We studied the development of optic tract evoked field potentials (FP) in the rodent superior colliculus (SC) and the effect of GABA antagonists upon their development and upon induction of long‐term ...depression (LTD). Brain slices were cut from Lister Hooded rats. The optic tract was stimulated while recording from the superficial grey layer. GABAergic inhibition was assessed by adding 100 µm picrotoxin and 3 µm CGP55845 antagonists to block GABAA,B,C receptors. LTD was induced with a 50 Hz, 20 s tetanus. At age P2, the FP consisted only of a presynaptic spike. The GABA antagonists had no effect. By P4, the FP consisted of a presynaptic spike, a longer latency population spike, and a field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP). The fEPSP was slightly prolonged by the GABA antagonists at this age. By P7–P14, a prominent FP with trailing fEPSP was recorded. The GABA antagonists usually had a large effect, with the fEPSP increasing in both amplitude and duration. A mature FP was usually recorded in P15–P23 slices where the GABA antagonist effect remained substantial. LTD could be induced in 17 of 30 control slices from rats aged P4–P26. The average fEPSP amplitude after tetanus was 77.9% of control. Pre‐treatment with GABA antagonists produced a short‐term potentiation (average 114.0%), rather than LTD, in 14 of 19 cases. This STP was followed by a more prolonged potentiation in 12 of the 14 cases. We conclude that GABAergic inhibitory circuits mature before eye opening and that GABA contributes to induction of LTD in the developing SC.
P2X sub(7)Rs are distributed throughout all layers of the retina, and thus, their localisation on various cell types puts into question their specific site(s) of action. Using a dark-adapted, ex vivo ...mouse retinal whole mount preparation, the present study aimed to characterise the effect of P2X sub(7)R activation on light-evoked, excitatory RGC ON-field excitatory post-synaptic potentials (fEPSPs) and on outer retinal electroretinogram (ERG) responses under comparable conditions. The pharmacologically isolated NMDA receptor-mediated RGC ON-fEPSP was reduced in the presence of BzATP, an effect which was significantly attenuated by A438079 and other selective P2X sub(7)R antagonists A804598 or AF27139. In physiological Krebs medium, BzATP induced a significant potentiation of the ERG a-wave, with a concomitant reduction in the b-wave and the power of the oscillatory potentials. Conversely, in the pharmacologically modified Mg super(2+)-free perfusate, BzATP reduced both the a-wave and b-wave. The effects of BzATP on the ERG components were suppressed by A438079. A role for P2X sub(7)R function in visual processing in both the inner and outer retina under physiological conditions remains controversial. The ON-fEPSP was significantly reduced in the presence of A804598 but not by A438079 or AF27139. Furthermore, A438079 did not have any effect on the ERG components in physiological Krebs but potentiated and reduced the a-wave and b-wave, respectively, when applied to the pharmacologically modified medium. Therefore, activation of P2X sub(7)Rs affects the function in the retinal ON pathway. The presence of a high concentration of extracellular ATP would most likely contribute to the modulation of visual transmission in the retina in the pathophysiological microenvironment.
P2X
Rs are distributed throughout all layers of the retina, and thus, their localisation on various cell types puts into question their specific site(s) of action. Using a dark-adapted, ex vivo mouse ...retinal whole mount preparation, the present study aimed to characterise the effect of P2X
R activation on light-evoked, excitatory RGC ON-field excitatory post-synaptic potentials (fEPSPs) and on outer retinal electroretinogram (ERG) responses under comparable conditions. The pharmacologically isolated NMDA receptor-mediated RGC ON-fEPSP was reduced in the presence of BzATP, an effect which was significantly attenuated by A438079 and other selective P2X
R antagonists A804598 or AF27139. In physiological Krebs medium, BzATP induced a significant potentiation of the ERG a-wave, with a concomitant reduction in the b-wave and the power of the oscillatory potentials. Conversely, in the pharmacologically modified Mg
-free perfusate, BzATP reduced both the a-wave and b-wave. The effects of BzATP on the ERG components were suppressed by A438079. A role for P2X
R function in visual processing in both the inner and outer retina under physiological conditions remains controversial. The ON-fEPSP was significantly reduced in the presence of A804598 but not by A438079 or AF27139. Furthermore, A438079 did not have any effect on the ERG components in physiological Krebs but potentiated and reduced the a-wave and b-wave, respectively, when applied to the pharmacologically modified medium. Therefore, activation of P2X
Rs affects the function in the retinal ON pathway. The presence of a high concentration of extracellular ATP would most likely contribute to the modulation of visual transmission in the retina in the pathophysiological microenvironment.
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