Neurons expressing 5-HT2 receptors in the rat brain: Neurochemical identification of cell types by immunocytochemistry

David A. Morilak, Peter Somogyi, Rafael Lujan-Miras, Roland D. Ciaranello

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Scopus citations

Abstract

The serotoniti2 (5-HT2) receptor has been implicated in a number of behavioral and physiological processes. It may also play a role in cellular development and differentiation, and represents a site of action of hallucinogens and certain psychotherapeutic drugs. To better understand the functions and regulation of the 5-HT2 receptor, we have undertaken a series of studies in which we attempted to identify the specific cell types that express the receptor. This was accomplished using a variety of double-labeling strategies with an antibody we raised against the rat 5-HT2 receptor protein. In this review, we recount of some of our previously published findings and present some new data in which we identify subpopulations of cholinergic neurons in the brainstemc and gamma-aminobutynic acid (GABA)ergic interneurons in the cortex that express 5-HT2 receptor immunoreactivity. Developmentally, the appearance of 5-HT2 receptor immunoreactivity occurs relatively late in the ontogeny of the cells in which it is expressed, mostly in the early postnatal period. This argues against a significant role for this receptor in early development, though it may participate in some aspect of terminal differentiation. We discuss the significance of the cell- type-specific and temporal expression of the 5-HT2 receptor in the context of current hypotheses of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)157-166
Number of pages10
JournalNeuropsychopharmacology
Volume11
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1994
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 5-HT receptors
  • Gamma-aminobutyric acid
  • Immunocytochemistry
  • Schizophrenia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Pharmacology

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