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Intrinsic Choroidal Neurons in the Human Eye: Projections, Targets, and Basic Electrophysiological Data

¹From the Anatomy Institute I, Erlangen, Germany; the ²Laboratory of Electrobiology, Antwerp, Belgium; and the ³Laboratory of Histology and Cell Biology and the ⁴Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Antwerp, Belgium.

PURPOSE. The chemical coding of intrinsic choroidal neurons (ICNs) has features in common with extrinsic fibers (e.g., from the pterygopalatine ganglion) making it impossible to assess whether a neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)/vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)–immunoreactive nerve fiber is of intrinsic or extrinsic origin. Neurobiotin injections into single neurons allow the visualization of projections of these cells and the determination of the origin of target innervation. Thus, this technique was used in the present study to help characterize the organization of the ICN in the human eye.

METHODS. ICNs were visualized with the fluorescent vital dye 4-Di-2-ASP. Electrophysiological properties were determined by means of intracellular recordings. The impaled neurons were iontophoretically filled with neurobiotin. After fixation, immunohistochemistry for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), -smooth muscle actin, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was conducted.

RESULTS. ICN processes were traced over distances of up to 2.612 µm. They were found in the immediate vicinity of other nNOS-positive or -negative ICNs and were also found apposed to smooth muscle fibers (vascular and stromal nonvascular). CGRP-positive fibers forming boutons were observed closely associated with ICNs. Electrophysiological recording showed phasic firing without slow afterhyperpolarization, no spontaneous activity, an input resistance of 136 ±73 M, and a membrane time constant of 7 ± 1 ms.

CONCLUSIONS. Apart from the first functional characterization of ICNs, this study provided more precise evidence of reciprocal ICN-to-ICN contacts and innervation of both choroidal nonvascular and vascular smooth muscle. The presented technique offers promising perspectives to further investigate the function of ICNs in ocular homeostasis.

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