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The expression of α2A-adrenoceptors in the calcium-binding protein immunoreactive interneurons in rat prefrontal cortex

HE Xiao-Ting, YU Jie, LI Bao-Ming, ZHANG Xue-Han

Institute of Neurobiology and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China； Center for Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China

Abstract

The α2A adrenoceptors (α2A-ARs) are the most common adrenergic receptor subtype found in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). It is generally accepted that stimulation of postsynaptic α2A-ARs on pyramidal neurons are key to PFC functions, such as working memory. However, the expression of α2A-ARs in interneurons is largely unknown. In the present study using double-labeling immunofluorencence technique, we investigated the expression of α2A-ARs in major types of rat PFC interneurons expressing calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin (PV), calretinin (CR), and calbindin (CB). Our data demonstrated that α2A-ARs are highly expressed in calcium-
binding protein immunoreactive interneurons of rat PFC, suggesting that stimulation of α2A-ARs may alter neural networks comprising pyramidal neurons and interneurons, thereby exerting a beneficial effect on PFC cognitive functions. The present study provides the morphological basis for a potential mechanism by which stimulation of α2A-ARs induces cognitive improvement.

Key words: α2A adrenoceptors; calcium-binding proteins; interneurons; prefrontal cortex; rats

Received: 2014-02-28　　Accepted: 2014-05-12

Corresponding author: 张雪寒　　E-mail: xuehanzhang@fudan.edu.cn

Citing This Article：

HE Xiao-Ting, YU Jie, LI Bao-Ming, ZHANG Xue-Han. The expression of α2A-adrenoceptors in the calcium-binding protein immunoreactive interneurons in rat prefrontal cortex. Acta Physiol Sin 2014; 66 (5): 537-544 (in Chinese with English abstract).