Postnatal characterization of cells in the accessory olfactory bulb of wild type and reeler mice

Abstract

Olfaction is the most relevant chemosensory sense of the rodents. General odors are primarily detected by the main olfactory system while most pheromonal signals are received by the accessory olfactory system. The first relay in the brain occurs in the olfactory bulb, which is subdivided in the main and accessory olfactory bulb (MOB/AOB). Given that the cell generation time is different between AOB and MOB, and the cell characterization of AOB remains limited, the goal of this work was first, the definition of the layering of AOB/MOB and second, the determination of cellular phenotypes in the AOB in a time window corresponding to the early postnatal development. Moreover, since reelin (Reln) deficiency has been related to olfactory learning deficits, we analyzed reeler mice. First, we compared the layering between AOB and MOB at early embryonic stages. Then, cell phenotypes were established using specific neuronal and glial markers as well as the Reln adaptor protein Dab1 to analyse differences in both genetic backgrounds. There was no apparent difference in the cell phenotypes among AOB and MOB or between wild type (wt) and reeler animals. However, a disruption in the granular cell layer of reeler with respect to wt mice was observed. In conclusion, the AOB in Reln-deficient mice showed similar neuronal and glial cell types being only affected the organization of granular neurons.

Introduction

A wide number of socio-sexual behaviors in mammals depend upon the environment chemosensory signals. In rodents, the olfactory system appears to be the most important for the perception of chemical signals that allows the organism get the information from the environment. Olfaction starts with the direct interaction of the odorant molecules with the olfactory receptors of the sensory neurons that send their axons up to the olfactory bulb, step that constitutes the first relay of the olfactory information to the central nervous system. Olfactory bulb has been divided in two different but complementary systems, the main and accessory olfactory systems. They differ in their anatomy, projections, and function. Sensory receptors of the main olfactory system are a large family of receptors located on the olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) sited in the main olfactory epithelium and projecting into the main olfactory bulb (MOB). For the accessory olfactory system, the receptors are located in the vomeronasal organ and project to the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). Both MOB and AOB are an interface between the OSN and higher olfactory centers, and their position in olfaction is often compared to the thalamus in other sensory systems (Shepherd, 2005). These two anatomically distinct olfactory systems were described as functionally distinct, with the main olfactory epithelium detecting volatile odorants and the vomeronasal organ detecting non-volatile pheromones through direct physical contact with the source (Mori et al., 2000). However, OSNs are also sensitive to pheromones present in mouse urine (Restrepo et al., 2004) and the simultaneous presentation of odorants and pheromones to the same animal provoke responses from both MOB and AOB (Luo et al., 2003; Xu et al., 2005). This suggests that these two systems might not be as functionally distinct as was originally thought (Meredith, 1991; Baum and Kelliher, 2009).

Molecular and functional characteristics of these structures have been described (Lopez-Mascaraque and De Castro, 2002; for reviews Blanchart and Lopez-Mascaraque, 2011) but additional information, particularly regarding the AOB development, is still necessary to define the complete form and function of this system. On other hand, it is widely known that layered structures in the brain use Reelin (Reln) as a key molecule for proper neuronal positioning (Honda et al., 2011) and it appears to be relevant during the MOB layering (Wyss et al., 1980; Martin-Lopez et al., 2011). Reln exerts its actions through the Dab1 intracellular adaptor protein (Howell et al., 1997; Rice et al., 1998), molecule which is strongly expressed in the MOB (Martin-Lopez et al., 2011). In addition, Reln acts as detachment signal for chain-migrating neuroblasts which promotes their radial migration into the olfactory bulb (Hack et al., 2002). During OB development, Reln mRNA begins to be expressed at E10 in the mitral cells and it is restricted to mitral and periglomerular cells at postnatal ages (D'Arcangelo et al., 1995; Schiffmann et al., 1997; Alcantara et al., 1998). In the Reln deficient mice (reeler), despite alterations in MOB layering (Wyss et al., 1980; Hack et al., 2002), expression patterns of Dab1 is undistinguishable between the MOB of wild type (wt) and reeler mice (Martin-Lopez et al., 2011). Thus, regardless of the information known about Reln in the MOB, there is still a lack of information on the effects of this protein on the precise final layering of the AOB.

Consequently, the goals of this work were first, to clarify the layering of AOB from early embryonic stages to late postnatal development and then to compare the AOB/MOB layering. Second, we addressed the spatio-temporal, molecular, and phenotypical characterization of AOB cells comparing wt with reeler mice during early postnatal development. For this purpose, we characterized the AOB cell populations by using specific markers against mature neurons (MAP2a,b, and NeuN), some periglomerular cells (CB and TH), radial glia (RC2), astrocytes (GFAP), oligodendrocytes (RIP), and molecules involved in layering processes like Reln and its adaptor protein Dab1.

Materials and methods

Wild type C57 (wt) and Reln mutant (reeler) mice from postnatal stages P0, P3, P7, and P15, were obtained from the Cajal Institute mouse breeding facility. Genotyping of reeler mice was performed by PCR analysis of genomic DNA. Experiments were performed in accordance with procedures approved by the Spanish Research Council Bioethics Committee. For animal experimentation, we followed the ethical principles dictated by the European Commission (Directive 2010/63/UE and 86/609/CEE) for use of laboratory animals and Spanish regulation (RD 1201/2003 and ley 32/2007).

Nissl staining

Embryonic Nissl staining sagittal sections were obtained from fixed paraformaldehyde thionin-stained sections (Jimenez et al., 2000). Postnatal sagittal sections at 20 μm (see below for Procedure) were stained with acid thionin (pH 4.5) for 1 min and washed with water. Sections were dehydrated with graded ethanol and xylol, and coverslipped with DPX mountant.

Immunohistochemistry

Mice (n = 5 per each age and strain) of either sex were deeply anesthetized by hypothermia (P0 and P3) or with i.p. equithesin at lethal dose (P7 and P15) and transcardially perfused with heparinized saline followed by 4% of paraformaldehyde (1 ml/g) in 0.1 M phosphate-buffered (PB). Brains were removed and post-fixed in the same fixative, cryoprotected with 30% sucrose in PB, and sagittally sectioned at 20 μm in a TC1900 cryostat (Leica). Sections were frozen until their use in immunostaining. Frozen sections were air dried, permeabilized with saline PB (PBS) plus 0.1% TritonX100 (PBST) (Sigma-Aldrich Co.) and by microwave heating in 10 mM citrate buffer, pH 6, for three boiling cycles of 5 min each to unmask the antigen. Unspecific binding of antibodies was blocked with PBST supplemented with 10% normal goat serum (NGS) plus 0.1% bovine serum albumin for 1 h at room temperature (RT) and then incubated overnight at 4°C using specific primary antibodies diluted in PBST plus 1% NGS (Table 1). Antibody binding was detected with the following secondary antibodies, diluted 1:1000 in PBST: Alexa 488/568 goat anti-rabbit IgG and Alexa 568 goat anti-mouse IgG (Molecular Probes-Invitrogen). The radial glia antibody (RC2) was detected by incubating 2 h at RT with biotin conjugated goat anti-mouse IgM (Jackson Immunoresearch) and then incubated 1 h at RT with Alexa 568 conjugated streptavidin (Molecular Probes-Invitrogen). Nuclei were counterstained with Hoechst (1 μg/ml, Sigma-Aldrich Co). Staining was visualized using a confocal microscope TS5 (Leica).

Table 1.

List of antibodies.

Primary antibody	Clone	Product company	Dilution	Cell type marked
Calbindin (CB)	300	Swant	1:5000	Localizes D-28k CB which occur in a subset of neurons
Dab1	Polyclonal	Sigma-Aldrich (D1569)	1:1000	A subset of cell types
GFAP	GA5	Chemicon	1:1000	Glial fibrillary acidic protein expressed in astrocytes
Map2a,b	AP20	Chemicon	1:1000	Microtubule associated protein-2 expressed in mature neurons
NeuN	A60	Chemicon	1:1000	Neuronal nuclei protein
RC2	RC2	Hybridoma-Bank	1:500	A 295kDa intermediate filament protein present in radial glial cells
RIP	NS-1	Chemicon	1:1000	Detects non-myelin and myelin oligodendrocytes
Reelin	G10	Chemicon	1:1000	Detects reelin expressed in a subset of neurons
TH	LNC1	Chemicon	1:1000	Detects tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme expressed by dopaminergic neurons

Results

A brief description of the accessory olfactory bulb structure and organization

The AOB is a lens-shaped structure, much smaller than the MOB, delimited rostrally and ventrally by the MOB, caudally by the accessory olfactory nucleus and dorsally by the prefrontal cortex. Figure 1 shows an original drawing by Cajal (Ramon y Cajal, 1901) revealing the structure and layers of both the AOB (Figure 1A) and a region of the MOB (Figure 1B) in a horizontal section where is included the vomeronasal nerve (Figure 1D). Cajal divided the AOB into four layers: the glomerular layer (Figure 1Aa, GL), mitral/tufted (Figure 1Ab, M/T), lateral olfactory tract (Figure 1Ac, LOT), and granule cell layer (Figure 1Ad, GCL). This layered structure is similar to MOB although they display some differences previously reviewed (Meisami and Bhatnagar, 1998) and highlighted by Larriva-Sahd (2008).

Figure 1.

Reproduction of an original Cajal drawing from a Golgi stained horizontal section from 20-days-old mice, showing some morphological features of the accessory and main olfactory bulb. (A) Accessory olfactory bulb; (B) Main olfactory bulb; (C) Cortex; (D) Vomeronasal nerve; (a) Glomerular layer; (b) mitral/tufted layer; (c) Plane of the lateral olfactory tract; (d) granule cells [Ramon y Cajal (1901)].

Developmental timing of AOB vs. MOB layering

During embryonic brain development, layering of the AOB is slightly different from that of the MOB since cell differentiation occurs at different ages in both structures. To address this issue, we performed a cytoarchitectonic study to compare the formation of the different layers in both AOB and MOB (Figure 2). Both bulbs emerged from a neuroepithelium located in the rostral-most part of the telencephalic vesicle (Figure 2, E10). One day later (E11) the layering begins when an intermediate zone (IZ) is segregated from the ventricular zone (VZ). Next, a new layer intercalates between VZ and IZ forming the subependimal zone (SP) in the prospective MOB while in the AOB it occurs at E13. Although the first olfactory sensory axons reach the surface of the prospective MOB at E12 (Blanchart et al., 2006, 2008), the primitive olfactory (pONL) and vomeronasal nerve (pVNNL) layers are visible at E13. At E14 in both structures emerges the primitive mitral cell layer (pMCL, Figure 2). At E15/16 a prospective glomerular layer becomes evident in both AOB/MOB (pGL, Figure 2). From E17 onwards the layering is completed and in the first postnatal days (P0–P3) the granule cell layer becomes thicker and visible in both bulbs. Complete refinement of layering organization is achieved at P7, although periglomerular and granule cells are constantly added to these local circuits in adult brains (Altman, 1969; Lois and Alvarez-Buylla, 1994; Peretto et al., 2001; Oboti et al., 2009).

Figure 2.

Schematic diagram depicting the developmental layering process in both main and accessory olfactory bulb. Nissl-stained images show the layer disposition in in both AOB and MOB at different embryonic and postnatal ages. VZ, ventricular zone; SEZ, subependimal zone; IZ, intermediate zone; LOT, lateral olfactory tract; GCL, granular cell layer; IPL, internal plexiform layer; MCL, mitral cell layer; pMCL, primitive MCL; EPL, external plexiform layer; GL, glomerular layer; ONL, olfactory nerve layer; VNNL, vomeronasal nerve layer; pONL/pVNNL, primitive ONL/VNNL. (Scale bars: E10–P0: 50 μm; P3–P15: 100 μm).

Molecular characterization of the AOB in wt and reeler postnatal mice

Since the disabled 1 (Dab1) protein is essential for Reln signaling during brain development and is expressed thorough all MOB layers at early postnatal ages (Martin-Lopez et al., 2011), we analyzed the relationship between the expression of Reln and Dab1 in the AOB of both wt and reeler mice (Figure 3). In the AOB, Reln was markedly expressed in the cytoplasm of mitral and some periglomerular cells at each postnatal ages (Figures 3A,C,E,G) as occurs in the MOB (Martin-Lopez et al., 2011). By contrast, Dab1 protein was expressed in most neuronal cells along the AOB layers in both cytoplasm and nuclear cell compartments in both strains (Figure 3), although the pattern of protein location changed from P0 to P15. Thus, at P0, strong Dab1 labeling was detected in both nuclei of mitral/periglomerular cells and in thin cellular processes throughout all AOB layers (Figures 3A,B). These cellular processes lost the Dab1 expression at P3 (Figures 3C,D), while it was maintained as a dotted pattern just in the cell bodies of GCL, MCL, and EPL (Figures 3E–H). However, nuclear labeling was intense along all postnatal ages in mitral and periglomerular cells. Dab1 expression pattern was similar between wt and reeler mice.

Figure 3.

Expression of Reln and its adaptor protein Dab1 in the accessory olfactory bulb of wild type and reeler mice. Reln (red) is strongly expressed by mitral and periglomerular cells at P0, P3, P7, and P15 (A,C,E,G). Dab1 expression (green) is mainly located in the nuclei of the MCL and GL cells as well as in the fibers located throughout GL, EPL, IPL, and GCL in both strains (A–H). Nuclei were counterstained with Hoechst (blue). LOT, lateral olfactory tract; GCL, granular cell layer; IPL, internal plexiform layer; MCL, mitral cell layer; EPL, external plexiform layer; GL, glomerular layer (Scale bar: 200 μm).

Further, we analyzed the neuronal and glial AOB phenotypes and whether the absence of Reln (reeler) produced a change in the neurochemical phenotype of those cells. First, we characterized the AOB neuronal phenotypes at different postnatal ages (P0, P3, P7, and P15) by using Map2a,b and NeuN as markers for mature neurons and CB and TH as markers for periglomerular cells (Figure 4). Map2a,b protein was strongly expressed in cell bodies and fibers of mature neurons in the GL, EPL, and MCL at all selected ages (Figures 4A,B,G,H,M,N,S,T). On the other hand, NeuN was mainly expressed in granular cells in all ages and in many periglomerular cells from P7 (Figure 4, NeuN). Thus, at P0–P7, NeuN is expressed in some granular cells, which appeared scattered throughout the GCL in both strains (Figures 4C,D,I,J,O,P). At P15, NeuN labeling increases in granular cells that were clustered together in small groups. Those groups were aligned and parallel to the lateral olfactory tract (LOT) in the wt (Figure 4U, arrows) while this arrangement was disrupted in reeler (Figure 4V, arrows). Periglomerular cells expressing TH were confined to the edges of the AOB glomeruli at all postnatal ages (Figure 4, TH) and no differences were detected between wt (Figures 4E,K,Q,W) and reeler mice (Figures 4F,L,R,X). With respect to CB cells just a low expression was present in the AOB (data not shown).

Figure 4.

Expression of neuronal markers in the accessory olfactory bulb at P0, P3, P7, and P15. Map2a,b protein is located both in mature neuronal somata and fibers located along the AOB layers (A,B,G,H,M,N,S,T). In the GCL, NeuN is confined to neuronal nuclei and some periglomerular cells (C,D,I,J,O,P,U,V). This labeling reveals a disorganization of granular cells of the AOB in reeler mice respect to wt, most evident at P15 (U,V and high magnification images). TH expression is confined to a group of periglomerular cells located around of the glomeruli (E,F,K,L,Q,R,W,X). LOT, lateral olfactory tract; GCL, granular cell layer; IPL, internal plexiform layer; MCL, mitral cell layer; EPL, external plexiform layer; GL, glomerular layer. Images taken from Alexa-568 signal were pseudo-colored in green to enhance the labeling visibility (Scale bar: 200 μm).

The AOB glial phenotypes were studied using markers for radial glial cells (RC2), astrocytes (GFAP) and oligodendrocytes (RIP). A large number of processes positive for RC2 were observed at P0 along the AOB (Figures 5A,B), and then decreased at P3 (Figures 5G,H) to be absent at P7–P15 (Figures 5M,N,S,T). Moreover, from P3 onwards RC2 protein was also located in stellate shaped-cell bodies throughout all AOB layers (Figures 5G,H,M,N), although mainly confined to the periglomerular regions at P15 (Figures 5S,T). The absence of Reln did not affect the RC2 expression. In relation to the astrocyte marker, in both strains, GFAP expression appeared restricted to the glia limitans at P0–P3 (Figures 5C,D,I,J). From P7, GFAP labeling extended to the rest of the AOB layers (Figures 5O,P) and it was expressed throughout AOB parenchyma at P15 (Figures 5U,V). RIP, antibody that recognizes a CNPase specific of oligodendrocytes, showed weak staining in the non-myelin oligodendrocytes at P0–P3 mostly in the LOT region (Figures 5E,F,K,L). From P7 the labeling was restricted to both myelin sheets of the LOT (Figures 5Q,R) and some myelin fibers crossing the GCL at P15 (Figures 5W,X arrows). Labeling of GFAP and RIP was indistinguishable between wt and reeler mice.

Figure 5.

Expression of glial markers in the accessory olfactory bulb at P0, P3, P7, and P15. RC2 immunolabeling is located in radial glia fibers throughout AOB layers at P0–P3 and in few cells with large and thin cellular processes (A,B,G,H). From P7, the labeling is restricted to glial cells without radial process (M,N,S,T). GFAP antibody labels astrocytes restricted to glia limitans at P0 and P3 (C,D,I,J). From P7 to P15, GFAP labeling extends to the rest of the AOB layers (O,P,U,V). RIP, an enzyme located in non-myelin oligodendrocytes, is mainly expressed in the LOT regions at P0–P3 (E,F,K,L). From P7 to P15, RIP labeling is restricted to myelin sheaths in the LOT (Q,R,W,X) and in some myelin fibers crossing the GCL (W,X arrowsheads). LOT, lateral olfactory tract; GCL, granular cell layer; IPL, internal plexiform layer; MCL, mitral cell layer; EPL, external plexiform layer; GL, glomerular layer. Images taken from Alexa-568 signal were pseudo-colored in green to enhance the labeling visibility (Scale bar: 200 μm).

Discussion

The AOB is the CNS structure that receives and integrates the olfactory information from vomeronasal sensory neurons. Since only scattered information is available regarding AOB layering, and because some of it is controversial (Hinds, 1968; Jimenez et al., 2000; Salazar et al., 2006), we first established the prenatal sequence of this process. Then we compared this developmental layer arrangement with that occurring in the MOB. Moreover, we analyzed some molecular features of the AOB as well as the effect of the lack of Reln, defined as a key molecule involved in several developmental processes of the CNS. To study how Reln affects the anatomical characteristics of the AOB, we used reeler mutants to study the effects of its functional absence.

In the present study, we schematized the layer development of AOB over the course of the embryonic mouse development. Although the mitral/tufted cell generation in the AOB begins earlier than in MOB (Hinds, 1968; Jimenez et al., 2000), in both structures a homogeneous population of cells surrounding a thick ventricular layer (VZ) was present at E10–E11. However, layer segregation occurs earlier in the MOB than in the AOB (E12–E15). Subsequent developmental changes occurred concurrently in both bulbs (Salazar et al., 2006), from poorly defined strata to well-defined layers. Although an external, mitral/tufted cell, internal plexiform, and granule cell layers are evident in the AOB, they are less distinct than in the MOB. These layers were grouped into the external and internal cell layers by Larriva-Sahd (Larriva-Sahd, 2008).

On other hand, Reln is highly expressed in the olfactory system, including the olfactory bulb, vomeronasal organ, and vomeronasal nerves (Ikeda and Terashima, 1997; Alcantara et al., 1998; Teillon et al., 2003). In the OB, the absence of Reln affects the migration of neuroblasts from the rostral migratory stream and the layering of granular cells in the MOB (Hack et al., 2002; Martin-Lopez et al., 2011). This protein is a secreted extracellular matrix component that plays a crucial role in neuroblasts migration and cell settling in the developing brain, particularly for proper formation of laminar structures of mammalian brain (Caviness, Jr., 1976; Hack et al., 2002; Zhao et al., 2004). Our results showed that mice lacking functional Reln did not display significant alteration in the AOB cytoarchitecture, even when the GFAP expression in the hippocampus is altered in reeler animals (Zhao et al., 2004). However, we reported a disorganization of granular cells in reeler, as occurred in the MOB (Hack et al., 2002; Martin-Lopez et al., 2011), which probably indicates a role of Reln in the organization of the GCL. Similarly, although the AOB and vomeronasal organ showed a high expression of Reln (Teillon et al., 2003) it appears that Reln does not have an axon guidance role in this connection, since there were none differences in the external layers of the AOB between wt and reeler animals. As a whole, this strongly suggests that Reln does not provide guidance cues to targeting of the vomeronasal axons.

Furthermore, we described some anatomical features of the AOB using several neuronal and glial markers, which showed similar phenotypes to that observed in the MOB (Martin-Lopez et al., 2011). Among the neuronal markers, the expression of calbindin revealed few cells in the postnatal AOB as previously reported (Jia and Halpern, 2003; Kosaka and Kosaka, 2010).

In summary, our data provides new insights into the layering, organization, and the different cellular phenotypes in the AOB. Similar cytoarchitectonic features in the AOB were detected in the AOB and the MOB. Additionally, analysis of Reln mutants (reeler) mice revealed a disruption in the organization of granular cells.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.