Using an immunoperoxidase technique, somatostatin-28-like immunoreactive (LIR) neurons were observed in the main and accessory olfactory bulb (MOB and AOB) of adult rats. In the MOB, a restricted population of periglomerular cells in the glomerular layer, some superficial short-axon cells in the juxtaglomerular layer, and some deep short-axon cells in the granule cell layer were IR. The periglomerular and the superficial short-axon cells were stained so well that they looked like Golgi-impregnated specimens. In the AOB, a very small population of small neurons in the glomerular layer, a very few medium-sized and large neurons in the external plexiform layer, and some neurons in the granule cell layer, which seem to be corresponding to the deep short-axon cells in the MOB, were IR. The present results have revealed that different morphological types of bulbar neurons are somatostatin-28-LIR; they also indicate neurochemical differences between the MOB and AOB.

The angular bundle is a white matter fiber fascicle, which runs longitudinally along the parahippocampal gyrus. It is best known for carrying fibers from the entorhinal cortex (EC) to the hippocampus through the perforant and alvear pathways, as well as for carrying hippocampal output to the neocortex, and distributing fibers to polysensory cortex. The angular bundle is already present prenatally at the beginning of the fetal period. Connections between the EC and the hippocampus are established by the 20th gestational week (gw). In the postnatal period, it shows increasing myelination. The angular bundle, as well as other white matter portions of gyral surfaces in the brain, presents interstitial neurons, a remnant of subplate neurons. Those interstitial neurons show neurochemical phenotypes both prenatally and postnatally, among which, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Somatostatin-28 (SOM-28) peptidergic populations are noticeable, and accompany the fiber connections in the maturation of the hippocampal formation. We sought to investigate the topography of the postnatal distribution and relative density of neurons immunoreactive for NPY or SOM in the angular bundle along the rostrocaudal axis of the hippocampus. The study was carried out in 15 cases, ranging from 35 gws, up to 14 year old. All cases showed positive neurons showing a polygonal or spindle shaped morphology for both peptides, scattered throughout the angular bundle. The highest number of positive neurons appeared around birth and the ensuing weeks. Up to one and a half years, the density of both peptidergic populations decreased slightly. However, cases older than 2 years of age showed a substantial decrease in density of immunolabeled neurons, density that did not showed a minor decrease in density of positive neurons in cases older than 2 years. In addition, a topography from caudal to rostral levels of the angular bundle was detected at all ages. The functional significance of interstitial cells is unknown, but the existence of SOM and NPY peptidergic neurons, presumably inhibitory, in the white matter of the angular bundle, could contribute to the basic wiring of the hippocampal formation, through which autobiographical and spatial memories can begin to be stored in the infant brain.

Translational control of long-term synaptic plasticity via Mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) is crucial for hippocampal learning and memory. The role of mTORC1 is well characterized in excitatory principal cells but remains largely unaddressed in inhibitory interneurons. Here, we used cell-type-specific conditional knock-out strategies to alter mTORC1 function selectively in somatostatin (SOM) inhibitory interneurons (SOM-INs). We found that, in male mice, upregulation and downregulation of SOM-IN mTORC1 activity bidirectionally regulates contextual fear and spatial memory consolidation. Moreover, contextual fear learning induced a metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1)-mediated late long-term potentiation (LTP) of excitatory input synapses onto hippocampal SOM-INs that was dependent on mTORC1. Finally, the induction protocol for mTORC1-mediated late-LTP in SOM-INs regulated Schaffer collateral pathway LTP in pyramidal neurons. Therefore, mTORC1 activity in somatostatin interneurons contributes to learning-induced persistent plasticity of their excitatory synaptic inputs and hippocampal memory consolidation, uncovering a role of mTORC1 in inhibitory circuits for memory.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Memory consolidation necessitates synthesis of new proteins. Mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling is crucial for translational control involved in long-term memory and in late long-term potentiation (LTP). This is well described in principal glutamatergic pyramidal cells but poorly understood in GABAergic inhibitory interneurons. Here, we show that mTORC1 activity in somatostatin interneurons, a major subclass of GABAergic cells, is important to modulate long-term memory strength and precision. Furthermore, mTORC1 was necessary for learning-induced persistent LTP at excitatory inputs of somatostatin interneurons that depends on type I metabotropic glutamatergic receptors in the hippocampus. This effect was consistent with a newly described role of these interneurons in the modulation of LTP at Schaffer collateral synapses onto pyramidal cells.

A somatostatin deficit occurs in the cerebral cortex of Alzheimer's disease patients without a major loss in somatostatin-containing neurons. This deficit could be related to a reduction in the rate of proteolytic processing of peptide precursors. Since the two proprotein convertases (PC)1 and PC2 are responsible for the processing of neuropeptide precursors directed to the regulated secretory pathway, we examined whether they are involved first in the proteolytic processing of prosomatostatin in mouse and human brain and secondly in somatostatin defect associated with Alzheimer's disease. By size exclusion chromatography, the cleavage of prosomatostatin to somatostatin-14 is almost totally abolished in the cortex of PC2 null mice, while the proportions of prosomatostatin and somatostatin-28 are increased. By immunohistochemistry, PC1 and PC2 were localized in many neuronal elements in human frontal and temporal cortex. The convertases levels were quantified by Western blot, as well as the protein 7B2 which is required for the production of active PC2. No significant change in PC1 levels was observed in Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, a marked decrease in the ratio of the PC2 precursor to the total enzymatic pool was observed in the frontal cortex of Alzheimer patients. This decrease coincides with an increase in the binding protein 7B2. However, the content and enzymatic activity of the PC2 mature form were similar in Alzheimer patients and controls. Therefore, the cortical somatostatin defect is not due to convertase alteration occuring during Alzheimer's disease. Further studies will be needed to assess the mechanisms involved in somatostatin deficiency in Alzheimer's disease.

The gene encoding for pre-prosomatostatin is located on chromosome 16 of the mouse. To determine the effect of an extra copy of this gene on somatostatin expression in neurons, primary disaggregated cultures of neocortex prepared from 15 days gestational Trisomy 16 mice and their littermate euploid controls were subjected to immunocytochemical staining for somatostatin, neuropeptide Y and glutamic acid decarboxylase. The results demonstrate a selective and significant increase in the number of somatostatin-immunoreactive neurons.

Specific antiserum to somatostatin was used for the immunocytochemical detection of this neuropeptide in human dental pulp. Immunoreactive axon varicosities were observed in the radicular as well as coronal pulp. Fibers displaying somatostatin-like immunoreactivity were detectable within radicular nerve trunks and were found to be associated mainly with blood vessels. Nevertheless, positive fibers with no apparent relation to blood vessels were also observed. No pulp cell was found to be immunoreactive. Previous physiological studies demonstrated that somatostatin may function as a regulatory peptide in feline dental pulp via a pre-synaptic inhibition of substance P release from sensory nerve terminals. It is tempting to speculate that such a mechanism may also be effective in human teeth and may be of value in the regulation of pulpal blood flow and in situations when sensory nerve fibers are activated, e.g., during pulpal inflammation.

We have previously shown that somatostatin promotes the stimulation of a membrane tyrosine phosphatase activity in pancreatic cells. To gain insight into the mechanism of somatostatin action, we purified somatostatin-receptor complexes from somatostatin 28-prelabelled rat pancreatic plasma membranes by immunoaffinity chromatography using immobilized antibodies raised against the N-terminal part of somatostatin 28, somatostatin 28 (1-14), which is not involved in receptor-binding-site recognition. After SDS gel electrophoresis a band with a molecular mass of 87 kDa was identified in the affinity-purified material as the somatostatin receptor. The 87 kDa protein was not observed when the membrane receptors were solubilized in a free unoccupied or somatostatin 14-occupied form, or when nonimmune serum replaced the anti-[somatostatin 28 (1-14)] anti-serum. Somatostatin 14 inhibited the appearance of the 87 kDa protein in the same range of concentrations that inhibit radioligand binding on pancreatic membranes. After somatostatin 28 treatment of membranes, purified somatostatin receptor preparations exhibited an elevated tyrosine phosphatase activity that dephosphorylated phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor and poly(Glu,Tyr). This activity was related to the presence of somatostatin receptors in purified material. It was increased by dithiothreitol and inhibited by orthovanadate. In purified material containing somatostatin receptors, anti-[Src homology 2 domains (SH2)]-containing tyrosine phosphatase SHPTP1 polyclonal antibodies identified a protein of 66 kDa which was not detected in the absence of somatostatin receptor. Furthermore, the anti-SHPTP1 antibodies immunoprecipitated specific somatostatin receptors from somatostatin-prelabelled pancreatic membranes and from untreated membranes. These results indicate that a 66 kDa tyrosine phosphatase related to SHPTP1 co-purifies with the pancreatic somatostatin receptors, and suggest that this protein is associated with somatostatin receptors at the membrane level.

Immunocytochemical techniques have been used to identify a striking interneuronal population which is immunoreactive for the peptide, somatostatin. The cell population, which is seen most densely in stratum oriens and at the oriens/alveus border of the CA1 region of rabbit hippocampus, was characterized in light and electron microscopic observations. The cells have dendrites which extend parallel to and into the alveus, with occasional processes ascending through stratum pyramidale toward the hippocampal fissure. The dendrites receive numerous synaptic contacts directly onto aspinous dendritic shafts. Axon collaterals ramify profusely within the pyramidale region, and among the proximal apical and basal pyramidal cell dendrites in areas of stratum radiatum and stratum oriens. Somatostatin-like immunoreactive terminals make synaptic contact, primarily of the symmetric type, with the somata and proximal dendrites of pyramidal neurons. Somatostatin-like neurons are found at approximately equal density in the hippocampus of immature (8 days postnatal) and mature (30 days postnatal) rabbit. Double-labelling techniques, to identify both somatostatin-like and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) immunoreactive neurons, demonstrated that a large proportion of the somatostatin neurons were also GABAergic.

Somatostatin, neuropeptide Y, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase are colocalized within a small population of medium aspiny neurons in the caudate-putamen of the rat. The extent of colocalization, however, appears to be in dispute. In order to examine the question of colocalization between these three neuroactive substances, a series of double-labelling experiments was performed. This was accomplished by combining immunocytochemistry for somatostatin or neuropeptide Y or enzyme histochemistry for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase with in situ hybridization for somatostatin and/or neuropeptide Y mRNA. The results of such analysis indicate that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase and somatostatin mRNA are 100% colocalized throughout the caudate-putamen, except for the area bordering the globus pallidus. All neurons that contain neuropeptide Y contain somatostatin message. Only 84% of the neurons that contain somatostatin mRNA, however, also contain neuropeptide Y. Neurons that contain somatostatin 28 but not neuropeptide Y are found throughout the caudate-putamen. These results indicate that the somatostatin neuron population in the rat caudate-putamen is not homogeneous. Instead, the medium aspiny neuron population is actually composed of several subpopulations based on the content of neuroactive substances.

Degeneration of the cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF) and changes in cortical neuropeptide levels have been reported in Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we sought to determine if a selective cholinergic lesion of nucleus basalis magnocellularis (Nbm) could affect the number and distribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and somatostatin (SS) immunoreactive neurons in the frontoparietal and occipital cortices of rats. Brain sections were evaluated at survival times of 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 78 and 100 weeks after intraventricular injection of 192-saporin, an immunotoxin directed at the low affinity neurotrophin receptor (p75NGFr), that selectively destroys the CBF. Following the immunotoxin lesion of the Nbm, the number of NPY-labeled neurons decreased 33% in the frontoparietal cortex and 60% in the occipital cortex compared to age-matched normal controls at most survival time points. A significant loss of SS-labeled neurons in both cortical regions was seen 12 weeks after 192-saporin injection with no further change up to 100-week survival time. The effect of age on neuropeptidergic populations was evaluated in normal control rats. The number of NPY and SS immunoreactive neurons in aged rats (21-26 months) decreased by 42% in the frontoparietal cortex and 27% in the occipital cortex when compared with young (3-6 months) and middle-age (9-14 months) rats. When both non-lesioned and lesioned animals with different ages were pooled for linear regression, a significant correlation was found between the number of cortical NPY- and SS-labeled neurons and cortical acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemical staining intensity. These findings indicate that: (1) cholinergic denervation of the Nbm is associated with an irreversible loss of neocortical NPY and SS immunoreactive neurons analogous to that observed in Alzheimer's disease and aging; (2) the degree of the loss of cortical NPY and SS immunoreactive neurons seems to be related to the extent of the reduction of cortical AChE intensity in both toxin-injected and normal aged rats. These findings may reflect a trophic dependence of NPY and SS neurons on cortical cholinergic input.

Somatostatin 28 immunoreactivity (Sst28-ir) identifies a specific subset of mossy fiber terminals in the adult mouse cerebellum. By using double-labeling immunohistochemistry, we determined that Sst28-ir is associated with presynaptic mossy fiber terminal rosettes, and not Purkinje cells, Golgi cells, or unipolar brush cells. Sst28-ir mossy fibers are restricted to the central zone (lobules VI/VII) and nodular zone (lobules IX, X) of the vermis, and the paraflocculus and flocculus. Within each transverse zone the mossy fiber terminal fields form a reproducible array of parasagittal stripes. The boundaries of Sst28-ir stripes align with a specific array of Purkinje cell stripes revealed by using immunocytochemistry for the small heat shock protein HSP25. In the cerebellum of the homozygous weaver mouse, in which a subpopulation of HSP25-ir Purkinje cells are located ectopically, the corresponding Sst28-ir mossy fiber projection is also ectopic, suggesting a role for a specific Purkinje cell subset in afferent pattern formation. Likewise, in the scrambler mutant mouse, Sst28-ir mossy fibers show a very close association with HSP25-ir Purkinje cell clusters. HSP25 itself does not appear to be critical for normal patterning, however: in the KJR mouse, which does not express cerebellar HSP25, Sst28 expression appears to be normal. Likewise, the Purkinje cell patterning antigens zebrin II and HSP25 are expressed normally in both Sst- and Sst-receptor knockout mice, suggesting that somatostatinergic transmission is not necessary for Purkinje cell stripe formation.

This study determined differences of fascia dentata (FD) peptide and inhibitory neuroanatomy between patients with epileptogenic hippocampal sclerosis (HS), those with extrahippocampal seizure pathologies, and autopsy comparisons. Surgically treated temporal lobe epilepsy patients were clinically classified into two pathogenic categories: (1) HS with focal mesial temporal neuroimaging and histories of initial precipitating injuries to the brain (n = 18) and (2) non-HS patients with extrahippocampal mass lesions or idiopathic seizures (i.e., without lesions or HS; mass lesion/idiopathic; n = 9). The hippocampal sections were studied for (1) granule cell, hilar, CA4, and CA3 neuron densities; (2) hilar densities and the percentage of neurons immunoreactive (IR) for neuropeptide Y (NPY), somatostatin (SS), and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD); (3) densities of GAD neurons in the lower granule cell and infragranular zone (basket-like cells); (4) the semiquantitative pattern of IR peptides/GAD FD molecular layer axon sprouting; (5) IR gray values (GV) of the FD molecular layers; and (6) the thickness of the supragranular molecular layer. Results showed the following. (1) Compared to autopsies, both HS and mass lesion/idiopathic patients showed less granule cell and CA3 neuron densities, but there were no statistical differences between the latter two pathogenic categories. (2) By contrast, compared to autopsies and mass lesion/idiopathic cases, HS patients showed less hilar and CA4 neuron densities, and there were no differences between autopsies and mass lesion/idiopathic. (3) Compared to autopsies, the NPY and SS hilar neuron densities in HS patients, but not mass lesion/idiopathic cases, were less. (4) Compared to autopsies, the hilar GAD neuron densities for HS and mass lesion/idiopathic patients were not less. (5) In HS patients the averaged percentages of hilar SS neurons were less than autopsies, and no other differences of IR hilar percentages were found. (6) The densities of GAD basket-like neurons and the thickness of the supragranular molecular layer were not different between any combination of pathogenic categories and autopsies. (7) By semiquantitative visual assessments, peptides/GAD axon sprouting into the FD was greater in HS compared to mass lesion/idiopathic or autopsies. (8) Compared to mass lesion/idiopathic cases, in HS NPY outer molecular layer GVs were lower, SS GVs were not different, and GAD inner molecular layer GVs were higher. (9) Analyses comparing the two pathogenic categories and neuron densities with peptides/GAD axon sprouting found six comparisons that correlated sprouting with hilar and CA4 neuron losses, and four comparisons showing greater sprouting in HS compared to mass lesion/idiopathic.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The organization of the somatostatin-like-immunoreactive (SOM-ir) structures in the brain of anuran and urodele amphibians has been well documented, and significant differences were noted between the two amphibian orders. However, comparable data are not available for the third order of amphibians, the gymnophionans (caecilians). In the present study, we analyzed the anatomical distribution of SOM-ir cells and fibers in the brain of the gymnophionan Dermophis mexicanus. In addition, because of its known relationship with catecholamines in other vertebrates, double immunostaining for SOM and tyrosine hydroxylase was used to investigate this situation in the gymnophionan. Abundant SOM-ir cell bodies and fibers were widely distributed throughout the brain. In the telencephalon, pallial and subpallial cells were labeled, being most numerous in the medial pallium and amygdaloid region. Most of the SOM-ir neurons were found in the preoptic area and hypothalamus and showed a clear projection to the median eminence. Less conspicuously, SOM-ir structures were found in the thalamus, tectum, tegmentum, and reticular formation. Both SOM-ir cells and fibers were demonstrated in the spinal cord. The double-immunohistofluorescence technique revealed that catecholaminergic neurons and SOM-ir cells are largely intermingled in many brain regions but form totally separated populations. Many differences were found between the distribution of SOM-ir structures in Dermophis and that in anurans or urodeles. Some features were shared only with anurans, such as the abundant pallial SOM-ir cells, whereas others were common only to urodeles, such as the organization of the hypothalamohypophysial SOM-ir system. In addition, some characteristics were found only in Dermophis, such as the localization of the SOM-ir spinal cells and the lack of colocalization of catecholamines and SOM throughout the brain. Therefore, any conclusions concerning the SOM system in amphibians are incomplete without considering evidence for gymnophionans.

PSD-95/discs large/ZO-1 (PDZ) domain proteins integrate many G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) into membrane associated signalling complexes. Additional PDZ proteins are involved in intracellular receptor trafficking. We show that three PDZ proteins (SNX27, PIST and NHERF1/3) regulate the mouse somatostatin receptor subtype 5 (SSTR5). Whereas the PDZ ligand motif of SSTR5 is not necessary for plasma membrane targeting or internalization, it protects the SSTR5 from postendocytic degradation. Under conditions of lysosomal inhibition, recycling of the SSTR5 to the plasma membrane does not depend on the PDZ ligand. However, recycling of the wild type receptor carrying the PDZ binding motif depends on SNX27 which interacts and colocalizes with the receptor in endosomal compartments. PIST, implicated in lysosomal targeting of some membrane proteins, does not lead to degradation of the SSTR5. Instead, overexpressed PIST retains the SSTR5 at the Golgi. NHERF family members release SSTR5 from retention by PIST, allowing for plasma membrane insertion. Our data suggest that PDZ proteins act sequentially on the GPCR at different stages of its subcellular trafficking.

Immunocytochemical studies utilizing radioimmunoassay and morphological techniques have provided conflicting evidence for the involvement of somatostatin and neuropeptide Y in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, previous investigators have not considered the effects of cortical atrophy in AD tissue on their findings. This study reports the numbers of somatostatin-like (SLI) and neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactive (NPYLI) neuronal perikarya and the length of SLI and NPYLI immunoreactive fibres, with appropriate corrections for atrophy in 6 control and 6 AD cases. There were significantly fewer SLI neurones in AD in layers II + III combined from the temporal cortex, and fewer NPYLI neurones in layers V + VI in both frontal and temporal cortices. Using a randomized method to quantify immunostained fibre length in the neuropil, an analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in the mean SLI or NPYLI fibre length per cortical strip between control and AD groups in frontal or temporal cortex. However, using a second measure of fibre length by tracing the fibres attached to consecutive immunostained perikarya, there were significant reductions in the AD brains in the mean fibre length per cell in layers V + VI for SLI in the temporal cortex, and for NPYLI in the frontal cortex. This reduction in fibre length per individual cell was presumably masked by the large variation in the fibre length found between cases using the randomized approach. It was concluded that in order to evaluate the involvement of these neuropeptides in AD from any measurements of concentration, it is essential to include some compensation for the extent of cortical atrophy that occurs with the disease.

The course, distribution, and possible neurotransmitter specificity of a projection from the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) and zona incerta to the hippocampal formation (dentate gyrus, Ammon's horn, subicular region, and entorhinal area) and spinal cord were examined anatomically in the adult rat. First, small injections of the fluorescent tracer fast blue were made into either the septal part of the dentate gyrus and Ammon's horn or the entorhinal area, and the distribution of retrogradely labeled cells was plotted. In each experiment many cells were labeled in the LHA and zona incerta, and little evidence for a topographically organized projection to different parts of the hippocampal formation was found. Second, a combined retrograde transport-immunofluorescence method was used to show that some 95% of the fast blue-labeled neurons in the LHA and zona incerta were also stained with an antiserum to the opiate peptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha MSH), but not an antiserum to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)1-24. It was also found that small numbers of retrogradely labeled neurons were stained with antisera to somatostatin 14 and 28, dynorphin (1-17), and angiotensin II. Third, the distribution of alpha MSH-immunoreactive fibers was plotted, and they were found to form a diffusely organized plexus throughout all of the subfields of the hippocampal formation. These fibers were virtually eliminated after transections of the fimbria and the region between the entorhinal area and the caudal amygdala. Forth, the course of fibers from the LHA and zona incerta was examined with the anterogradely transported lectin Phaseolus Vulgaris Leucoagglutinin (PHAL). Such fibers reach the hippocampal formation by a dorsal route through the septal region and fimbria, and by a ventral route through the amygdala. And fifth, double retrograde transport and immunohistochemical methods were used to show that at least some alpha MSH-stained neurons in the LHA and zona incerta give rise to collaterals that innervate both the hippocampal formation and the spinal cord. Alpha MSH-stained fibers in the spinal cord also form a widely scattered plexus with no obvious circumscribed terminal fields. It is suggested that the diffusely organized projection from the LHA to the cerebral cortex and spinal cord may play a role in the general arousal associated with a variety of motivated behaviors.

The peptidergic innervation of human dental pulp was studied with indirect immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques. Pulpal nerve fibres displaying immunoreactivity for cholecystokinin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, C-terminal flanking peptide of neuropeptide tyrosine, leucine-enkephalin, methionine-enkephalin, neuropeptide K, neuropeptide tyrosine, peptide with N-terminal histidine and C-terminal isoleucine, somatostatin-28, substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide were observed. Immunoreactive axon varicosities were detectable within radicular and coronal nerve trunks and within the nerve plexus of Raschkow in the para-odontoblastic region. Many peptidergic nerve fibres were observed in association with blood vessels of various sizes. Substance P- and calcitonin-gene-related peptide-immunoreactive axons were visible in the odontoblastic layer. The occurrence of VIP- and PHI-immunoreactive fibres lends support to the hypothesis that human tooth may be supplied by parasympathetic nerves. The immunocytochemical results here shown provide a morphological basis to previous experimental studies concerning the possible roles of neuropeptides in nociception mechanisms, control of the blood flow and modulation of the inflammatory response in dental tissues.

No abstract available

Rat E15 retina was grafted to the retina of adult rat hosts. After varying survival times (1 week-6 months), grafts were stained by immunohistochemistry for neurofilament 160 kDa (NF), HPC-1 (an amacrine cell marker), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and somatostatin-28 (SS-28). The first differentiating graft amacrine cells (cholinergic and dopaminergic) could be seen 1 week after transplantation (corresponding to postnatal day 1 = P1). The inner plexiform layer of the graft started to differentiate at 2 weeks (corresponding to P8) seen by HPC-1 and GAD staining. ChAT, TH and SS-28 immunostaining revealed an abnormal lamination pattern in the graft inner plexiform layer. Also by 2 weeks, the outer plexiform layers of the graft contained NF-immunoreactive horizontal cells. No NF-stained retinal ganglion cells could be observed in the graft. Five and 7 weeks after grafting, the transplants had obtained the same staining intensity with different markers as the host retina.

Projections from the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) to the frontal cortex and the striatum were studied by using Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) anterograde tracing technique in the rat. PHA-L injections into the rostral part of the BLA resulted in a dense labeling of fibers with boutons in the dorsal bank of the rhinal fissure and in the lateral and the medial agranular cortex. PHA-L injections into the caudal part of the BLA produced a dense labeling of fibers in the medial surface of the frontal cortex. In most of the cortical regions, labeled fibers were predominantly distributed in two bands: one in the deep part of layers I and II and the other, heavier band, in layers V and VI. PHA-L injections into the rostral BLA resulted in a dense labeling of fibers with boutons in the olfactory tubercle, the rostral and caudolateral portion of the nucleus accumbens, and a large region of the caudate-putamen. The labeled area of the caudate-putamen included the rostroventral area, the central area, and the area caudal to the anterior commissure and dorsal and lateral to the globus pallidus. PHA-L injections into the caudal BLA produced fiber labeling in the most rostromedial area of the caudate-putamen facing the lateral ventricle, the medial portion of the nucleus accumbens, and the lateral septum. In the rostroventral striatum, PHA-L-labeled fibers selectively innervated the matrix compartment that contains abundant somatostatin-immunoreactive fibers. Compartmental segregation was less clear in the caudodorsolateral caudate-putamen and in the nucleus accumbens. Electron microscopy revealed that PHA-L-labeled boutons in the striatum contained abundant, small, round vesicles. These boutons formed asymmetrical synapses with dendritic spines of striatal neurons.