Ho Park
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Jun-Hyeong Cho
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
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