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The development and activity-dependent expression of aggrecan in the cat visual cortex
P C Kind1, F Sengpiel, C J Beaver
1Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|February 28, 2012
Summary
Aggrecan, a protein in the cat visual cortex, increases with reduced plasticity during development. Its expression is experience-dependent, suggesting a role in the sensitive period
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Visual System Plasticity
Background:
- Aggrecan, identified by Cat-301 antibody, is a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan found in the cat visual cortex and dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN).
- Aggrecan expression in the dLGN increases during development, coinciding with a decrease in neural plasticity.
- Previous studies indicated aggrecan expression is activity-dependent and may influence the termination of sensitive periods in visual development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between aggrecan expression in the cat visual cortex (area 17) and the decline in experience-dependent plasticity.
- To determine if aggrecan expression in area 17 is experience-dependent.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Cat-301 monoclonal antibody to identify and quantify aggrecan-positive neurons in feline visual cortex.
- Employed dark-rearing paradigms in cats until 15 weeks of age to assess the impact of visual experience on aggrecan expression.
- Investigated the reversibility of aggrecan expression changes by exposing previously dark-reared cats to light.
Main Results:
- Aggrecan expression in area 17 correlates with the decline in experience-dependent plasticity.
- Dark rearing significantly reduced aggrecan-positive neuron density in extragranular layers, but not layer IV, of the visual cortex.
- The reduction in aggrecan expression due to early visual deprivation was reversible upon subsequent light exposure.
Conclusions:
- Aggrecan expression in the visual cortex is experience-dependent and linked to the critical period for visual development.
- This study provides the first biochemical evidence (aggrecan changes) correlating with functional alterations in the GABAergic system following early visual deprivation in cats.
