Strongly pH-Buffered Ringer's Solution Expands the Receptive Field Size of Horizontal Cells in the Carp Retina

AbstractInterplexiform cells are centrifugal neurons in the retina carrying information from the inner to the outer plexiform layers. In teleost fish, interplexiform cells appear to release dopamine in the outer plexiform layer after prolonged darkness that modulates the receptive-field size and light responsiveness of horizontal cells (Mangel & Dowling, 1985; Yang et al., 1988a, b). It has been proposed that interplexiform cells may also release dopamine upon steady illumination because horizontal cells' receptive fields shrink in the light (Shigematsu & Yamada, 1988). Here, we report the shrinkage of the receptive fields of horizontal cells seen in the presence of background illumination is not blocked by dopamine antagonists, indicating that dopamine does not underlie the receptive-field size changes observed during steady illumination. Flickering light, however, does appear to stimulate the release of dopamine from the interplexiform cells, resulting in a marked reduction of horizontal cell receptive-field size. Taken together, experiments on horizontal cells indicate that dopamine is released from interplexiform cells in the teleost retina after prolonged darkness and during flickering light, but that dopamine release from interplexiform cells during steady retinal illumination is minimal.

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The light-induced reduction of horizontal cell receptive field size in the goldfish retina involves nitric oxide

Visual Neuroscience ◽

10.1017/s0952523810000490 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 137-144 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

BRYAN A. DANIELS ◽

WILLIAM H. BALDRIDGE

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Receptive Field ◽

Horizontal Cell ◽

Receptive Fields ◽

Horizontal Cells ◽

Field Size ◽

Nitric Oxide Donor ◽

Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor ◽

Receptive Field Size ◽

Goldfish Retina

AbstractHorizontal cells of the vertebrate retina have large receptive fields as a result of extensive gap junction coupling. Increased ambient illumination reduces horizontal cell receptive field size. Using the isolated goldfish retina, we have assessed the contribution of nitric oxide to the light-dependent reduction of horizontal cell receptive field size. Horizontal cell receptive field size was assessed by comparing the responses to centered spot and annulus stimuli and from the responses to translated slit stimuli. A period of steady illumination decreased the receptive field size of horizontal cells, as did treatment with the nitric oxide donor (Z)-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (100μM). Blocking the endogenous production of nitric oxide with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (1 mM), decreased the light-induced reduction of horizontal cell receptive field size. These findings suggest that nitric oxide is involved in light-induced reduction of horizontal cell receptive field size.

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Simulation analysis of receptive-field size of retinal horizontal cells by ionic current model

Visual Neuroscience ◽

10.1017/s0952523805221107 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 65-78 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

TOSHIHIRO AOYAMA ◽

YOSHIMI KAMIYAMA ◽

SHIRO USUI

Keyword(s):

Receptive Field ◽

Light Adaptation ◽

Cell Model ◽

Horizontal Cell ◽

Ionic Current ◽

Horizontal Cells ◽

Field Size ◽

Membrane Properties ◽

Dark Light ◽

Receptive Field Size

The size of the receptive field of retinal horizontal cells changes with the state of dark/light adaptation. We have used a mathematical model to determine how changes in the membrane conductance affect the receptive-field properties of horizontal cells. We first modeled the nonlinear membrane properties of horizontal cells based on ionic current mechanisms. The dissociated horizontal cell model reproduced the voltage–current (V–I) relationships for various extracellular glutamate concentrations measured in electrophysiological studies. Second, a network horizontal cell model was also described, and it reproduced theV–Irelationship observedin vivo. The network model showed a bell-shaped relationship between the receptive-field size and constant glutamate concentration. The simulated results suggest that the calcium current is a candidate for the bell-shaped length constant relationship.

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Receptive-field size of L1 horizontal cells in the turtle retina: effects of dopamine and background light

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.1994.72.6.2786 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 72 (6) ◽

pp. 2786-2795 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

I. Perlman ◽

J. Ammermuller

Keyword(s):

Receptive Field ◽

Amplitude Ratio ◽

Response Amplitude ◽

Horizontal Cells ◽

Field Size ◽

Full Field ◽

Receptive Field Size ◽

Small Spot ◽

Field Response ◽

Length Constant

1. The receptive-field size of turtle L1 horizontal cells was assessed qualitatively from the small-spot/full-field-response amplitude ratio. For quantitative evaluation, the length constant was derived from the response amplitude-spot radius relationship. 2. In each horizontal cell, the length constants were calculated for different intensities of the test light stimuli. The effects of dopamine and/or background light on the small-spot/full-field amplitude ratio and on the length constants were studied. 3. The receptive field of an L1 horizontal cell could not be defined by a single length constant of fixed value. Rather, the length constant changed with the experimental conditions. Two types of changes were noted. An instantaneous one, which was expressed in an increase in the length constant when the test flash was made brighter, and a slow one that occurred when the eyecup was exposed to dopamine. 4. Dopamine increased the small-spot/full-field amplitude ratio and reduced the length constant for a given full-field-response amplitude. It did not alter the responsiveness to light of the horizontal cells. These effects of dopamine were consistent with its action on the coupling resistance between adjacent horizontal cells. 5. Continuous background illumination increased the small-spot/full-field-response amplitude ratio whether studied in normal Ringer or during superfusion with dopamine solution. 6. The relationship between the length constants and the relative amplitude of the full-field responses did not change when the level of ambient illumination was raised either during superfusion with normal Ringer solution or during superfusion with dopamine solution. 7. These data indicate that background lights do not alter the receptive field size of turtle L1 horizontal cells.

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