gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunoreactivity in mouse and rat first somatosensory (SI) cortex: description and comparison.
The location and morphological characteristics of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-immunopositive cells and their processes were studied in rat and mouse first somatosensory (SI) cortex (including 'barrels') in layer IV, and layers above (I-III), and below (V and VI). In coronal sections of SI cortex of both species GABA-immunopositive cells and punctate profiles were found in each of layers I-VI. The cells were of various sizes; the largest, located in layers III and V of each species, resemble the large basket cells seen in Golgi-impregnated material. Most of the immunopositive cells were multipolar and circular or ellipsoidal in shape, but occasionally bipolar cells with fusiform perikarya were also seen. In coronal sections, immunopositive cells did not form a characteristic pattern. GABA-immunopositive cells were observed to be most numerous in the supragranular layers whereas GABA-positive punctate profiles were more numerous in layer IV. In tangential sections from layer IV of SI cortex of both species, GABA-immunopositive cells, processes and punctate profiles were visible throughout the entire barrel field. The pattern of distribution of immunopositive cells was similar (a) in two different morphological groups--i.e. the posteromedial barrel subfield (PMBSF) and the anterolateral barrel subfield (ALBSF) in rat barrel field, and (b) in PMBSF barrels of both rat and mouse (excluding differences due to structural dissimilarities between rat and mouse barrels). GABA-immunopositive neurons were grouped mainly in the barrel side and septum and were visible frequently in small clusters. In barrels of both species GABA-immunopositive cells were of a variety of sizes and ranged in shape from ellipsoidal to circular.
Chmielowska
J
J
Brain Research Group, Open University, Milton Keynes, U.K.
Stewart
M G
MG
Bourne
R C
RC
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000166:cytology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid