1. Abstract
Subplate neurons are essential for the development of cortical axon pathways, including thalamocortical innervation as well as the formation of some cortico-cortical and descending cortical efferent connections. Previous evidence suggests that the critical subplate neurons are early-born “pioneer” neurons, which extend the first axons out of the cortex to subcortical forebrain regions. However, pioneer neurons are not the only type of neuron in the subplate layer. The subplate contains both glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons, some of which are transitory due to either ongoing cell migration or subsequent cell death. We have studied the cellular composition of the subplate in developing mouse and human cortex by retrograde axon tracing, cell birthdating, and immunohistochemical analysis of specific markers. Our results indicate that pioneer neurons are early-born glutamatergic neurons that express transcription factor Tbr1, transgene golli-lacZ, and other markers. In contrast, GABAergic interneurons in the subplate do not make subcortical (pioneer) axon projections, but instead migrate tangentially and radially through the subplate layer, express transcription factor Dlx, and are born both early and late in corticogenesis. Subplate neurons are essential in development of the initial cortical connectivity, and it is thus important to distinguish between the different cell types present in this compartment, using molecular markers. The subplate in humans appears to contain a similar diversity of neuron types as in mice, but is markedly thicker than in mice, as confirmed by the broad band of Tbr1 expression extending below the cortical plate in humans.
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Hevner, R.F., Zecevic, N. (2006). Pioneer Neurons and Interneurons in the Developing Subplate: Molecular Markers, Cell Birthdays, and Neurotransmitters. In: Erzurumlu, R., Guido, W., Molnár, Z. (eds) Development and Plasticity in Sensory Thalamus and Cortex. Springer, Boston, MA . https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-38607-2_1
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