Neuroscience

An Atlas of Perineuronal Net Distribution and Colocalization with Parvalbumin in the Adult Mouse Brain

Tommaso Pizzorusso

BIO@SNS laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa; Institute of Neuroscience CNR, Pisa

Venue:

Lunedi 19 febbraio ore 14.00

Aula Gini ed. Statistica  (CU002)

Abstract

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) surround specific neurons in the brain and are involved in various forms of plasticity and clinical conditions. However, our understanding of the PNN role in these phenomena is limited by the lack of highly quantitative maps of PNN distribution and association with specific cell types. Here, we present the first comprehensive atlas of PNN distribution (in Allen Brain Atlas coordinates) and colocalization with parvalbumin (PV) cells for over 600 regions of the adult mouse brain. Data analysis showed that PV expression is a good predictor of PNN aggregation. In the cortex, PNNs are dramatically enriched in layer 4 of all primary sensory areas in correlation with thalamocortical input density, and their distribution mirrors intracortical connectivity patterns. Gene expression analysis identified many PNN correlated genes. Strikingly, PNN anticorrelated transcripts were enriched in synaptic plasticity genes, generalizing PNN role as circuit stability factors. Overall, this atlas offers novel resources for understanding the organizational principles of the brain extracellular matrix.