Non-canonical role for Lpar1-EGFP subplate neurons in early postnatal mouse somatosensory cortex

Journal article

Subplate neurons (SPNs) are thought to play a role in nascent sensory processing in neocortex. To better understand how heterogeneity within this population relates to emergent function, we investigated the synaptic connectivity of <i>Lpar1-EGFP</i> SPNs through the first postnatal week in whisker somatosensory cortex (S1BF). These SPNs comprise of two morphological subtypes: fusiform SPNs with local axons, and pyramidal SPNs with axons that extend through the marginal zone. The former receive translaminar synaptic input up until the emergence of the whisker barrels; a timepoint coincident with significant cell death. In contrast, pyramidal SPNs receive local input from the subplate at early ages but then - during the later time window, acquire input from overlying cortex. Combined electrical and optogenetic activation of thalamic afferents identified that <i>Lpar1-EGFP</i> SPNs receive sparse thalamic innervation. These data reveal components of the postnatal network that interpret sparse thalamic input to direct the emergent columnar structure of S1BF.

Authors: Ghezzi, F; Marques-Smith, A; Anastasiades, PG; Lyngholm, D; Vagnoni, C

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: eLife Sciences Publications
• Journal: eLife
• Volume: 10
• Article number: e60810
• Place of publication: England
• Publication date: 2021-07-12
• Acceptance date: 2021-07-09
• DOI: 10.7554/elife.60810
• EISSN: 2050-084X
• ISSN: 2050-084X
• Pmid: 34251335
• Language: English
• Keywords: mouse; neuroscience; FFR