Molecular characterization of Thy1 expressing fear-inhibiting neurons within the basolateral amygdala
نویسندگان
چکیده
Molecular characterization of neuron populations, particularly those controlling threat responses, is essential for understanding the cellular basis of behaviour and identifying pharmacological agents acting selectively on fear-controlling circuitry. Here we demonstrate a comprehensive workflow for identification of pharmacologically tractable markers of behaviourally characterized cell populations. Thy1-eNpHR-, Thy1-Cre- and Thy1-eYFP-labelled neurons of the BLA consistently act as fear inhibiting or 'Fear-Off' neurons during behaviour. We use cell-type-specific optogenetics and chemogenetics (DREADDs) to modulate activity in this population during behaviour to block or enhance fear extinction. Dissociated Thy1-eYFP neurons are isolated using FACS. RNA sequencing identifies genes strongly upregulated in RNA of this population, including Ntsr2, Dkk3, Rspo2 and Wnt7a. Pharmacological manipulation of neurotensin receptor 2 confirms behavioural effects observed in optogenetic and chemogenetic experiments. These experiments identify and validate Ntsr2-expressing neurons within the BLA, as a putative 'Fear-Off' population.
منابع مشابه
Thy1-expressing neurons in the basolateral amygdala may mediate fear inhibition.
Research has identified distinct neuronal circuits within the basolateral amygdala (BLA) that differentially mediate fear expression versus inhibition; however, molecular markers of these populations remain unknown. Here we examine whether optogenetic activation of a cellular subpopulation, which may correlate with the physiologically identified extinction neurons in the BLA, would differential...
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