Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, NY 10003, USA.
Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, NY 10003, USA.
Neuron. 2021 Jan 20;109(2):314-330.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.10.031. Epub 2020 Nov 13.
Interactions between the thalamus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) play a critical role in cognitive function and arousal. Here, we use anatomical tracing, electrophysiology, optogenetics, and 2-photon Ca imaging to determine how ventromedial (VM) and mediodorsal (MD) thalamus target specific cell types and subcellular compartments in layer 1 (L1) of mouse PFC. We find thalamic inputs make distinct connections in L1, where VM engages neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NDNF+) cells in L1a and MD drives vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP+) cells in L1b. These separate populations of L1 interneurons participate in different inhibitory networks in superficial layers by targeting either parvalbumin (PV+) or somatostatin (SOM+) interneurons. NDNF+ cells also inhibit the apical dendrites of L5 pyramidal tract (PT) cells to suppress action potential (AP)-evoked Ca signals. Lastly, NDNF+ cells mediate a unique form of thalamus-evoked inhibition at PT cells, selectively blocking VM-evoked dendritic Ca spikes. Together, our findings reveal how two thalamic nuclei differentially communicate with the PFC through distinct L1 micro-circuits.
丘脑与前额叶皮层（PFC）之间的相互作用对认知功能和觉醒起着关键作用。在这里，我们使用解剖示踪、电生理学、光遗传学和双光子 Ca 成像来确定腹侧（VM）和内侧背侧（MD）丘脑如何靶向特定的细胞类型和小鼠 PFC 第 1 层（L1）的亚细胞隔室。我们发现丘脑输入在 L1 中形成独特的连接，其中 VM 参与 L1a 中的神经元衍生神经营养因子（NDNF+）细胞，而 MD 驱动 L1b 中的血管活性肠肽（VIP+）细胞。这些 L1 中间神经元的分离群体通过靶向 PV+或 SOM+中间神经元参与浅层中的不同抑制网络。NDNF+细胞还抑制 L5 锥体束（PT）细胞的树突顶来抑制动作电位（AP）诱发的 Ca 信号。最后，NDNF+细胞在 PT 细胞中介导一种独特的丘脑诱发抑制形式，选择性地阻断 VM 诱发的树突 Ca spikes。总之，我们的研究结果揭示了两个丘脑核如何通过不同的 L1 微电路与 PFC 进行差异通讯。
