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Genetic dissection of retinal inputs to brainstem nuclei controlling image stabilization
Onkar S Dhande1, Maureen E Estevez, Lauren E Quattrochi
1Neurosciences Department, Neurobiology Section in the Division of Biology and Department of Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, and Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912.
Researchers identified new retinal ganglion cell (RGC) types involved in image stabilization. These cells, part of the accessory optic system (AOS), help compensate for visual world slip during head rotation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vision Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Visual world slip across the retina occurs during head rotation.
- The accessory optic system (AOS), comprising retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and brainstem nuclei, generates compensatory eye movements.
- The specific RGC types projecting to AOS nuclei are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize RGCs projecting to the accessory optic system (AOS).
- To elucidate the circuit mechanisms underlying image stabilization during self-motion.
Main Methods:
- Generation of a novel transgenic mouse line (Hoxd10-GFP) for RGC labeling.
- Electrophysiological recordings to characterize RGC responses.
- Retrograde circuit mapping using modified rabies viruses.
Main Results:
- Hoxd10-GFP RGCs include all three subtypes of On direction-selective RGCs (On-DSGCs) and a novel On-Off DSGC subtype.
- On-DSGCs project to AOS nuclei involved in both horizontal and vertical image stabilization.
- On-Off DSGCs project to AOS nuclei controlling horizontal but not vertical stabilization, showing distinct physiological and molecular properties.
Conclusions:
- This study clarifies RGC subtypes and circuits involved in image stabilization.
- Findings reveal unexpected diversity among direction-selective RGCs (DSGCs).
- The research advances understanding of neural mechanisms for maintaining visual stability during movement.
