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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.03.14.532664

VIP interneurons regulate cortical size tuning and visual perception

Ferguson, K. A.·Salameh, J.·Alba, C.·Selwyn, H.·Barnes, C.·Lohani, S.·Cardin, J. A.
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Abstract

Local cortical circuit function is regulated by diverse populations of GABAergic interneurons with distinct properties and extensive interconnectivity. Inhibitory-to-inhibitory interactions between interneuron populations may play key roles in shaping circuit operation according to behavioral context. A specialized population of GABAergic interneurons that co-express vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP-INs) are activated during arousal and locomotion and innervate other local interneurons and pyramidal neurons. Although modulation of VIP-IN activity by behavioral state has been extensively studied, their role in regulating information processing and selectivity is less well understood. Using a combination of cellular imaging, short and long-term manipulation, and perceptual behavior, we examined the impact of VIP-INs on their synaptic target populations in the primary visual cortex of awake behaving mice. We find that loss of VIP-IN activity alters the behavioral state-dependent modulation of somatostatin-expressing interneurons (SST-INs) but not pyramidal neurons (PNs). In contrast, reduced VIP-IN activity disrupts visual feature selectivity for stimulus size in both populations. Inhibitory-to inhibitory interactions thus directly shape the selectivity of GABAergic interneurons for sensory stimuli. Moreover, the impact of VIP-IN activity on perceptual behavior varies with visual context and is more acute for small than large visual cues. VIP-INs thus contribute to both state-dependent modulation of cortical circuit activity and sensory context-dependent perceptual performance.

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Ferguson, K. A., Salameh, J., Alba, C., Selwyn, H., Barnes, C., Lohani, S., Cardin, J. A.. 2023-03-14. VIP interneurons regulate cortical size tuning and visual perception. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.03.14.532664

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