Diverse Central Projection Patterns of Retinal Ganglion Cells

Publication date: 21 February 2017
Source:Cell Reports, Volume 18, Issue 8
Author(s): Emily M. Martersteck, Karla E. Hirokawa, Mariah Evarts, Amy Bernard, Xin Duan, Yang Li, Lydia Ng, Seung W. Oh, Benjamin Ouellette, Joshua J. Royall, Michelle Stoecklin, Quanxin Wang, Hongkui Zeng, Joshua R. Sanes, Julie A. Harris
Understanding how >30 types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the mouse retina each contribute to visual processing in the brain will require more tools that label and manipulate specific RGCs. We screened and analyzed retinal expression of Cre recombinase using 88 transgenic driver lines. In many lines, Cre was expressed in multiple RGC types and retinal cell classes, but several exhibited more selective expression. We comprehensively mapped central projections from RGCs labeled in 26 Cre lines using viral tracers, high-throughput imaging, and a data processing pipeline. We identified over 50 retinorecipient regions and present a quantitative retina-to-brain connectivity map, enabling comparisons of target-specificity across lines. Projections to two major central targets were notably correlated: RGCs projecting to the outer shell or core regions of the lateral geniculate projected to superficial or deep layers within the superior colliculus, respectively. Retinal images and projection data are available online at http://ift.tt/PjYreS.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Precise description of where different visual features are routed from retina to brain requires genetic access to specific retinal ganglion cell types. Martersteck et al. screen 88 Cre lines for retinal expression and then use viral tracing and whole brain imaging to systematically map central projections for a subset of lines.


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