Retinal lesions induce layer-specific Fos expression changes in cat area 17.
Quantitative analysis of the neuronal activity marker Fos revealed activity-dependent and lamina-specific changes in adult cat area 17, 14 days to 1 month after the induction of central retinal lesions. The supra- and infragranular layers were clearly differently engaged in the response to the visual deprivation, both inside and outside the lesion projection zone. The center of the LPZ exhibited an activity decrease in the extragranular layers, which was mainly reflected by an intracellular down-regulation of Fos rather than a decline in the number of Fos-immunoreactive nuclei. Interestingly, the infragranular layers displayed more Fos-immunoreactive neurons in experimental animals. This recruitment of an additional population of Fos expressing neurons in the subcortically projecting infragranular layers might have a protective function against neurodegeneration in the direct retinal target structures.
Hu
Tjing-Tjing
TT
Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
Van der Gucht
Estel
E
Eysel
Ulf T
UT
Arckens
Lutgarde
L
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002415:Cats; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D016761:Oncogene Proteins v-fos / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012683:Sensory Deprivation / Q000502:physiology; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000473:pathology
D016761:Oncogene Proteins v-fos; D012333:RNA, Messenger