Input–output organization of the mouse BLA-projecting IL neurons

IntroductionThe infralimbic cortex (IL), a critical subregion within the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), modulates emotion, memory, and social functions via robust projections to the basolateral amygdala (BLA). However, the afferent brain regions that innervate BLA-projecting IL neurons (IL-...

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Main Authors: Zhuo Li, Yu Qu, Qi-Lin Wu, Li Tang, Yuan Dong, Xu-Feng Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1532078/full
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author Zhuo Li
Zhuo Li
Yu Qu
Yu Qu
Qi-Lin Wu
Li Tang
Yuan Dong
Yuan Dong
Xu-Feng Xu
Xu-Feng Xu
author_facet Zhuo Li
Zhuo Li
Yu Qu
Yu Qu
Qi-Lin Wu
Li Tang
Yuan Dong
Yuan Dong
Xu-Feng Xu
Xu-Feng Xu
author_sort Zhuo Li
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe infralimbic cortex (IL), a critical subregion within the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), modulates emotion, memory, and social functions via robust projections to the basolateral amygdala (BLA). However, the afferent brain regions that innervate BLA-projecting IL neurons (IL-BLA PNs) and their efferent targets have not been systematically characterized.MethodsWe employed tracing techniques integrating adeno-associated virus (AAV) and monosynaptic rabies to systematically investigate the presynaptic inputs and axonal outputs of IL-BLA PNs.ResultsOur findings revealed widespread synaptic inputs to IL-BLA PNs from subcortical areas, with the strongest inputs originating from the dorsomedial thalamus (MD) and anterior medial thalamus (AM) in the thalamic region, as well as from the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) and piriform cortex (Pir) in the limbic system. Sparse labeling of the virus demonstrated that IL-BLA PNs collateralize to innervate various subcortical regions, including the horizontal diagonal band (HDB), lateral preoptic area (LPO), ventral pallidum (VP), and lateral hypothalamus (LH).DiscussionThis work establishes essential theoretical frameworks for the functional investigation and targeted intervention in neurological disorders.
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spelling doaj-art-6d36d219d9a34bb1bf4e0caf8c33c7282025-08-20T03:11:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2025-02-011910.3389/fnins.2025.15320781532078Input–output organization of the mouse BLA-projecting IL neuronsZhuo Li0Zhuo Li1Yu Qu2Yu Qu3Qi-Lin Wu4Li Tang5Yuan Dong6Yuan Dong7Xu-Feng Xu8Xu-Feng Xu9Basic School of Medicine, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaInstitute of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaQilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, ChinaSchool of Rehabilitation Science and Engineering Qingdao National High-tech Industrial Development Zone, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, ChinaBasic School of Medicine, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaQingdao Institute of Measurement Technology, Qingdao, ChinaBasic School of Medicine, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaInstitute of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaBasic School of Medicine, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaInstitute of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaIntroductionThe infralimbic cortex (IL), a critical subregion within the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), modulates emotion, memory, and social functions via robust projections to the basolateral amygdala (BLA). However, the afferent brain regions that innervate BLA-projecting IL neurons (IL-BLA PNs) and their efferent targets have not been systematically characterized.MethodsWe employed tracing techniques integrating adeno-associated virus (AAV) and monosynaptic rabies to systematically investigate the presynaptic inputs and axonal outputs of IL-BLA PNs.ResultsOur findings revealed widespread synaptic inputs to IL-BLA PNs from subcortical areas, with the strongest inputs originating from the dorsomedial thalamus (MD) and anterior medial thalamus (AM) in the thalamic region, as well as from the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) and piriform cortex (Pir) in the limbic system. Sparse labeling of the virus demonstrated that IL-BLA PNs collateralize to innervate various subcortical regions, including the horizontal diagonal band (HDB), lateral preoptic area (LPO), ventral pallidum (VP), and lateral hypothalamus (LH).DiscussionThis work establishes essential theoretical frameworks for the functional investigation and targeted intervention in neurological disorders.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1532078/fullthe ventromedial prefrontal cortexbasolateral amygdalaAAVrabiesneurons
spellingShingle Zhuo Li
Zhuo Li
Yu Qu
Yu Qu
Qi-Lin Wu
Li Tang
Yuan Dong
Yuan Dong
Xu-Feng Xu
Xu-Feng Xu
Input–output organization of the mouse BLA-projecting IL neurons
Frontiers in Neuroscience
the ventromedial prefrontal cortex
basolateral amygdala
AAV
rabies
neurons
title Input–output organization of the mouse BLA-projecting IL neurons
title_full Input–output organization of the mouse BLA-projecting IL neurons
title_fullStr Input–output organization of the mouse BLA-projecting IL neurons
title_full_unstemmed Input–output organization of the mouse BLA-projecting IL neurons
title_short Input–output organization of the mouse BLA-projecting IL neurons
title_sort input output organization of the mouse bla projecting il neurons
topic the ventromedial prefrontal cortex
basolateral amygdala
AAV
rabies
neurons
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1532078/full
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