Types of Parvalbumin-Containing Retinotectal Ganglion Cells in Mouse

• Published in: ACTA HISTOCHEMICA ET CYTOCHEMICA Vol. 45; no. 3; pp. 201 - 210
• Main Authors: Yi, Chae-Woo, Yu, Song-Hee, Lee, Eun-Shil, Lee, Jee-Geon, Jeon, Chang-Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPAN SOCIETY OF HISTOCHEMISTRY AND CYTOCHEMISTRY 01.01.2012; Japan Science and Technology Agency; Japan Society of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry
• Subjects: cell injection; cell type; parvalbumin; Regular; retinal ganglion cell; superior colliculus; cell type; cell injection; parvalbumin; superior colliculus; retinal ganglion cell
• ISSN: 0044-5991; 1347-5800
• DOI: 10.1267/ahc.11061

The calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) occurs in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) of various vertebrate species. In the present study, we aimed to identify the types of PV-containing RGCs that project to the superior colliculus (SC) in the mouse. We injected retrograde tracer dextran into the mouse SC to label RGCs. PV-containing RGCs were first identified by immunocytochemistry and then neurons double-labeled with dextran and PV were iontophoretically injected with a lipophilic dye, DiI. Subsequently, confocal microscopy was used to characterize the morphologic classification of the PV-immunoreactive (IR) retinotectal ganglion cells on the basis of dendritic field size, branching pattern, and stratification within the inner plexiform layer. Among the 8 different types of PV-containing RGCs in the mouse retina, we found all 8 types of RGCs projecting to the SC. The RGCs were heterogeneous in morphology. The combined approach of using tracer injection and a single cell injection after immunocytochemistry on a particular protein will provide valuable data to further understand the functional features of the RGCs which constitute the retinotectal pathway.