大鼠丘脑前核内海马下托复合体谷氨酸能传入终末与皮质投射神经元的突触联系

目的 探讨大鼠丘脑前核-海马下托复合体神经元环路的突触结构及谷氨酸分布特征.方法 应用HRP束路追踪结合包埋后胶体金免疫电镜技术.结果 在丘脑前核内,可见HRP顺行标记的海马下托复合体传入轴突终末,终末多为卵圆形,内含圆形透亮突触小泡和数个线粒体.其做为突触前成分与HRP标记的树突或非HRP标记的树突形成非对称性突触.在谷氨酸胶体金免疫反应切片上,胶体金颗粒标记胞体、树突、轴突终末等.HRP标记的轴突终末和一些非HRP标记的与突触后成分形成非对称性突触的轴突终末(Gray Ⅰ型)内,胶体金颗粒密度明显大于背景(胞体、树突、Gray Ⅱ型轴突终末等)的胶体金颗粒密度.其平均胶体金颗粒密度为突触后树突的3倍多,为对称性轴突终末(Gray Ⅱ型)的6倍多.在两张邻近的连续切片,γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)胶体金免疫反应切片上,GABA胶体金颗粒浓重标记Gray Ⅱ型轴突终末,背景标记极少;而非对称性轴突终末(Gray Ⅰ型)胶体金颗粒标记极弱.谷氨酸胶体金免疫反应切片上,Gray Ⅱ型轴突终末胶体金颗粒标记极弱.GABA阳性轴突终末与HRP标记的树突形成对称性突触,在同一树突上可见GABA能轴突终末形成的对称性突触和其他轴突终末形成的非对称性突触.结论 丘脑前核内来自海马下托复合体投射神经元的轴突终末是谷氨酸能的;来自海马下托复合体皮质投射神经元轴突终末,在丘脑前核与投射至海马下托皮质的神经元树突形成非对称性轴-树突触.     

猫丘脑中央外侧核内脊丘系终末与丘脑-皮质投射神经元之间的突触联系

本实验应用顺行溃变和HRP逆行追踪相结合的方法，首次在电镜水平对猫丘脑中央外侧核内脊丘系终末与丘脑-皮质投射神经元之间的突触联系进行了研究．在脊髓第4颈段刀切损毁一侧侧索和前索后，将HRP注射于同侧大脑前上薛氏回和中上薛氏回前端。在电镜下于损毁同侧中央外侧核内可见下列突触连结：（1）溃变的脊丘系轴突终末与标记树突形成的轴-树突触；（2）溃变的脊丘系轴突终末与非标记树突形成的轴-树突触，个别非标记树突含有突触小泡；（3）正常的轴突终末与HRP标记树突和胞体形成的轴-树突触和轮一体突触；（4）正常的两个轴突终末与HRP标记树突形成的轴-轴-树连续性突触；（5）非标记的含突触小泡的突触前树突与HRP标记树突形成的树-树突触。同时可见大量汇聚型突触复合体。本文首次报道在丘脑中央外侧核内，脊丘系终末与丘脑-皮质投射神经元之间存在着直接的突触联系。     

猫丘脑腹后外侧核内皮质—丘脑纤维终末与丘脑—皮质投射神经元之间的突触连接

用ＣＢ－ＨＲＰ逆行追踪与顺行溃变相结合的方法，对描丘脑腹后外侧核内的来自大脑皮质体感Ⅰ区的皮质—丘脑纤维终末与丘脑—皮质投射神经元之间的突触连接进行了电镜观察。向猫大脑皮质体感Ⅰ区内注射ＣＢ－ＨＲＰ５ｈ后，电解损毁原注射部位，术后动物存活４ｄ。电镜下发现丘脑瓜后外侧核内存在５种突触连接方式；（１）溃变的轴突终未与ＨＲＰ标记神经元胞体形成轴－体突触；（２）溃变的轴突终末与ＨＲＰ标记的树突形成轴—树突触；（３）溃变的轴突终末和其它突触前成分共同与中央树突形成汇聚型的突触复合体；（４）溃变的轴突终末与未标记树突形成的轴—树突触；（５）正常的轴突终末与ＨＲＰ标记神经元形成对称型的轴—体突触。     

猫三叉神经尾侧脊束核—丘脑—皮质通路在丘脑水平的突触联系

本文采用HRP逆行追踪与顺行溃变结合法对猫三叉神经尾侧脊束核-丘脑-皮质通路在丘脑腹后内侧核内的突触联系型式进行了研究。在电镜下发现,丘脑腹后内侧核內有五种突触联系形式:(1)溃变轴突终末与HRP标记树突形成轴-树突触;(2)溃变轴突终末与HRP标记的胞体形成轴-体突触,上述两类突触型式为该通路在丘脑水平的直接突触联系方式,此外尚有(3)溃变轴突终末与非HRP标记的树突形成的轴-树突触;(4)HRP标记树突与非溃变轴突终末形成轴一树突触;(5)HRP标记树突与非HRP标记的含有突触小泡的突触前树突形成的树-树突触。本文首次报道了三叉丘系纤维与丘脑皮质投射神经元间的直接突触联系方式为轴-树和轴-体突触。同时也发现了以树突为中心的突触复合体,它是该通路在丘脑水平的一个显著特点。     

大鼠纹状体parvalbumin阳性中间神经元的超微结构

目的:研究纹状体parvalbumin (Parv)阳性中间神经元在神经通路上的突触连接.方法:利用免疫组织化学和神经示踪方法标记SD大鼠纹状体Parv及其相关神经元,光镜和电镜观察阳性神经元的结构和位置关系.结果:Parv阳性中间神经元中等大小,散在分布于纹状体,以背外侧居多.光镜免疫双标记显示Parv阳性中间神经元与皮质、丘脑和中脑黑质的传入轴突终末形成明显的形态位置上的邻近关系,其轴突终末则与纹状体不同类型投射神经元在光镜下也形成邻近关系.Parv阳性中间神经元的免疫电镜观察显示阳性产物主要游离于胞体、树突和轴突的胞质内.Parv阳性中间神经元的胞体和树突均接受大量的非对称型突触传入.Parv阳性轴突终末平均大小为(0.62±0.28)μm,可见其与纹状体神经元的树突、胞体和树突棘形成对称型突触,其中与树突形成的突触占69.64%,与胞体和树突棘形成的突触分别为26.78%和3.58%.结论:纹状体Parv阳性中间神经元形态学上与皮质、丘脑、黑质以及纹状体投射神经元形成突触连接,提示其可能在调节纹状体信息传入和输出过程中具有重要作用.     

大鼠三叉神经本体感觉中枢通路二、三级核团内Parvalbumin样阳性神经元突触联系的电镜研究

本教研室以往的研究证实 Parvalbum in样免疫阳性细胞广泛分布于三叉神经本体感觉中枢四级通路的各级中继核团 ,其中有 30 %～ 5 0 %为投射神经元。本研究应用电镜免疫组织化学技术进一步对此通路第二、三级神经元所在地的 Parvalbumin样阳性神经元及其纤维和终末的突触联系进行了观察。结果显示 Parvalbum in样阳性结构主要形成以下几种突触联系 :( 1) Par-valbumin样阳性轴突与 Parvalbumin样阳性胞体或树突形成轴 -体或轴 -树突触 ,其中以非对称性突触为主 ,对称性突触较少 ;( 2 )Parvalbumin样阳性轴突分别与 Parvalbumin样阴性神经元的胞体或树突形成轴 -体或轴 -树突触 ,这些突触联系以对称性为主 ,非对称性大约占 30 %左右 ;( 3) Parvalbumin样阴性终末与 Parvalbumin样阳性树突形成以对称性为主的轴 -树突触 ,这种突触大约占所有突触联系的 5 0 %。以上结果表明 :面口部本体感觉信息由三叉神经中脑核神经元向丘脑腹后内侧核传递的过程中 ,Par-valbumin样阳性轴突终末可通过突触传导机制而兴奋或抑制二、三级核团内的投射或中间神经元而发挥其重要作用     

迷走神经背核尾侧部内神经降压肽样免疫反应终末联系的电镜研究

用辣根过氧化物酶逆行标记法结合免疫细胞化学法(PAP法)对大鼠迷走神经背核尾侧部内神经降压肽样免疫反应终末的核内联系进行了电镜下的研究.发现少量神经降压肽样免疫反应轴突终末与HRP逆行标记的副交感节前神经元的树突构成非对称性突触;大多数神经降压肽样免疫反应轴突终末与未标记中间神经元的胞体和树突构成对称性或非对称性突触,以轴-树突触为主;未标记的轴突终末也可同HRP逆行标记的副交感节前神经元的胞体和树突构成对称性或非对称性突触.由此认为核内神经降压肽样免疫反应终末可通过直接或间接联系(后者为主)作用于副交感节前神经元,从而参与对内脏、心血管活动的调节.     

猫后索核—丘脑—皮质通路在丘脑水平的突触联系

应用顺行溃变和ＨＲＰ逆行追踪相结合的方法对猫内侧丘系与丘脑皮质投射神经元在丘脑腹后外侧核内的突触联系组合型式进行了研究。电损毁一侧后索核后将ＨＲＰ注射于对侧皮质躯体感觉颈、躯干、四肢代表区，电镜下在注射区同侧的丘脑腹后外侧核内可见到下列七种突触形式；（１）溃变的内侧丘系轴突终末与ＨＲＰ标记树突形成的轴－树突触，较多；（２）溃变的内侧丘系轴突终末与ＨＲＰ标记的神经元体形成的轴－体突触较少；（３）溃变     

猫丘脑腹后外侧核内皮质—丘脑纤维终末与丘脑—皮质投射神经元…

用ＣＢ－ＨＲＰ逆行追踪与顺行溃变相结合的方法，对猫丘脑腹后外侧核内的来自大脑皮质体感Ｉ区的皮质－丘脑纤维终末与丘脑－皮质投射神经元之间的突触连接进行了电镜观察。向猫大脑皮质体感Ｉ区内注射ＣＢ－ＨＲＰ５ｈ后，电解损毁原注射部位，术后动物存活４ｄ。电镜下发现丘脑腹后外侧核内存在５种突触连接方式：（１）溃变的轴突终末与ＨＲＰ标记神经元胞体形成轴－体突触；（２）溃变的轴突终末与ＨＲＰ标记的树突形成轴－树突     

迷走神经背核尾侧内神经降压肽样免疫反应终末联系的电镜研究

用辣根过氧化物酶逆行标记法结合免疫细胞化学法（ＰＡＰ）法对大鼠迷走神经背核尾侧部内神经降压肽样免疫反应终末的核内联系进行了电镜下的研究。发现少量神经降压肽样免疫反应轴突终末与ＨＲＰ逆行标记的副交感节前神经元的树突构成非对称性突触；大多数神经降压肽样免疫反应轴突终末与末标记中间神经元的胞体和树突构成对称性或非对称性突触，以轴－树突触为主；未标记的轴突终末也可同ＨＲＰ逆行标记的副交感节前神经元的胞体和     

Synaptic terminals in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus from neurons of the thalamic reticular nucleus: A light and electron microscope autoradiographic study

(³H)-proline was injected in the caudodorsal part (visual segment) of the thalamic reticular nucleus to study its projection to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. This was done by autoradiographic tracing of anterograde axonal transport of tritium at the light- and electron microscopic level. The results of the light-microscope autoradiography show that connections of the thalamic reticular nucleus are distributed along lines of projections in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, indicating a retinotopic arrangement of this projection. The results of the electron microscope autoradiography provide direct evidence that axons of cells in the thalamic reticular nucleus terminate in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus as synaptic boutons that contain flattened synaptic vesicles, dark mitochondria and establish symmetrical synapses with perikarya and with proximal, intermediate and distal dendrites. They do not take part in intraglomerular synapses (as boutons with pleomorphic synaptic vesicles do) and are not postsynaptic to other vesicle-containing boutons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus.The present results, taken in conjunction with physiological studies that have shown postsynaptic inhibitory effects of the thalamic reticular nucleus on dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus relay cells in the rat, establish a correlation of an inhibitory synapse with the presence of flattened synaptic vesicles in the corresponding synaptic boutons. Also, the observation that thalamic reticular nucleus terminals in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus avoid forming synapses with boutons containing pleomorphic vesicles, believed to be synaptic processes of interneurons, is indicative that the inhibitory effects are exerted monosynaptically on geniculate relay cells.     

The cholinergic innervation of the visual thalamus: an EM immunocytochemical study

Summary In this study we demonstrate at the ultrastructural level that both the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), the visual relay of the thalamus, and the perigeniculate nucleus (PGN), the visual segment of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), are densely innervated by fibres with Choline-Acetyl-Transferase (ChAT) like immuno-reactivity. These axons make synaptic contacts with interneurones considered to be inhibitory, both in the PGN and within the synaptic glomeruli of the dLGN. In addition, Chat positive terminals form intra- and extraglomerular synapses with dendrites thought to arise from relay cells. We interpret these results as evidence for direct cholinergic modulation of both relay cells and inhibitory interneurones.     

Neural elements containing glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the rat; immunohistochemical studies by light and electron microscopy

Immunoreactive constituents of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of adult albino rats were examined by light- and electron-microscopy, using the unlabelled antibody enzyme method, following treatment of brain slices with a purified antibody to glutamic acid decarboxylase. The neuropil of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus displayed a conspicuous granular immunoreactivity. In addition, the antibody was bound to a class of small neurons of characteristic morphology. These cells possessed few (commonly 2-4) sparsely branched, long dendrites from some of which immunoreactive appendages were traced. Many cells were bipolar in form, and the dendrites of some appeared to be preferentially orientated. The immunoreactive cells closely resembled intrinsic interneurons characterized in previous Golgi studies of this nucleus. By electron-microscopy, immunoreactive presynaptic elements were present both in the extraglomerular neuropil and in the synaptic glomeruli. The former were axon terminals containing flattened synaptic vesicles and making Gray type II axo-dendritic synaptic contact; they appeared to correspond to axon terminals whose origin in the thalamic reticular nucleus has been established in previous studies, but it is possible that some were axon terminals of intrinsic interneurons. The immunoreactive glomerular components also contained flattened vesicles, were presynaptic to presumptive projection cell dendrites, postsynaptic to retinal axon terminals, and participated in triplet (triadic) and other complex synaptic arrangements. They corresponded in all respects to the synaptic portions of the complex dendritic appendages of intrinsic interneurons, identified and characterized in previous studies. The finding that there are high levels of glutamic acid decarboxylase in the cell bodies, dendritic shafts and dendritic appendages of intrinsic interneurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the rat, and in the axon terminals of fibres projecting to this site from the thalamic reticular nucleus, allows us to conclude that the inhibitory inputs to the geniculo-cortical projection cells from both of these sources are probably mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid.     

Ultrastructure and synaptic relations of neural elements containing glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) in the perigeniculate nucleus of the cat

Summary The perigeniculate nucleus of the cat (PGN) was examined at light and electron microscopic levels after immunocytochemical labeling for the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesizing enzyme, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). In light microscopic sections, virtually all perikarya were found to be labeled (GAD+), as well as proximal dendrites, fibres and punctiform elements. Cells in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) dorsal to PGN were also labeled. Ultrastructural analysis of PGN showed immunoreactivity in all somata, in dendrites and in the following vesicle containing profiles: 1.) F1 terminals, which are characterized by large size, dark mitochondria, and pleomorphic vesicles. These terminals form symmetrical synaptic contacts with somata, somatic spines and with dendrites of GAD+ PGN cells. 2.) F2 terminals, which are smaller than F1 terminals, contain also pleomorphic vesicles and frequently make serial synapses of the symmetric type with other F2 terminals. Presumably, F1 terminals are formed by collaterals of PGN-cell axons and F2 terminals by vesicle containing dendrites of PGN cells. Terminals devoid of immunoreactivity included: 1.) RLD terminals characterized by large size, round vesicles, dark mitochondria, and by asymmetric synaptic contacts with somata, especially with somatic spines, and with dendrites of GAD+ perigeniculate neurons; 2.) RSD terminals, characterized by small size, round vesicles and dark mitochondria, which make asymmetric synapses with GAD+ dendrites of medium and small size; 3.) Multivesicular (MV) terminals with variably shaped vesicles including dense core vesicles synapsing on GAD+ dendrites. There are reasons to believe that RSD terminals belong to corticofugal axons and RLD terminals to collateral axons of LGN relay cells. The origin of MV terminals remains to be determined. The GABAergic nature of the PGN cells conforms with the presumed function of these cells as mediators of inhibition of LGN relay cells. The complex synaptic relations observed between GAD+ elements in the PGN would allow for reciprocal inhibition between perigeniculate cells.Supported in part by NIH grants EY02877 to V.M. Montero and HD 03352 to the Waisman Center     

Synaptic organization of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus in the adult hamster

Summary The synaptic organization of the sector of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus has been examined by electron microscopy in normal adult hamsters and in adult hamsters subjected to unilateral eye enucleation or intravitreal injection of horseradish peroxidase.Two types of neuropil are apparent. Islands of complex neuropil partially enclosed by astrocyte processes (synaptic glomeruli) are surrounded by a sea of simpler non-glomerular neuropil. The latter is dominated by small axon terminals with spherical synaptic vesicles and Gray type 1 axodendritic contacts (SR-boutons) and also contains axon terminals with flattened synaptic vesicles (F-boutons). The glomerular neuropil contains (i) exclusively postsynaptic dendrites and dendritic protrusions of presumptive projection cells; (ii) pre- and postsynaptic pleomorphic-vesiclecontaining P-boutons (interpreted as appendages of the dendrites of interneurons); (iii) large axon terminals containing spherical synaptic vesicles and large pale mitochondria (R-boutons) which were experimentally identified as retinal terminals and which are presynaptic to both projection cell dendrites and P-boutons at Gray type 1 contacts; (iv) F-boutons (minority component). F-boutons and P-boutons are presynaptic to both projection cell dendrites and P-boutons and P-boutons are the intermediate elements of various serial synapses including triplet (triadic) synapses. Medium-large terminals with spherical synatpic vesicles and dark mitochondria (RLD-boutons) which were commonly invaginated by dendritic spines of projection cells in small glomerulus-like formations were also identified. The origin of RLD-boutons is unknown but SR-boutons probably derive chiefly from ipsilateral visual cortex and possibly also from superior colliculus, and non-glomerular F-boutons probably originate in the ipsilateral thalamic reticular nucleus.No differences in synaptic organization were found between the part of the nucleus which receives uncrossed retinal input and the part which receives crossed input, nor were differences seen in the size, fine structure or relationships between the terminals of identified crossed and uncrossed retinal axons.     

Ultrastructural identification of synaptic terminals from cortical axons and from collateral axons of geniculo-cortical relay cells in the perigeniculate nucleus of the cat

Summary Electron microscopic analysis of sections of the perigeniculate nucleus (PGN) of the cat processed with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) histochemistry after massive injections of this enzyme in the visual cortex showed two types of synaptic terminals labeled with HRP reaction products. One type (RLD terminals) is characterized by round synaptic vesicles, large size, dark mitochondria and asymmetrical synaptic contacts with somata and dendrites. The second type (RSD terminals) is characterized by round synaptic vesicles, small size, dark mitochondria and asymmetrical synaptic contacts with dendrites. The HRP + RSD terminals, which were also found in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), are interpreted as terminals of cortical origin both in the PGN and LGN, since previous studies have identified cortical terminals as being of RSD type in the LGN and in other thalamic nuclei. The HRP + RLD terminals are interpreted as synaptic terminals of collaterals axons of geniculo-cortical relay cells in the PGN labeled by retrograde transport of HRP from the cortex. In addition, in semithin and ultrathin sections somata in the PGN were never found labeled with HRP products indicating the absence of a PGN projection to the visual cortex.     

An ultrastructural study of the lateral reticular nucleus in the rat

Summary A systematic study of the normal synaptic patterns within the lateral reticular nucleus (LRN) of the rat revealed various synaptic relationships. Two types of axon terminals were identified according to the morphology of the synaptic vesicles contained within them. Axon terminals with round vesicles established asymmetrical synaptic contacts with the somata and all areas of the dendritic trees including somatic and dendritic appendages. Pleomorphic-vesicle terminals established symmetrical synaptic contacts on somata and their appendages and on all sizes of dendrites and their appendages. Both round and pleomorphicvesicle terminals were infrequently seen to synapse upon the somata and proximal dendrites. The round-vesicle terminals outnumbered the pleomorphic-vesicle terminals on the dendritic trees. Terminals of the en passant type were also common throughout the LRN. Both round and pleomorphic-vesicle terminals were observed simultaneously contacting the soma and one or more dendritic profiles, or two different dendritic profiles. Synaptic configurations (glomeruli) were also observed in all three divisions of the nucleus. They consisted of a large, central, round-vesicle terminal contacting a number of small-calibre dendritic processes. This arrangement was surrounded by one or more sheets of glial lamellae. Puncta adherentia were observed on the apposed membranes of adjacent cells, adjacent dendrites and adjacent axon terminals.     

Ultrastructure of the anterior ventral and anterior medial nuclei of the cat thalamus

Summary Electron microscopical studies of the thalamic AV-AM nuclei substantiated the presence of two main types of neurons, i.e. principal (or relay) cells and Golgi type II interneurons. Characteristic synaptic islands are found in abundance in the AV-AM. Four different types of synaptic terminals have been identified in these islands: RL-boutons = large axonal terminals with round synaptic vesicles; RS-boutons = small axonal terminals with round synaptic vesicles; F₁-boutons = small axonal profiles containing flattened synaptic vesicles, and F₂-profiles interpreted as presynaptic dendrite appendages, bearing pleomorphic vesicles, both belonging to the Golgi type II interneurons. — The synaptic relations were studied in normal preparations and after lesions in the mamillary body, limbic cortex and hippocampus. The specific afferents (RL-boutons) — originating from the medial mamillary nucleus — are presynaptic to both relay cell dendrites and presynaptic dendrite profiles of Golgi type II interneurons, which in turn are presynaptic to the same relay dendrites (synaptic triads). RS-boutons originate mainly from limbic cortex and hippocampus.