Densities and numbers of calbindin and parvalbumin positive neurons across the rat and mouse brain

Abstract

Summary The calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin and calbindin are expressed in neuronal populations regulating brain networks involved in spatial navigation, memory processes, and social interactions. Information about the numbers of these neurons across brain regions is required to understand their functional roles but is scarcely available. Employing semi-automated image analysis, we performed brain-wide analysis of immunohistochemically stained parvalbumin and calbindin sections and show that these neurons distribute in complementary patterns across the mouse brain. Parvalbumin neurons dominate in areas related to sensorimotor processing and navigation, whereas calbindin neurons prevail in regions reflecting behavioral states. We also find that parvalbumin neurons distribute according to similar principles in the hippocampal region of the rat and mouse brain. We validated our results against manual counts and evaluated variability of results among researchers. Comparison of our results to previous reports showed that neuron numbers vary, whereas patterns of relative densities and numbers are consistent.

Single-cell Spatial Proteomic Imaging for Human Neuropathology

“…Many of these markers exhibited noticeable gradients that were concordant with canonical multicellular structures. For example, calcium-binding proteins (PV, CB and CR) show laminar distributions and densities that are consistent with previously reported protein and gene expression in mouse and human, within and across these brain regions (Figure 2B, Figure 2C) (Bjerke et al, 2021; Hawrylycz et al, 2012; Hof et al, 1999). With the exception of the medulla oblongata (MO), unsupervised clustering of extracted cytoarchitectural features alone organized images separated based on their respective brain regions (Figure 2B).…”

Parvalbumin Role in Epilepsy and Psychiatric Comorbidities: From Mechanism to Intervention

“…However, a model based entirely on the specific electrical manipulation of PV+ interneurons is not yet possible, making the association of genetic and optogenetic techniques necessary. Nevertheless, it is possible to stimulate areas with an intense concentration of PV+ interneurons, such as the prefrontal cortex ( Bjerke et al, 2021 ), since GABAergic interneurons present in all neocortical areas are characterized by the expression of three distinct classes of largely non-overlapping Ca 2+ -binding proteins, which are parvalbumin, somatostatin, and the ionotropic serotonin receptor 5HT 3A ( Tremblay et al, 2016 ).…”

DOPAMAP, high-resolution images of dopamine 1 and 2 receptor expression in developing and adult mouse brains

“…The stereological data provided for selected brain regions in the related publication 10 adds valuable quantitative information about the cells visualized in this material, which can be complemented by future quantifications in additional brain areas, e.g. by semi-automated analyses 48 , 49 . The high resolution of the images also permits investigations of morphological parameters, such as size and shape of neurons, which could be useful to identify different cell types across brain regions.…”

“…Figure 3c shows the applications of the QUINT workflow to an example case (ID C22) from the adult male D1R group. The detailed procedure for applying the QUINT workflow to immunohistochemical material has been described in previous publications 48 , 49 .…”