A unique and evolutionarily conserved retinal interneuron relays rod and cone input to the inner plexiform layer

Abstract

Neurons in the CNS are distinguished from each other by their morphology, the types of the neurotransmitter they release, their synaptic connections, and their genetic profiles. While attempting to characterize the retinal bipolar cell (BC) input to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), we discovered a previously undescribed type of interneuron in mice and primates. This interneuron shares some morphological, physiological, and molecular features with traditional BCs, such as having dendrites that ramify in the outer plexiform layer (OPL) and axons that ramify in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) to relay visual signals from photoreceptors to inner retinal neurons. It also shares some features with amacrine cells, particularly Aii amacrine cells, such as their axonal morphology and possibly the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine, along with the expression of some amacrine cell specific markers. Thus, we unveil an unrecognized type of interneuron, which may play unique roles in vision. Significance StatementCell types are the building blocks upon which neural circuitry is based. In the retina, it is widely believed that all neuronal types have been identified. We describe a cell type, which we call the Campana cell, that does not fit into the conventional neuronal retina categories but is evolutionarily conserved. Unlike retinal bipolar cells, the Campana cell receives synaptic input from both rods and cones, has broad axonal ramifications, and may release an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Unlike retinal amacrine cells, the Campana cell receives direct photoreceptor input has bipolar-like ribbon synapses. With this discovery, we open the possibility for new forms of visual processing in the retina.