General Anesthesia Decouples Cortical Pyramidal Neurons.

The mystery of general anesthesia is that it specifically suppresses consciousness by disrupting feedback signaling in the brain, even when feedforward signaling and basic neuronal function are left relatively unchanged. The mechanism for such selectiveness is unknown. Here we show that three different anesthetics have the same disruptive influence on signaling along apical dendrites in cortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons in mice. We found that optogenetic depolarization of the distal apical dendrites caused robust spiking at the cell body under awake conditions that was blocked by anesthesia. Moreover, we found that blocking metabotropic glutamate and cholinergic receptors had the same effect on apical dendrite decoupling as anesthesia or inactivation of the higher-order thalamus. If feedback signaling occurs predominantly through apical dendrites, the cellular mechanism we found would explain not only how anesthesia selectively blocks this signaling but also why conscious perception depends on both cortico-cortical and thalamo-cortical connectivity.

Neocortical Layer 1: An Elegant Solution to Top-Down and Bottom-Up Integration.

Many of our daily activities, such as riding a bike to work or reading a book in a noisy cafe, and highly skilled activities, such as a professional playing a tennis match or a violin concerto, depend upon the ability of the brain to quickly make moment-to-moment adjustments to our behavior in response to the results of our actions. Particularly, they depend upon the ability of the neocortex to integrate the information provided by the sensory organs (bottom-up information) with internally generated signals such as expectations or attentional signals (top-down information). This integration occurs in pyramidal cells (PCs) and their long apical dendrite, which branches extensively into a dendritic tuft in layer 1 (L1). The outermost layer of the neocortex, L1 is highly conserved across cortical areas and species. Importantly, L1 is the predominant input layer for top-down information, relayed by a rich, dense mesh of long-range projections that provide signals to the tuft branches of the PCs. Here, we discuss recent progress in our understanding of the composition of L1 and review evidence that L1 processing contributes to functions such as sensory perception, cross-modal integration, controlling states of consciousness, attention, and learning.

A Functional Dissection of the mRNA and Locally Synthesized Protein Population in Neuronal Dendrites and Axons.

Neurons are characterized by a complex morphology that enables the generation of subcellular compartments with unique biochemical and biophysical properties, such as dendrites, axons, and synapses. To sustain these different compartments and carry a wide array of elaborate operations, neurons express a diverse repertoire of gene products. Extensive regulation at both the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels allows for the differentiation of subcellular compartments as well as numerous forms of plasticity in response to variable stimuli. Among the multiple mechanisms that control cellular functions, mRNA translation is manipulated by neurons to regulate where and when a protein emerges. Interestingly, transcriptomic and translatomic profiles of both dendrites and axons have revealed that the mRNA population only partially predicts the local protein population and that this relation significantly varies between different gene groups. Here, we describe the space that local translation occupies within the large molecular and regulatory complexity of neurons, in contrast to other modes of regulation. We then discuss the specialized organization of mRNAs within different neuronal compartments, as revealed by profiles of the local transcriptome. Finally, we discuss the features and functional implications of both locally correlated-and anticorrelated-mRNA-protein relations both under baseline conditions and during synaptic plasticity.

Synaptic Plasticity Forms and Functions.

Synaptic plasticity, the activity-dependent change in neuronal connection strength, has long been considered an important component of learning and memory. Computational and engineering work corroborate the power of learning through the directed adjustment of connection weights. Here we review the fundamental elements of four broadly categorized forms of synaptic plasticity and discuss their functional capabilities and limitations. Although standard, correlation-based, Hebbian synaptic plasticity has been the primary focus of neuroscientists for decades, it is inherently limited. Three-factor plasticity rules supplement Hebbian forms with neuromodulation and eligibility traces, while true supervised types go even further by adding objectives and instructive signals. Finally, a recently discovered hippocampal form of synaptic plasticity combines the above elements, while leaving behind the primary Hebbian requirement. We suggest that the effort to determine the neural basis of adaptive behavior could benefit from renewed experimental and theoretical investigation of more powerful directed types of synaptic plasticity.

Lessons from Worm Dendritic Patterning.

The structural and functional properties of neurons have intrigued scientists since the pioneering work of Santiago Ramón y Cajal. Since then, emerging cutting-edge technologies, including light and electron microscopy, electrophysiology, biochemistry, optogenetics, and molecular biology, have dramatically increased our understanding of dendritic properties. This advancement was also facilitated by the establishment of different animal model organisms, from flies to mammals. Here we describe the emerging model system of a Caenorhabditis elegans polymodal neuron named PVD, whose dendritic tree follows a stereotypical structure characterized by repeating candelabra-like structural units. In the past decade, progress has been made in understanding PVD's functions, morphogenesis, regeneration, and aging, yet many questions still remain.

Extracellular vesicles released by keratinocytes regulate melanosome maturation, melanocyte dendricity, and pigment transfer.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) facilitate the transfer of proteins, lipids, and genetic material between cells and are recognized as an additional mechanism for sustaining intercellular communication. In the epidermis, the communication between melanocytes and keratinocytes is tightly regulated to warrant skin pigmentation. Melanocytes synthesize the melanin pigment in melanosomes that are transported along the dendrites prior to the transfer of melanin pigment to keratinocytes. EVs secreted by keratinocytes modulate pigmentation in melanocytes [(A. Lo Cicero et al., Nat. Commun. 6, 7506 (2015)]. However, whether EVs secreted by keratinocytes contribute to additional processes essential for melanocyte functions remains elusive. Here, we show that keratinocyte EVs enhance the ability of melanocytes to generate dendrites and mature melanosomes and promote their efficient transfer. Further, keratinocyte EVs carrying Rac1 induce important morphological changes, promote dendrite outgrowth, and potentiate melanin transfer to keratinocytes. Hence, in addition to modulating pigmentation, keratinocytes exploit EVs to control melanocyte plasticity and transfer capacity. These data demonstrate that keratinocyte-derived EVs, by regulating melanocyte functions, are major contributors to cutaneous pigmentation and expand our understanding of the mechanism underlying skin pigmentation via a paracrine EV-mediated communication.

Augmin complex activity finetunes dendrite morphology through non-centrosomal microtubule nucleation in vivo.

During development, neurons achieve a stereotyped neuron type-specific morphology, which relies on dynamic support by microtubules (MTs). An important player is the augmin complex (hereafter augmin), which binds to existing MT filaments and recruits the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC), to form branched MTs. In cultured neurons, augmin is important for neurite formation. However, little is known about the role of augmin during neurite formation in vivo. Here, we have revisited the role of mammalian augmin in culture and then turned towards the class four Drosophila dendritic arborization (c4da) neurons. We show that MT density is maintained through augmin in cooperation with the γ-TuRC in vivo. Mutant c4da neurons show a reduction of newly emerging higher-order dendritic branches and in turn also a reduced number of their characteristic space-filling higher-order branchlets. Taken together, our data reveal a cooperative function for augmin with the γ-TuRC in forming enough MTs needed for the appropriate differentiation of morphologically complex dendrites in vivo.

Convertase-dependent regulation of membrane-tethered and secreted ligands tunes dendrite adhesion.

During neural development, cellular adhesion is crucial for interactions among and between neurons and surrounding tissues. This function is mediated by conserved cell adhesion molecules, which are tightly regulated to allow for coordinated neuronal outgrowth. Here, we show that the proprotein convertase KPC-1 (homolog of mammalian furin) regulates the Menorin adhesion complex during development of PVD dendritic arbors in Caenorhabditis elegans. We found a finely regulated antagonistic balance between PVD-expressed KPC-1 and the epidermally expressed putative cell adhesion molecule MNR-1 (Menorin). Genetically, partial loss of mnr-1 suppressed partial loss of kpc-1, and both loss of kpc-1 and transgenic overexpression of mnr-1 resulted in indistinguishable phenotypes in PVD dendrites. This balance regulated cell-surface localization of the DMA-1 leucine-rich transmembrane receptor in PVD neurons. Lastly, kpc-1 mutants showed increased amounts of MNR-1 and decreased amounts of muscle-derived LECT-2 (Chondromodulin II), which is also part of the Menorin adhesion complex. These observations suggest that KPC-1 in PVD neurons directly or indirectly controls the abundance of proteins of the Menorin adhesion complex from adjacent tissues, thereby providing negative feedback from the dendrite to the instructive cues of surrounding tissues.

Axons of cortical basket cells originating from dendrites develop higher local complexity than axons emerging from basket cell somata.

Neuronal differentiation is regulated by neuronal activity. Here, we analyzed dendritic and axonal growth of Basket cells (BCs) and non-Basket cells (non-BCs) using sparse transfection of channelrhodopsin-YFP and repetitive optogenetic stimulation in slice cultures of rat visual cortex. Neocortical interneurons often display axon-carrying dendrites (AcDs). We found that the AcDs of BCs and non-BCs were, on average, the most complex dendrites. Further, the AcD configuration had an influence on BC axonal development. Axons originating from an AcD formed denser arborizations with more terminal endings within the dendritic field of the parent cell. Intriguingly, this occurred already in unstimulated BCs, and complexity was not increased further by optogenetic stimulation. However, optogenetic stimulation exerted a growth-promoting effect on axons emerging from BC somata. The axons of non-BCs neither responded to the AcD configuration nor to the optogenetic stimulation. The results suggest that the formation of locally dense BC plexuses is regulated by spontaneous activity. Moreover, in the AcD configuration, the AcD and the axon it carries mutually support each other's growth.

A thalamocortical substrate for integrated information via critical synchronous bursting.

Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying consciousness remains a significant challenge. Recent evidence suggests that the coupling between distal-apical and basal-somatic dendrites in thick-tufted layer 5 pyramidal neurons (L5PN), regulated by the nonspecific-projecting thalamus, is crucial for consciousness. Yet, it is uncertain whether this thalamocortical mechanism can support emergent signatures of consciousness, such as integrated information. To address this question, we constructed a biophysical network of dual-compartment thick-tufted L5PN, with dendrosomatic coupling controlled by thalamic inputs. Our findings demonstrate that integrated information is maximized when nonspecific thalamic inputs drive the system into a regime of time-varying synchronous bursting. Here, the system exhibits variable spiking dynamics with broad pairwise correlations, supporting the enhanced integrated information. Further, the observed peak in integrated information aligns with criticality signatures and empirically observed layer 5 pyramidal bursting rates. These results suggest that the thalamocortical core of the mammalian brain may be evolutionarily configured to optimize effective information processing, providing a potential neuronal mechanism that integrates microscale theories with macroscale signatures of consciousness.

Unique ice dendrite morphology on state-of-the-art oil-impregnated surfaces.

Due to its multifaceted impact in various applications, icing and ice dendrite growth has been the focus of numerous studies in the past. Dendrites on wetting (hydrophilic) and nonwetting (hydrophobic) surfaces are sharp, pointy, branching, and hairy. Here, we show a unique dendrite morphology on state-of-the-art micro/nanostructured oil-impregnated surfaces, which are commonly referred to as slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces or liquid-infused surfaces. Unlike the dendrites on traditional textured hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces, the dendrites on oil-impregnated surfaces are thick and lumpy without pattern. Our experiments show that the unique ice dendrite morphology on lubricant-infused surfaces is due to oil wicking into the porous dendritic network because of the capillary pressure imbalance between the surface texture and the dendrites. We characterized the shape complexity of the ice dendrites using fractal analysis. Experiments show that ice dendrites on textured oil-impregnated surfaces have lower fractal dimensions than those on traditional lotus leaf-inspired air-filled porous structures. Furthermore, we developed a regime map that can be used as a design guideline for micro/nanostructured oil-impregnated surfaces by capturing the complex effects of oil chemistry, oil viscosity, and wetting ridge volume on dendrite growth and morphology. The insights gained from this work inform strategies to reduce lubricant depletion, a major bottleneck for the transition of micro/nanostructured oil-impregnated surfaces from bench-top laboratory prototypes to industrial use. This work will assist the development of next-generation depletion-resistant lubricant-infused ice-repellent surfaces.

Responses to Pattern-Violating Visual Stimuli Evolve Differently Over Days in Somata and Distal Apical Dendrites.

Scientists have long conjectured that the neocortex learns patterns in sensory data to generate top-down predictions of upcoming stimuli. In line with this conjecture, different responses to pattern-matching vs pattern-violating visual stimuli have been observed in both spiking and somatic calcium imaging data. However, it remains unknown whether these pattern-violation signals are different between the distal apical dendrites, which are heavily targeted by top-down signals, and the somata, where bottom-up information is primarily integrated. Furthermore, it is unknown how responses to pattern-violating stimuli evolve over time as an animal gains more experience with them. Here, we address these unanswered questions by analyzing responses of individual somata and dendritic branches of layer 2/3 and layer 5 pyramidal neurons tracked over multiple days in primary visual cortex of awake, behaving female and male mice. We use sequences of Gabor patches with patterns in their orientations to create pattern-matching and pattern-violating stimuli, and two-photon calcium imaging to record neuronal responses. Many neurons in both layers show large differences between their responses to pattern-matching and pattern-violating stimuli. Interestingly, these responses evolve in opposite directions in the somata and distal apical dendrites, with somata becoming less sensitive to pattern-violating stimuli and distal apical dendrites more sensitive. These differences between the somata and distal apical dendrites may be important for hierarchical computation of sensory predictions and learning, since these two compartments tend to receive bottom-up and top-down information, respectively.

Intrinsic and Synaptic Contributions to Repetitive Spiking in Dentate Granule Cells.

Repetitive firing of granule cells (GCs) in the dentate gyrus (DG) facilitates synaptic transmission to the CA3 region. This facilitation can gate and amplify the flow of information through the hippocampus. High-frequency bursts in the DG are linked to behavior and plasticity, but GCs do not readily burst. Under normal conditions, a single shock to the perforant path in a hippocampal slice typically drives a GC to fire a single spike, and only occasionally more than one spike is seen. Repetitive spiking in GCs is not robust, and the mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we used a hybrid genetically encoded voltage sensor to image voltage changes evoked by cortical inputs in many mature GCs simultaneously in hippocampal slices from male and female mice. This enabled us to study relatively infrequent double and triple spikes. We found GCs are relatively homogeneous and their double spiking behavior is cell autonomous. Blockade of GABA type A receptors increased multiple spikes and prolonged the interspike interval, indicating inhibitory interneurons limit repetitive spiking and set the time window for successive spikes. Inhibiting synaptic glutamate release showed that recurrent excitation mediated by hilar mossy cells contributes to, but is not necessary for, multiple spiking. Blockade of T-type Ca2+ channels did not reduce multiple spiking but prolonged interspike intervals. Imaging voltage changes in different GC compartments revealed that second spikes can be initiated in either dendrites or somata. Thus, pharmacological and biophysical experiments reveal roles for both synaptic circuitry and intrinsic excitability in GC repetitive spiking.

A common single nucleotide variant in the cytokine receptor-like factor-3 (CRLF3) gene causes neuronal deficits in human and mouse cells.

Single nucleotide variants in the general population are common genomic alterations, where the majority are presumed to be silent polymorphisms without known clinical significance. Using human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) cerebral organoid modeling of the 1.4 megabase Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) deletion syndrome, we previously discovered that the cytokine receptor-like factor-3 (CRLF3) gene, which is co-deleted with the NF1 gene, functions as a major regulator of neuronal maturation. Moreover, children with NF1 and the CRLF3L389P variant have greater autism burden, suggesting that this gene might be important for neurologic function. To explore the functional consequences of this variant, we generated CRLF3L389P-mutant hiPSC lines and Crlf3L389P-mutant genetically engineered mice. While this variant does not impair protein expression, brain structure, or mouse behavior, CRLF3L389P-mutant human cerebral organoids and mouse brains exhibit impaired neuronal maturation and dendrite formation. In addition, Crlf3L389P-mutant mouse neurons have reduced dendrite lengths and branching, without any axonal deficits. Moreover, Crlf3L389P-mutant mouse hippocampal neurons have decreased firing rates and synaptic current amplitudes relative to wild type controls. Taken together, these findings establish the CRLF3L389P variant as functionally deleterious and suggest that it may be a neurodevelopmental disease modifier.

Influence of E-cadherin deficiency on the dendrite morphology of Langerhans cells.

The expression of E-cadherin on Langerhans cells (LC) is required for adequate dendrite intercalation between epidermal keratinocytes. Upon disruption of epidermal homeostasis by tape stripping, E-cadherin competent LC extend dendrites reaching up to the epidermal surface, while E-cad deficient LC lack this ability.

Improved DiOlistic labelling technique for neurons in situ: Detailed visualisation of dendritic spines and concurrent histochemical-detection in fixed tissue.

DiOlistic labelling is a robust, unbiased ballistic method that utilises lipophilic dyes to morphologically label neurons. While its efficacy on freshly dissected tissue specimens is well-documented, applying DiOlistic labelling to stored, fixed brain tissue and its use in polychromatic multi-marker studies poses significant technical challenges. Here, we present an improved, step-by-step protocol for DiOlistic labelling of dendrites and dendritic spines in fixed mouse tissue. Our protocol encompasses the five key stages: Tissue Preparation, Dye Bullet Preparation, DiOlistic Labelling, Confocal Imaging, and Image Analysis. This method ensures reliable and consistent labelling of dendritic spines in fixed mouse tissue, combined with increased throughput of samples and multi-parameter staining and visualisation of tissue, thereby offering a valuable approach for neuroscientific research.

Mediating Zn Ions Migration Behavior via ß-Cyclodextrin Modified Carbon Nanotube Film for High-Performance Zn Anodes.

Metallic Zn is considered as a promising anode material because of its abundance, eco-friendliness, and high theoretical capacity. However, the uncontrolled dendrite growth and side reactions restrict its further practical application. Herein, we proposed a ß-cyclodextrin-modified multiwalled carbon nanotube (CD-MWCNT) layer for Zn metal anodes. The obtained CD-MWCNT layer with high affinity to Zn can significantly reduce the transfer barrier of Zn2+ at the electrode/electrolyte interface, facilitating the uniform deposition of Zn2+ and suppressing water-caused side reactions. Consequently, the Zn||Zn symmetric cell assembled with CD-MWCNT shows a significantly enhanced cycling durability, maintaining a cycling life exceeding 1000 h even under a high current density of 5 mA cm-2. Furthermore, the full battery equipped with a V2O5 cathode displays an unparalleled long life. This work unveils a promising avenue toward the achievement of high-performance Zn metal anodes.

Dual Role of the P2X7 Receptor in Dendritic Outgrowth during Physiological and Pathological Brain Development.

At high levels, extracellular ATP operates as a "danger" molecule under pathologic conditions through purinergic receptors, including the ionotropic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R). Its endogenous activation is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders; however, its function during early embryonic stages remains largely unclear. Our objective was to determine the role of P2X7R in the regulation of neuronal outgrowth. For this purpose, we performed Sholl analysis of dendritic branches on primary hippocampal neurons and in acute hippocampal slices from WT mice and mice with genetic deficiency or pharmacological blockade of P2X7R. Because abnormal dendritic branching is a hallmark of certain neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia, a model of maternal immune activation (MIA)-induced schizophrenia, was used for further morphologic investigations. Subsequently, we studied MIA-induced behavioral deficits in young adult mice females and males. Genetic deficiency or pharmacological blockade of P2X7R led to branching deficits under physiological conditions. Moreover, pathologic activation of the receptor led to deficits in dendritic outgrowth on primary neurons from WT mice but not those from P2X7R KO mice exposed to MIA. Likewise, only MIA-exposed WT mice displayed schizophrenia-like behavioral and cognitive deficits. Therefore, we conclude that P2X7R has different roles in the development of hippocampal dendritic arborization under physiological and pathologic conditions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Our main finding is a novel role for P2X7R in neuronal branching in the early stages of development under physiological conditions. We show how a decrease in the expression of P2X7R during brain development causes the receptor to play pathologic roles in adulthood. Moreover, we studied a neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia and found that, at higher ATP concentrations, endogenous activation of P2X7R is necessary and sufficient for the development of positive and cognitive symptoms.

Deflecting Dendrites by Introducing Compressive Stress in Li7La3Zr2O12 Using Ion Implantation.

Lithium dendrites belong to the key challenges of solid-state battery research. They are unavoidable due to the imperfect nature of surfaces containing defects of a critical size that can be filled by lithium until fracturing the solid electrolyte. The penetration of Li metal occurs along the propagating crack until a short circuit takes place. It is hypothesized that ion implantation can be used to introduce stress states into Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 which enables an effective deflection and arrest of dendrites. The compositional and microstructural changes associated with the implantation of Ag-ions are studied via atom probe tomography, electron microscopy, and nano X-ray diffraction indicating that Ag-ions can be implanted up to 1 µm deep and amorphization takes place down to 650-700 nm, in good agreement with kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. Based on diffraction results pronounced stress states up to -700 MPa are generated in the near-surface region. Such a stress zone and the associated microstructural alterations exhibit the ability to not only deflect mechanically introduced cracks but also dendrites, as demonstrated by nano-indentation and galvanostatic cycling experiments with subsequent electron microscopy observations. These results demonstrate ion implantation as a viable technique to design "dendrite-free" solid-state electrolytes for high-power and energy-dense solid-state batteries.

Stabilizing Anode-Electrolyte Interface for Dendrite-Free Zn-Ion Batteries Through Orientational Plating with Zinc Aspartate Additive.

The stability of aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) is detrimentally influenced by the formation of Zn dendrites and the occurrence of parasitic side reactions at the Zn metal anode (ZMA)-electrolyte interface. The strategic manipulation of the preferential crystal orientation during Zn2+ plating serves as an essential approach to mitigate this issue. Here, Zn aspartate (Zn-Asp), an electrolyte additive for AZIBs, is introduced not only to optimize the solvation structure of Zn2+ , but also to crucially promote preferential Zn2+ plating on the (002) crystal plane of ZMA. As a result, both side reactions and Zn dendrites are effectively inhibited, ensuring an anode surface free of both dendrites and by-products. The implementation of Zn-Asp leads to significant enhancements in both Zn||Zn symmetric and Zn||Ti batteries, which demonstrate robust cyclability of over 3200 h and high Coulombic efficiency of 99.29%, respectively. Additionally, the Zn||NaV3 O8 ·1.5H2 O full battery exhibits remarkable rate capability, realizing a high capacity of 240.77 mA h g-1 at 5 A g-1 , and retains 92.7% of its initial capacity after 1000 cycles. This research underscores the vital role of electrolyte additives in regulating the preferential crystal orientation of ZMA, thereby contributing to the development of high-performing AZIBs.