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The temporal structure of transient ON/OFF ganglion cell responses and its relation to intra-retinal processing.

A subpopulation of transient ON/OFF ganglion cells in the turtle retina transmits changes in stimulus intensity as series of distinct spike events. The temporal structure of these event sequences depends systematically on the stimulus and thus carries information about the preceding intensity change. To study the spike events' intra-retinal origins, we performed extracellular ganglion cell recordings and simultaneous intracellular recordings from horizontal and amacrine cells. Based on these data, we developed a computational retina model, reproducing spike event patterns with realistic intensity dependence under various experimental conditions. The model's main features are negative feedback from sustained amacrine onto bipolar cells, and a two-step cascade of ganglion cell suppression via a slow and a fast transient amacrine cell. Pharmacologically blocking glycinergic transmission results in disappearance of the spike event sequence, an effect predicted by the model if a single connection, namely suppression of the fast by the slow transient amacrine cell, is weakened. We suggest that the slow transient amacrine cell is glycinergic, whereas the other types release GABA. Thus, the interplay of amacrine cell mediated inhibition is likely to induce distinct temporal structure in ganglion cell responses, forming the basis for a temporal code.

Action Potentials↗

Modulation of transmission gain by protons at the photoreceptor output synapse.

Synaptic transmission of the light response from photoreceptors to second-order cells of the retina was studied with the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) retinal slices. Synaptic strength is modulated by extracellular pH in a striking manner: Light-sensitive postsynaptic currents in horizontal and bipolar cells were found to be exponential functions of pH, exhibiting an e-fold increase per 0.23 pH unit over the pH range from 7 to 8. Calcium channel currents in isolated photoreceptors were measured and also exhibited proton sensitivity. External alkalinization from pH 7 to 8 shifted the voltage dependence of channel activation negative by 12 mV. A model of the synaptic transfer function suggested that presynaptic Ca channels could be the primary sites of proton action. Increased Ca influx and transmitter release brought about by alkalinization give rise to larger postsynaptic currents. These results suggest that activity-dependent interstitial pH changes known to occur in the retina, while not alleviating signal clipping at this synapse, may provide an adaptative mechanism controlling gain at the photoreceptor output synapse.

Ambystoma↗

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, a neuropeptide of efferent projections to the teleost retina induces light-adaptive spinule formation on horizontal cell dendrites in dark-adapted preparations kept in vitro.

The teleost retina receives efferent projections from neurons of the nucleus olfactoretinalis at the base of the olfactory bulbs. These fibres contain gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) immunoreactive material and are presynaptic to retinal dopaminergic interplexiform cells. We have incubated isolated dark-adapted retinae and eyecup preparations of roach with salmon-GnRH and found an increase in horizontal cell spinule numbers to 70% light-adaptive levels. This effect was blocked by addition of haloperidol to the incubation medium suggesting that GnRH acts via stimulation of the dopaminergic interplexiform cells. We conclude that GnRH containing efferent fibres are capable of inducing light-adaptive changes in the retina and discuss their implication in the control of endogenous rhythms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The morphology and topographic distribution of AII amacrine cells in the cat retina.

When cat retina is incubated in vitro with the fluorescent dye, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenyl-indole (DAPI), a uniform population of neurons is brightly labelled at the inner border of the inner nuclear layer. The dendritic morphology of the DAPI-labelled cells was defined by iontophoretic injection of Lucifer yellow under direct microscopic control: all the filled cells had the narrow-field bistratified morphology that is distinctive of the AII amacrine cells previously described from Golgi-stained retinae. Although the AII amacrines are principal interneurons in the rod-signal pathway, their density distribution does not follow the topography of the rod receptors, but peaks in the central area like the cone receptors and the ganglion cells. There are some 512 000 AII amacrines in the cat retina and their density ranges from 500 cells per square millimetre at the superior margin to 5300 cells per square millimetre in the centre (retinal area is 450 mm2). The isodensity contours are kite-shaped, particularly at intermediate densities, with a horizontal elongation towards nasal retina. The cell body size and the dendritic dimensions of AII amacrines increase with decreasing cell density. The lobular dendrites in sublamina a of the inner plexiform layer span a restricted field of 16-45 microns diameter, while the arboreal dendrites in sublamina b form a varicose tree of 18-95 microns diameter. The dendritic field coverage of the lobular appendages is close to 1.0 (+/- 0.2) at all eccentricities whereas the coverage of the arboreal dendrites doubles within the first 1.5 mm and then remains constant at 3.8 (+/- 0.7) throughout the periphery.

Animals↗

Migration and synaptogenesis of cone photoreceptors in the developing mouse retina.

Mouse retinal photoreceptor cell generation and morphogenesis take place in a well-characterized temporal sequence. Both rod and cone photoreceptor differentiation and synaptogenesis occur postnatally, but the relative timing of these events has been difficult to document due to the paucity of cell-specific markers. We have found that antibodies to neuron-specific enolase (NSE) preferentially label a subpopulation of photoreceptors in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) of the mouse retina in addition to labeling ganglion, amacrine, bipolar, and horizontal cells within the inner layers of the retina. The appearance of NSE immunoreactivity in the different classes of retinal neurons during development showed a close temporal relationship to the onset of expression of the synaptic vesicle-associated protein SV2 and clearly preceded the sequential development of synaptic connections in both inner and outer synaptic layers. The NSE-immunoreactive photoreceptors were identified as cones by dual labeling of their inner segments with the lectin peanut agglutinin or by colabeling with antisera to cone photopigments. Axonal extensions of NSE-labeled cone cells were shown to interact with those of differentiating horizontal cells as early as postnatal day 3 (P3). Colocalization of NSE with SV2 indicated that cone cells began to make synaptic contacts with horizontal cell processes several days prior to the development of rod synaptic terminals. Between P4 and P11, cone photoreceptor cell nuclei were observed to be scattered at various levels throughout the ONL and thus appeared to have become displaced from their previous position directly beneath the outer limiting membrane (OLM). By P12, the cone nuclei had migrated sclerad once again and were now observed to be neatly aligned adjacent to the OLM. In the rd mouse mutant, this migratory process was delayed, so that, at P12, positioning of the cone cell nuclei within the ONL was still quite irregular. Thus, we have identified a late migratory phase for cone photoreceptors during the second week after birth that correlates with the timing of maturation of the rod synaptic terminals just prior to eye opening. The types of cues used by maturing cone cells for their eventual sclerad location remain to be elucidated.

Animals↗

Light adaptation in luminosity horizontal cells in the turtle retina. Role of cellular coupling.

Intracellular recordings were made from L-type horizontal cells in the retina of the turtle Clemmys caspica. The test flashes covered a retinal area smaller than the receptive field of the impaled cells. Increment responses were compared between two states of light adaptation that were equal in intensity but differed in spatial pattern. The peak amplitude of the response to a dim test flash was larger when measured during large-field background compared to the one obtained during small-field one. It is suggested that this phenomenon of surround enhancement is due to the cellular coupling between neighboring horizontal cells.

Adaptation, Ocular↗

Effects of alkaline phosphatase inhibitors on chick neural retinal cell differentiation in vitro: ultracytochemical studies.

In the matured chick retina, alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity is specifically localized in the outer plexiform layer and in horizontal and Müller cells. In the developing chick retina, ALPase activity is first recognized in growing neurites from horizontal cells during the 13th day of incubation, when synaptogenesis begins in the outer plexiform layer. Intraocular administration of ALPase inhibitors to developing chick embryos resulted in developmental disturbances in differentiation of the outer plexiform layer and also of photoreceptor cells. We have now extended these studies to an in vitro system. ALPase activity was studied by ultracytochemistry in cultured retinal cells from chick embryos, and the effects of specific ALPase inhibitor on retinal development were also analyzed. Two cell types showed intense ALPase activity: 1) flat glial cell, which formed a multi-layered epithelial sheet and 2) neuronal cell found within cell aggregates. Some cellular processes forming a neuropil-like structure within these aggregates also showed ALPase activity. When the ALPase inhibitor bromotetramisole was present in the culture medium, there was delay in aggregate formation and the development of neuritic processes was also affected. Moreover, this treatment also caused a considerable reduction in the number of photoreceptor cells present in the culture. The present results indicate that ALPase activity plays a significant role in retinal cell differentiation.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Mash1 promotes neuronal differentiation in the retina.

BACKGROUND: Mash1, a mammalian homologue of Drosophila achaete-scute proneural gene complex, plays an essential role in differentiation of subsets of peripheral neurones. Whereas Mash1 is expressed during retinal development, no apparent abnormalities were found during embryogenesis as well as at birth in Mash1-null retina, suggesting that early differentiating cells such as ganglion, amacrine and cone cells develop normally. Because Mash1-null mice die soon after birth, their postnatal development cannot be examined in vivo. Thus, it remains to be determined whether or not Mash1 functions in postnatal development of retina. RESULTS: Here, Mash1 roles in postnatal development of retina was examined by using retinal explant that develops like in vivo retina. Without Mash1, differentiation of late appearing cells such as rod, horizontal, and bipolar cells was delayed and the final number of bipolar cells was significantly reduced. In contrast, vimentin-positive cells (probably Muller glial cells) were increased in Mash1-null retina. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that Mash1 promotes neuronal differentiation during retinal development and is essential for proper ratios of retinal cell types.

Animals↗

Pharmacological similarity between the retinal APB receptor and the family of metabotropic glutamate receptors.

1. We performed current-clamp and voltage-clamp experiments in the amphibian retina to examine the effects of 1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid (1S,3R ACPD), which is a selective agonist for the family of metabotropic glutamate receptors. 2. 1S,3R ACPD was found to selectively block the light responses of ON bipolar cells. It did not suppress the responses of horizontal cells of OFF bipolar cells. It blocked ON but not OFF responses of third-order retinal neurons. 3. 1S,3R ACPD mimicked the effect of the photoreceptor transmitter at the ON bipolar synapse. It reduced an inward current by a decrease in conductance. 4. The action of 1S,3R ACPD was very similar to that of 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (APB) both in terms of effects on the ON bipolar cell potential and conductance and in terms of the retinal network. This suggests that the APB receptor is a predominant synaptic metabotropic glutamate receptor in the retina. 5. The rank-order potency at the retinal APB receptor is APB > 1S,3R ACPD > ibotenate. Quisqualate appears to be inactive at this receptor. The pharmacology of the retinal APB receptor matches that of the cloned mGluR4 and mGluR6 metabotropic glutamate receptors. On the basis of the in situ localization of mGluR6 to the inner nuclear layer of the retina, the retinal APB receptor may be this cloned receptor protein. 6. The effects of the three other ACPD stereo isomers were examined. 1S,3S ACPD was a weak agonist at the APB receptor. 1R,3R ACPD was a potent agonist in the inner retina, but inactive in the outer retina. This fits the profile of N-methyl-D-aspartate agonists. 1R,3S ACPD was inactive.

Ambystoma↗

Paired-pulse depression at photoreceptor synapses.

Synaptic depression produced by repetitive stimulation is likely to be particularly important in shaping responses of second-order retinal neurons at the tonically active photoreceptor synapse. We analyzed the time course and mechanisms of synaptic depression at rod and cone synapses using paired-pulse protocols involving two complementary measurements of exocytosis: (1) paired whole-cell recordings of the postsynaptic current (PSC) in second-order retinal neurons and (2) capacitance measurements of vesicular membrane fusion in rods and cones. PSCs in ON bipolar, OFF bipolar, and horizontal cells evoked by stimulation of either rods or cones recovered from paired-pulse depression (PPD) at rates similar to the recovery of exocytotic capacitance changes in rods and cones. Correlation between presynaptic and postsynaptic measures of recovery from PPD suggests that 80-90% of the depression at these synapses is presynaptic in origin. Consistent with a predominantly presynaptic mechanism, inhibiting desensitization of postsynaptic glutamate receptors had little effect on PPD. The depression of exocytotic capacitance changes exceeded depression of the presynaptic calcium current, suggesting that it is primarily caused by a depletion of synaptic vesicles. In support of this idea, limiting Ca2+ influx by using weaker depolarizing stimuli promoted faster recovery from PPD. Although cones exhibit much faster exocytotic kinetics than rods, exocytotic capacitance changes recovered from PPD at similar rates in both cell types. Thus, depression of release is not likely to contribute to differences in the kinetics of transmission from rods and cones.

Animals↗

Surround inhibition of mammalian AII amacrine cells is generated in the proximal retina.

1. Intracellular recordings were obtained from neurons in the superfused retina-eyecup preparation of the rabbit under dark-adapted conditions. Neurotransmitter agonists and antagonists were applied exogenously via the superfusate to dissect the synaptic pathways pharmacologically and thereby determine those pathways responsible for the generation of the on-centre/off-surround receptive fields of AII amacrine cells. 2. Application of the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, APB, reversibly blocked both the on-centre and off-surround responses of AII cells. These data were consistent with the idea that both the centre- and surround-mediated responses are derived from inputs from the presynaptic rod bipolar cells. 3. Whereas rod bipolar cells showed on-receptive fields approximately 100 microm across, we found no evidence for an antagonistic off-surround response using light stimuli which effectively elicited the off-surrounds of AII amacrine cells. These results indicated that the surrounds of AII cells are not derived from rod bipolar cell inputs. 4. Application of the ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists CNQX or DNQX enhanced the on-centre responses of AII cells but attenuated the off-surround responses. These data indicated that the centre- and surround-mediated responses could not both be derived from signals crossing the rod bipolar-to-AII cell synapse. 5. Application of the glycine antagonist, strychnine, had only minor and variable effects on AII cell responses. However, the GABA antagonists picrotoxin and bicuculline enhanced the on-centre response but attenuated or completely blocked the off-surround response of AII cells. The GABA antagonists had no effect on the responses of horizontal cells indicating that their effects on AII cell responses reflected actions on inner retinal circuitry rather than feedback circuitry in the outer plexiform layer. 6. Application of the voltage-gated sodium channel blocker TTX enhanced the on-centre responses of AII cells but attenuated or abolished their off-surround responses. 7. Taken together, our results suggest that the on-centre responses of AII cells result from the major excitatory drive from rod bipolar cells. However, the surround receptive fields of AII cells appear to be generated by lateral, inhibitory signals derived from neighbouring GABAergic, on-centre amacrine cells. A model is presented whereby the S1 amacrine cells produce the surround receptive fields of AII amacrine cells via inhibitory, feedback circuitry to the axon terminals of rod bipolar cells.

Aminobutyrates↗

The classical receptive field surround of primate parasol ganglion cells is mediated primarily by a non-GABAergic pathway.

Although the center-surround receptive field is a fundamental property of retinal ganglion cells, the circuitry that mediates surround inhibition remains controversial. We examined the contribution of horizontal cells and amacrine cells to the surround of parasol ganglion cells of macaque and baboon retina by measuring receptive field structure before and during the application of drugs that have been shown previously to affect surrounds in a range of mammalian and nonmammalian species. Carbenoxolone and cobalt, thought to attenuate feedback from horizontal cells to cones, severely reduced the surround. Tetrodotoxin, which blocks sodium spiking in amacrine cells, and picrotoxin, which blocks the inhibitory action of GABA, only slightly reduced the surround. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the surrounds of light-adapted parasol ganglion cells are generated primarily by non-GABAergic horizontal cell feedback in the outer retina, with a small contribution from GABAergic amacrine cells of the inner retina.

Action Potentials↗

Neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive neurons in the retina of two Australian lizards.

Wholemounts and sectioned retina from adults of two lizard species, Pogona vitticeps and Varanus gouldii, were studied by immunohistochemistry for neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity. In both species the morphology of two classes of amacrine cells (types A and B) were described. Cell somata were located mostly in the inner nuclear layer (INL) but were occasionally displaced into the ganglion cell layer (GCL). In the Pogona retina, type A cells had large somata and dendritic arbor that branched in sublamina (S) 1 and 2/3 of the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Type B amacrine cells had smaller somata and dendritic arbor branching mostly in S5 of the IPL. In the Varanus retina, the levels of dendritic branching of types A and B amacrine cells in the IPL were similar to those in Pogona although branching in the middle of the IPL occurred at S3. NPY-immunoreactive cells with small somata and narrow to medium sized dendritic fields were predominant. Unclassified cells also displayed NPY-like immunoreactivity; however, their dendritic morphology could not be determined due to the faint and inconsistent staining. In transverse retinal sections three bands of NPY-like immunoreactivity were evident in the IPL of both species, to which the unclassified cells also contributed. In both species type A cells were most numerous. Total NPY-immunoreactive cells were estimated to be 8,600 in Pogona and 32,860 in Varanus. In both species types A and B cells were non-uniformly distributed across the retina. The most apparent non-uniformity in distribution was observed in type A cells in Varanus. Peak cell density was found across the horizontal meridian of the retina from where cell density decreased towards the dorsal and ventral retinal margins. The results of this study provide evidence for the presence of NPY-immunoreactive amacrine cells in the lizard retina of which two types were morphologically characterized. Cross-species comparisons were also made among NPY-immunoreactive amacrine cells, and their possible function/s discussed.

Animals↗

[Neural circuit of the retina subserving processing of color and spatial signals as revealed by studies on dissociated solitary neurons].

The trichromatic signals of cone photoreceptors is converted into color opponent signals by interaction between cones and horizontal cells. It has been proposed that the interaction involves a subtype-specific feedforward as well as feedback connections between these two types of cells. In our recent studies, we obtained evidence to strongly support this hypothesis. Solitary cone photoreceptors were enzymatically dissociated from the turtle retina, and their responsiveness to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter of the monophasic horizontal cells (a subtype of horizontal cells), was examined. Ionophoretic application of GABA hyperpolarized red-sensitive and green-sensitive cones, but not blue-sensitive cones. GABA sensitivity was confined to the cone pedicle which is the site of synaptic contacts with the horizontal cell. GABA bound to type A receptors and opened chloride channels. The retinal circuitry subserving the generation of color opponent processes and of the center-surround antagonism is discussed in relation to these observations.

Animals↗

Gaucher disease--Norrbottnian type (III). Neuropaediatric and neurobiological aspects of clinical patterns and treatment.

This investigation was undertaken to study the clinical manifestations, development and course of the Norrbottnian type of Gaucher disease--a type III variant--with emphasis on central nervous system symptomatology and function, to correlate clinical signs with laboratory, neuropathological and biochemical findings, to evaluate effects of splenectomy on the course and severity of the disease and to investigate the effect of bone marrow transplantation. Clinical methods applied were neuropaediatric follow-up examinations, psychometric tests and motor age tests. Conventional neurophysiological, haematological and clinico-chemical methods were used. The investigation comprised 22 patients, 10 girls and 12 boys, in all of whom the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by enzymatic tests. The median age at diagnosis was 1.9 years. The clinical pattern at diagnosis was usually that of an alert child with normal intelligence, short stature, splenomegaly, a tendency to bleeding and ocular manifestations. The course was slowly progressive but varied considerably between patients. The median age at death in a representative group of patients was 11.8 years. Early motor development was delayed in the lower limbs but normal in the upper. Eight patients later developed ataxia and six patients signs of mild spastic paraparesis which usually appeared many years after splenectomy. IQ tended to decrease with age. Early splenectomy resulted in lower IQ scores than late splenectomy. With progression of the disease, EEG abnormalities became increasingly frequent, more markedly among splenectomized patients. Thirteen patients had abducens nerve weakness and ten had age dependent abnormalities of horizontal gaze. Retinal infiltrates were characteristic, mainly among splenectomized patients. At, autopsy, Gaucher cell accumulations were found in the adventitia of brain venules, most frequently in cerebral and cerebellar subcortical white matter. Intraneuronal storage of glucosylceramide was observed. The highest concentrations of glucosylceramide were in the cerebellum and cerebral subcortical white matter of splenectomized patients. The fatty acid composition of glucosylceramide from these regions indicated an extracerebral origin in splenectomized patients, but mainly cerebral in nonsplenectomized. Psychosine was found, the highest concentrations in cerebral and cerebellar cortex. Bone marrow transplantation was performed in a nine-year old girl. A three-year follow-up showed very encouraging results both biochemically and clinically. The Norrbottnian type of Gaucher disease is a well defined nosological entity with a characteristic course and clinical manifestations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Ganglion cells density and retinal resolution in the sea otter, Enhydra lutris.

The topographic distribution, density, and size of ganglion cells were studied in retinal wholemounts of the sea otter, Enhydra lutris. The cell distribution showed a well defined horizontal streak of higher cell density, and within this streak, a narrow area of the highest cell density. The peak cell density in this area ranged from 4050 to 4400 cells/mm(2), with a mean of 4225 cells/mm(2). The ganglion cell size ranged from 7 microm to 47 microm but the majority of cells were 7 to 30 microm. Cell size distribution revealed three size groups: 7-16, 17-28, and 29-47 microm. The highest-density area contained mainly small (7-16 microm) cells. The cell-density data predict a retinal resolution around 7' in water. Retinal organization in the sea otter exhibits more properties common with terrestrial rather than aquatic mammals, both in terms of ganglion cell characteristics and in terms of their topographic distribution.

Animals↗

In vitro phosphorylation in isolated horizontal cells of the fish retina: effects of the state of light adaptation.

Horizontal cells, which are second-order neurons of the vertebrate retina, exhibit synaptic plasticity governed by light and dark adaptation. We have investigated the alterations in the protein phosphorylation patterns of isolated carp (Cyprinus carpio) horizontal cells in relation to their state of light adaptation by using an in vitro phosphorylation assay and compared the resulting data with protein synthesis patterns of the whole retina. Phosphoproteins and [35S]methionine-labelled proteins were analysed by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by autoradiography. The state of light adaptation significantly affected the in vitro phosphorylation of horizontal cell proteins with molecular weights of 68, 56/58, 47, 28 and 15 kDa, but had no effect on the protein synthesis of retinal proteins. In the light the most prominent increase of 32P incorporation was observed in the 47 kDa protein. The biochemical properties of this protein closely resembled those of the growth-associated GAP-48, found in the fish retina. In addition, the phosphorylation of horizontal cell homogenates in the presence of protein kinase activators such as cyclic AMP, calcium, calmodulin and phospholipids revealed that horizontal cells of the fish retina contain cyclic AMP-, calcium/calmodulin- and calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activity resulting in the phosphorylation of several horizontal cell proteins, including the phosphoproteins which were affected by the state of light adaptation.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Demonstration of a somatostatin-like activity in retinal cells of the rat.

A somatostatin-like substance is demonstrated by light microscopic immunohistochemistry (PAP-method) in perikarya and cell processes of the retina of adult and infant rats. These perikarya are identified according to their size, arrangement and distribution. Each of the first two neuronal orders (receptors, bipolar cells, ganglionic cells) of the visual pathway can be associated with retinal cells reacting positively with anti-somatostatin. In the adult rat, perikarya and processes of (i) horizontal cells, (ii) amacrine cells and (iii) large neurons in the ganglionic layer are specifically labeled. The staining of middle-sized and small ganglion cells is probably caused by the close attachment of labeled fibers to non-reacting cells. Postnatally, the immunoreactive elements develop in parallel to the differentiation of the corresponding retinal layers. It is discussed whether the three types of retinal cells containing a somatostatin-like substance provide an inhibitory system to each of the two orders of retinal neurons.

Age Factors↗