Chrna2-Martinotti Cells Synchronize Layer 5 Type A Pyramidal Cells via Rebound Excitation

Martinotti cells are the most prominent distal dendrite–targeting interneurons in the cortex, but their role in controlling pyramidal cell (PC) activity is largely unknown. Here, we show that the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α2 subunit (Chrna2) specifically marks layer 5 (L5) Martinotti cells pr...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Hilscher, Markus M., Leão, Richardson Naves, Edwards, Steven J., Leão, Emelie Katarina Svahn, Kullander, Klas
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2017
Country:Brasil
Institution:Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN)
Repository:Repositório Institucional da UFRN
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.ufrn.br:123456789/23048
Online Access:https://repositorio.ufrn.br/jspui/handle/123456789/23048
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α2 subunit
layer 5
Description
Summary:Martinotti cells are the most prominent distal dendrite–targeting interneurons in the cortex, but their role in controlling pyramidal cell (PC) activity is largely unknown. Here, we show that the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α2 subunit (Chrna2) specifically marks layer 5 (L5) Martinotti cells projecting to layer 1. Furthermore, we confirm that Chrna2-expressing Martinotti cells selectively target L5 thick-tufted type A PCs but not thin-tufted type B PCs. Using optogenetic activation and inhibition, we demonstrate how Chrna2-Martinotti cells robustly reset and synchronize type A PCs via slow rhythmic burst activity and rebound excitation. Moreover, using optical feedback inhibition, in which PC spikes controlled the firing of surrounding Chrna2-Martinotti cells, we found that neighboring PC spike trains became synchronized by Martinotti cell inhibition. Together, our results show that L5 Martinotti cells participate in defined cortical circuits and can synchronize PCs in a frequency-dependent manner. These findings suggest that Martinotti cells are pivotal for coordinated PC activity, which is involved in cortical information processing and cognitive control.

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