Journal of Neuroscience, Vol 6, 1384-1409, Copyright © 1986 by Society for Neuroscience
Interchange of callosal and association projections in the developing visual cortex
GM Innocenti, S Clarke and R Kraftsik
Neurons projecting transitorily into the corpus callosum from area 17 of
the cat were retrogradely labeled by the fluorescent tracer Fast Blue (FB)
injected into contralateral areas 17 and 18 on postnatal days 1-5. During
the second postnatal month these neurons were still labeled by the early
injection, although they had eliminated their callosal axon. At this time,
15-20% of these neurons could be retrogradely relabeled by injections of
Diamidino Yellow (DY) into ipsilateral areas 17 and 18, but few or none by
similar injections in the other areas that receive from area 17 (19, 21a,
PMLS, 20a, 20b, DLS). Similarly, area 17 neurons projecting transitorily to
contralateral area PMLS during the first postnatal week could be relabeled
by DY injections in ipsilateral areas 17 and 18 but not in PMLS. Already
around birth, many transitorily callosal neurons in area 17 send
bifurcating axons both to contralateral areas 17 and 18 and ipsilateral
area 18. It is probable that during postnatal development some of these
neurons selectively eliminate their callosal axon collaterals and maintain
the projection to ipsilateral area 18. In fact, some transitorily callosal
neurons in area 17 can be double-labeled by simultaneous perinatal
injections of FB in contralateral areas 17 and 18 and of a new long-lasting
retrograde tracer, rhodamine-conjugated latex microspheres, in ipsilateral
area 18. The same neurons can then be relabeled by reinjecting ipsilateral
area 18 with DY during the second postnatal month. This finding, however,
does not exclude the possibility that some transitorily callosal neurons
send an axon to ipsilateral area 18 after eliminating their callosal axon.
In conclusion, area 17 neurons that project transitorily through the corpus
callosum later participate, probably permanently, in ipsilateral
corticocortical projections but selectively to areas 17-18. The mechanism
responsible for this selectivity is unknown, but it may be related to the
differential radial distribution (i.e., to birth date) of area 17 neurons
engaged in the various corticocortical projections. The problems raised by
the use of long-lasting retrograde fluorescent tracers in
neurodevelopmental studies and by the quantification of results of double-
and triple-labeling paradigms are also discussed.