Tachykinin expression and localization in developing feline neocortex

Developmental patterns of expression and localization of tachykinins in feline neocortex were determined by qualitative immunohistochemical means. Three observations were obtained. (1) By midgestation, tachykinins were progressively accumulated in an infrequent (<1%) population of interneurons (sparse dendritic spines) settled mainly in superficial and deep sites. (2) Tachykinins were in a sparse axonal innervation showing horizontal elaboration in layers I and VI and vertical elaboration within the intervening layers (II-V) of true cortical plate. (3) Tachykinin innervation of the capillary beds arose in conjunction with tachykinin interneurons instead of extending from basal cerebral or meningeal vasculature. These patterns indicate that tachykinin local circuit neurons of feline neocortex are derived, at least in part, from early-generated neocortical preplate neurons that initiate tachykinin expression after they settle into the marginal zone of primitive neocortex. In addition to their roles in peptidergic modulation of synaptic connectivity in neocortex, this innervation may participate in trophic developmental interactions leading to the establishment of neocortical vasculature.