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GABA(B) receptor-mediated inhibition of mitral/tufted cell activity in the rat olfactory bulb: a whole-cell patch-clamp study in vitro.

GABA, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in information processing in the olfactory bulb, is hypothesized to act through GABA(B) receptors by depressing primary neurotransmitter release at the level of olfactory nerve axon endings. The present study was designed to analyze GABA(B) receptor-mediated inhibition mechanisms by performing whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of mitral/tufted cell activity in the rat in vitro. To do so, GABA(B) receptor-mediated action was mimicked by baclofen and antagonized by saclofen. Our protocol led us to provide an original description of GABA(B) receptor-mediated inhibition exerted on mitral/tufted cells. First, their spontaneous activity was shown to be drastically abolished by baclofen. Second, their responses to olfactory nerve electrical stimulation were graded by GABA(B) receptor-mediated inhibition. Indeed, this inhibition may be described as inducing effects ranked from a slight increase in response latency to a complete response suppression.Altogether, our results corroborate the hypothesis of a presynaptic extrasynaptic GABA(B) receptor-mediated inhibition influencing mitral/tufted cell olfactory nerve responsivity. However, the involvement of postsynaptic receptors, with different properties or with different anatomical locations, cannot be ruled out, particularly in the control of spontaneous activity. In conclusion, we underline that, in the vertebrate olfactory bulb, GABA(B) receptor-mediated action appears to contribute to make mitral/tufted cell responses more salient by reducing their resting activity.

Animals↗

Astrocyte subtypes in the rat olfactory bulb: morphological heterogeneity and differential laminar distribution.

Despite increased recognition of the importance and heterogeneity of astrocyte functions throughout the central nervous system (CNS) relatively little attention has been paid to morphological diversity among astrocytes. Recent studies have indicated that subsets of astrocytes are involved in glial-axonal interactions critical to both development and reinnervation of the rat olfactory bulb. Here, we have characterized the morphologies and distribution of astrocytes within anatomically and functionally distinct layers of the adult main olfactory bulb (MOB). Using a known immunohistochemical marker for astrocytes, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and the classic gold sublimate method, we identified six astrocyte subtypes based on their morphology and distribution: (1) unipolar, (2) irregular, (3) wedge-shape, (4) circular, (5) semicircular, and (6) elongate. Unipolar, irregular and wedge-shape astrocytes have not been previously described in the CNS. The unipolar and irregular types are located exclusively in the olfactory nerve layer. Wedge-shape astrocytes are unique to, and are the major subtype in, the glomerular layer. These three morphologically unique astrocyte subtypes may correspond to olfactory nerve layer (ONL) and glomerular layer (GL) astrocytes, which express molecules that regulate axonal growth or synaptogenesis during development and/or regeneration of the olfactory nerve. In the glomerular layer, astrocytes are highly organized with respect to the glomeruli. Individual astrocytes are loyal to a single glomerulus. In the external plexiform layer, astrocytes are spaced relatively uniformly. In the granule cell layer, astrocytes appear to compartmentalize granule cell aggregates, recently shown to be coupled by tight junctions. The distribution and patterns of astrocyte processes and the density of GFAP immunoreactivity are distinctive for each of the layers of the olfactory bulb. The spacing of astrocytes and the organization of their processes may be important to compartmentalization of neuronal functions. High levels of GFAP immunoreactivity correlated with layers of high neuronal plasticity. The morphological diversity and differential distribution of astrocytes in the olfactory bulb reported here support growing evidence for functional diversity of astrocytes and important interactions among specific astrocyte and neuron subtypes. It is reasonable to hypothesize, therefore, that as for neurons, morphologically distinctive astrocyte subtypes may correspond to functionally specific classes.

Animals↗

Relative contribution of brain and peripheral connections to postnatal growth and cell accretion in the rat olfactory bulb.

Total weight and DNA (cell number) determination in whole olfactory bulbs (OB) revealed that unilateral transection of the olfactory peduncle in newborn rats causes 2 X more (40%) deficit in cell number in the operated OB than section of the olfactory nerve. The deficit due to combined operations ('isolation' of OB) were additive. Similar effects were observed on weight gain. It is inferred that both olfactory nerve and sources in the brain exert marked influences on postnatal cell accretion and growth in the OB and that the greater share of the brain is due to its direct contribution of new microneurons via the 'rostral migratory stream'.

Animals↗

Developmental expression of neural cell adhesion molecules in the mouse neocortex and olfactory bulb.

Polyclonal antibodies to N-CAM and L1 and monoclonal antibodies to epitopes of N-CAM (designated 12F11, 8A2, and 12F8) were used to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of these neural cell adhesion molecules during the development of mouse cortex and olfactory bulb. The aim of the study was to correlate developmental events such as cell migration, dendritic and axonal outgrowth, and synaptogenesis with the appearance and disappearance of specific molecules involved in cell-cell interactions. Western transfer studies indicated that 12F8 antibody recognized polysialic acid found on embryonic N-CAM; 8A2 antibody primarily recognized the 140 kD component of N-CAM while the 12F11 antibody recognized the 180 and the 140 kD forms. The study demonstrates a high degree of cell surface molecular specialization of different compartments in developing neocortex and olfactory bulb. L1 is found on a variety of unmyelinated fiber tracts including thalamocortical fibers, olfactory nerve, and inner plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb. In contrast, N-CAM epitope recognized by 12F11 antibody is present on olfactory nerve fibers but appears later and is much weaker than L1 on thalamocortical fibers and is absent from the olfactory lobe inner plexiform layer. Dendritic regions are best labeled by 12F8 antibody; the epitope becomes faint in adult cortex but remains strongly expressed in olfactory bulb. This study reveals that widespread N-CAM expression in the central nervous system is constituted by a diversity of local expression of different molecular forms of N-CAM; their different anatomical distributions suggest they may each have unique roles.

Aging↗

Metabolic mapping of functional activity in the olfactory system of normal and hypogonadal (hpg) mice.

The hypogonadal mouse, which lacks gonadotropin-releasing hormone, has been suggested as an animal model of Kallmann's syndrome, one symptom of which is hyposmia. We have determined the metabolic activity of the olfactory system, in normal and hypogonadal mice, using [14C]-2-deoxyglucose quantitative autoradiography. In the olfactory lobes, deoxyglucose uptake was greatest in the glomerular and granule cell layers and low in the olfactory nerve layer and bulb core. The pattern of uptake was similar in both hypogonadal and normal mice breathing filtered air. Exposure of normal mice to ethyl acetoacetate significantly increased deoxyglucose uptake in the olfactory nerve layer and glomerular layer, but not in the granule cell layer. Several foci of intense metabolic activity were produced, apparently corresponding to small groups of activated glomeruli. There were no changes in the secondary or tertiary projections of the olfactory system. In hypogonadal mice, ethyl acetoacetate failed to increase the number of foci and the density of labelling in the olfactory nerve layer and glomerular layer. These data show that the functional activity of the olfactory system in hypogonadal mice breathing air is apparently normal. However, the olfactory response to ethyl acetoacetate is significantly less in hypogonadal mice. Whether this is due to their lack of gonadotropin-releasing hormone requires further experimentation.

Acetoacetates↗

Expression of the Kallmann syndrome gene in human fetal brain and in the manipulated chick embryo.

Kallmann syndrome is an inherited disorder characterized by an abnormality in olfactory system development. The gene for the X-linked form of this disorder (KAL) maps to Xp22.3 and encodes a protein sharing homologies with molecules involved in neuronal migration and axonal pathfinding. Here we report the expression pattern of the KAL gene in various parts of the human fetal brain. We found KAL transcripts in granule cells of the olfactory bulb and the cerebellum, in the dorsomedial thalamus and in the developing cerebral cortex. To determine whether or not signals from the olfactory nerve are required for KAL expression in the olfactory bulb, we analyzed chick embryos in which the olfactory placode was surgically removed. Those embryos lacking an olfactory nerve had a histologically abnormal bulb which nevertheless expressed the KAL gene at high levels. These findings indicate that, while the development of the proper cytoarchitecture of the olfactory bulb requires the innervation by olfactory axons, the expression of KAL is independent of such developmental processes.

Abortion, Induced↗

Functional organization of rat olfactory bulb glomeruli revealed by optical imaging.

The functional organization and synaptic physiology of olfactory bulb glomeruli were studied in rat in vitro slice preparations stained with the voltage-sensitive dye RH-155. Optical signals were recorded with a 100-element photodiode array at high temporal resolution. Pharmacological and ionic manipulations were used to investigate synaptic responses to stimulation of the olfactory nerve layer (ONL). ONL stimulation evoked a sodium-mediated compound action potential that propagated across the ONL and invaded individual glomeruli. This presynaptic volley evoked calcium-dependent synaptic responses the amplitudes of which were largest within the glomerular layer (GL); smaller amplitude responses were recorded in deeper layers of the olfactory bulb. Synaptic responses in the GL were attenuated by the non-NMDA ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonist CNQX; the residual component was suppressed by the NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist AP-5. The GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline methiodide had little effect, whereas the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen dramatically attenuated ONL-evoked synaptic responses. The effects of baclofen were reversed by the GABAB receptor antagonist CGP35348. Paired-pulse depression of ONL-evoked synaptic responses in the GL was partially reversed by CGP35348. These findings suggest that olfactory nerve axons release glutamate to activate both NMDA and non-NMDA receptors on GL neurons, that GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition has little effect on these responses, and that GABAB receptor-mediated inhibition may act presynaptically on olfactory nerve axons to modulate their inputs to olfactory bulb neurons.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

[Extra-bulbar primary olfactory projection in teleost fishes].

Immunohistochemical investigations with anti-substance P antiserum demonstrate the existence of an extensive extrabulbar primary olfactory projection in several gymnotid teleost fish. This projection, never described before, originates in particular primary olfactory bundles which enter with the olfactory nerve into the olfactory bulb. While the bulk of the olfactory fibers end with glomeruli in the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb, two particular bundles penetrate into the telencephalon and end, without forming glomeruli, in several telencephalic and diencephalic regions. A few fibers run as far as to the hypothalamus. In the light of these findings, the general notion that the primary olfactory projection is limited to the olfactory bulb and forms only glomeruli-like terminals, should be reconsidered.

Animals↗

Interhemispheric transfer of olfactory information in homing pigeon.

The role of the anterior commissure in discrimination of and habituation to olfactory stimuli was studied in pigeons by measuring changes in the heart rate. In order to exclude any trigeminal response, we presented odorous stimuli to groups of pigeons with one olfactory nerve cut and either the ipsilateral or the contralateral nostril plugged. When the nostril involved in the experiments was on the same side of the cut olfactory nerve, the pigeons did not show any response, whereas they displayed changes in heart rate when the nostril tested was on the opposite side. In habituation transfer experiments were a control group of pigeons and a group with the anterior commissure cut, both of them subjected to a monolateral habituation training to amylacetate. Later, when the odour was presented to the opposite nostril, both groups maintained the habituation.

Animals↗

Expression of the small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel, SK3, in the olfactory ensheathing glial cells of rat brain.

Olfactory sensory neurons are wrapped by ensheathing glial cells in the olfactory nerve layer (ONL). Neither functional roles nor electrical properties of ensheathing glial cells have been, as yet, fully clarified. Four subunits (SK1-4) of small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels have been cloned. In the present study, immunohistochemical analyses showed that SK3 channels are expressed in ensheathing glial cells in the rat olfactory bulb, in addition to neuronal cells in other regions. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that SK3 was predominantly expressed in the olfactory bulb, thalamus, moderately in the hippocampus and cerebellum and modestly in the cerebral cortex of the rat brain. SK3 immunoreactivity was detected in the ONL of the olfactory bulb, neural cell body and fibers of the substantia nigra and hypothalamus. SK3 immunoreactivity was quite intense in the outer (superficial) part of the ONL. SK3-immunoreactive structures were overlapped with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), but not with vimentin, markers for glial cells and olfactory sensory axons, respectively. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that SK3 immunoreactivity was localized in thin processes that enfolded fascicles of immunonegative olfactory nerve axons. These results indicate that SK3 is expressed specifically in the olfactory ensheathing glial cells in olfactory regions.

Animals↗

Olfactory relationships of the telencephalon and diencephalon in the rabbit. II. An autoradiographic and horseradish peroxidase study of the efferent connections of the anterior olfactory nucleus.

The efferent connections of the anterior olfactory nucleus in the female albino rabbit have been studied using the autoradiographic and horseradish peroxidase methods for tracing axonal pathways. Following a unilateral injection of 3H-leucine into the olfactory peduncle, radioactively labeled efferent projections from the anterior olfactory nucleus were traced into all layers of the ipsilateral main olfactory bulb beneath the olfactory nerve layer and through the ipsilateral anterior limb of the anterior commissure and plexiform layer of the medial side of the cerebral hemisphere to the deep half of the plexiform (IB) and pyramidal cell (II) layers of the prepyriform cortex, the tenia tecta, and the entire surface of the olfactory tubercle. Labeled projections crossing the midline within the anterior commissure were followed to the layers IB and II of the contralateral anterior prepyriform cortex and pars externa, pars lateralis, and pars dorsalis of the anterior olfactory nucleus, and through the periventricular layer of the olfactory peduncle to all layers of the main olfactory bulb beneath the olfactory nerve layer. No well-defined labeled projection was traced to the contralateral accessory olfactory bulb. Evidence for possible anterior olfactory nucleus and/or prepyriform cortical projections to the ipsilateral paleocortical half of the claustrum, horizontal limb of the nucleus of the diagonal band, the posterior lateral hypothalamus at the level of the mammillary complex, and to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis is discussed. Intra-axonal retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase from axon terminals to parent cell bodies after unilateral injection of the protein into the main olfactory bulb or anterior olfactory nucleus revealed that anterior olfactory nucleus projections to the olfactory bulbs and the contralateral anterior olfactory nucleus arise predominately from the pars externa. The autoradiographic data indicate that the anterior olfactory nucleus projects to olfactory cortical structures which also receive afferent input from the olfactory bulb and that the termination of these projections is complementary to those from the olfactory bulb.

Animals↗

Immunocytochemical localization of sGnRH and cGnRH-II in the brain of goldfish, Carassius auratus.

The immunocytochemical distribution of salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone (sGnRH) and chicken GnRH-II (cGnRH-II) neurons in the brain of goldfish was examined using respective antisera. Salmon GnRH-immunoreactive (ir) cell bodies were localized in the area between the olfactory nerve and the olfactory bulb (the terminal nerve ganglion), the ventral telencephalon, the preoptic area, and the hypothalamus. Chicken GnRH-II-ir cell bodies were observed in the same areas as were those of sGnRH, although the number of cell bodies were fewer than those of sGnRH. In addition, chicken GnRH-II-ir cell bodies were also observed in the midbrain tegmentum where no sGnRH-ir cell bodies were found. Both sGnRH-ir and cGnRH-II-ir fibers were distributed not only in the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland but also in various brain areas from the olfactory bulb to the spinal cord. The wide distribution of GnRH-ir fibers suggests that in the goldfish, sGnRH and cGnRH-II not only regulate gonadotropin release from the pituitary gland but also function as neuromodulators in various brain regions.

Animals↗

Abnormalities of axon growth in human olfactory mucosa.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Random biopsies of the human adult olfactory mucosa often demonstrate degenerative changes in the olfactory epithelium (OE) in both dysosmic and normosmic patients and, consequently, have limited diagnostic usefulness. However, detailed analysis of the subepithelial tissue with specific attention to the fascicles of the olfactory nerve and abnormalities of axonal growth may improve the correlation of histopathology with sensory function. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of human OE biopsies. METHODS: Mucosal biopsies from the olfactory area obtained from 27 subjects were examined by light and electron microscopy, with particular attention to the olfactory nerve fascicles; results were correlated with clinical status. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to characterize the extent of axonal depletion, relative maturity of the parent population, and aberrant axonal growth. RESULTS: As expected, there are areas of respiratory metaplasia and neuronal depletion in normosmic as well as dysosmic patients. The degree of axon degeneration within the fascicles correlates better with individual olfactory status. Immature neurons predominate, and re-entrant neuromas develop in patients with olfactory loss caused by disconnection from the olfactory bulb. Individuals with olfactory loss caused by epithelial damage as with chronic rhinosinusitis display evidence of nerve fascicle degeneration and intraepithelial neuromas. CONCLUSION: The status of olfactory axons provides useful information on the overall condition of the olfactory periphery and improves the diagnostic usefulness of mucosal biopsies. In addition to an assessment of the epithelium per se, the fascicles of the olfactory nerve need to be characterized for a complete analysis of the olfactory mucosa.

Adult↗

Necropsy study of the olfactory portal of entry in herpes simplex encephalitis.

Two fatal cases of sporadic herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis were seen and diagnosed at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, between 1979 and 1981. Necropsy studies were directed to the possible portal of entry of HSV into the central nervous system. Viruses were present in the left olfactory nerve in one patient. No viruses were found in the Gasserian ganglia of either patient. The finding of HSV within an olfactory nerve provides further evidence of an olfactory portal of entry to the central nervous system in sporadic human HSV encephalitis.

Aged↗

Cholinergic modulation of excitability in the rat olfactory bulb: effect of local application of cholinergic agents on evoked field potentials.

The effect of exogenously applied cholinergic agents upon mitral-granule cell complex activity of the olfactory bulb was studied in anesthetized rats. Output neurons were activated by electrical paired-pulse stimulation (40-80 ms time interval) applied either to the olfactory nerve (orthodromic stimulation) or to the lateral olfactory tract (antidromic stimulation). Evoked field potentials were recorded in the granule cell layer. Cholinergic agents were introduced close to the mitral cell body layer through a push-pull cannula. With both orthodromic and antidromic stimulations, acetylcholine in the presence of eserine (an acetylcholinesterase blocker), did not alter the conditioning volley, while it induced a significant increase in the amplitude of the test volley. This effect could be replicated using the cholinergic agonist carbachol. This attenuation of the paired-pulse inhibition is due to a reduction of the dendrodendritic inhibitory action of granule cells upon relay cells. Muscarinic and nicotinic transmission were studied using antidromic and orthodromic stimulations, respectively. The selective effect of acetylcholine on the test volley was totally abolished by the blockade of the muscarinic transmission (by atropine). The blockade of the GABAergic transmission (by picrotoxin), could also prevent the acetylcholine-induced effect. The results lead us to propose that in deep bulbar layers, acetylcholine may activate muscarinic receptors situated on second-order GABAergic interneurons. These interneurons could in turn inhibit granule cells (first-order interneurons). The nicotinic antagonist d-tubocurarine selectively enhanced the duration of the late component and did not appear to modify early components when stimulation was applied to the olfactory nerve. This effect related to both the conditioning and the test volleys and the enhancement in the duration of depolarization of granule cell dendrites suggests that normal activation of nicotinic receptors contributes to a faster repolarization of granule cells. Since nicotinic receptors belong to the outer glomerular layer, this result points to the existence of interneurons belonging to the periglomerular region where they receive nicotinic input and project to deep layers where they modulate granule cell activity. Taken together, our results suggest the presence of a phasic muscarinic and a tonic nicotinic modulation of bulbar interneuronal activity. Since both could finally reduce the inhibitory action of granule cells, the action of cholinergic afferents would facilitate transmission of bulbar output neurons to central structures.

Acetylcholine↗

Soybean agglutinin binding to the olfactory systems of the rat and mouse.

The binding of the lectin soybean agglutinin (SBA) to the olfactory system of both the rat and mouse was investigated histochemically. SBA bound to fibers in the accessory olfactory nerve and to glomeruli in the accessory olfactory bulb. In addition, SBA binding sites were present in some, but not all, glomeruli in the ventrolateral and ventromedial portions of the main olfactory bulb of only the rat. Under standard experimental conditions, SBA did not bind to neurons in other regions of the olfactory system nor to any other neurons in the brain. This selective binding of SBA to only some glomeruli in the olfactory bulb provides additional support for the presence of, at least, two subclasses of olfactory receptor cells in the nasal cavity. Whether these neuronal subclasses are the same as those previously characterized by monoclonal antibodies in rabbit remains to be determined.

Animals↗

Tonic and synaptically evoked presynaptic inhibition of sensory input to the rat olfactory bulb via GABA(B) heteroreceptors.

Olfactory receptor neurons of the nasal epithelium send their axons, via the olfactory nerve (ON), to the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb (OB), where the axon terminals form glutamatergic synapses with the apical dendrites of mitral and tufted cells, the output cells of the OB, and with juxtaglomerular (JG) interneurons. Many JG cells are GABAergic. Here we show that, despite the absence of conventional synapses, GABA released from JG cells activates GABA(B) receptors on ON terminals and inhibits glutamate release both tonically and in response to ON stimulation. Field potential recordings and current-source density analysis, as well as intracellular and whole cell recording techniques were used in rat OB slices. Baclofen (2-5 microM), a GABA(B) agonist, completely suppressed ON-evoked synaptic responses of both mitral/tufted cells and JG cells, with no evidence for postsynaptic effects. Baclofen (0.5-1 microM) also reversed paired-pulse depression (PPD) of mitral/tufted cell responses to paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), and reduced depression of JG cell excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) during repetitive ON stimulation. These results suggest that baclofen reduced the probability of glutamate release from ON terminals. The GABA(B) antagonists CGP35348 or CGP55845A increased mitral/tufted cell responses evoked by single-pulse ON stimulation, suggesting that glutamate release from ON terminals is tonically suppressed via GABA(B) receptors. The same antagonists reduced PPD of ON-evoked mitral/tufted cell responses at interstimulus intervals 50-400 ms. This finding suggests that a single ON impulse evokes sufficient GABA release, presumably from JG cells, to activate GABA(B) receptors on ON terminals. Thus GABA(B) heteroreceptors on ON terminals are activated by ambient levels of extrasynaptic GABA, and by ON input to the OB. The time course of ON-evoked, GABA(B) presynaptic inhibition suggests that neurotransmission to M/T cells and JG cells will be significantly suppressed when ON impulses arrive in glomeruli at 2.5-20 Hz. GABA(B) receptor-mediated presynaptic inhibition of sensory input to the OB may play an important role in shaping the activation pattern of the OB glomeruli during olfactory coding.

Animals↗

Cross-adaptation to odor stimulation of olfactory receptor cells in the box turtle, Terrapene carolina.

Electrical recording from small twigs of olfactory nerve and electro-olfactogram (EOG) from olfactory epithelium in a turtle shows that olfactory receptors in the nose are responsive to various odors. I have used the effects of cross-adaptation to odor stimulation on the olfactory receptors to investigate the stimulus-specific components of these responses and to provide information about the responsiveness of cells. The results of the cross-adaptation experiments strongly support the hypothesis that different categories of receptor cells exist in the olfactory epithelium.

Animals↗