Ventrally emigrating neural tube cells migrate into the developing vestibulocochlear nerve and otic vesicle

Virtually all cell types in the inner ear develop from the cells of the otic vesicle. The otic vesicle is formed by the invagination of non-neural ectodermal cells known as the otic placode. We investigated whether a recently described cell population, originating from the ventral part of the hindbrain neural tube known as the ventrally emigrating neural tube (VENT) cells, also contributes cells to the otic vesicle. The ventral hindbrain neural tube cells were labeled with the fluorescent vital dye DiI or replication-deficient retroviruses containing the LacZ gene in chick embryos on embryonic day 2, after the emigration of neural crest from this region. One day later, the labeled cells were detected only in the hindbrain neural tube. Shortly thereafter, the labeled cells began to appear in the eighth (vestibulocochlear) cranial nerve and otic vesicle. From embryonic day 3.5-5, the labeled cells were detected in the major derivatives of the otic vesicle, i.e. the endolymphatic duct, semicircular canals, utricle, saccule, cochlea, and vestibulocochlear ganglion. That the emigrated cells originated from the ventral part of the hindbrain neural tube was confirmed by focal application of DiI impregnated filter paper and with quail chimeras. It is concluded that, in addition to the otic placode cells, the otic vesicle also contains the ventrally emigrating neural tube cells, and that both cell populations contribute to the structures and cell types in the inner ear. It is well known that inductive signals from the hindbrain are required for the morphogenesis of the inner ear. The migration of the hindbrain neural tube cells into the otic vesicle raises the possibility that the inductive effect of the hindbrain might be mediated, at least in part, by the ventrally emigrating neural tube cells and that, therefore, a mechanism exists that involves cells rather than diffusible molecules only.     

Development of commissural neurons in the embryonic rat spinal cord.

Little is known about the development of the various populations of interneurons in the mammalian spinal cord. We have utilized the lipid-soluble tracer DiI in fixed tissue to study the migration and dendritic arborization of spinal neurons with axons in the ventral commissure in embryonic rats. Crystals of DiI were placed in various locations in the thoracic spinal cord in order to label commissural neurons within the dorsal horn, intermediate zone, and ventral horn at E13.5, E15, E17, and E19. Seven different groups of commissural interneurons are present in the spinal cord by E13.5. Migration is relatively simple with groups occupying a position along the dorsoventral axis roughly corresponding to their position of origin along the neuroepithelium. By E15, commissural cells are near their final locations and exhibit characteristic morphology. One striking feature is the tendency of cells with similar morphology to cluster in distinct groups. By E19, at least 18 different types of commissural interneurons can be identified on morphological grounds. Although the situation is complex, some generalities about dendritic morphology are apparent. Commissural neurons located in the dorsal horn are small and have highly branched dendrites oriented along the dorsoventral axis. In more ventral regions, commissural neurons are larger and possess dendritic arbors oriented obliquely or parallel to the mediolateral axis with long dendrites extending toward the lateral and ventral funiculi. The number of primary dendrites of most groups is set by E15 and dendritic growth occurs in the transverse plane by lengthening and branching of these primary processes. This study demonstrates that a large number of classes of commissural interneurons can be recognized on the basis of characteristic morphologies and locations within the dorsal horn, intermediate zone and ventral horn of the embryonic rat spinal cord. This finding is consistent with the fact that commissural neurons project to many different targets and mediate a variety of different functions. The demonstration that dendritic arbors of spinal interneurons with characteristic morphologies can be conveniently labelled with DiI should prove useful in future studies on the development of specific circuits in the mammalian spinal cord.     

Pubertal exposure to anabolic androgenic steroids increases spine densities on neurons in the limbic system of male rats

Human studies show that the number of teenagers abusing anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) is increasing. During adolescence, brain development is altered by androgen exposure, which suggests that AAS may potentially alter central nervous system (CNS) development. The goal of the present study was to determine whether pubertal AAS exposure increased dendritic spine densities on neurons within the medial amygdala and the dorsal hippocampus. Pubertal gonadally intact male rats received the AAS testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg) or vehicle for 5 days/week for 4 weeks. To determine the long-term implications of pubertal AAS use, another set of males received the same AAS treatment and was then withdrawn from AAS exposure for 4 weeks. Results showed that pubertal AAS exposure significantly increased spine densities on neurons in the anterior medial amygdala, posterodorsal medial amygdala, and the cornu ammonis region 1 (CA1) of the hippocampus compared with gonadally intact control males. Spine densities returned to control levels within the anterior medial amygdala and the posterodorsal medial amygdala 4 weeks after withdrawal. However, spine densities remained significantly elevated after AAS withdrawal in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, suggesting that pubertal AAS exposure may have a long-lasting impact on CA1 hippocampal neuroanatomy. Since pubertal AAS exposure increased spine densities and most excitatory synapses in the CNS occur on dendritic spines, AAS may increase neuronal excitation. It is proposed that this increase in excitation may underlie the behavioral responses seen in pubertal AAS-treated male rats.     

双荧光逆向追踪法研究大鼠视网膜节细胞的中枢投射

目的：观察向上丘投射的大鼠视网膜神经节细胞(RGCs)在视网膜内的分布、密度及细胞类型上的差异。方法：将 DiI 与荧光金(FG)注射入 SD 大鼠的同侧和(或)对侧上丘,不同时相荧光显微镜下观察两种荧光标记 RGCs 的分布情况。结果：视网膜与视神经内均可见荧光标记;视网膜内标记 RGCs 的数目随时间延长略有增加。DiI 与 FG 的标记效率无明显差异;RGCs 大多数为对侧投射;视网膜颞背侧区域可见双侧投射细胞;视网膜颞腹侧周边区集中存在同侧投射细胞,多数胞体较大;视网膜其它区域可见零星同侧投射细胞。结论：DiI 与 FG 可高效率逆行标记 RGCs 及部分突起;SD 大鼠视网膜内并存着向对侧、双侧及同侧脑区投射的 RGCs,后二者数量较少,分布局限;同侧投射以大胞体细胞为多。     

Dil散射标记神经元及神经胶质细胞技术介绍

目的对标记神经元和神经胶质的DiI散射法（DiI diolistic assay）进行改进,使操作更简捷,效果更为理想。方法用C57／B6J小鼠,对固定或培养的脑片内神经元与神经胶质细胞进行DiI散射法标记。结果该方法可以显示中枢神经系统内神经元及神经胶质细胞的细微结构,其中包括树突小棘。结论DiI散射标记法标记细胞的细微结构效果得到改善,可用于对树突棘分析,特别是可以直接在培养的脑片上对神经元与神经胶质进行活体标记。     

Cell membrane and mitotic markers show that the neonatal rat gubernaculum grows in a similar way to an embryonic limb bud

Aim/Background

How the gubernaculum guides the testis into the scrotum remains controversial, with various proposals from passive inversion to active growth. We aimed to determine if the gubernaculum contains an area of active proliferation, such as a “progress zone” in a growing embryonic limb bud, using a fluorescent cell membrane marker, 1,1′-didodecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate [DiIC₁₂(3)], to trace cell migration, and 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUDR) (a thymidine analogue) as a mitotic marker.

Methods

Gubernacula were collected from neonatal male rats (n = 42, day 1-2, Sprague-Dawley) and cultured with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP; 714 nmol/L). 1,1′-didodecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate-coated glass beads (diameter, 150-212 μm) were placed next to the bulb for the first 3 hours. Gubernacula were cultured for 3, 18, and 24 hours, then frozen sections cut and examined by confocal microscopy (wavelength, 549 nm). In a second experiment, pups not exposed to exogenous CGRP (n = 53, day 0, Sprague-Dawley) were injected intraperitoneally with BUDR (50 mg/kg of body weight); gubernacula were collected at 2, 48, 72, and 96 hours postinjection (PI), sectioned, and stained using immunohistochemistry to count the number of BUDR-positive cells per 100 cells (labeling index) in the bulb, cremaster, cord, and epididymis.

Results

After 24 hours' culture with CGRP, the bulb showed an oval region (diameter, 300 μm) of high fluorescence, and the cremaster region showed elongated cells migrating out of the bulb. When cultured without CGRP, the same oval region contained no fluorescence. In vivo BUDR labeling index increased in all areas until 48 hours postinjection and then decreased most rapidly in the bulb (P < .05), in the presence of endogenous CGRP from the genitofemoral nerve.

Conclusions

The rat gubernaculum contains a putative progress zone, such as in a growing limb bud, in the presence of CGRP. Cells migrate out of this zone to form cremaster muscle. We hypothesize that proliferation in the bulb elongates the gubernaculum, whereas proliferation of cremaster cells would increase gubernacular diameter. This brings to “life” the gubernaculum as an actively growing organ in contrast to the inert ligament connecting the testis to the scrotum portrayed in most anatomy textbooks.     

一种在体标记成体大鼠室管膜/室下区细胞的方法

目的 研究正常成体大鼠侧脑室注射DiI标记室管膜/室下区(SVZ)细胞的方法.方法 50只雄性SD大鼠随机分为5组,每组10只,均接受2 g/L的 DiI 10 μL右侧脑室注射.采用H33258染色和激光共聚焦显微镜检测DiI注射后6 h、12 h、24 h、36 h和48 h时左侧脑室壁的标记细胞以及标记组织厚度.结论 右侧脑室DiI注射后24 h,DiI标记细胞位于左侧脑室的室管膜层; DiI注射后48 h,DiI标记细胞限定于左侧室的管膜层和室下区.此外,左侧室管膜/中隔室下区(SVZspt)和室管膜/神经节隆起的生后对应物(SVZge)部位荧光标记组织的厚度分别在DiI注射12 h和24 h后维持于稳定水平,而且,在相应各时间点上,室管膜/SVZge部位荧光标记组织的厚度都厚于室管膜/SVZspt部位(P＜0.05).结论 2 g/L 的DiI 10 μL注射于正常大鼠侧脑室后24～48 h,可能仅标记室管膜/室下区细胞.     

Histological methods for ex vivo axon tracing: A systematic review

Objectives: Axon tracers provide crucial insight into the development, connectivity, and function of neural pathways. A tracer can be characterized as a substance that allows for the visualization of a neuronal pathway. Axon tracers have previously been used exclusively with in vivo studies; however, newer methods of axon tracing can be applied to ex vivo studies. Ex vivo studies involve the examination of cells or tissues retrieved from an organism. These post mortem methods of axon tracing offer several advantages, such as reaching inaccessible tissues and avoiding survival surgeries.

Methods: In order to evaluate the quality of the ex vivo tracing methods, we performed a systematic review of various experimental and comparison studies to discern the optimal method of axon tracing.

Results: The most prominent methods for ex vivo tracing involve enzymatic techniques or various dyes. It appears that there are a variety of techniques and conditions that tend to give better fluorescent character, clarity, and distance traveled in the neuronal pathway. We found direct comparison studies that looked at variables such as the type of tracer, time required, effect of temperature, and presence of calcium, however, there are other variables that have not been compared directly.

Discussion: We conclude there are a variety of promising tracing methods available depending on the experimental goals of the researcher, however, more direct comparison studies are needed to affirm the optimal method.     

Bipolar cell diversity in the primate retina: morphologic and immunocytochemical analysis of a new world monkey, the marmoset Callithrix jacchus

The aim of this study was to identify the bipolar cell types in the retina of a New World monkey, the common marmoset, and compare them with those found in the Old World macaque monkey. Retinal whole-mounts, sections, or both, were stained by using DiI labeling and immunohistochemical methods. Semithin sections were analyzed by using quantitative methods. We show that the same morphologic types of bipolar cell as described for the Old World macaque monkey by Boycott and W?ssle (Boycott and W?ssle [1991] Eur. J. Neurosci. 3:1069-1088) are present in marmoset retina: two types of midget bipolar cells, six type of diffuse bipolar cells, a blue cone bipolar cell, and one type of rod bipolar cell. The pattern of staining with different immunohistochemical markers ("fingerprint") of each bipolar cell type in marmoset was also the same as described for macaque, with one exception: the flat midget bipolar cell (FMB) class is labeled by antibodies to recoverin in macaque but is labeled by antibodies to CD15 in marmoset. The labeled FMB cells in marmoset make contact with multiple cone photoreceptors throughout most of the extrafoveal retina. The spatial density of bipolar cells in marmoset is shown to be sufficient to support one-to-one connectivity of midget bipolar and ganglion cells in the fovea and to allow for parallel pathways to ganglion cells throughout the retina. Quantitative differences in the morphology and receptor connectivity between marmoset and macaque can be related to differences in cone and rod photoreceptor density between the species. We conclude that bipolar cell diversity is a preserved feature of the primate retina.