Biomedical subjects

M V Sánchez-Vives

Publications and source records attributed to M V Sánchez-Vives.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Effects of postganglionic nerve section on synaptic transmission in the superior cervical ganglion of the guinea-pig.

In sympathetic neurons, axotomy induces a marked depression in synaptic transmission. We asked whether the decrease in synaptic efficacy observed in a given axotomized cell is more severe if most of the postsynaptic neurons are also injured. Accordingly, we studied if the synaptic depression induced by axotomy in neurons with axons running in a postganglionic nerve is influenced by section of other postganglionic nerves. The excitatory postsynaptic potentials evoked by preganglionic stimulation were recorded intracellularly in an in vitro preparation of the superior cervical ganglion. Eight days after cutting the inferior postganglionic nerve, postsynaptic potentials recorded from neurons projecting through this nerve were smaller (median = 6 mV, n = 62) than the controls (median = 34 mV, n = 89), but were similar to those found after sectioning the inferior nerve plus most postganglionic nerves (median = 5 mV, n = 70). If the inferior nerve was left intact, but most postganglionic branches were cut, the synaptic potentials recorded from inferior nerve neurons were normal (median = 33 mV, n = 77). It is concluded that the synaptic depression induced by axotomy in a sympathetic neuron is not affected by axotomy of nearby ganglion cells, even if they share part of their presynaptic axons. This suggests that the effect of axotomy is restricted to the synaptic terminals on the injured neuron.

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PubMed1995

Sensory receptors in the anterior uvea of the cat's eye. An in vitro study.

PURPOSE: To identify electrophysiologically the functional types of sensory fibers innervating the iris and the ciliary body of the cat's eye. METHODS: The uveal tract tract of cat's eye was excised and placed in a superfusion chamber. Recordings were made from single afferent units of ciliary nerve branches responding to mechanical stimulation of the iridal surface, the ciliary body, and the choroid with a nylon filament or a glass rod. Chemical sensitivity was explored by applying acetic acid, hypertonic NaCl, and bradykinin. Warm (60 degrees C) and cold (4 degrees C) saline and a servocontrolled thermode were used for thermal stimulation. RESULTS: Thirty per cent of the studied population of sensory units (n = 95) were spontaneously active when the recording was started. Approximately 30% of the fibers conducted in the lowest range of the A-delta group; the remaining 70% were C fibers. Sustained mechanical stimulation of the receptive area elicited a tonic response in approximately 60% of the units, and a phasic response in the remaining 40%. Exposure of the receptive field of mechanosensitive fibers to 600 mM NaCl evoked a long-lasting discharge in 50% of the units; application of 1 to 10 mM acetic acid elicited a short discharge in 30% of the fibers, often followed by inactivation. Bradykinin (1 to 100 microMs) produced a long-lasting response in almost 50% of the units. Warming the receptive field recruited 20% of the explored units, whereas 17% were activated by low temperature. CONCLUSIONS: Two main functional types of sensory fibers innervating the iris and the ciliary body were distinguished: (1) mechanoreceptors, corresponding to afferent units sensitive only to mechanical stimuli were generally silent at rest, had relatively higher force thresholds, and discharged phasically in response to long-lasting mechanical stimulation; (2) polymodal nociceptors, which were activated by mechanical as well as by chemical and/or thermal stimuli, usually displayed spontaneous activity, had lower force thresholds, and fired tonically upon sustained mechanical stimulation.

Acetates↗

PubMed1994

Calcium-dependent chloride current induced by axotomy in rat sympathetic neurons.

1. Seven to ten days after sectioning their axons, rat sympathetic neurons were studied using intracellular recording techniques in an in vitro preparation of the superior cervical ganglion. 2. In 75% of axotomized cells, an after-depolarization (ADP) was observed following spike firing or depolarization with intracellular current pulses. Discontinuous single-electrode voltage-clamp techniques were employed to study the ADP. When the membrane potential was clamped at the resting level just after an action potential, a slow inward current was recorded in cells that showed an ADP. 3. In the presence of TTX and TEA, inward peaks and outward currents were recorded during depolarizing voltage jumps, followed by slowly decaying inward tail currents accompanied by large increases in membrane conductance. The inward peak and tail currents activated between -10 and -20 mV and reached maximum amplitudes around 0 mV. With depolarizing jumps to between +40 and +50 mV, net outward currents were recorded during the depolarizing jumps but inward tail currents were still activated. 4. In the presence of the Ca2+ channel blocker cadmium, or when Ca2+ was substituted by Mg2+, the ADP disappeared. In voltage-clamped cells, cadmium blocked the inward tail currents. The reversal potential for the inward tail current was approximately -15 mV. Substitution of the extracellular NaCl by sucrose or sodium isethionate increased the amplitude of the inward tail current, and displaced its equilibrium potential to more positive values. Changes in extracellular [K+] did not appreciably affect the inward tail current amplitude or equilibrium potential. Niflumic acid, a blocker of chloride channels activated by Ca2+, almost completely blocked the tail current. 5. No ADPs were observed in non-axotomized neurons, and when depolarizing pulses were applied while in voltage clamp no inward tail currents were evoked in these normal cells. 6. It is concluded that axotomy of sympathetic ganglion cells produces the appearance of a Ca(2+)-dependent chloride current responsible for the ADP observed following spike firing.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Axotomy-induced changes in Ca2+ homeostasis in rat sympathetic ganglion cells.

Some of the marked biochemical and electrophysiological changes provoked by section of the axon in mature neurons suggest that the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) may be increased. We have measured the [Ca2+]i using the fluorescent indicator Indo-1 microinjected into rat superior cervical ganglion neurons. No differences in resting [Ca2+]i levels were found between control neurons and cells which had been axotomized 7-10 days before. However, the rise in [Ca2+]i evoked by orthodromic or antidromic stimulation and the recovery after the stimulating train were considerably slower in axotomized neurons than in control cells. We also found that the number of calbindin-D28k-immunopositive cells in the ganglion increases after axotomy, which could be related to the observed differences in calcium homeostasis.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1993

Effects of axotomy or target atrophy on membrane properties of rat sympathetic ganglion cells.

1. The electrical properties of rat superior cervical ganglion cells were examined in vitro with intracellular microelectrodes after axotomy or atrophy of the submandibular salivary gland. 2. Membrane time constant, input resistance and excitatory synaptic potentials (EPSPs) were decreased to about 50% of their control values 7-10 days after axotomy. 3. Axotomized ganglion cells also showed reduced action potentials and after-hyperpolarizations (AHPs). The AHP duration was reduced to 40% of the control value. 4. In 25% of the axotomized cells, the action potential was followed by an after-depolarization (ADP) instead of the AHP that was always present in control cells. In eleven out of seventeen axotomized cells with ADP, preganglionic stimulation failed to evoke an EPSP, whereas the failure of the synaptic response was never observed in control cells and occurred only in two of fifty-three axotomized cells with AHP. 5. In some axotomized cells with AHP, a depolarizing potential developed after a train of action potentials. This was never observed in control cells. 6. Sympathetic neurones innervating the submandibular gland in control animals had membrane properties similar to those observed in other ganglion cells. 7. The properties of neurones innervating the submandibular gland remained unaltered after the experimentally induced atrophy of the gland. 8. It is concluded that the marked effects of short-term axotomy on membrane properties of sympathetic ganglion cells are not reproduced by long-term atrophy of the target tissue.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1992

Reduced junctional permeability at interrhombomeric boundaries.

Intercellular communication is considered to have a role during pattern specification processes in early embryonic development. This report analyzes the changing gap junctional communication properties of chick neuroepithelial cells depending on their position relative to the segmental partitions of the rhombencephalon. Intercellular electrical coupling and dye transfer were studied with microelectrode techniques. Neuroepithelial cells were electrically coupled irrespective of their location relative to interneuromeric boundaries. Iontophoretic injection of biocytin or Lucifer Yellow into single cells inside the rhombomeres was followed by transjunctional diffusion to the surrounding cells. In contrast, dye transfer was strictly limited when the diffusion zone contacted the cells forming the interneuromeric limits. Label injected into the boundary cells did not spread to other cells at all. Avian interrhombomeric boundaries are thus sites of reduced junctional permeability during early morphogenesis.

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