In vivo imaging of dendritic pruning in dentate granule cells

Nat Neurosci. 2016 Jun;19(6):788-91. doi: 10.1038/nn.4301. Epub 2016 May 2.

Abstract

We longitudinally imaged the developing dendrites of adult-born mouse dentate granule cells (DGCs) in vivo and found that they underwent over-branching and pruning. Exposure to an enriched environment and constraint of dendritic growth by disrupting Wnt signaling led to increased branch addition and accelerated growth, which were, however, counteracted by earlier and more extensive pruning. Our results indicate that pruning is regulated in a homeostatic fashion to oppose excessive branching and promote a similar dendrite structure in DGCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / metabolism
  • Dendrites / physiology*
  • Female
  • Hippocampus / cytology*
  • Homeostasis / physiology
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Animal
  • Neuroimaging / methods
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*