Clara Matesz

Publications of Clara Matesz

• Crossing dendrites of the hypoglossal motoneurons: possible morphological substrate of coordinated and synchronized tongue movements of the frog, Rana esculenta.

  Authors: Tímea Bácskai, Gábor Veress, Gábor Halasi, Clara Matesz

  Brain research. 12/2009;

  Application of different fluorescent tracers to the right and left hypoglossal nerve of the frog revealed the extent of dendrites crossing the midline into the territory of contralateral hypoglossalApplication of different fluorescent tracers to the right and left hypoglossal nerve of the frog revealed the extent of dendrites crossing the midline into the territory of contralateral hypoglossal motoneurons. By using confocal microscopy a large number of close appositions were detected between hypoglossal motoneurons bilaterally, which formed dendrodendritic and dendrosomatic contacts. The distance between the neighboring profiles suggested close membrane appositions without interposing glial elements. Application of neurobiotin to one hypoglossal nerve resulted in labeling of perikarya exclusively on the ipsilateral side of tracer application suggesting the absence of dye-coupled connections with contralateral hypoglossal motoneurons. At the ultrastructural level, the dendrodendritic and dendrosomatic contacts did not show any morphological specialization; the long membrane appositions may provide electrotonic interactions between the neighboring profiles. We propose that dendrites of hypoglossal motoneurons that cross the midline subserve one of the morphological substrates of co-activation, synchronization and timing of bilateral activity of tongue muscles during prey catching behavior of the frog.

• Vestibular afferents to the motoneurons of glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves in the frog, Rana esculenta.

  Authors: Adám Deák, Tímea Bácskai, Gábor Veress, Clara Matesz

  Brain research. 07/2009;

  The aim of this work was to study whether the vestibular afferent fibers establish direct connections with the motoneurons of glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves of the frog, Rana esculenta. InThe aim of this work was to study whether the vestibular afferent fibers establish direct connections with the motoneurons of glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves of the frog, Rana esculenta. In anaesthetized animals the vestibulocochlear nerve and the common root of glossopharyngeal-vagus and accessory (IX-X-XI) nerves were simultaneously labeled with fluorescein dextran amine (vestibulocochlear nerve) and tetramethylrhodamine dextran amine (IX-X-XI). With a confocal laser scanning microscope we could detect close appositions between the vestibular afferent fibers and somatodendritic components of the general and special visceral motoneurons of the ambiguus nucleus of IX-X nerves. The direct impulse transmission may provide a quick and immediate response of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal system upon body displacement.

• Vestibulotrigeminal pathways in the frog, Rana esculenta.

  Authors: Clara Matesz, Gabriella Kovalecz, Gábor Veress, Adám Deák, Eva Rácz, Tímea Bácskai

  Brain research bulletin. 04/2008; 75(2-4):371-4.

  The aim of this study was to investigate whether primary vestibular afferent fibers establish direct connections with the motor and sensory trigeminal system in the brainstem of the frog. TheThe aim of this study was to investigate whether primary vestibular afferent fibers establish direct connections with the motor and sensory trigeminal system in the brainstem of the frog. The experiments were carried out on Rana esculenta. In anaesthetized animals the trigeminal and vestibular nerves were prepared, and their proximal stumps were labeled either with fluorescein binding dextran amine (trigeminal nerve) or tetramethylrhodamine dextran amine (vestibulocochlear nerve). With a confocal laser scanning microscope we could detect close connections between the vestibular fibers and branches of the dorsal dendritic array of the jaw-closing motoneurons, suggestive of monosynaptic contacts. In the other parts of the brainstem, vestibular terminals were detected in the termination areas of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus and of the Gasserian (Vth) ganglion and they were probably involved in polysynaptic connections. In agreement with the results obtained in mammalian species, the present findings suggest that the vestibulotrigeminal relationship is quite complex and uses multiple pathways to connect the vestibular apparatus with the motor and sensory nuclei of the trigeminal nerve in the anurans as well.

• Dendrodendritic and dendrosomatic contacts between oculomotor and trochlear motoneurons of the frog, Rana esculenta.

  Authors: Tímea Bacskai, Gabor Veress, Gabor Halasi, Adam Deak, Eva Racz, György Szekely, Clara Matesz

  Brain research bulletin. 04/2008; 75(2-4):419-23.

  Gaze fixation requires very fast movements of the eye during body displacement. The morphological and physiological background of the very fine and continuous tuning of gaze fixation is not yet fullyGaze fixation requires very fast movements of the eye during body displacement. The morphological and physiological background of the very fine and continuous tuning of gaze fixation is not yet fully understood. In a previous study we have shown that the dendrites of oculomotor neurons form bundles which invade the trochlear nucleus, and vice versa, trochlear dendritic bundles invade the oculomotor nucleus. Earlier physiological observations demonstrating electrotonic coupling between dendrites of spinal motoneurons in the frog suggest a similar mechanism between the oculomotor and trochlear motoneurons. We studied a possible morphological basis of gaze fixation. The experiments were carried out on common water frogs, Rana esculenta. The trochlear and oculomotor nerves were cut, and their proximal stumps were labeled simultaneously with different retrograde fluorescent tracers. Using confocal laser scanning microscope we detected a large number of close contacts in both nuclei, the majority of them were dendrodendritic apposition. The distance between the adjacent profiles suggested close membrane appositions without intercalating glial or neuronal elements. At the ultrastructural level, the dendrodendritic and dendrosomatic contacts did not show any morphological specialization; the long membrane appositions may provide ephaptic interactions between the neighboring profiles. This electrotonic coupling between the oculomotor and trochlear nerve motoneurons may promote the co-activation of the muscles responsible for vertical eye movements.

• Organization of last-order premotor interneurons related to the protraction of tongue in the frog, Rana esculenta.

  Authors: Eva Rácz, Tímea Bácskai, Gábor Szabo, György Székely, Clara Matesz

  Brain research. 02/2008; 1187:111-5.

  Moving visual stimuli elicit a sequence of coordinated activity of muscles including tongue protraction. Morphological and physiological studies fail to reveal any direct tectal projections toMoving visual stimuli elicit a sequence of coordinated activity of muscles including tongue protraction. Morphological and physiological studies fail to reveal any direct tectal projections to hypoglossal motoneurons suggesting that the last-order premotor interneurons (LOPI) are the direct recipients of neural activities generated in the optic tectum. The aim of this study is to analyze the topographical organization of the last-order premotor interneurons related to protractor muscles of the tongue. In Rana esculenta, biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was injected by iontophoresis into the subnucleus of the hypoglossal nerve containing the motoneurons of protractor muscles of the tongue. For visualizing BDA, sections were treated with avidin-biotin complex and a nickel-enhanced DAB chromogen reaction. The position of labeled neurons was reconstructed with a Neurolucida equipment. Morphologically heterogeneous populations of neurons were detected bilaterally, the majority of them were distributed ipsilateral to the site of injection and extended 1200 microm in rostral and 500 microm in caudal directions. Labeled neurons were found in the rhombencephalic reticular formation, the vestibular nuclei, the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi, the nucleus of solitary tract, the spinal nucleus of trigeminal nerve and the dorsal column nuclei. Our results indicate that the majority of last-order premotor interneurons related to protractor muscles of the tongue are located in the reticular formation of the brainstem. Since this area also receives a significant input from the vestibular system and from proprioceptive fibers, the last-order premotor interneurons presented here may be the target of convergence of sensory modalities involved in prey-catching behavior.

• The effect of vestibular nerve section on the expression of the hyaluronan in the frog, Rana esculenta.

  Authors: Gábor Halasi, Ervin Wolf, Tímea Bácskai, György Székely, László Módis, Zsuzsa M Szigeti, Zoltán Mészár, Szabolcs Felszeghy, Clara Matesz

  Brain structure & function. 01/2008; 212(3-4):321-34.

  Following postganglionic lesion of the eighth cranial nerve, the changes in the expression of hyaluronan (HA), one of the extracellular matrix macromolecules, were examined in the medial (MVN) andFollowing postganglionic lesion of the eighth cranial nerve, the changes in the expression of hyaluronan (HA), one of the extracellular matrix macromolecules, were examined in the medial (MVN) and lateral (LVN) vestibular nuclei and in the entry or transitional zone (TZ) of the nerve in the frog. HA was detected in different survival times by using a specific biotinylated hyaluronan-binding probe. HA expression was defined by the area-integrated optical density (AIOD), calculated from pixel intensities of digitally captured images. During the first postoperative days the perineuronal net (PN), a HA-rich area around the neurons, was not distinguishable from the surrounding neuropil in the MVN and LVN, characterized by a bilateral drop of AIOD specifically on the operated side. From postoperative day 14 onwards AIOD increased whilst the PN reorganized. In contrast, the AIOD wobbled up and down bilaterally without any trend in the TZ. Statistical analysis indicated that AIOD changes in the structures studied ran parallel bilaterally presumably because of the operation. Our results demonstrated for the first time that (1) the lesion of the eighth cranial nerve is accompanied by the modification of AIOD reflected HA expression in the MVN, LVN and TZ, (2) different tendencies exist in the time course of AIOD in the structures studied and (3) these tendencies are similar on the intact and operated sides. Our findings may suggest an area dependent molecular mechanism of HA in the restoration of vestibular function.

• Distribution of hyaluronan in the central nervous system of the frog.

  Authors: Zsuzsa M Szigeti, Clara Matesz, George Szekely, Szabolcs Felszeghy, Timea Bácskai, Gábor Halasi, Zoltán Mészár, László Módis

  The Journal of comparative neurology. 07/2006; 496(6):819-31.

  The qualitative and quantitative distribution pattern of hyaluronan (HA), a component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), was studied in the frog central nervous system by using a highly specific HAThe qualitative and quantitative distribution pattern of hyaluronan (HA), a component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), was studied in the frog central nervous system by using a highly specific HA probe and digital image analysis. HA reaction was observed in both the white and the gray matter, showing a very intense staining around the perikarya and dendrites in the perineuronal net (PN). In the telencephalon, strong reaction was found in different parts of the olfactory system, in the pallium, and in the amygdala. In the diencephalon, intensive staining was found in the nucleus of Bellonci, the dorsal habenula, the lateral and central thalamic nuclei, and the subependymal zone of the third ventricle. In the mesencephalon, layers of optic tectum displayed different intensities, with the strongest reaction in layers B, D, F, 3, and 5. Other structures of the mesencephalon showed regional differences. The PN was especially intensively stained around the perikarya of the toral nuclei, the oculomotor and trochlear nuclei, and the basal optic nucleus. In the rhombencephalon, the granular layer of cerebellum, the vestibulocochlear nuclei, the superior olive, the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve, and parts of the reticular formation showed the most intense reaction in the PN. In the spinal cord, considerable HA staining was found in the white matter and around the perikarya of motoneurons. The present study is the first description of the HA-positive areas of frog brain and spinal cord demonstrating the heterogeneity of HA distribution in the frog central nervous system.

• Organization of dye-coupled cerebellar granule cells labeled from afferent vestibular and dorsal root fibers in the frog Rana esculenta.

  Authors: Eva Rácz, Timea Bácskai, Gabor Halasi, Endre Kovács, Clara Matesz

  The Journal of comparative neurology. 06/2006; 496(3):382-94.

  Application of neurobiotin to the nerves of individual labyrinthine organs and dorsal root fibers of limb-innervating segments of the frog resulted in labeling of granule cells in the cerebellumApplication of neurobiotin to the nerves of individual labyrinthine organs and dorsal root fibers of limb-innervating segments of the frog resulted in labeling of granule cells in the cerebellum showing a significant overlap with a partial segregation in the related areas of termination. In different parts of the cerebellum, various combinations of different canal and otolith organ-related granule cells have been discerned. The difference in the extension of territories of vertical canals vs. horizontal canals may reflect their different involvement in the vestibuloocular and vestibulospinal reflex. Dye-coupled cells related to the lagenar and saccular neurons were localized in more rostral parts of the cerebellum, whereas cells of the utricle were represented only in its caudal half. This separation is supportive of the dual function of the lagena and the saccule. The territories of granule cells related to the cervical and lumbar segments of the spinal cord were almost completely separated along the rostrocaudal axis of cerebellum, whereas their territories were almost entirely overlapping in the mediolateral and ventrodorsal directions. The partial overlap of labyrinthine organ-related and dorsal root fiber-related granule cells are suggestive of a convergence of sensory modalities involved in the sense of balance. We propose that the afferent input of vestibular and proprioceptive fibers mediated by gap junctions to the cerebellar granule cells subserve one of the possible morphological correlates of a very rapid modification of the motor activity in the vestibulocerebellospinal neuronal circuit.

• Connections of the superior vestibular nucleus with the oculomotor and red nuclei in the rat: an electron microscopic study.

  Authors: Gabor Halasi, Timea Bácskai, Clara Matesz

  Brain research bulletin. 10/2005; 66(4-6):532-5.

  Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) was injected into the individual vestibular nuclei of the rat to study their efferent connections. One of the major differences between the connections ofPhaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) was injected into the individual vestibular nuclei of the rat to study their efferent connections. One of the major differences between the connections of these nuclei was found at the level of the mesencephalon: the eye-moving cranial nerve nuclei received the densest projection from the superior vestibular nucleus (SVN). In the present electron microscopic study, we have found that terminals of SVN origin established symmetric synaptic contacts in the oculomotor nucleus. More than two-thirds of PHA-L-labeled boutons terminated on dendrites, the rest of them established axosomatic contacts. Most of the labeled terminals were GABA-positive, supporting the results of previous physiological experiments, which showed inhibitory effects. In the mesencephalon, the other termination area was found in the red nucleus. The PHA-L-labeled boutons of SVN origin were in close contact with the perikarya and proximal dendrites of the magnocellular part of the red nucleus. The types of synaptic contacts and distribution of terminals of SVN origin were similar to those found in the oculomotor nucleus. Our results indicate that the SVN can modify the activity of the cerebellorubral and corticorubral pathways, exerting inhibitory action on the neurons of the red nucleus.

• Extracellular matrix molecules and their possible roles in the regeneration of frog nervous system.

  Authors: Clara Matesz, Laszlo Modis, Gabor Halasi, Zsuzsa M Szigeti, Szabolcs Felszeghy, Timea Bacskai, György Szekely

  Brain research bulletin. 10/2005; 66(4-6):526-31.

  Recent biochemical and histochemical analyses explored different components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the nervous system, and either permissive or non-permissive roles in neuronalRecent biochemical and histochemical analyses explored different components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the nervous system, and either permissive or non-permissive roles in neuronal development and regeneration were suggested. The aim of this study was to detect the distribution pattern of a few of these molecules in the nervous system of intact frogs and during nerve regeneration. The hyaluronan (HA) and tenascin C reactions were negative in the peripheral nerves, but appeared in their entry zones. In the CNS, different populations of neurons were surrounded with HA and tenascin C-positive material, forming a perineuronal net (PN). The phosphacan reaction was weakly positive in the PNS, and a moderate intensity was detected in the entry zone and in the PN. Laminin and fibronectin immunoreactivity was strong in the PNS, but laminin could not be detected in the CNS. In animals with cut and regenerating vestibulocochlear nerve, the distribution of the ECM molecules in the CNS and PNS characteristically changed from that of the normal pattern. Our results showed a non-homogenous distribution of ECM components in the frog nervous system that could be associated with their different roles in physiological and pathological processes.

• Quantitative morphological analysis of the motoneurons innervating muscles involved in tongue movements of the frog Rana esculenta.

  Authors: András Birinyi, George Szekely, Krisztina Csapó, Clara Matesz

  The Journal of comparative neurology. 04/2004; 470(4):409-21.

  We give an account of an effort to make quantitative morphological distinctions between motoneurons of the frog innervating functionally different groups of muscles involved in the movements of theWe give an account of an effort to make quantitative morphological distinctions between motoneurons of the frog innervating functionally different groups of muscles involved in the movements of the tongue. The protractor, retractor, and inner muscles of the tongue were considered on the basis of their major action during the prey-catching behavior of the frog. Motoneurons were selectively labeled with cobalt lysin through the nerves of the individual muscles, and dendritic trees of successfully labeled neurons were reconstructed. Each motoneuron was characterized by 15 quantitative morphological parameters describing the size of the soma and dendritic tree and 12 orientation variables related to the shape and orientation of the dendritic field. The variables were subjected to multivariate discriminant analysis to find correlations between form and function of these motoneurons. According to the morphological parameters, the motoneurons were classified into three functionally different groups weighted by the shape of the perikaryon, mean diameter of stem dendrites, and mean length of dendritic segments. The most important orientation variables in the separation of three groups were the ellipses describing the shape of dendritic arborization in the horizontal, frontal, and sagittal planes of the brainstem. These findings indicate that characteristic geometry of the dendritic tree may have a preference for one array of fibers over another.

• Ascending and descending projections of the lateral vestibular nucleus in the frog Rana esculenta.

  Authors: Clara Matesz, Akos Kulik, Timea Bácskai

  The Journal of comparative neurology. 04/2002; 444(2):115-28.

  The lectin Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin was injected into the frog lateral vestibular nucleus (LVN) to study its antero- and retrograde projections. The following new observations were made. 1)The lectin Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin was injected into the frog lateral vestibular nucleus (LVN) to study its antero- and retrograde projections. The following new observations were made. 1) In the diencephalon, vestibular efferents innervate the thalamus in a manner similar to that of mammalian species. The projections show a preference for the anterior, central, and ventromedial thalamic nuclei. 2) In the mesencephalon, vestibular fibers terminate in the tegmental nuclei and the nucleus of medial longitudinal fascicle. 3) In the rhombencephalon, commissural and internuclear projections interconnect the vestibular nuclei. Some of the termination areas in the reticular formation can be homologized with the mammalian inferior olive and the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi. Another part of the vestibuloreticular projection may transmit vestibular impulses toward the vegetative centers of the brainstem. A relatively weak projection is detected in the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, dorsal column nuclei, and nucleus of the solitary tract. 4) In the spinal cord, vestibular terminals are most numerous in the ipsilateral ventral horn and in the triangular area of the dorsal horn. 5) The coincidence of retrogradely labeled cells with vestibular receptive areas suggests reciprocal interconnections between these structures and the LVN. 6) In seven places, the LVN projections overlap the receptive areas of proprioceptive fibers, suggesting a convergence of sensory modalities involved in the sense of balance.

• Ascending and descending projections of the lateral vestibular nucleus in the rat.

  Authors: Timea Bácskai, G Székely, Clara Matesz

  Acta biologica Hungarica. 02/2002; 53(1-2):7-21.

  The tracer neurobiotin was injected into the lateral vestibular nucleus in rat and the efferent fiber connections of the nucleus were studied. The labeled fibers reached the diencephalon rostrallyThe tracer neurobiotin was injected into the lateral vestibular nucleus in rat and the efferent fiber connections of the nucleus were studied. The labeled fibers reached the diencephalon rostrally and the sacral segments of the spinal cord caudally. In the diencephalon, the ventral posteromedial and the gustatory nuclei received the most numerous labeled fibers. In the mesencephalon, the inferior colliculus, the interstitial nucleus of Cajal, the nucleus of Darkschewitch, the periaqueductal gray matter and the red nucleus received large numbers of labeled fibers. In the rhombencephalon, commissural and internuclear connections originated from the lateral vestibular nucleus to all other vestibular nuclei. The medioventral (motor) part of the reticular formation was richly supplied, whereas fewer fibers were seen in the lateral (vegetative) part. In the spinal cord, the descending fibers were densely packed in the anterior funiculus and in the ventral part of the lateral funiculus. Collaterals invaded the entire gray matter from lamina IX up to lamina III; the fibers and terminals were most numerous in laminae VII and VIII. Collateral projections were rich in the cervical and lumbosacral segments, whereas they were relatively poor in the thoracic segments of the spinal cord. It was concluded that the fiber projection in the rostral direction was primarily aimed at sensory-motor centers; in the rhombencephalon and spinal cord, fibers projected onto structures subserving various motor functions.

• Location of dye-coupled second order and of efferent vestibular neurons labeled from individual semicircular canal or otolith organs in the frog

  Authors: András Birinyi, Hans Straka, Clara Matesz, Norbert Dieringer

  Brain Research.

  Vestibular nerve branches innervating the sensory epithelia of the three semicircular canals or of the three otolith organs of frogs were selectively labeled in-vitro with biocytin. Labeled afferentVestibular nerve branches innervating the sensory epithelia of the three semicircular canals or of the three otolith organs of frogs were selectively labeled in-vitro with biocytin. Labeled afferent fibers from the semicircular canals, utricle, and lagena were encountered in each of the four vestibular nuclei and their projections overlapped considerably. Saccular afferent fibers projected to the dorsal (acoustic) nuclei and smaller projections to the vestibular nuclei were regionally restricted. Per semicircular canal or otolith organ about equal numbers (11–14) of medium sized vestibular neurons (between 7.5 and 17 μm in diameter) were dye-coupled to afferent fibers. Most of these dye-coupled vestibular neurons were located in the lateral and descending vestibular nuclei between the VIIIth and IXth nerves. The superior vestibular nucleus was relatively free of dye-coupled vestibular neurons. The location of this subpopulation of central vestibular neurons supports the notion that these neurons are part of a particular vestibulospinal pathway. In addition, from each of the canal and/or otolith organs about 3–4 efferent vestibular neurons were labeled retrogradely. These neurons (between 15 and 26 μm in diameter) were located ventral to the vestibular nuclear complex. The branching of efferent vestibular neurons was shown by the presence of neurons that were double labeled by two different fluorescent dyes applied in the same experiment to the anterior and posterior ramus of the same VIIIth nerve, respectively. The branching of these efferent neuron axons explained the presence of collaterals and terminals in the sensory epithelia of a number of untreated ipsilateral endorgans.

• Efferent connections of the vestibular nuclei in the rat: a neuromorphological study using PHA-L.

  Authors: Clara Matesz, Timea Bácskai, E Nagy, Gábor Halasi, Akos Kulik

  Brain research bulletin. 57(3-4):313-5.

  The efferent connections of the superior, medial, lateral, and descending vestibular nuclei were studied with anterograde tracing methods in rats. The following areas of termination could beThe efferent connections of the superior, medial, lateral, and descending vestibular nuclei were studied with anterograde tracing methods in rats. The following areas of termination could be discerned: (1) In the diencephalon, labeled terminals were detected in the thalamus. (2) In the mesencephalon, the red nucleus and motor nuclei involved in eye movements were richly supplied by the vestibular nuclei. (3) In the rhombencephalon, extensive intrinsic connections of all vestibular nuclei were demonstrated. Strong commissural connections were found among the medial, superior, and descending vestibular nuclei. The inferior olive received labeled fibers exclusively from the lateral vestibular nuclei. Individual differences were demonstrated in the termination areas in the reticular formation. (4) In the spinal cord, most of the descending vestibular fibers were found in the ipsilateral anterior funiculus.

• Primary afferent fibers establish dye-coupled connections in the frog central nervous system.

  Authors: Timea Bácskai, Clara Matesz

  Brain research bulletin. 57(3-4):317-9.

  Neurobiotin and Lucifer yellow, indicators of gap junctional coupling, were applied to primary afferent fibers of the frog. Following application of tracers to cervical or lumbar dorsal root fibers,Neurobiotin and Lucifer yellow, indicators of gap junctional coupling, were applied to primary afferent fibers of the frog. Following application of tracers to cervical or lumbar dorsal root fibers, a large number of labeled granule cells were detected in the corpus cerebelli, the brainstem, and the spinal cord. The vestibular nerve was found to be in dye-coupled connection with the granule cells of the auricular lobe of the cerebellum. After application of the tracers to the trigeminal nerve, elicited dye-coupled neurons located mainly in the termination area of the descending limb of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus. In control experiments with biotinylated dextrane amine, only primary afferent fibers were labeled. Our results suggest that gap junctional coupling exists between primary afferent fibers and their postsynaptic targets in the frog.