Evidence for an instructive role of retinal activity in retinotopic map refinement in the superior colliculus of the mouse

J Neurosci. 2005 Jul 20;25(29):6929-38. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1470-05.2005.

Abstract

Although it is widely accepted that molecular mechanisms play an important role in the initial establishment of retinotopic maps, it has also long been argued that activity-dependent factors act in concert with molecular mechanisms to refine topographic maps. Evidence of a role for retinal activity in retinotopic map refinement in mammals is limited, and nothing is known about the effect of spontaneous retinal activity on the development of receptive fields in the superior colliculus. Using anatomical and physiological methods with two genetically manipulated mouse models and pharmacological interventions in wild-type mice, we show that spontaneous retinal waves instruct retinotopic map refinement in the superior colliculus of the mouse. Activity-dependent mechanisms may play a preferential role in the mapping of the nasal-temporal axis of the retina onto the colliculus, because refinement is particularly impaired along this axis in mutants without retinal waves. Interfering with both axon guidance cues and activity-dependent cues in the same animal has a dramatic cumulative effect. These experiments demonstrate how axon guidance cues and activity-dependent factors combine to instruct retinotopic map development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / physiology
  • Brain Mapping*
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Nicotinic Agonists / pharmacology
  • Phenotype
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / genetics
  • Retina / cytology*
  • Retina / growth & development
  • Retina / physiology*
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / drug effects
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / physiology
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / ultrastructure
  • Superior Colliculi / cytology*
  • Superior Colliculi / growth & development
  • Superior Colliculi / physiology*
  • Visual Fields / physiology
  • Visual Pathways / cytology
  • Visual Pathways / growth & development
  • Visual Pathways / physiology

Substances

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Pyridines
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • nicotinic receptor beta2
  • epibatidine