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    Cholinergic innervation of the mouse superior cervical ganglion: light-and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry for choline acetyltransferase
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    Summary Neuropil is a fundamental form of tissue organization within brains 1 . In neuropils, densely packed neurons synaptically interconnect into precise circuit architecture 2,3 , yet the structural and developmental principles governing nanoscale precision in bundled neuropil assembly remain largely unknown 4–6 . Here we use diffusion condensation, a coarse-graining clustering algorithm 7 , to identify nested circuit structures within the C. elegans cerebral neuropil (called the nerve ring). We determine that the nerve ring neuropil is organized into four tightly bundled strata composed of related behavioral circuits. We demonstrate that the stratified architecture of the neuropil is a geometrical representation of the functional segregation of sensory information and motor outputs, with specific sensory organs and muscle quadrants mapping onto particular neuropil strata. We identify groups of neurons with unique morphologies that integrate information across strata and that create a sophisticated honeycomb-shaped scaffold that encases the strata within the nerve ring. We resolve the developmental sequence leading to stratified neuropil organization through the integration of lineaging and cell tracking algorithms with high resolution light-sheet microscopy, and reveal principles of cell position, migration and hierarchical outgrowth that guide neuropil organization. Our results uncover conserved design principles underlying nerve ring neuropil architecture and function, and a pioneer neuron-based, temporal progression of outgrowth that guides the hierarchical development of the layered neuropil. Our findings provide a blueprint for using structural and developmental approaches to systematically understand neuropil organization within brains.
    Neuropil
    Citations (3)
    The aim of the present study was to examine the distribution of cells expressing connexin 26 (Cx26) in the suboesophageal visceral, left and right parietal and left and right pleural ganglia of the snail Helix aspersa by immunocytochemistry. Altogether we have found approximately 452 immunoreactive neurons which represent the 4.7% of the total neurons counted. The stained large neurons (measured diameter 55-140 microm) occurred mostly on the peripheral surface of the ganglia while the small immunostained cells (5-25 microm diameter) were observed in groups near the neuropil. The number of large neurons giving positive Cx26-like immunostaining was small in comparison with that for medium (30-50 microm diameter) and small sized cells. The expression of Cx26 was also observed in the processes of glia cells localized among neurons somata and in the neuropil showing that the antiserum recognized epitopes in both protoplasmic and fibrous glia cells of Helix aspersa. The neuropils of all ganglia showed fibers densely immunostained. While we have observed a good specificity for Cx26-antiserum in neurons, a lack of reaction for Cx43 antiserum was observed in neurons and glia cells. The reaction for enolase antiserum in neurons was light and non-specific and a lack of reaction in glia cells and processes for GFAP antiserum was observed. Although the percentage of positive neurons for Cx26 antiserum was low is suggested that in normal physiological conditions or under stimulation the expression of connexin could be increased. The observed results can be considered of interest in the interpretation of Helix aspersa elemental two neuron networks synchronizing activity, observed under applied extremely low frequency magnetic fields.
    Neuropil
    Immunostaining
    Suboesophageal ganglion
    Helix (gastropod)
    Citations (4)
    The peroxidase-antiperoxidase method was used on paraffin embedded material to demonstrate the distribution of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA protein) in the perivascular glial membrane of the cortical blood vessels of cats. The nature of the dense zones was determined by ultrastructural immunocytochemistry with anti-GFA protein. Immunoreactivity was seen exclusively in the dense zones of the perivascular glia and in the astrocytic processes of the neuropil. The dense zones may exert a stabilizing function on the basal membrane during the changes in the caliber of the vessels.
    Neuropil
    GFAP stain
    Neuroglia
    Perivascular space
    Citations (1)
    Indirect immunofluorescence methods using a mouse monoclonal antibody raised to rat choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) revealed dense networks of ChAT-immunoreactive fibers in the superior cervical ganglion, the stellate ganglion, and the celiac superior mesenteric ganglion of the rat. Numerous and single ChAT-immunoreactive cell bodies were observed in the stellate and superior cervical ganglia, respectively. The majority of ChAT-immunoreactive fibers in the stellate and superior cervical ganglia were nitric oxide synthase (NOS) positive. Some ChAT-immunoreactive fibers contained enkephalin-like immunoreactivity. Virtually all ChAT-positive cell bodies in the stellate ganglion were vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-positive, and some were calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-positive. After transection of the cervical sympathetic trunk almost all ChAT- and NOS-positive fibers and most enkephalin- and CGRP-positive fibers disappeared in the superior cervical ganglion. The results suggest that most preganglionic fibers are cholinergic and that the majority of these in addition can release nitric oxide, some enkephalin, and a few CGRP. Acetylcholine, VIP, and CGRP are coexisting messenger molecules in some postganglionic sympathetic neurons.
    Superior cervical ganglion
    Stellate ganglion
    Cholinergic Fibers
    Sympathetic ganglion
    Hepatic stellate cell
    Citations (84)
    Intracarotid infusion of 3 microM glycyl-L-glutamine was found to oppose the fall in the choline acetyl-transferase content of the preganglionically denervated cat superior cervical ganglion; this same effect has been demonstrated previously for acetylcholinesterase content. Because choline acetyltransferase, in contrast to acetylcholinesterase, occurs exclusively in the preganglionic axons and their terminals, this finding raises the possibility that glycyl-L-glutamine opposes postsectional axonal degeneration.
    Superior cervical ganglion
    Choline
    Citations (6)