Neural activity patterns in the chemosensory network encoding vomeronasal and olfactory information in mice

Pardo-Bellver, Cecília; Vila-Martin, Manuel E.; Martínez-Bellver, Sergio; Villafranca-Faus, María; Teruel-Sanchis, Anna; Savarelli-Balsamo, Camila A.; Drabik, Sylwia M.; Martínez‐Ricós, Joana; Cervera‐Ferri, Ana; Martínez‐Garciá, Fernando; Lanuza, Enrique; Teruel‐Martí, Vicent

doi:10.3389/fnana.2022.988015

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 58 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The mammalian olfactory system can be divided into several subsystems based on the anatomical locations of the involved neuroreceptor cells, the receptors families that are expressed, the signaling transduction mechanisms employed, the chemosensory stimuli detected, and the targets of the sensory neuron axons within the rhinencephalon (Munger, 2009 ). However, growing evidence supports synergistic and cooperative interactions among these olfactory subsystems (Mucignat-Caretta et al, 2012 ; Pardo-Bellver et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The olfactory limbus of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). New insights regarding a noncanonical olfactory bulb pathway

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: The olfactory system in most mammals is divided into several subsystems based on the anatomical locations of the neuroreceptor cells involved and the receptor families that are expressed. In addition to the main olfactory system and the vomeronasal system, a range of olfactory subsystems converge onto the transition zone located between the main olfactory bulb (MOB) and the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), which has been termed the olfactory limbus (OL). The OL contains specialized glomeruli that receive noncanonical sensory afferences and which interact with the MOB and AOB. Little is known regarding the olfactory subsystems of mammals other than laboratory rodents.Methods: We have focused on characterizing the OL in the red fox by performing general and specific histological stainings on serial sections, using both single and double immunohistochemical and lectin-histochemical labeling techniques.Results: As a result, we have been able to determine that the OL of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) displays an uncommonly high degree of development and complexity.Discussion: This makes this species a novel mammalian model, the study of which could improve our understanding of the noncanonical pathways involved in the processing of chemosensory cues.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The olfactory limbus of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). New insights regarding a noncanonical olfactory bulb pathway

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…We focused on MeA and NAc, as well as the ancillary primary downstream targets implicated in valence or olfaction. 25,49–51 We found different collateralization patterns for both populations, where NAc-projecting neurons did not collateralize to MeA, but very strongly collateralized to OT. In contrast, MeA-projecting neurons minimally collateralized to NAc and most strongly collateralized to pmCoA ( Figure 6S-T ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 70%

Control of innate olfactory valence by segregated cortical amygdala circuits

Howe,

Chan,

Lee

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARYAnimals perform innate behaviors that are stereotyped responses to specific evolutionarily relevant stimuli in the absence of prior learning or experience. These behaviors can be reduced to an axis of valence, whereby specific odors evoke approach or avoidance. The cortical amygdala (plCoA) mediates innate attraction and aversion to odor. However, little is known about how this brain area gives rise to behaviors of opposing motivational valence. Here, we sought to define the circuit features of plCoA that give rise to innate olfactory behaviors of valence. We characterized the physiology, gene expression, and projections of this structure, identifying a divergent, topographic organization that selectively controls innate attraction and avoidance to odor. First, we examined odor-evoked responses in these areas and found sparse encoding of odor identity, but not valence. We next considered a topographic organization and found that optogenetic stimulation of the anterior and posterior domains of plCoA elicits attraction and avoidance, respectively, suggesting a functional axis for valence. Using single cell and spatial RNA sequencing, we identified the molecular cell types in plCoA, revealing an anteroposterior gradient in cell types, whereby anterior glutamatergic neurons preferentially expressSlc17a6and posterior neurons expressSlc17a7. Activation of these respective cell types recapitulates appetitive and aversive valence behaviors, and chemogenetic inhibition reveals partial necessity for valence responses to innate appetitive or aversive odors. Finally, we identified topographically organized circuits defined by projections, whereby anterior neurons preferentially project to medial amygdala, and posterior neurons preferentially project to nucleus accumbens, which are respectively sufficient and necessary for innate negative and positive olfactory valence. Together, these data advance our understanding of how the olfactory system generates stereotypic, hardwired attraction and avoidance, and supports a model whereby distinct, topographically distributed plCoA populations direct innate olfactory valence responses by signaling to divergent valence-specific targets, linking upstream olfactory identity to downstream valence behaviors, through a population code. This represents a novel circuit motif in which valence encoding is represented not by the firing properties of individual neurons, but by population level identity encoding that is routed through divergent targets to mediate distinct valence.

show abstract

“…A significant number of these feedback neurons in both areas express estrogen receptors ER-α, linking the animal endocrine state with integration in the AOB. The relevance of this pathway was subsequently confirmed with different morphofunctional approaches [424,425].…”

Section: Olfactory Pathwaysmentioning

confidence: 82%

Pheromone Sensing in Mammals: A Review of the Vomeronasal System

Torres,

Ortiz-Leal,

Sanchez-Quinteiro

2023

Anatomia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This review addresses the role of chemical communication in mammals, giving special attention to the vomeronasal system in pheromone-mediated interactions. The vomeronasal system influences many social and sexual behaviors, from reproduction to species recognition. Interestingly, this system shows greater evolutionary variability compared to the olfactory system, emphasizing its complex nature and the need for thorough research. The discussion starts with foundational concepts of chemocommunication, progressing to a detailed exploration of olfactory systems. The neuroanatomy of the vomeronasal system stands in contrast with that of the olfactory system. Further, the sensory part of the vomeronasal system, known as the vomeronasal organ, and the integration center of this information, called the accessory olfactory bulb, receive comprehensive coverage. Secondary projections of both the olfactory and vomeronasal systems receive attention, especially in relation to the dual olfactory hypothesis. The review concludes by examining the organization of the vomeronasal system in four distinct mammalian groups: rodents, marsupials, herpestids, and bovids. The aim is to highlight the unique morphofunctional differences resulting from the adaptive changes each group experienced.

show abstract

Neural activity patterns in the chemosensory network encoding vomeronasal and olfactory information in mice

Cited by 7 publications

References 58 publications

The olfactory limbus of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). New insights regarding a noncanonical olfactory bulb pathway

The olfactory limbus of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). New insights regarding a noncanonical olfactory bulb pathway

Control of innate olfactory valence by segregated cortical amygdala circuits

Pheromone Sensing in Mammals: A Review of the Vomeronasal System

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About