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Biomedical subjects

S Jhaveri

Publications and source records attributed to S Jhaveri.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Myelination of the cerebral commissures of the hamster, as revealed by a monoclonal antibody specific for oligodendrocytes.

Myelination of the cerebral commissures of the hamster was studied by immunostaining with a monoclonal antibody (Rip) specific for oligodendrocytes. Immunostained, preensheathing cells were first observed in the anterior commissure on P6 (P1 = day of birth). By P8, immunopositive oligodendrocytes and myelinated fibers clustered around some of them were detected within the posterior limb of the anterior commissure, ventrally at the rostral half of the callosum, and in the hippocampal commissure. On P12, all the commissures had myelinated fibers throughout their extent, but the callosum and the hippocampal commissure exhibited higher densities of myelinated fibers rostrally. Between P15 and P22, the pattern of myelination approached that of the adult. In the context of other developmental events, myelination of the corpus callosum and of the anterior commissure is a late event, occurring predominantly after stabilization of axon number, either at the end of the progressive accretion of axons, as in the anterior commissure, or after the selective elimination of callosal projections.

Animals

Oligodendrocytes and myelin formation along the optic tract of the developing hamster: an immunohistochemical study using the Rip antibody.

The monoclonal antibody Rip recognizes an antigen specific to oligodendrocytes and their processes (Friedman et al: Glia 2:380, 1989). We have used this antibody to document the appearance of oligodendrocytes and the sequence of ensheathment of axons along the optic tract (OT) and within its major target areas in neonatal (P3-P21) and adult hamsters. Myelination of axons in the visual pathway follows an overall proximo-distal gradient. On P3, immunopositive, pre-ensheathing oligodendrocytes are detected in the OT ventral to the lateral geniculate body (LGB) whereas myelin segments are present around OT axons by P5. The first pre-ensheathing oligodendrocytes are detected medially in the LGB on P7 and myelinated axons in the overlying OT by P11. In the superior colliculus, pre-ensheathing oligodendrocytes are present in the optic fiber layer (SO) on P7, but not in the superficial gray layer (SGS) until P11. Myelination of axons within SO proceeds along a marked rostro-caudal gradient. On P14, axons in rostral SO are heavily myelinated; thereafter, ensheathment continues caudally within the SO and the SGS. The progressive invasion of oligodendrocytes along the proximo-distal axis of the optic pathway, and the corresponding myelination of OT axons, are discussed in the context of a possible inhibitory role of oligodendrocytes in regulating the regenerative propensity of retinotectal axons.

Animals

Trigeminal ganglion cell processes are spatially ordered prior to the differentiation of the vibrissa pad.

The rodent trigeminal system is characterized by the punctate organization of its afferents and neurons that replicate the distribution of mystacial vibrissae and sinus hairs on the snout. We have examined the development of topographic equivalence between the sensory periphery on the snout and the brainstem trigeminal nuclei in rats. Lipophilic tracers Dil (1,1'-dioctodecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate) and DiA [4-(4-dihexadecylaminostyryl)-N-methylpyridinium iodide] were used to label trigeminal ganglion cells and their processes differentially from discrete regions of the presumptive vibrissa field in fixed embryos. Our results show that trigeminal ganglion cell processes are spatially ordered as they reach their peripheral and central targets on embryonic day 12 (E12). Peripheral processes of dorsomedially situated ganglion cells course dorsally toward the presumptive vibrissa field, and those of ventrolaterally situated ganglion cells project ventrally. On E13, the central processes of dorsomedially situated ganglion cells enter the brainstem medially whereas those of ventrolaterally situated ganglion cells enter laterally. This spatial order of trigeminal ganglion cell processes precedes the emergence of vibrissa rows in the periphery and the differentiation of brainstem trigeminal nuclei. Thus, the subsequent transfer of the vibrissa-related pattern to the brainstem trigeminal nuclei occurs along a preexisting, spatially aligned bridge formed by the trigeminal ganglion cells.

Animals

Barrel construction in rodent neocortex: role of thalamic afferents versus extracellular matrix molecules.

The rodent primary somatosensory cortex is characterized by aggregates of cellular and axonal elements that replicate the distribution of mystacial vibrissae on the face. The periphery-related cortical pattern ("barrels") is influenced by an amalgam of elements extrinsic (i.e., afferents) and intrinsic (i.e., neurons, glia, and their substrate) to the developing neocortex. To assign the role of some of these elements in cortical pattern formation, we have examined the temporal correlation between periphery-related patterns formed by thalamocortical axons and by extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules associated with neurons and glia in the cortex. Thalamocortical axons were labeled with the lipophilic tracer 1,1'-dioctydecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) in aldehyde-fixed neonatal rat brains, and the same brains were also prepared for immunohistochemical localization of ECM molecules cytotactin and cytotactin-binding proteoglycan. We present evidence that thalamocortical axons form a periphery-related pattern well before such an organization is detectable in the distribution of ECM molecules. Furthermore, a patterned distribution of ECM molecules results from the down-regulation of these molecules from barrel centers, where thalamic axons have established vibrissa-specific patches. We conclude that thalamic axons convey the blueprint of the sensory periphery onto the neocortex and that ECM molecules do not participate in the initial formation of this pattern.

Afferent Pathways

Initial stages of retinofugal axon development in the hamster: evidence for two distinct modes of growth.

In order to characterize differences in growth patterns of axons as they elongate toward their targets and during the initial stages of terminal arbor formation within the targets, we examined the primary visual system of fetal and newborn hamsters using three morphological methods: the Cajal-deCastro reduced silver method, the rapid Golgi technique, and anterograde transport of HRP. Axons emerge from the retina between the 10th and 11th embryonic days (E10-E11). The front of retinal axons crosses the chiasm, extends over the primitive dorsal nucleus of the lateral geniculate body (LGBd) by E13, and advances to the back of the superior colliculus (SC) by E13.5-E14. The rate of axon growth during this advance is nearly 2 mm/day. Collateral sprouts appear on axons around E15.5. In the LGBd and SC, these sprouts arise from multiple sites along the parent axons. Only one or a few of the sprouts continue to grow and branch, while others are eliminated. The net rate of axon collateral advance in this second phase is an order of magnitude slower than during the stage of axon elongation. Thus, formation of CNS projections may involve two qualitatively distinct modes of axon growth. The arborization mode contrasts with the elongation mode by the presence of branching, a lack of fasciculation and a slower average rate of extension. The stereotypic direct advance of axons during elongation also differs from the remodelling which occurs during arborization. The delay between axon arrival at targets and onset of arborization could be a reflection of axons "waiting" for a maturational change to occur in the retina or in targets. Arborization in the LGBd and SC is initiated around the same time, implicating the former possibility. However, a slower differentiation of retinal arbors in the SC, in addition to morphological differences of arbors in the two structures, suggests that alterations in substrate factors also play a critical role in triggering the early stages of arbor formation.

Aging

Thalamic axons confer a blueprint of the sensory periphery onto the developing rat somatosensory cortex.

In order to study the role of afferents in the maturation of cortical axons projecting from the ventrobasal thalamic complex (VB) to the barrel field (SI) cortex were labeled with the carbocyanine dye DiI, in aldehyde-fixed embryonic and newborn rat brains. Our results reveal that the first few thalamic axons are in the cortical plate by embryonic day (E) 19. Between E19 and the day of birth (E21 = PND 0), layers V and VI differentiate from the lower part of the cortical plate. On PND 0, a plexus of growth-cone tipped thalamic axons is present within the cortical plate and a few VB fibers have reached the marginal zone. Increasing numbers of thalamic afferents invade and ramify within the cortical plate on PND 1 and, over the course of the next 24 h, form a vibrissa-specific pattern in the lower part of this zone, prior to the differentiation of layer IV into a distinct lamina. This periphery-related organization is exhibited by VB afferents earlier than reported for other afferents to the cortex, by glia- or neuron-associated extracellular elements or by the cytoarchitectonic specializations (barrels) of stellate cells. Our observations, in conjunction with the previous studies, demonstrate that thalamic afferents may have a pivotal role in determining the morphological specification of the primary somatosensory cortex.

Aging

Maturation of projections from occipital cortex to the ventrolateral geniculate and superior colliculus in postnatal hamsters.

The development of corticofugal axons from the posterior cortex of young (ages P3-P11, P15 and P22) and adult Syrian hamsters was investigated by anterograde axonal transport of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP). On P3 and P4, 30 h after tracer was deposited in the cortex, The HRP reaction product was observed in the dorsal nucleus of the lateral geniculate body and in the lateral posterior nucleus of the thalamus, but no labeled axons were observed in the ventral nucleus of the lateral geniculate body (LGBv) until P5. Axon arborization, indicated by a granular precipitate scattered throughout the LGBv was light on P6 and robust on P7. Adult-like patterns of cortico-LGBv innervation were present by P11. The time course for the development of corticotectal fibers was similar to that for the cortico-LGBv projection: labeled cortical efferents were present in the pretectum on P5, but these did not enter the optic fiber layer of the superior colliculus (SC) until the following day (P6). Substantial invasion of the superficial gray layer, resulting from possible arborization of cortical axons in the optic fiber layer, occurred on P9. An adult-like distribution was evident by P11. Thus, corticofugal efferents to the LGBv and to the SC follow a similar developmental sequence, with the LGBv afferents maturing slightly earlier. There appears to be, however, a significant difference in the 'waiting periods' for the two systems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Transient patterns of GAP-43 expression during the formation of barrels in the rat somatosensory cortex.

The development of the rat barrel field cortex was investigated with an antibody to the axonal membrane-specific phosphoprotein GAP-43 in order to examine the developmental pattern of afferent projections, and with cytochrome oxidase histochemistry and Nissl stains to reveal the morphogenesis of cortical barrels. On the first two days after birth, GAP-43 immunostaining in the cortical plate was light and diffuse, then became intense in the presumptive layer IV of the parietal cortex on PND3 (day of birth = PND0). Immunoreactive densities were visible as small, focal patches within the centers of prospective barrels. These densities increased in size and intensity over the next few days and then diminished abruptly. On PND7, the distribution of GAP-43 was coextensive with barrels, as defined by cytochrome oxidase histochemistry and Nissl staining. GAP-43 virtually disappeared from the barrels after PND7. From the second postnatal week, GAP-43 immunostaining was evident in the septa between barrels and in the dysgranular regions of SI cortex. This pattern of GAP-43 distribution was complementary to the pattern of cytochrome oxidase activity, and persisted into maturity. In an attempt to identify possible source(s) of GAP-43 positive afferents in the developing barrels, we examined the effects of altering the sensory periphery on the distribution of GAP-43 immunostaining in the cortex. Rat pups had row C whiskers cauterized on PND0 and were sacrificed on PND3 or PND5. Whereas immunopositive densities corresponding to intact whiskers developed in a normal, punctate pattern, cortical representation of the lesioned whiskers formed a continuous band of labeling that was evident as early as PND3. We argue that the disjunctive expression of GAP-43 in the barrel field reflects the pattern of distribution of afferents (most likely from the ventro-basal thalamic nucleus) to the barrel field cortex, and that this pattern may be instructive in the formation of barrels as cytoarchitectonic units. The rapid alteration in patterns of immunostaining following whisker lesions lends further support to the conclusion that the "barrel template" is conveyed to the neocortex by incoming afferents. The possible significance of the transient expression of GAP-43 in the maturing barrel field is discussed.

Aging

Phorbol ester-mediated induction of HIV-1 from a chronically infected promonocyte clone: blockade by protein kinase inhibitors and relationship to tat-directed trans-activation.

Potent inhibitors of protein kinases C and A, including 1-(5 isoquinolinyl sulfonyl) 2-methyl piperazine (H7), staurosporine, and 2-aminopurine, depressed phorbol ester-induced HIV-1 virion production and HIV-specific transcripts by greater than 90% in chronically infected promonocytic cells. Suppression was dose-dependent and occurred at concentration that had little effect on cell growth. These effects appeared to be specific to activation of the PKC-diacylglycerol system. They did not alter IUdr-mediated induction of HIV. In addition, PMA enhancement of an HIV-LTR driven reporter gene was not blocked by H7 in the presence or absence of exogenous tat, at concentrations capable of inhibiting upregulation of virus at the cellular level. Insight into the biochemical mechanisms of these processes is critical to understanding interactions of HIV with the immune system, and may eventually uncover new therapeutic strategies.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine

Use of brainstem flat-mounts for visualizing DiI-filled axons in the developing rodent visual system.

The lipophilic carbocyanine fluorescent label DiI was injected in one eye of aldehyde-fixed embryonic or postnatal hamsters and the brains were examined using flat-mounts of the chiasm region, of the lateral surface of the brainstem, or of the midbrain tectum. Single axons could be discerned within the optic nerves and along the optic tract. Many fibers were tipped by growth cones, ending at various levels of the brainstem. Fine details of retinofugal axon morphology, including varicosities, branch-points and filopodial extensions on growth cones were visible in the flat-mounts. Such preparations allow a high-resolution view of labeled axons which course near the surface of the brain. It is possible, with this method, to simultaneously examine the morphogenesis of multiple collateral arbors on single fibers which project to more than one terminal zone.

Animals

Neurogenesis and development of callosal and intracortical connections in the hamster.

The developmental time-course of callosal and ipsilateral corticocortical projections was studied in embryonic and postnatal hamsters, from the time of neurogenesis until the appearance of adult patterns. Callosal neurogenesis was determined by combining the incorporation of [3H]thymidine injected on specific embryonic days with retrograde labelling of callosal neurons in the adult animal. The development of both callosal and corticocortical projections was studied by the transport of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. Despite a significant radial disperson of postmigratory neurons born on the same day, it was found that the birthdates of callosally-projecting neurons in the frontal cortex were not restricted to a short period of time, but extended between embryonic days 13 and 15. This period covers the neurogenesis of cells in cortical layers III-V. Elongation of callosal axons (and possibly also of corticocortical fibres) started a couple of days before birth in the frontal cortex, and continued through the first postnatal days. After a "waiting period" of a few days, axons from both sets of projections were seen innervating restricted target sectors of the cortex. The zones of origin of these projections were initially exuberant, but were subsequently trimmed to overlap completely with the corresponding terminal fields. It is concluded that callosal and ipsilateral corticocortical projections undergo similar sequences of ontogenetic stages, suggesting that the development of neocortical connectivity as a whole may be governed by one and the same set of rules.

Animals

Immunohistochemical localization of GAP-43 in the developing hamster retinofugal pathway.

Metabolic labeling studies have shown that the developing hamster retinotectal pathway is marked by a high level of synthesis and axonal transport of the neuron-specific phosphoprotein GAP-43, which then decline sharply with synaptic maturation. To understand better the relationship of GAP-43 to specific developmental events, we used a monospecific antibody to examine the location of this protein in the optic tract and retinal target areas at various stages. In late embryonic and in neonatal hamsters, dense GAP-43 immunostaining was seen along the entire extent of the optic tract axons, including fascicles coursing over and through the lateral geniculate body (LGB) and within the upper layers of the superior colliculus (SC). The retinal origin of many of these fascicles was confirmed by their rapid disappearance after removal of the contralateral eye. During the first postnatal week, immunostaining in the fiber fascicles showed a marked decline, though the protein was still present throughout the neuropil of the LGB and SC. In the second postnatal week, the neuropil staining also diminished, and by 12 days after birth, both structures showed only light immunoreactivity. The high levels of GAP-43 in embryonic and neonatal optic tract axons coincide temporally with axon elongation, initial target contact, and collateral formation by the retinofugal fibers, whereas subsequent concentration of the protein in the neuropil suggests its involvement in the elaboration of terminal arbors and synaptogenesis.

Aging

Peripheral nerve regeneration induces elevated expression of GAP-43 in the brainstem trigeminal complex of adult hamsters.

A polyclonal antibody was used to delineate the pattern of GAP-43 expression in central processes of trigeminal ganglion cells while their peripheral processes were undergoing regeneration. Two weeks after transection of the infraorbital nerve, levels of GAP-43 ipsilateral to the transection were greatly increased along the trajectory of infraorbital axons in the central trigeminal tract and also within the target neuropil. We conclude that elevated levels of GAP-43 in central processes of injured trigeminal ganglion cells occur in direct response to the regenerative response of the cell body and may have important implications for 'plasticity'-related changes seen in the adult trigeminal system.

Animals

Sharpening of topographical projections and maturation of geniculocortical axon arbors in the hamster.

During specification of orderly neural maps, axons correctly navigate to their targets and form terminal arbors in topographically correct positions. To learn more about this mapping process, the patterns of geniculocortical topography were correlated with growth of axon arbors in the hamster visual cortex. Topography was studied by retrograde transport of WGA-HRP from area 17 to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGd) and visualized with TMB histochemistry. In separate experiments, geniculocortical axon arbors were filled with HRP deposited extracellularly into the optic radiations and stained with cobalt-intensified DAB. On the day of birth (P0) and on P1-2, a crude topography was detected in the geniculocortical system. At these ages, geniculocortical axons coursed in the embryonic white matter of the visual cortex, parallel to the pia. During their passage, multiple short collaterals, with no terminal arbors, were extended into the subplate and deeper portions of the cortical plate. By P3-5, the topography was more precise and simple axonal arbors had now begun to be formed on some branches within the cortical plate. During the second postnatal week, branches in the white matter without terminals were eliminated and the ramifications of branches in the gray matter became more elaborate. The arbors continued to increase in complexity and resembled adult forms by P24.

Animals

Distribution of morphologically different retinal axon terminals in the hamster dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus.

Afferent terminal arbors in the hamster LGBd were labelled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) implanted into the optic tract. Three morphologically distinct terminal types, each with a different regional distribution, were observed. Type R1 terminals are large, ovoid swellings and are predominantly distributed medially within the nucleus. Type R2 terminals are very small, clustered varicosities and are distributed laterally and ventrally. Type R3 terminals are medium in size and their distribution overlaps with that of Type R1 and R2 terminals.

Afferent Pathways

Visualizing anterogradely transported HRP by use of TMB histochemistry: comparison of the TMB-SNF and TMB-AHM methods.

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP), a commonly used enzymatic marker for tracing pathways in the central nervous system, can be visualized histochemically with the aid of the chromogen tetramethyl benzidine (TMB). In a recent report, Olucha and collaborators (J Neurosci Meth 13:131, 1985) introduced the use of ammonium heptamolybdate (AHM) as a substitute for sodium nitroferricyanide (SNF) which serves to stabilize the HRP reaction product. This TMB-AHM method of Olucha et al. proves superior to the TMB-SNF method of Mesulam (J Histochem Cytochem 26:106, 1978) in that the reaction does not produce crystalline artifact. For visualization of retrogradely transported HRP, the two methods are reportedly equivalent in sensitivity. In the work reported here, we have compared the sensitivity of the two methods in detecting HRP that was transported anterogradely after intraocular injections of the enzyme in normal adult and neonatal hamsters, as well as in animals with lesions of the superior colliculus or retina. We demonstrate that the TMB-SNF method is decidedly more sensitive than the TMB-AHM technique for visualization of anterogradely transported HRP. This difference in sensitivity is especially evident in regions of sparse projections.

Animals

Changes in rapidly transported proteins in developing hamster retinofugal axons.

Proteins synthesized in retinal ganglion cells and conveyed to the terminals of optic tract axons in the rapid phase of axonal transport were analyzed at different developmental stages in the hamster. Animals between 2 d of age and adulthood were labeled intraocularly with 35S-methionine, and after a 4 hr survival time, the superior colliculus was dissected out, subjected to subcellular fractionation, and radiolabeled proteins in the particulate fraction analyzed by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and fluorography. The previously identified growth-associated phosphoprotein, GAP-43 (GAP-48, B-50, F1, pp46), was synthesized and transported at high levels in the neonate, but these levels declined precipitously after the second postnatal week. Immunohistochemical studies using a monospecific antibody showed that GAP-43 was localized along the entire length of retinal axons in the optic tract and target areas in P2 animals but was virtually absent in the adult visual pathway. By metabolic labeling, 2 proteins with molecular weights of about 230 kDa also showed a sharp decrease during development. In contrast, acidic proteins of 27 and 64 kDa, which were barely detectable in the neonate, increased steadily to become the most heavily labeled proteins of rapid axonal transport by the second postnatal week. Another group of proteins, of about 94-110 kDa, also rose to peak levels after birth but then declined. Temporal correlations between the molecular changes described here and the known anatomical events in optic tract development suggest that the synthesis and transport of particular membrane proteins may be directly related to the sequence of morphological changes.

Animals