PUBLICATION

Cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neuron tracing reveals structural and functional connectivity for locomotion in the mouse spinal cord

Authors
Nakamura, Y., Kurabe, M., Matsumoto, M., Sato, T., Miytashita, S., Hoshina, K., Kamiya, Y., Tainaka, K., Matsuzawa, H., Ohno, N., Ueno, M.
ID
ZDB-PUB-230223-57
Date
2023
Source
eLIFE   12: (Journal)
Registered Authors
Keywords
cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neuron, locomotion, mouse, neural circuit, neuroscience, spinal cord
MeSH Terms
  • Zebrafish*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Mice
  • Locomotion*
  • Neurons, Efferent
  • Interneurons
  • Animals
  • Calcium Channels
  • Motor Neurons
  • Mammals
PubMed
36805807 Full text @ Elife
Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons (CSF-cNs) are enigmatic mechano- or chemosensory cells lying along the central canal of the spinal cord. Recent studies in zebrafish larvae and lampreys have shown that CSF-cNs control postures and movements via spinal connections. However, the structures, connectivity, and functions in mammals remain largely unknown. Here we developed a method to genetically target mouse CSF-cNs that highlighted structural connections and functions. We first found that intracerebroventricular injection of adeno-associated virus with a neuron-specific promoter and Pkd2l1-Cre mice specifically labeled CSF-cNs. Single-cell labeling of 71 CSF-cNs revealed rostral axon extensions of over 1800 μm in unmyelinated bundles in the ventral funiculus and terminated on CSF-cNs to form a recurrent circuitry, which was further determined by serial electron microscopy and electrophysiology. CSF-cNs were also found to connect with axial motor neurons and premotor interneurons around the central canal and within the axon bundles. Chemogenetic CSF-cNs inactivation reduced speed and step frequency during treadmill locomotion. Our data revealed the basic structures and connections of mouse CSF-cNs to control spinal motor circuits for proper locomotion. The versatile methods developed in this study will contribute to further understanding of CSF-cN functions in mammals.
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Human Disease / Model
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Mapping