Open AccessDevelopmental and Visual Input-Dependent Regulation of the CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor in the Mouse Visual Cortex
Author(s) -
Taisuke Yoneda,
Katsuro Kameyama,
Kazusa Esumi,
Yohei Daimyo,
Masahiko Watanabe,
Yutaka Hata
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0053082
Subject(s) - cannabinoid receptor , visual cortex , neuroscience , biology , monocular deprivation , cannabinoid , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , synaptic plasticity , endocannabinoid system , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , ocular dominance , biochemistry , agonist
The mammalian visual system exhibits significant experience-induced plasticity in the early postnatal period. While physiological studies have revealed the contribution of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1) to developmental plasticity in the primary visual cortex (V1), it remains unknown whether the expression and localization of CB1 is regulated during development or by visual experience. To explore a possible role of the endocannabinoid system in visual cortical plasticity, we examined the expression of CB1 in the visual cortex of mice. We found intense CB1 immunoreactivity in layers II/III and VI. CB1 mainly localized at vesicular GABA transporter-positive inhibitory nerve terminals. The amount of CB1 protein increased throughout development, and the specific laminar pattern of CB1 appeared at P20 and remained until adulthood. Dark rearing from birth to P30 decreased the amount of CB1 protein in V1 and altered the synaptic localization of CB1 in the deep layer. Dark rearing until P50, however, did not influence the expression of CB1. Brief monocular deprivation for 2 days upregulated the localization of CB1 at inhibitory nerve terminals in the deep layer. Taken together, the expression and the localization of CB1 are developmentally regulated, and both parameters are influenced by visual experience.