Cited by 138Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchMotor Control and AdaptationRobotic Locomotion and Control

Firing and Cellular Properties of V2a Interneurons in the Rodent Spinal Cord

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Dougherty, Kimberly J., Kiehn, Ole·2010·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that a group of ventrally located neurons, designated V2a interneurons, play a key role in maintaining locomotor rhythmicity and in ensuring appropriate left–right alternation during locomotion (Crone et al., 2008, 2009). These V2a interneurons express the transcription factor Chx10. The aim of the present study was to characterize the locomotor-related activity of individual V2a interneurons, their cellular properties, and their detailed anatomical attributes in Chx10-GFP mice. A dorsal horn-removed preparation was developed to allow for visual whole-cell patch recordings from V2a interneurons along the entire lumbar spinal cord while at the same time leaving enough of the spinal cord intact to generate fictive locomotion. During drug-evoked locomotor-like activity, a large proportion of Chx10 cells showed rhythmic firing or membrane potential fluctuations related to either flexor or extensor activity in every lumbar segment. Chx10 cells received predominantly rhythmic excitatory input. Chx10 neurons displayed a wide variety of firing and potential rhythmogenic properties. However, none of these properties was obviously related to the observed rhythmicity during locomotor-like activity. In dual recordings, we found no evidence of Chx10 neuron interconnectivity. Intracellular fills revealed diverse projection patterns with most Chx10 interneurons being local with projections to the central pattern generator and motor neuron regions of the spinal cord and others with long ascending and/or descending branches. These data are compatible with V2a neurons having a role in regulating segmental left–right alternation and ipsilateral motor neuron firing with little effect on rhythm generation.

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Crossref · 10.1523/jneurosci.4821-09.2010

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  • Specific subpopulations of V2a neurons in the brainstem, cervical spinal cord and lumbar spinal cord have been implicated in different aspects of motor control.

    “Specific subpopulations of V2a neurons in the brainstem, cervical spinal cord and lumbar spinal cord have been implicated in different aspects of motor control35,41–45.”

    From The neurons that restore walking after paralysis (2022) · cites this paper as [43]

  • These neurons originate from a subset of developmentally defined V2a neurons.

    “These neurons originate from a subset of developmentally defined V2a neurons35,41–45, which describe a family of neuronal subpopulations distributed along the neuraxis35,41–45.”

    From The neurons that restore walking after paralysis (2022) · cites this paper as [43]

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Authors
Dougherty, K. J., & Kiehn, O.
Affiliations
Karolinska Institutet (SE)
Corresponding author
Kiehn, Ole
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2010-01-06
Volume
30
Issue
1
Pages
24-37
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W2166837618
Cited by
138
References
105
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 8
FWCI
4.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (0701166)
  • European Commission
  • Hjärnfonden
  • Karolinska Institutet
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01ns040795-09)
  • Medical Research Council
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01 NS040795, R01NS040795-08)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Robotic Locomotion and Control
Keywords
V2a interneurons, Chx10, spinal cord, locomotor rhythm, fictive locomotion, left-right alternation, central pattern generator, neuronal firing patterns, membrane potential fluctuations, interneuron connectivity, axonal projections, lumbar spinal cord
MeSH terms
Action Potentials, Animals, Animals, Newborn, Anterior Horn Cells, Interneurons, Mice, Transgenic, Periodicity, Spinal Cord, Transcription Factors, Homeodomain Proteins, Mice

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