Large-scale axonal reorganization of inhibitory neurons following retinal lesions

J Neurosci. 2014 Jan 29;34(5):1625-32. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4345-13.2014.

Abstract

The functional properties of adult cortical neurons are subject to alterations in sensory experience. Retinal lesions lead to remapping of cortical topography in the region of primary visual cortex representing the lesioned part of the retina, the lesion projection zone (LPZ), with receptive fields shifting to the intact parts of the retina. Neurons within the LPZ receive strengthened input from the surrounding region by growth of the plexus of excitatory long-range horizontal connections. Here, by combining cell type-specific labeling with a genetically engineered recombinant adeno-associated virus and in vivo two-photon microscopy in adult macaques, we showed that the remapping was also associated with alterations in the axonal arbors of inhibitory neurons, which underwent a parallel process of pruning and growth. The axons of inhibitory neurons located within the LPZ extended across the LPZ border, suggesting a mechanism by which new excitatory input arising from the peri-LPZ is balanced by reciprocal inhibition arising from the LPZ.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / metabolism
  • Axons / pathology*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Dependovirus / genetics
  • Dependovirus / physiology
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase / genetics
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Male
  • Neural Inhibition / physiology*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Optogenetics
  • Retinal Diseases / pathology*
  • Retinal Diseases / physiopathology
  • Sensory Receptor Cells / pathology*
  • Sensory Receptor Cells / physiology
  • Transduction, Genetic
  • Visual Cortex / pathology*
  • Visual Fields / physiology
  • Visual Pathways / physiology

Substances

  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase
  • glutamate decarboxylase 2