Isabel Legaz

Expression of Dbx1, Neurogenin 2, Semaphorin 5A, Cadherin 8, and Emx1 Distinguish Ventral and Lateral Pallial Histogenetic Divisions in the Developing Mouse Claustroamygdaloid Complex

We studied the lateral and ventral pallial divisions of the claustroamygdaloid complex by means of analysis of expression patterns of the developmental regulatory genes Tbr1, Dbx1, Neurogenin 2, Emx1, Cadherin 8, and Semaphorin 5A in mouse developing telencephalon, from embryonic day 12.5 until birth. Our results indicate that these genes help to distinguish distinct lateral and ventral pallial histogenetic divisions in the embryonic telencephalon. Tbr1 is broadly expressed in both lateral and ventral pallial histogenetic divisions (the lateroventral migratory stream plus the mantle) during early and intermediate embryonic development; its signal becomes weak in parts of the mantle during late embryonic development. Dbx1 is strongly and specifically expressed in progenitor cells (ventricular zone) of the ventral pallium during early embryonic development, but there is no signal of this gene in the rest of the pallium nor the subpallium. Neurogenin 2 and Semaphorin 5A are both expressed in a ventral subdivision of the lateroventral migratory stream (called by us the ventral migratory stream). Further, specific nuclei of the claustral complex and pallial amygdala show strong expression of Neurogenin 2 and/or Semaphorin 5A, including the ventromedial claustrum and endopiriform nuclei, the lateral and basomedial amygdalar nuclei, the anterior and posteromedial cortical amygdalar areas, plus the amygdalo‐hippocampal area. We interpret these nuclei or areas of the claustroamygdaloid complex as possible derivatives of the ventral pallium. In contrast, during embryonic development the dorsolateral claustrum, the basolateral amygdalar nucleus, and the posterolateral cortical amygdalar area do not express or show weak expression of Neurogenin 2 or Semaphorin 5A, but express selectively and strongly Cadherin 8 plus Emx1, and may be derivatives of the lateral pallium. The lateral pallial and ventral pallial divisions of the claustroamygdaloid complex appear to have some different sets of connections, although this requires further investigation. J. Comp. Neurol. 474:504–523, 2004.

Histogenetic Compartments of the Mouse Centromedial and Extended Amygdala Based on Gene Expression Patterns during Development

The amygdala controls emotional and social behavior and regulates instinctive reflexes such as defense and reproduction by way of descending projections to the hypothalamus and brainstem. The descending amygdalar projections are suggested to show a cortico‐striato‐pallidal organization similar to that of the basal ganglia (Swanson [2000] Brain Res 886:113–164). To test this model we investigated the embryological origin and molecular properties of the mouse centromedial and extended amygdalar subdivisions, which constitute major sources of descending projections. We analyzed the distribution of key regulatory genes that show restricted expression patterns within the subpallium (Dlx5, Nkx2.1, Lhx6, Lhx7/8, Lhx9, Shh, and Gbx1), as well as genes considered markers for specific subpallial neuronal subpopulations. Our results indicate that most of the centromedial and extended amygdala is formed by cells derived from multiple subpallial subdivisions. Contrary to a previous suggestion, only the central—but not the medial—amygdala derives from the lateral ganglionic eminence and has striatal‐like features. The medial amygdala and a large part of the extended amygdala (including the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis) consist of subdivisions or cell groups that derive from subpallial, pallial (ventral pallium), or extratelencephalic progenitor domains. The subpallial part includes derivatives from the medial ganglionic eminence, the anterior peduncular area, and possibly a novel subdivision, called here commissural preoptic area, located at the base of the septum and related to the anterior commissure. Our study provides a molecular and morphological foundation for understanding the complex embryonic origins and adult organization of the centromedial and extended amygdala. J. Comp. Neurol. 506:46–74, 2008.

Multiple telencephalic and extratelencephalic embryonic domains contribute neurons to the medial extended amygdala

Dysfunctions in emotional control and social behavior are behind human neuropsychiatric disorders, some of which are associated with an alteration of amygdalar development. The medial extended amygdala is a key telencephalic center for control of social behavior, but very little is known about its development. We used in vitro migration assays for analyzing the origin of the neurons of the medial extended amygdala in mouse embryos (E13.5–E16.5). We compared the migration assays with immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry for calbindin and radial glial fibers and with mRNA expression of several genetic markers of distinct forebrain subdivisions. We provide experimental evidence for multiple embryonic origins of the principal neurons of the medial extended amygdala. In particular, we provide novel evidence indicating that a major part of the neurons derives from a caudoventral pallidal subdivision (previously called or included as part of the anterior peduncular area), forming a cell corridor with similar molecular features (expression of Lhx6 and calbindin), connectivity, and function, which relates to reproductive behavior. We also provide novel experimental evidence indicating that the ventral pallium produces some neurons for the medial amygdala, which correlates with data from Lhx9 expression. Our results also confirm that some neurons of the medial extended amygdala originate in the preoptic area (our results indicate that these cells specifically originate in its commissural subdivision) and the supraoptoparaventricular domain of the hypothalamus. Our study helps to set up the foundations for a better understanding of medial amygdalar control of behavior in normal and abnormal conditions. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:1505–1525, 2011.

Olfactory and amygdalar structures of the chicken ventral pallium based on the combinatorial expression patterns of LIM and other developmental regulatory genes

We compared the combinatorial expression patterns of several LIM domain‐containing regulatory genes in the ventrolateral pallium of mouse and chicken, in order to identify the homologues of the ventral pallial amygdala and other olfactory structures in birds. Lmo3, Lmo4, Lhx2, and Lhx9 showed comparable expression patterns in the telencephalon of mouse and chicken, which allowed distinction of the ventrolateral pallium and, particularly, the ventral pallial amygdala and entorhinal cortex. Lmo3 was expressed in most of the ventrolateral pallium in both species, including, in chicken, the piriform cortex and dorsal ventricular ridge (mesopallium, nidopallium, and arcopallium) and, in mouse, the piriform cortex, most of the claustral complex, and the pallial amygdala. Lhx9 was differentially expressed in the ventral pallium, where it was restricted to its rostral (olfactory bulb) and caudal (amygdalar and entorhinal) poles. In the caudal pole, expression of Lhx9 overlapped that of its paralog Lhx2. According to these expression patterns, the chicken ventral pallial amygdala appears to include the caudal dorsolateral pallium, the caudal nidopallium, and the whole arcopallium, and each one relates to a distinct ventricular sector. Finally, the combinatorial expression patterns of Lmo3, Lhx9, and Lmo4 distinguished four distinct subdivisions in the superficial, olfactorecipient area of the chicken ventral pallium, which appear comparable to the piriform, entorhinal, amygdalopiriform, and amygdalar cortices of mammals. The results are discussed in the context of the two existing, opposite views on the homology of the dorsal ventricular ridge of sauropsids and in terms of the evolution of pallial derivatives. J. Comp. Neurol. 516:166–186, 2009.

Development of neurons and fibers containing calcium binding proteins in the pallial amygdala of mouse, with special emphasis on those of the basolateral amygdalar complex.

We studied the development of neurons and fibers containing calbindin, calretinin, and parvalbumin in the mouse pallial amygdala, with special emphasis on those of the basolateral amygdalar complex. Numerous calbindin‐immunoreactive (CB+) cells were observed in the incipient basolateral amygdalar complex and cortical amygdalar area from E13.5. At E16.5, CB+ cells became more abundant in the lateral and basolateral nuclei than in the basomedial nucleus, showing a pattern very similar to that of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons. Many CB+ cells observed in the pallial amygdala appeared to originate in the anterior entopeduncular area/ganglionic eminences of the subpallium. The density of CB+ cells gradually increased in the pallial amygdala until the first postnatal week and appeared to decrease later, coinciding with the postnatal appearance of parvalbumin cells and raising the possibility of a partial phenotypic shift. Calretinin (CR) immunoreactivity could be observed in a few cells and fibers in the pallial amygdala at E14.5, and by E16.5 it became a good marker of the different nuclei of the basolateral amygdalar complex. Numerous CB+ and CR+ varicosities, part of which have an intrinsic origin, were observed in the basolateral amygdalar complex from E16.5, and some surrounded unstained perikarya and/or processes before birth, indicating an early formation of inhibitory networks. Each calcium binding protein showed a distinct spatiotemporal expression pattern of development in the mouse pallial amygdala. Any alteration in the development of neurons and fibers containing calcium binding proteins of the pallial amygdala may result in important disorders of emotional and social behavior. J. Comp. Neurol. 488:492–513, 2005.

Embryonic and Postnatal Development of GABA, Calbindin, Calretinin, and Parvalbumin in the Mouse Claustral Complex

We analyzed the development of immunoreactive expression patterns for the neurotransmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the calcium‐binding proteins calbindin, calretinin, and parvalbumin in the embryonic and postnatal mouse claustral complex. Each calcium‐binding protein shows a different temporal and spatial pattern of development. Calbindin‐positive cells start to be seen very early during embryogenesis and increase dramatically until birth, thus becoming the most abundant cell type during embryonic development, especially in the ventral pallial part of the claustrum. The distribution of calbindin neurons throughout the claustrum during embryonic development partly parallels that of GABA neurons, suggesting that at least part of the calbindin neurons of the claustral complex are GABAergic and originate in the subpallium. Parvalbumin cells, on the other hand, start to be seen only postnatally, and their number then increases while the density of calbindin neurons decreases. Based on calretinin expression in axons, the core/shell compartments of the dorsal claustrum start to be clearly seen at embryonic day 18.5 and may be related to the development of the thalamoclaustral input. Comparison with the expression of Cadherin 8, a marker of the developing dorsolateral claustrum, indicates that the core includes a central part of the dorsolateral claustrum, whereas the shell includes a peripheral area of the dorsolateral claustrum, plus the adjacent ventromedial claustrum. The present data on the spatiotemporal developmental patterns of several subtypes of GABAergic neurons in the claustral complex may help for future studies on temporal lobe epilepsies, which have been related to an alteration of the GABAergic activity. J. Comp. Neurol. 481:42–57, 2005.

Expression patterns of developmental regulatory genes show comparable divisions in the telencephalon of Xenopus and mouse: insights into the evolution of the forebrain

In this study, we review data on the existence of comparable divisions and subdivisions in the telencephalon of different groups of tetrapods based on expression of some developmental regulatory genes, having a particular focus in the comparison of the anuran amphibian Xenopus and the mouse. The available data on Xenopus, mouse, chick and turtle indicate that apparently all tetrapod groups possess the same molecularly distinct divisions and subdivisions in the telencephalon. This basic organization was likely present in the telencephalon of stem tetrapods. Each division/subdivision is characterized by expression of a unique combination of developmental regulatory genes, and appears to represent a self-regulated and topologically constant histogenetic brain compartment that gives rise to specific groups of cells. This interpretation has an important consequence for searching homologies, since a basic condition for cell groups in different vertebrates to be considered homologous is that they originate in the same compartment. However, evolution may allow individual cell groups derived from comparable (field homologous) subdivisions to be either similar or dissimilar across the vertebrate groups, giving rise to several possible scenarios of evolution, which include both the evolutionary conservation of similar (homologous) cells or the production of novel cell groups. Finally, available data in the lamprey, a jawless fish, suggest that not all telencephalic subdivisions were present at the origin of vertebrates, raising important questions about their evolution.

Dynamic patterns of colocalization of calbindin, parvalbumin and GABA in subpopulations of mouse basolateral amygdalar cells during development.

Calbindin cells represent a major interneuron subtype of the cortical/pallial regions, such as the basolateral amygdala, which are often analyzed in studies of tangential migration of interneurons from the subpallial ganglionic eminences to the pallium/cortex. However, previous evidence suggests that during development the calbindin cells may include more than one of the interneuron subtypes found in the adult pallium/cortex. Furthermore, in the adult basolateral amygdala, calbindin cells include a subpopulation of non-GABAergic (non-interneuron) cells. To better characterize these cells throughout development, in the present study we investigated the colocalization of calbindin, parvalbumin and GABA in cells of the mouse basolateral amygdala during late embryonic (E16.5) and several postnatal ages from birth until 4 weeks after birth (P0, P10 and P28). Our results indicate that CB, PV and GABA show a dynamic pattern of colocalization in cells of the mouse basolateral amygdalar nucleus throughout development. From E16.5 through P28, the majority of CB+ neurons and virtually all PV+ neurons are GABAergic. However, after P10, the percentage of GABAergic CB+ cells decline from 96% to 70%. Furthermore, while only 9% of CB+ neurons are PV+ at P10, this percentage raises to 42% at P28. At all postnatal ages studied, the majority of the PV+ cells are CB+, suggesting that PV+ interneurons develop postnatally mainly as a subpopulation within the CB+ cells of the basolateral amygdalar nucleus. These results are important for interpreting data from interneuron migration.

Subpallial origin of part of the calbindin-positive neurons of the claustral complex and piriform cortex

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether part of the calbindin-positive neurons of the claustral complex and piriform cortex originate in the subpallium. To that end, we prepared organotypic cultures of embryonic telencephalic slices, and applied the cell tracker CMTMR to the ventricular/subventricular zone of the lateral or medial ganglionic eminence. Following 48 h of incubation, we observed a number of CMTMR-labeled cells (showing red fluorescence) of subpallial origin in the claustral complex and piriform cortex. To know whether some of these cells of subpallial origin were calbindin-positive, we performed immunofluorescence for calbindin using an Alexa 488-conjugated secondary antiserum (green fluorescence). Our results showed that some of the CMTMR-labeled cells of subpallial origin in the claustral complex and piriform cortex are calbindin-positive (and possibly GABAergic). The subpallial origin of part of these cells was confirmed by observation of double labeled neurons in the claustral complex that expressed both Lhx6 mRNA (a marker of cells derived from the medial ganglionic eminence) and calbindin. Future studies will be required to analyze the existence of a subpopulation of non-GABAergic calbindin cells in the claustral complex and piriform cortex, and to know their origin.

Radial derivatives of the mouse ventral pallium traced with Dbx1-LacZ reporters

The progeny of Dbx1-expressing progenitors was studied in the developing mouse pallium, using two transgenic mouse lines: (1) Dbx1(nlslacZ) mice, in which the gene of the β-galactosidase reporter (LacZ) is inserted directly under the control of the Dbx1 promoter, allowing short-term lineage tracing of Dbx1-derived cells; and (2) Dbx1(CRE) mice crossed with a Cre-dependent reporter strain (ROSA26(loxP-stop-loxP-LacZ)), in which the Dbx1-derived cells result permanently labeled (Bielle et al., 2005). We thus examined in detail the derivatives of the postulated longitudinal ventral pallium (VPall) sector, which has been defined among other features by its selective ventricular zone expression of Dbx1 (the recent ascription by Puelles, 2014 of the whole olfactory cortex primordium to the VPall was tested). Earlier notions about a gradiental caudorostral reduction of Dbx1 signal were corroborated, so that virtually no signal was found at the olfactory bulb and the anterior olfactory area. The piriform cortex was increasingly labeled caudalwards. The only endopiriform grisea labeled were the ventral endopiriform nucleus and the bed nucleus of the external capsule. Anterior and basolateral parts of the whole pallial amygdala also were densely marked, in contrast to the negative posterior parts of these pallial amygdalar nuclei (leaving apart medial amygdalar parts ascribed to subpallial or extratelencephalic sources of Dbx1-derived GABAergic and non-GABAergic neurons). Alternative tentative interpretations are discussed to explain the partial labeling obtained of both olfactory and amygdaloid structures. This includes the hypothesis of an as yet undefined part of the pallium, potentially responsible for the posterior amygdala, or the hypothesis that the VPall may not be wholly characterized by Dbx1 expression (this gene not being necessary for VPall molecular distinctness and histogenetic potency), which would leave a dorsal Dbx1-negative VPall subdomain of variable size that might contribute partially to olfactory and posterior amygdalar structures.