Synaptic organization of cortico-cortical connections from the primary visual cortex to the posteromedial lateral suprasylvian visual area in the cat

The synaptic organization of the projection from the cat striate visual cortex to the posteromedial lateral suprasylvian cortical area (PMLS) was examined. The anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) was iontophorectically delivered into area 17, and anterogradely labeled fibers were revealed in PMLS by means of an immunocytochemical detection method. Most axons and presumptive terminal swellings were found in layers III and IV. The neuronal elements (n = 190) that were postsynaptic to anterogradely labeled boutons were quantitatively analyzed. All anterogradely labeled cortico-cortical boutons (n = 182) established type 1 synapses. The results show that 83% of the postsynaptic targets were dendritic spines, probably belonging to pyramidal cells. Dendritic shafts constituted 17% of the targets. The dendritic shafts postsynaptic to cortico-cortical boutons were studied for the presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) with a postembedding immunogold method. Most dendritic shafts (85%) that were tested were found to be GABA-positive, demonstrating that they originate from local inhibitory neurons. Taking into account that most postsynaptic targets were spines and extending the results of the immunocytochemical testing to the total population of postsynaptic dendrites, it was calculated that at least 14% of targets originated from GABA-positive cells. Thus cortico-cortical axons establish direct monosynpatic connections mainly with pyramidal and to a lesser extent with GABAergic nonpyramidal neurons in area PMLS, providing both feedforward excitation and feedforward inhibition to a visual associational area known to be involved in the processing of motion information. The results are consistent with previously demonstrated deficits in physiological properties of neurons in PMLS following removal of cortico-cortical afferents.     

Effects of MPP+ on catecholamine levels in adrenal glands and heart of rats

The effects of MPP⁺ (2.5–20 mg/kg) on the adrenal glands and heart were investigated in rats. At various periods after s.c. drug administration the rats were decapitated and tissue catecholamine levels were determined by means of HPLC with electrochemical detection. Adrenal dopamine (DA) levels were reduced at 2–8 h after MPP⁺ administration, but this decrease was followed by an elevation after 16 h and return to the control values after one week. Three successive injections of MPP⁺ caused a statistically significant elevation in adrenal DA, one day, with a tendency to elevation four and seven days after the last injection, whereas a severe (up to 96%) decrease in heart noradrenaline (NA) was found one day after the last injection. Seven days after the last injection a 50% depletion of NA in the heart was still observed. Pretreatment with GBR 12909 (30 mg/kg, 4 h) blocked the MPP⁺ (10 mg/kg, 2 h) induced reduction of adrenal DA levels, but at the same time GBR 12909 failed to block the effects of MPP⁺ in the heart. One day after three successive daily injections of MPP⁺ (10 mg/kg each), the DA-uptake inhibitor GBR 12909 (30 mg/kg, 6 h) could still induce an increase in adrenal DA.MPP⁺ appears to lack persistent cytotoxic action in the adrenal medulla but rather to cause a transient inhibition of DA synthesis followed by a compensatory stimulation. The inhibition can be blocked by specific inhibitor of the DA-uptake mechanism, suggesting a direct effect of MPP⁺ taken up by adrenomedullary cells. The data obtained so far do not suggest any involvement of peripheral dopaminergic nerves in the action of MPP⁺ on the adrenal medulla. The long-lasting depletion of the heart NA, however, suggests a lesion of peripheral noradrenergic nerves.Part of this work was presented at 6th International Symposium on Chromaffin Cell Biology, Marburg, Germany, 18–23 August 1991 Correspondence to: M. Kujacic at the above address     

Synaptic reorganization in the medial amygdaloid nucleus after lesion of the accessory olfactory bulb of adult rat. II. New synapse formation in the medial amygdaloid nucleus by fibers from the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis

The rearrangement of terminations from the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BST) was examined in the medial amygdaloid nucleus (MAN) at 2 months following the lesion of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) using an electron microscopy and degeneration study. At 2 days following a BST lesion, the number of degenerating synapses was 0.7 ± 0.1 (mean±S.E.M.) per unit area (2500 μm² in the molecular layer, and 3/0 ± 0.3 in the cellular part. At 2 months after an AOB lesion, the degenerating synapses from the AOB had completely disappeared from the MAN. The BST was then lesioned at 2 months after the AOB lesion and, 2 days following this BST lesion, the degenerating synapses were counted in MAN. The numbers observed were 3.3 ± 0.6 per unit area in the molecular layer and 4.5 ± 0.4 in the cellular part. Therefore, the number of these degenerating synapses increased significantly within the molecular layer, though, in the cellular part the number of synapses was not significantly elevated over control. No differences in postsynaptic profiles (ratio of synapses on dendritic spine to dendritic shaft) were observed after the AOB lesion. These results indicate that the BST fibers formed new synapses in the molecular layer following the denervation of AOB fibers. The possibility of new synapse formation by other afferent fibers in addition to the AOB fibers is discussed as is the relationship between lesion induced synaptic reorganization and functional recovery after injury.     

近交系胎鼠中脑多巴胺能神经元体外定向分化的初步研究

目的体外培养近交系大鼠胚胎腹侧中脑前体细胞(VMP)并诱导其分化为多巴胺能神经元(DN),为研究DN定向分化的分子机制提供细胞模型。方法取材胎龄11d的近交系大鼠胚胎VMP,体外用碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)增殖培养7d后换用L-抗坏血酸-2-磷酸酯倍半镁盐(AA-2P)诱导分化为DN,随后进行免疫荧光染色鉴定。结果细胞总数扩增49.76倍,免疫荧光染色显示β-TubulinⅢ阳性的神经元中(71.33±20.42)%为TH阳性的DN,后者占细胞总数的(24.85±12.85)%。结论近交系大鼠VMP经体外原代培养能够得到较高比例的DN,可作为深入研究DN定向分化分子机制的细胞模型。     

Ultrastructure of the periaqueductal grey matter of the rat: an electron microscopical and horseradish peroxidase study.

The neurons of the mesencephalic periaqueductal grey substance (PAG) in the rat are small and medium sized. The cells are frequently located in small clusters, without interdigitating glial elements and may be connected by direct membrane appositions or by gap junctions. The inner zone of the PAG is cell poor. In many cases, the cytoplasm of the cells is filled with extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes, Golgi apparatus, and large lysosome-like granules. The nuclei show large indentations. The cells have a high nucleus-cytoplasm ratio. The neuropil is very extensive and particularly rich in large numbers of small unmyelinated axons, dendrites, axonal varicosities, and synaptic connections. Myelinated fibres are relatively scarce. The orientation of the fibres was studied in transverse and horizontal sections, in combination with HRP track tracing experiments. It appeared that throughout the PAG most of the fibres were orientated longitudinally. Quantitation showed that most fibres were present in the inner zones of the PAG. Moreover, the diameter of the fibres adjacent to the aqueduct was smaller than that of the fibres in the peripheral parts of the PAG. The thin unmyelinated fibres made extensive synaptic connections within the PAG. Many synaptic varicosities were found in the neuropil of the PAG. There were four types of synaptic varicosities, characterized by different populations of clear and dense-core secretory granules and by the different morphology of the synaptic specializations. In general, the different types of varicosity were homogeneously distributed in the different parts of the PAG. Electron dense secretory granules, when present, were located at some distance from the synaptic junction. Serial sections revealed varicosities which contained only dense-core secretory granules, without synaptic specializations. The dendrites of PAG neurons generally lacked synaptic spines. Many dendrites, particularly those of neurons located in the peripheral parts of the PAG, were directed toward the aqueduct. The present study shows that the PAG is a very complex brain area. The crisscrossing of axons and dendrites with synaptic connections at considerable distances from the cell bodies render it very difficult to unravel the relationships between the possible sources and destinations of ongoing information. This structure complicates the search for relationships between the functional organization and the cytoarchitectural borders in the PAG area.     

Mechanisms underlying the antidopaminergic effect of clonazepam and melatonin in striatum

Intrastriatal injection of the GABA_A antagonist, bicuculline, caused about a 75% decrease in the inhibitory effect of the central-type benzodiazepine (BZ) agonist, clonazepam or the indoleamine hormone, melatonin, on apomorphine-induced rotation in a 6-hydroxydopamine model of dopaminergic supersensitivity. Pretreatment with the peripheral-type BZ antagonist, PK 11195 (intrastriatally or intraperitoneally), also attenuated the antidopaminergic effect of these drugs but with much less potency than bicuculline. However, the combination of both bicuculline and PK 11195, injected directly into the striatum, completely blocked the antidopaminergic action of clonazepam or melatonin. These results indicate that the antidopaminergic action of clonazepam and melatonin in the striatum involves two distinct mechanisms: (1) a predominant GABAergic activation via the BZ/GABA_A receptor complex, and (2) a secondary mechanism linked to a PK 11195- sensitive BZ receptor pathway. Recent studies indicate that PK 11195 blocks BZ-induced inhibition of the adenylyl cyclase-cyclic AMP pathway in the striatum. Since cyclic AMP has been implicated in the rotational behaviour of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned animals, it is possible that the antidopaminergic action of clonazepam and melatonin also involves suppression of this second messenger. All rights reserved.     

人骨髓间充质干细胞向多巴胺神经元分化的体外研究

目的探讨人骨髓间充质干细胞(hMSC)向神经元和多巴胺神经元分化的潜能。方法分离和纯化hMSCs;在体外以WHI-P131预处理和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子预诱导后,全反式维甲酸和胶质细胞源性神经营养因子联合诱导hMSCs向神经元和多巴胺神经元分化。光镜下观察其分化过程中hMSCs的形态变化,免疫组化检测诱导前后细胞是否表达神经元和多巴胺能神经元标志蛋白。结果诱导后的hMSCs能分化成为具有典型神经元形态的细胞,并明显表达抗人神经巢蛋白(nestin)[(54.2±3.7)%]和神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)[(77.0±5.7)%],低表达胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)[(8.8±2.4)%];对照组细胞这些表达均为阴性;而且相当部分hMSCs表达酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)[(36.5±15.8)%]和多巴胺转运体(DAT)[(26.0±14.2)%]。结论在适当条件下,hMSCs可分化成为神经元样细胞和多巴胺神经元样细胞。     

突触功能必需基因参与线虫衰老的调控(英文)

目的鉴定参与线虫衰老的神经内分泌调控的新基因。方法鉴于神经系统在衰老调控中的重要作用,通过寿命分析和脂褐质自发荧光的检测,从编码突触蛋白的遗传位点中筛选参与衰老调控的基因。我们还进一步检查了这些遗传位点相应的突变体的永久性幼虫形成情况,探讨它们是否可能受胰岛素样信号通路的调控。结果遗传位点 unc-10,syd-2,hlb-1,dlk-1,mkk-4,scd-2,snb-1,ric-4,nrx-1,unc-13,sbt-1,unc-64 可能参与线虫衰老的调控。而且在衰老的调控中,unc-10,syd-2,hlb-1,dlk-1,mkk-4,scd-2,snb-1,ric-4,nrx-1 的功能可能与unc-13,sbt-1,unc-64相反。肠道脂褐质自发荧光的检测进一步证明了筛选出的各基因对应突变体的长寿或短寿表型,是由减慢或缩短的组织衰老所致。在筛选出的基因中,syd-2,hlb-1,mkk-4,scd-2,snb-1,ric-4,unc-64 也参与了永久性幼虫形成的调控。另外,daf-2突变增强了syd-2和hlb-1的表达,降低了mkk-4,nrx-1,ric-4,sbt-1,rpm-1,unc-10,dlk-1,unc-13 的表达。daf-16突变提高了syd-2和 hlb-1 的表达,降低了mkk-4,nrx-1,sbt-1,rpm-1,unc-10,dlk-1,unc-13 的表达. 结论突触功能可能在个体寿命和永久性幼虫形成的调控机制中具有重要的作用。     

Parvalbumin immunoreactivity reveals layer IV of monkey cerebral cortex as a mosaic of microzones of thalamic afferent terminations

Correlative light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical methods were used to study the pattern of staining for the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) in the primary visual area (area 17) and area 3b of the first somatic sensory area of the monkey cerebral cortex. A conspicuous feature of the light microscopic staining pattern is the presence of focal aggregations of immunoreactive terminal-like puncta within the major thalamic recipient layers (IV and VI). At the electron microscopic level these aggregations of puncta are found to be immunoreactive terminals most of which form asymmetric synapses, principally on dendritic spines and, to a lesser extent, on dendritic shafts. Outside the aggregations, most PV-immunoreactive terminals form symmetric synapses. Correlative observations in the present and other studies indicate that the aggregations of PV-immunoreactive terminals forming asymmetric synapses arise from thalamic afferent fibers while those forming symmetric synapses arise from intrinsic gamma-aminobutyric acid neurons. The aggregations of PV immunoreactivity in layers IV and VI form microzones of preferred thalamic afferent terminations which may contribute to the formation of functional columns based upon focussed thalamic inputs.     

Guidance of dopaminergic neuritic growth by immature astrocytes in organotypic cultures of rat fetal ventral mesencephalon.

Astrocytes, with their many functions in producing and controlling the environment in the brain, are of great interest when it comes to studying regeneration after injury and neurodegenerative diseases such as in grafting in Parkinson's disease. This study was performed to investigate astrocytic guidance of growth derived from dopaminergic neurons using organotypic cultures of rat fetal ventral mesencephalon. Primary cultures were studied at different time points starting from 3 days up to 28 days. Cultures were treated with either interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), which has stimulating effects on astrocytic proliferation, or the astrocytic inhibitor cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C). Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunohistochemistry was used to visualize dopaminergic neurons, and antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100 beta were used to label astrocytes. The results revealed that a robust TH-positive nerve fiber production was seen already at 3 days in vitro. These neurites had disappeared by 5 days. This early nerve fiber outgrowth was not guided by direct interactions with glial cells. Later, at 7 days in vitro, a second wave of TH-positive neuritic outgrowth was clearly observed. GFAP-positive astrocytic processes guided these neurites. TH-positive neurites arborized overlying S100 beta-positive astrocytes in an area distal to the GFAP-positive astrocytic processes. Treatment with IL-1 beta resulted in an increased area of TH-positive nerve fiber network. In cultures treated with Ara-C, neither astrocytes nor outgrowth of dopaminergic neurites were observed. In conclusion, this study shows that astrocytes play a major role in long-term dopaminergic outgrowth, both in axonal elongation and branching of neurites. The long-term nerve fiber growth is preceded by an early transient outgrowth of dopamine neurites.