Chandelier Cell

A neurons cell type of the human nervous system.

GABAergic interneuron that targets the axon initial segment of pyramidal cells, giving it strong control over spike output.

Function

Axo-axonic control of pyramidal-cell axon initial segments, regulating spike initiation and cortical output with context-dependent (inhibitory or, under some conditions, depolarizing) effects.

Morphology

Multipolar/bitufted; distinctive vertical 'chandelier' axonal cartridges of bouton strings

Specification

  • Neurotransmitter: GABA
  • Receptors: AMPA; NMDA
  • Location: Cerebral cortex layers II-VI
  • Projections: Axon initial segments of pyramidal cells (vertical 'cartridge' boutons)
  • Firing: Fast-spiking
  • Markers: PVALB; GAD1/GAD2; SLC32A1/VGAT; SLC6A1/GAT-1 (enriched in axon cartridges). Note: Ankyrin-G labels the target AIS, not the chandelier cell itself.
  • Developmental origin: Medial ganglionic eminence
  • Disease: Schizophrenia; Epilepsy; Autism
  • Cell Ontology: CL:4023036

References

  1. Howard A, Tamas G, & Soltesz I (2005). Lighting the chandelier: new vistas for axo-axonic cells.. Trends in neurosciences 28 PMID 15927687
  2. Vivien J et al. (2023). Axo-axonic cells in neuropsychiatric disorders: a systematic review.. Frontiers in cellular neuroscience 17 PMID 37435048
  3. Tremblay R, Lee S, & Rudy B (2016). GABAergic Interneurons in the Neocortex: From Cellular Properties to Circuits.. Neuron 91: 260–292 PMID 27477017

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