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Summary
A dynamic interplay between
intrinsic regional molecular cues
and extrinsic factors from the thalamus shape multiple features of early cortical development. It remains uncertain
and controversial, however, whether the initial formation of cortical columns depends on
neuronal activity,
and there is little evidence that cortical lamination or
neuronal differentiation is influenced by
extrinsic activity. We examined the role of thalamic-derived
factors in cortical development by selectively eliminating glutamatergic synaptic transmission from thalamocortical
neurons in mice
and found that eliminating thalamocortical neurotransmission prevented the formation of ¡°barrel¡± columns in somatosensory cortex. Interestingly, based on cytoarchitectonic criteria
and genetic markers, blocking thalamocortical neurotransmission also perturbed the development of superficial cortical lamina
and the morphologic development of
neurons. These experiments demonstrate that barrels
and aspects of the layer-dependent pattern of cortical cytoarchitecture, gene expression,
and neuronal differentiation depend on thalamocortical neurotransmission, extending the apparent influence of
extrinsic, presumably activity-dependent
factors, on cortical development.
Video Abstract
