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Journal of Neuroscience, Vol 4, 2920-2938, Copyright © 1984 by Society for Neuroscience
Microcircuitry of bipolar cells in cat retina
BA McGuire, JK Stevens and P Sterling
We have studied 15 bipolar neurons from a small patch (14 X 120 micron) of
adult cat retina located within the area centralis. From electron
micrographs of 189 serial ultrathin sections, the axon of each bipolar cell
was substantially reconstructed with its synaptic inputs and outputs by
means of a computer-controlled reconstruction system. Based on differences
in stratification, cytology, and synaptic connections, we identified eight
different cell types among the group of 15 neurons: one type of rod bipolar
and seven types of cone bipolar neurons. These types correspond to those
identified by the Golgi method and by intracellular recording. Those
bipolar cell types for which we reconstructed three or four examples were
extremely regular in form, size, and cytology, and also in the quantitative
details of their synaptic connections. They appeared quite as specific in
these respects as invertebrate "identified" neurons. The synaptic patterns
observed for each type of bipolar neuron were complex but may be summarized
as follows: the rod bipolar axon ended in sublamina b of the inner
plexiform layer and provided major input to the AII amacrine cell. The
axons of three types of cone bipolar cells also terminated in sublamina b
and provided contacts to dendrites of on-beta and other ganglion cells. All
three types, but especially the Cb1, received gap junction contacts from
the AII amacrine cell. Axons of four types of cone bipolar cells terminated
in sublamina a of the inner plexiform layer and contacted dendrites of
off-beta and other ganglion cells. One of these cone bipolar cell types,
CBa1, made reciprocal chemical contacts with the lobular appendage of the
AII amacrine cell. These results show that the pattern of cone bipolar cell
input to beta (X) and probably alpha (Y) ganglion cells is substantially
more complex than had been suspected. At least two types of cone bipolar
contribute to each type of ganglion cell where only a single type had been
anticipated. In addition, many of the cone bipolar cell pathways in the
inner plexiform layer are available to the rod system, since at least four
types of cone bipolar receive electrical or chemical inputs from the AII
amacrine cell. This may help to explain why, in a retina where rods far
outnumber the cones, there should be so many types of cone bipolar cells.
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