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Synaptic targets and cellular sources of CB1 cannabinoid receptor and vesicular glutamate transporter-3 expressing nerve terminals in relation to GABAergic neurons in the human cerebral cortex
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  • Peter Somogyi,
  • Sawa Horie,
  • Istvan Lukacs,
  • Emily Hunter,
  • Barbara Sarkany,
  • Tim Viney,
  • James Livermore,
  • Puneet Plaha,
  • Richard Stacey,
  • Olaf Ansorge,
  • Salah El Mestikawy,
  • Quianru Zhao
Peter Somogyi
University of Oxford

Corresponding Author:peter.somogyi@pharm.ox.ac.uk

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Sawa Horie
University of Oxford
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Istvan Lukacs
University of Oxford
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Emily Hunter
University of Oxford
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Barbara Sarkany
University of Oxford
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Tim Viney
University of Oxford
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James Livermore
John Radcliffe Hospital
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Puneet Plaha
John Radcliffe Hospital
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Richard Stacey
John Radcliffe Hospital
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Olaf Ansorge
University of Oxford
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Salah El Mestikawy
McGill University
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Quianru Zhao
University of Oxford
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Abstract

Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) regulates synaptic transmission through presynaptic receptors in nerve terminals, and its physiological roles are of clinical relevance. The cellular sources and synaptic targets of CB1-expressing terminals in the human cerebral cortex are undefined. We demonstrate a variable laminar pattern of CB1-immunorective axons and electron microscopically show that CB1-positive GABAergic terminals make type-2 synapses innervating dendritic shafts (69%), dendritic spines (20%) and somata (11%) in neocortical layers 2-3. Of the CB1-immunopositive GABAergic terminals, 25% were vesicular-glutamate-transporter-3 (VGLUT3)-immunoreactive, suggesting GABAergic/glutamatergic co-transmission on dendritic shafts. In vitro recorded and labelled VGLUT3 or CB1-positive GABAergic interneurons expressed cholecystokinin, vasoactive-intestinal-polypeptide and calretinin, had diverse firing, axons and dendrites, and included rosehip, neurogliaform and basket cells, but not double bouquet or axo-axonic cells. CB1-positive interneurons innervated pyramidal cells and GABAergic interneurons. Most glutamatergic synaptic terminals formed type-1 synapses and some were positive for CB1 receptor concentrated in the presynaptic active zone, unlike in GABAergic terminals. From the sampled VGLUT3-positive terminals, 60% formed type-1 synapses with dendritic spines (80%) or shafts (20%) and 52% were also positive for VGLUT1, suggesting intracortical origin. Some VGLUT3-positive terminals were immunopositive for vesicular-monoamine-transporter-2, suggesting 5-HT/glutamate co-transmission. Overall, the results show that CB1 regulates GABA release mainly to dendritic shafts of both pyramidal cells and interneurons, and predict CB1-regulated co-release of GABA and glutamate from single cortical interneurons. We also demonstrate the co-existence of multiple vesicular glutamate transporters in a select population of terminals probably originating from cortical neurons and innervating dendritic spines in the human cerebral cortex.
11 Oct 2024Submitted to European Journal of Neuroscience
14 Oct 2024Submission Checks Completed
14 Oct 2024Assigned to Editor
15 Oct 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Oct 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
31 Oct 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor