Skip to main content

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Neuroanat., 28 February 2020

Monosynaptic Input Mapping of Diencephalic Projections to the Cerebrospinal Fluid-Contacting Nucleus in the Rat

\r\nSi-Yuan SongSi-Yuan SongYing LiYing LiXiao-Meng ZhaiXiao-Meng ZhaiYue-Hao LiYue-Hao LiCheng-Yi BaoCheng-Yi BaoCheng-Jing ShanCheng-Jing ShanJia HongJia HongJun-Li CaoJun-Li CaoLi-Cai Zhang*Li-Cai Zhang*
  • Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China

Objective: To investigate the projections the cerebrospinal fluid-contacting (CSF-contacting) nucleus receives from the diencephalon and to speculate on the functional significance of these connections.

Methods: The retrograde tracer cholera toxin B subunit (CB) was injected into the CSF-contacting nucleus in SD rats according to the experimental formula of the stereotaxic coordinates. Animals were perfused 7–10 days after the injection, and the diencephalon was sliced at 40 μm with a freezing microtome. CB-immunofluorescence was performed on all diencephalic sections. The features of CB-positive neuron distribution in the diencephalon were observed with a fluorescence microscope.

Results: The retrograde labeled CB-positive neurons were found in the epithalamus, subthalamus, and hypothalamus. Three functional diencephalic areas including 43 sub-regions revealed projections to the CSF-contacting nucleus. The CB-positive neurons were distributed in different density ranges: sparse, moderate, and dense.

Conclusion: Based on the connectivity patterns of the CSF-contacting nucleus that receives anatomical inputs from the diencephalon, we preliminarily assume that the CSF-contacting nucleus participates in homeostasis regulation, visceral activity, stress, emotion, pain and addiction, and sleeping and arousal. The present study firstly illustrates the broad projections of the CSF-contacting nucleus from the diencephalon, which implies the complicated functions of the nucleus especially for the unique roles of coordination in neural and body fluids regulations.

Introduction

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting nucleus is a unique nucleus in the brain. It is located within the ventral gray of the lower portion of the aqueduct (Aq) and upper portion of the fourth ventricle (4V) floor (Song et al., 2019). The outstanding feature of this nucleus is that the neural somata are located in the brain parenchyma but the processes stretch into the CSF (Song and Zhang, 2018; Song et al., 2019). The morphological connections of the CSF-contacting nucleus with non-CSF-contacting neurons, glia cells, and blood vessels have been confirmed with electron microscopy (Zhang et al., 2003). The unique characteristic of the CSF-contacting nucleus implies that this nucleus may be a key structure bridging the nerve and fluids (CSF and plasma), and play an extremely important role in physiological activities. It has been approximately 30 years now since we first discovered, named and began to study this nucleus. The basic biological characteristics of the CSF-contacting nucleus, such as its specific labeling method (Lu et al., 2008), location and morphology, stereotaxic coordinates (Song et al., 2019), substance distributions [neurotransmitter (Lu et al., 2011), receptor (Liu P. F. et al., 2017), ion channels (Wang et al., 2014)] and its relationship with some biological activities [such as pain (Zhou et al., 2017), sodium appetite (Xing et al., 2015), stress (Wu et al., 2015), morphine dependence and withdrawal (Lu et al., 2011)] have been revealed. However, this nucleus is involved in pathways and mechanisms of different biological activities that are still to be clarified.

The diencephalon is located between the cerebral cortex and the mesencephalon and is covered by the cortex. It can be divided into five parts: dorsal thalamus, epithalamus, hypothalamus, metathalamus, and subthalamus. The dorsal thalamus serves as a relay center for the transmission of sensory and motor messages from the medulla oblongata and spinal cord to the cerebrum. The hypothalamus is a high center of visceral function modulation, and it is extremely important for the maintenance of homeostasis. The metathalamus processes the visual and auditory information to the cortex. The epithalamus (mainly habenula) is involved in reward processing and affective control (Hikosaka, 2010; Proulx et al., 2014). The subthalamus (zona incerta and subthalamic nucleus) participate in visceral, arousal and motor control (Mitrofanis, 2005; Telkes et al., 2018).

One of the aims of Neuroscience is to unveil the neural networks between different types of neurons to understand the functions of the brain (Watabe-Uchida et al., 2012). The unique feature of the CSF-contacting nucleus is to communicate with body fluids. The nucleus may form specific neural circuits with diencephalon in body fluids homeostasis and other functions. However, the connections between the diencephalon and the CSF-contacting nucleus have not been identified. To understand these connections and their possible biological significance, we injected retrograde tracer cholera toxin B subunit (CB) into the CSF-contacting nucleus. The projections of different diencephalic regions to the CSF-contacting nucleus can be revealed with immunofluorescence. A putative functional significance was speculated according to the projection relationships. Our study provides the first approach to further understand the biological significance of the diencephalic-CSF-contacting nucleus connections.

Materials and Methods

Experimental Animals

Specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade Sprague–Dawley rats (weight 250 ± 50 g) were acquired from the Experimental Animal Centre of Xuzhou Medical University. Rats successfully injected with the tracer into the CSF-contacting nucleus were used for observation and analysis (n = 6). All experiments were approved by the Committee for Ethical Use of Laboratory Animals, Xuzhou Medical University.

Tracer Administration

Rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (40 mg/kg, i.p.), and heads were fixed on a stereotaxic instrument (Stoelting 51700, USA). A 1% CB solution (0.2 μl, Sigma, USA) was injected into the core of the CSF-contacting nucleus (Bregma: 8,242 ± 183 μm, Lateral: 92 ± 6 μm, Depth: 6,451 ± 109 μm; Song et al., 2019).

Sampling and Histology

Seven to 10 days after the injection of the tracer, rats were perfused and sacrificed. Rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (40 mg/kg, i.p.) and perfused with 300 ml of phosphate-buffered saline (0.01 M PBS, pH 7.4), followed by 4% paraformaldehyde in 0.2 M phosphate buffer (300 ml, pH 7.4). The whole brain and spinal cord were isolated and sectioned coronally on a cryostat (Leica CM1900, Germany) at 40 μm. All sections were kept in sequence and numbered. In this study, only the diencephalon regions were captured and analyzed.

Tracer Staining and Cell Counting

All sections were examined with CB immunofluorescence (rabbit anti-CB primary antibody diluted in 1:600, Abcam; donkey anti-rabbit Alexa Fluor 488 secondary antibody diluted in 1:200, Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Sections were mounted in sequence on slides, counterstained with DAPI and coverslipped. Diencephalon sections were imaged with a fluorescence microscope (Leica DM6, Germany) and a confocal laser microscope (Zeiss, Germany). The cell density of CB-positive neurons (cell number/0.2 mm2 area) in each brain region was calculated using Image-Pro Plus 7.0 software. The density of CB-positive neurons was classified as sparse, moderate and dense according to the densities: <5, 6–10 and >10, respectively.

Three-Dimensional (3D) Reconstruction of Diencephalon Connections

The CB-positive neurons were aligned, segmented and registered according to the rat common reference atlas (Paxinos and Watson, 2007). The 3D diencephalon connections were reconstructed using the Imaris software, version 8.4.1 (Bitplane, USA). The “surface” module was used for rendering the brain regions in the diencephalon and the outline of the brain surface. The red areas represented strong connections; green areas represented moderate connections, and blue areas represented weak connections.

Results

Injection of the Retrograde Tracer Cholera Toxin B Subunit Into the CSF-Contacting Nucleus

Injections of the CB tracer produced dense positive staining (green). The tracer was confined within the boundary of the CSF-contacting nucleus, where the microsyringe needle tract can be seen to be located at the core of the CSF-contacting nucleus (Figures 1A,B). Representative sections of the CSF-contacting nucleus are shown in Figures 1C,D.

FIGURE 1
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 1. Image of the cholera toxin B subunit (CB)-tracer injection into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting nucleus. (A) The schematic diagram of the injection site to the CSF-contacting nucleus. (B) The tracer CB injection into the CSF-contacting nucleus. Green fluorescence labeling of the CB was seen in the entire CSF-contacting nucleus. The white arrow indicates the passage of the injected needle. (C) A representative section of the CSF-contacting nucleus in the brain. (D) Higher magnification of the boxed area in (C). Aq, aqueduct. Scale bars: 100 μm in (B); 70 μm in (C); 40 μm in (D).

Cellular Morphology of the Diencephalon Connections

After the retrograde tracer was injected into the CSF-contacting nucleus, it was transported retrogradely along the axons, and neuron somata projecting from the diencephalon was detected.

In the diencephalon, the retrogradely labeled neurons appeared fusiform or polygon-shaped with different neuron sizes and clear processes. Some neurons were bipolar neurons with two obvious processes, while others were multipolar neurons with abundant dendrites (Figure 2).

FIGURE 2
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 2. The cellular morphology of retrogradely labeled neurons in the diencephalon (A,B). Scale bar: 40 μm.

Connection Sites of the Diencephalon Regions

The entire diencephalon projections to the CSF-contacting nucleus could be identified by positive-labeled neurons and were mainly located in the hypothalamus, epithalamus, and subthalamus. Few or no positive-labeled neurons were identified in the dorsal thalamus and metathalamus.

In the epithalamus, CB-positive neurons were identified in the medial habenular nucleus (MHb), in the medial part of the lateral habenular nucleus (LHbM) and the lateral part of the lateral habenular nucleus (LHbL). Among them, the MHb and LHbM have strong connections, while the LHbL has sparse projections to the CSF-contacting nucleus (Figure 3).

FIGURE 3
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 3. Distribution of CB-positive neurons in the epithalamus (A,B). Abbreviations: MHb, medial habenular nucleus; LHbM, lateral habenular nucleus medial part; LHbL, lateral habenular nucleus lateral part. Scale bars: 100 μm.

In the subthalamus, CB-positive neurons were observed in the zona incerta (ZI) and subthalamic nucleus (STh). The ZI sends moderate projections, and STh sends sparse connections to the CSF-contacting nucleus (Figure 4).

FIGURE 4
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 4. Distribution of CB-positive neurons in the subthalamus (A,B). Abbreviations: ZI, zona incerta; STh, subthalamic nucleus. Scale bars: 100 μm.

Most of the connections between the diencephalon and the CSF-contacting nucleus were observed in the hypothalamus. A total of 38 sub-regions in the hypothalamus formed projections of the CSF-contacting nucleus. These include: the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (Pa), periventricular hypothalamic nucleus (Pe), anterior hypothalamic area (AH), lateroanterior hypothalamic nucleus (LA), suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCh), supraoptic nucleus (SO), supraoptic nucleus, retrochiasmatic part (SOR), episupraoptic nucleus (ESO), subparaventricular zone of the hypothalamus (SPa), retrochiasmatic area (RCh), retrochiasmatic area lateral part (RChL), lateral hypothalamic area (LH), accessory neurosecretory nuclei (ANS), dorsal hypothalamic area (DA), stigmoid hypothalamic nucleus (Stg), arcuate hypothalamic nucleus (Arc), dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DM), ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH), A11 dopamine cells (A11), A13 dopamine cells (A13), medial tuberal nucleus (MTu), terete hypothalamic nucleus (Te), paraterete nucleus (PTe), perifornical nucleus (PeF), subincertal nucleus (SubI), posterior hypothalamic nucleus (PH), dorsal part of the posterior hypothalamic area (PHD), ventral part of the pre-mammillary nucleus (PMV), dorsal part of the pre-mammillary nucleus (PMD), dorsal tuberomammillary nucleus (DTM), ventral tuberomammillary nucleus (VTM), lateral mammillary nucleus (LM), parasubthalamic nucleus (PSTh), gemini hypothalamic nucleus (Gem), sub-mammillothalamic nucleus (SMT), prerubral field (PR), rostral interstitial nucleus of medial longitudinal fasciculus (RI), and fields of Forel (F; Figures 57).

FIGURE 5
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 5. Distribution of CB-positive neurons in the hypothalamus Part I (A–D). Abbreviations: Pa, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus; AH, anterior hypothalamic area; SO, supraoptic nucleus; Pe, periventricular hypothalamic nucleus; SCh, suprachiasmatic nucleus; LA, lateroanterior hypothalamic nucleus; RCh, retrochiasmatic area; RChL, retrochiasmatic area lateral part. Scale bars: 100 μm.

FIGURE 6
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 6. Distribution of CB-positive neurons in hypothalamus Part II (A–D). VMH, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus; LH, lateral hypothalamic area; DM, dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus; PeF, perifornical nucleus; f, fornix. Scale bars: 100 μm.

FIGURE 7
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 7. Distribution of CB-positive neurons in hypothalamus Part III (A–C). A13, A13 dopamine cells; DA, dorsal hypothalamic area; A11, A11 dopamine cells; PH, posterior hypothalamic nucleus; mt, mammillothalamic tract; f, fornix; PM, premammillary nucleus; VTM, ventral tuberomammillary nucleus; Te, terete hypothalamic nucleus. Scale bars: 100 μm.

Among the hypothalamic regions, the Pa, AH, LA, SCh, SO, RCh, RChL, LH, ANS, DA, STg, Arc, DM, VMH, A11, A13, MTu, Te, PeF, SubI, PH, PHD, PMV, PMD, DTM, and LM send strong projections to the CSF-contacting nucleus; the SOR, SPa, PTe, VTM, PSTh, Gem, and SMT send moderate projections; the Pe, ESO, PR, RI, and F send sparse connections to the CSF-contacting nucleus (Figures 57).

In summary, CB-positive neurons were distributed in three functional areas including 43 sub-regions in the diencephalon and ranged from sparse, moderate and dense. CB-positive neurons were mainly located in the epithalamus, subthalamus, and hypothalamus. The dorsal thalamus and metathalamus did not contain CB-positive neurons.

3D Reconstruction of CB-Positive Diencephalic Neurons

The distribution of CB-positive neurons throughout the diencephalon was 3D reconstructed. The density of the connections became clear in a 3D view. Red areas were dense connections (MHb, LHbM, Pa, AH, LA, SCh, SO, RCh, RChL, LH, ANS, DA, Stg, Arc, DM, VMH, A11, A13, MTu, Te, PeF, SubI, PH, PHD, PMV, PMD, DTM, and LM); green areas were moderate connections (ZI, SOR, SPa, PTe, VTM, PSTh, Gem, and SMT); and blue areas were sparse connections (LHbL, STh, Pe, ESO, PR, RI, and F; Figure 8).

FIGURE 8
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 8. Three-Dimensional (3D) view of the diencephalon connection patterns to the CSF-contacting nucleus (A–D). Red areas are strong connections; green areas are moderate connections; blue areas are weak connections.

Number of Projections From Diencephalic Regions to the CSF-Contacting Nucleus

In the diencephalon, the CB positive neurons were found in three functional areas including 43 sub-regions. The number of projections from these regions to the CSF- contacting nucleus is shown in Figure 9.

FIGURE 9
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 9. Diencephalic CB-positive neuronal input to the CSF-contacting nucleus (mean ± SD, n = 6). (A) Epithalamus; (B) Subthalamus; and (C) Hypothalamus.

Discussion

The CSF-contacting nucleus is a unique nucleus in the brain. This nucleus has non-synaptic connections between the CSF-contacting neurons and blood vessels and the CSF, and plays an important role in the regulation of body fluids; it has also synaptic connections between the CSF-contacting and non-CSF-contacting neurons, and it carries out nervous crosstalk in the brain. The unique anatomical features of the CSF-contacting nucleus imply that it may be a key structure bridging the nervous-and humor- regulating systems. The connections between the CSF-contacting neurons and blood vessels and CSF have been described previously (Zhang et al., 2003). The projections that this nucleus receives from the central nervous system have not been described in detail, although the bidirectional synapses between CSF-contacting and non-CSF-contacting neurons have been previously observed in the parenchyma with electron microscopy (Liang et al., 2007). This study provides a systematic report of the projections the CSF-contacting nucleus receives from different diencephalic functional regions.

Our results indicate that the CSF-contacting nucleus receives extensive projections from three functional areas including 43 sub-regions of the diencephalon (Figure 10), which form the focus of several basic and clinical studies. Taking into account that some of these diencephalic functions have been described previously, the biological functions of the CSF-contacting nucleus may be predicted based on its connection patterns.

FIGURE 10
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 10. The schematic diagram of projections from functional areas in the diencephalon to the CSF-contacting nucleus. Among them, epithalamus contains three sub-regions, the hypothalamus contains 38 sub-regions, and subthalamus contains two sub-regions.

Functional Implications

Homeostasis Regulation

The CSF-contacting nucleus receives dense projections from the hypothalamus, which might participate in homeostasis modulation. The role of homeostasis, modulated by the nervous, fluid, and immune systems, is to maintain the coordinated function of organs and systems in life activities, and a healthy physiological equilibrium in a changing world (Burdakov, 2019). The hypothalamus is a key structure for homeostasis regulation such as ambient temperature, energy balance, water-electrolyte metabolism, and biological rhythm.

Energy Balance

It is well established that hypothalamic regions play an important role in the regulation of feeding behavior, which contributes to processes of energy homeostasis (Flier and Maratos-Flier, 1998; Elmquist et al., 1999). The relevant hypothalamic nuclei engaged in this function, including the Arc, DM, VMH, LH, Pa, and PM, have extensive projections to the CSF-contacting nucleus. Disruption of the VMH functions causes obesity, while disruption of the LH functions induces weight loss, suggesting the VMH as a “satiety” and the LH as a “feeding” center (Hoebel and Teitelbaum, 1962). The Arc nucleus is extremely important for appetite and energy expenditure (Wei et al., 2018). Other hypothalamic nuclei are also crucial for the regulation of energy balance (Denroche et al., 2016; Péterfi et al., 2018; Zhang et al., 2018).

Fluids

Hypothalamic nuclei, such as the SO, LH and PSTh, can modulate the fluid homeostasis and project extensively to the CSF-contacting nucleus. The SO can sense the plasma osmolality and stabilize it via the release of arginine vasopressin (AVP; Prager-Khoutorsky and Bourque, 2015; Sandgren et al., 2018). The LH is known for its essential role in regulating the drinking behavior to maintain the homeostasis of fluids (Kurt et al., 2019). The PSTh is anatomically linked to parabrachial regions and participates in regulating the appetite for salt (Shin et al., 2011).

Biological Rhythm

The hypothalamic SCh and SPa have connections to the CSF-contacting nucleus and can both modulate the biological rhythm. The SCh is known as a master brain clock controlling the circadian rhythms. Body activities synchronize the metabolism, cognition and various behaviors to the environmental day-night cycle (Mohawk et al., 2012). The SPa is also involved in circadian rhythm regulation. It is a hub structure that relays the circadian information from the SCh to other brain areas and finally controls the circadian rhythms of various physiological processes (Lu et al., 2001). Recently, the LHb in the epithalamus was confirmed to express clock genes involved in the regulation of circadian functions (Salaberry et al., 2019).

Visceral Activity

The hypothalamus is a higher center of visceral activity modulation. Activation of the hypothalamus can produce significant autonomic responses. Among the hypothalamic regions and nuclei that mediate the visceral activity regulation are the Pa, DM, VMH, VTM, PeF, PH and PSTh, which project extensively to the CSF-contacting nucleus. The Pa is regarded as an integrative region that modulates the sympathetic outflow and cardiovascular activity (Coote, 2005; Li et al., 2019). Electrical stimulation of the DM and PeF results in tachycardia in rats (López-Gonzalez et al., 2013). Lesions in the VMH can aggravate the gastric mucosal injury through the vagal nerve pathway (Sun H. et al., 2018). The VTM is a nucleus with a high density of histaminergic neurons and is involved in arterial pressure control. Electrical or chemical stimulation of the PH increases arterial pressure (Yamanaka et al., 2017), heart rate, and sympathetic nerve activity (Gao et al., 2016). The PSTh also participates in cardiovascular regulation (Ciriello et al., 2008).

Stress

The CSF-contacting nucleus receives input from hypothalamic Pa, SO and DA and may participate in stress. Stress responses activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, where Pa can release hormones, such as the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and AVP, that affect biological activities (Joseph and Whirledge, 2017). The SO also expresses AVP as well as other substances, such as oxytocin, in response to a wide variety of stressors (Neumann, 2007; Borrow et al., 2018). In rats, the DA neurons are activated during stress as illustrated by c-Fos expression (Sarkar et al., 2007), and DA neurons are involved in mediating stress-induced hyperthermia (Machado et al., 2018).

Emotion

Both the LHb and MHb in the epithalamus have strong projections to the CSF-contacting nucleus. Lesion and genetic studies in mice and zebrafish respectively showed neuron burst firing under depression, which can be significantly reversed with antidepressants (Kim et al., 2018). Deep brain stimulation of the STh in patients with Parkinson’s disease, improves anxiety and mood disorders (Eisenstein et al., 2014; Gourisankar et al., 2018). The hypothalamic VMH is involved in anxiety and is a target of anxiolytic substances (Jiang et al., 2018). Moreover, the DM regulates panic-related defensive behavior and produces escape behavior (de Bortoli et al., 2013).

Pain and Addiction

The CSF-contacting nucleus receives input from the Pa, SO, A11, ZI, and STh and may participate in pain modulation. The Pa is involved in visceral hypersensitivity as revealed by colorectal distension (CRD; Zhang et al., 2016; Tang et al., 2017). The Pa and SO synthesize and release oxytocin, which participates in neuropathic pain (Sun W. et al., 2018). The A11 hypothalamic nucleus regulates the trigeminal analgesia and migraine headache (Kagan et al., 2013; Abdallah et al., 2015). The ZI and STh are subthalamus structures. Many studies have confirmed the role of ZI in pain processing via different nociceptive pathways and various mechanisms (Trageser and Keller, 2004; Cavdar et al., 2006; Masri et al., 2009; Moon et al., 2016). The deep brain stimulation of the STh can produce significant improvement of overall pain in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (Oshima et al., 2012).

The epithalamus (MHb and LHb) and LH in the hypothalamus project to the CSF-contacting nucleus and may participate in drug addiction. The MHb plays a significant role in drug addiction, especially nicotine and opioid addiction because it contains a high density of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and μ opioid receptors (Fowler and Kenny, 2014; Gardon et al., 2014; Shih et al., 2014). However, the LHb correlates with the negative affective state after withdrawal from drug abuse (Mathis and Kenny, 2019). The LH is involved in drug-seeking behavior elicited by drug-associated stimuli.

Sleeping and Arousal

The CSF-contacting nucleus receives input from the LH, PeF, and ZI and may participate in sleeping and arousal. Different neuron types in the tuberomammillary nucleus and LH are implicated in the sleep/wakefulness regulation (Saito et al., 2018). The PeF receives inputs from circadian rhythm messages of the SCh to promote waking (Zhong et al., 2017). The stimulation of thalamic-ZI projections induce a sleep-like state (Liu et al., 2015), and a GABAergic subpopulation of neurons in the ZI can promote sleep (Liu K. et al., 2017).

In this study, we used a tract-tracing method to reveal the CSF-contacting nucleus input patterns from the diencephalon. The unique morphological feature of the CSF-contacting nucleus is that the somata are located in the brain parenchyma and can receive input from the above diencephalon areas; the processes can form synaptic and non-synaptic connections with non-CSF-contacting neurons, CSF, or plasma. Circuits forming between the diencephalon→CSF-contacting nucleus→non-CSF-contacting neurons may participate in the regulation of life activities via neuron-neuron crosstalk. Circuits that involve diencephalon→CSF-contacting nucleus→CSF/plasma may modulate physiological functions via neuron-fluid interactions. Based on the connections between the CSF-contacting nucleus and the diencephalon, we propose that the CSF-contacting nucleus participates in homeostasis regulation, visceral activity, stress, emotion, pain and addiction, sleeping and arousal, among others. Our study provides morphological evidence for further unveiling the significance of CSF-contacting nucleus in brain functions.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.

Ethics Statement

All animal experiments were approved by and performed in accordance with the guidelines of the Committee for Ethical Use of Laboratory Animals of Xuzhou Medical University.

Author Contributions

S-YS and L-CZ designed the study and prepared the manuscript. S-YS, YL, X-MZ, Y-HL, C-YB, C-JS, JH, and J-LC conducted the studies. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

Funding

This research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 81371243 and 81901131), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BK20190987) and Chinese Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 2018M642328).

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

We thank all members of the L-CZ group at Xuzhou Medical University.

References

Abdallah, K., Monconduit, L., Artola, A., Luccarini, P., and Dallel, R. (2015). GABAAergic inhibition or dopamine denervation of the A11 hypothalamic nucleus induces trigeminal analgesia. Pain 156, 644–655. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000091

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Borrow, A. P., Bales, N. J., Stover, S. A., and Handa, R. J. (2018). Chronic variable stress induces sex-specific alterations in social behavior and neuropeptide expression in the mouse. Endocrinology 159, 2803–2814. doi: 10.1210/en.2018-00217

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Burdakov, D. (2019). Reactive and predictive homeostasis: roles of orexin/hypocretin neurons. Neuropharmacology 154, 61–67. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.10.024

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Cavdar, S., Onat, F., Cakmak, Y. O., Saka, E., Yananli, H. R., and Aker, R. (2006). Connections of the zona incerta to the reticular nucleus of the thalamus in the rat. J. Anat. 209, 251–258. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2006.00600.x

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Ciriello, J., Solano-Flores, L. P., Rosas-Arellano, M. P., Kirouac, G. J., and Babic, T. (2008). Medullary pathways mediating the parasubthalamic nucleus depressor response. Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol. 294, R1276–R1284. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00437.2007

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Coote, J. H. (2005). A role for the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus in the autonomic control of heart and kidney. Exp. Physiol. 90, 169–173. doi: 10.1113/expphysiol.2004.029041

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

de Bortoli, V. C., Yamashita, P. S., and Zangrossi, H. Jr. (2013). 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor control of a panic-like defensive response in the rat dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus. J. Psychopharmacol. Oxford 27, 1116–1123. doi: 10.1177/0269881113492900

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Denroche, H. C., Glavas, M. M., Tuduri, E., Karunakaran, S., Quong, W. L., Philippe, M., et al. (2016). Disrupted leptin signaling in the lateral hypothalamus and ventral premammillary nucleus alters insulin and glucagon secretion and protects against diet-induced obesity. Endocrinology 157, 2671–2685. doi: 10.1210/en.2015-1998

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Eisenstein, S. A., Dewispelaere, W. B., Campbell, M. C., Lugar, H. M., Perlmutter, J. S., Black, K. J., et al. (2014). Acute changes in mood induced by subthalamic deep brain stimulation in Parkinson disease are modulated by psychiatric diagnosis. Brain Stimul. 7, 701–708. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2014.06.002

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Elmquist, J. K., Elias, C. F., and Saper, C. B. (1999). From lesions to leptin : hypothalamic control of food intake and body weight. Neuron 22, 221–232. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)81084-3

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Flier, J. S., and Maratos-Flier, E. (1998). Obesity and the hypothalamus: novel peptides for new pathways. Cell 92, 437–440. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)80937-x

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Fowler, C. D., and Kenny, P. J. (2014). Nicotine aversion: neurobiological mechanisms and relevance to tobacco dependence vulnerability. Neuropharmacology 76, 533–544. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.09.008

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Gao, H. R., Zhuang, Q. X., Li, B., Li, H. Z., Chen, Z. P., Wang, J. J., et al. (2016). Corticotropin releasing factor excites neurons of posterior hypothalamic nucleus to produce tachycardia in rats. Sci. Rep. 6:20206. doi: 10.1038/srep20206

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Gardon, O., Faget, L., Chu Sin Chung, P., Matifas, A., Massotte, D., and Kieffer, B. L. (2014). Expression of mu opioid receptor in dorsal diencephalic conduction system: new insights for the medial habenula. Neuroscience 277, 595–609. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.07.053

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Gourisankar, A., Eisenstein, S. A., Trapp, N. T., Koller, J. M., Campbell, M. C., Ushe, M., et al. (2018). Mapping movement, mood, motivation and mentation in the subthalamic nucleus. R. Soc. Open Sci. 5:171177. doi: 10.1098/rsos.171177

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Hikosaka, O. (2010). The habenula: from stress evasion to value-based decision-making. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 11, 503–513. doi: 10.1038/nrn2866

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Hoebel, B. G., and Teitelbaum, P. (1962). Hypothalamic control of feeding and self-stimulation. Science 135, 375–377. doi: 10.1126/science.135.3501.375

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Jiang, J. H., Peng, Y. L., Zhang, P. J., Xue, H. X., He, Z., Liang, X. Y., et al. (2018). The ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus plays an important role in anxiolytic-like effect of neuropeptide S. Neuropeptides 67, 36–44. doi: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.11.004

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Joseph, D. N., and Whirledge, S. (2017). Stress and the HPA axis: balancing homeostasis and fertility. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 18:E2224. doi: 10.3390/ijms18102224

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Kagan, R., Kainz, V., Burstein, R., and Noseda, R. (2013). Hypothalamic and basal ganglia projections to the posterior thalamus: possible role in modulation of migraine headache and photophobia. Neuroscience 248, 359–368. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.06.014

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Kim, D., Cheong, E., and Shin, H. S. (2018). Overcoming depression by inhibition of neural burst firing. Neuron 98, 878–879. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.05.032

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Kurt, G., Woodworth, H. L., Fowler, S., Bugescu, R., and Leinninger, G. M. (2019). Activation of lateral hypothalamic area neurotensin-expressing neurons promotes drinking. Neuropharmacology 154, 13–21. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.09.038

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Li, P., Jie, Y., YuGen, S., Yu, W., and Yan, S. (2019). High mobility group box-1 in hypothalamic paraventricular nuclei attenuates sympathetic tone in rats at post-myocardial infarction. Cardiol. J. 26, 555–563. doi: 10.5603/CJ.a2018.0117

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Liang, D., Zhang, L. C., Qin, C., and Zeng, Y. M. (2007). The ultrastructure of the distal CSF-contacting neurons in the dorsal raphe and the relationships with their surrounding tissues. Acta Anat. Sin. 38, 410–413. doi: 10.3321/j.issn:0529-1356.2007.04.007

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Liu, P. F., Fang, H. Z., Yang, Y., Zhang, Q. Q., Zhou, Q. Q., Chen, S. S., et al. (2017). Activation of P2X3 receptors in the cerebrospinal fluid-contacting nucleus neurons reduces formalin-induced pain behavior via PAG in a rat model. Neuroscience 358, 93–102. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.06.036

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Liu, K., Kim, J., Kim, D. W., Zhang, Y. S., Bao, H., Denaxa, M., et al. (2017). Lhx6-positive GABA-releasing neurons of the zona incerta promote sleep. Nature 548, 582–587. doi: 10.1038/nature23663

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Liu, J., Lee, H. J., Weitz, A. J., Fang, Z., Lin, P., Choy, M., et al. (2015). Frequency-selective control of cortical and subcortical networks by central thalamus. Elife 4:e09215. doi: 10.7554/elife.09215

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

López-Gonzalez, M. V., Díaz-Casares, A., Peinado-Aragonés, C. A., Lara, J. P., Barbancho, M. A., and Dawid-Milner, M. S. (2013). Neurons of the A5 region are required for the tachycardia evoked by electrical stimulation of the hypothalamic defence area in anaesthetized rats. Exp. Physiol. 98, 1279–1294. doi: 10.1113/expphysiol.2013.072538

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Lu, X., Geng, X., Zhang, L. C., and Zeng, Y. (2008). The methodology for labeling the distal cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons in rats. J. Neurosci. Methods 168, 98–103. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2007.09.033

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Lu, X. F., Li, Y. Y., Wang, C. G., Wei, J. Q., Ye, Y., Zhang, L. C., et al. (2011). Substance P in the cerebrospinal fluid-contacting nucleus contributes to morphine physical dependence in rats. Neurosci. Lett. 488, 188–192. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2010.11.026

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Lu, J., Zhang, Y. H., Chou, T. C., Gaus, S. E., Elmquist, J. K., Shiromani, P., et al. (2001). Contrasting effects of ibotenate lesions of the paraventricular nucleus and subparaventricular zone on sleep-wake cycle and temperature regulation. J. Neurosci. 21, 4864–4874. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.21-13-04864.2001

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Machado, N. L. S., Abbott, S. B. G., Resch, J. M., Zhu, L., Arrigoni, E., Lowell, B. B., et al. (2018). A glutamatergic hypothalamomedullary circuit mediates thermogenesis, but not heat conservation, during stress-induced hyperthermia. Curr. Biol. 28, 2291.e5–2301.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.05.064

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Masri, R., Quiton, R. L., Lucas, J. M., Murray, P. D., Thompson, S. M., and Keller, A. (2009). Zona incerta: a role in central pain. J. Neurophysiol. 102, 181–191. doi: 10.1152/jn.00152.2009

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Mathis, V., and Kenny, P. J. (2019). From controlled to compulsive drug-taking: the role of the habenula in addiction. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 106, 102–111. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.018

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Mitrofanis, J. (2005). Some certainty for the “zone of uncertainty”? Exploring the function of the zona incerta. Neuroscience 130, 1–15. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2004.08.017

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Mohawk, J. A., Green, C. B., and Takahashi, J. S. (2012). Central and peripheral circadian clocks in mammals. Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 35, 445–462. doi: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-060909-153128

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Moon, H. C., Lee, Y. J., Cho, C. B., and Park, Y. S. (2016). Suppressed GABAergic signaling in the zona incerta causes neuropathic pain in a thoracic hemisection spinal cord injury rat model. Neurosci. Lett. 632, 55–61. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.08.035

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Neumann, I. D. (2007). Stimuli and consequences of dendritic release of oxytocin within the brain. Biochem. Soc. Trans. 35, 1252–1257. doi: 10.1042/bst0351252

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Oshima, H., Katayama, Y., Morishita, T., Sumi, K., Otaka, T., Kobayashi, K., et al. (2012). Subthalamic nucleus stimulation for attenuation of pain related to Parkinson disease. J. Neurosurg. 116, 99–106. doi: 10.3171/2011.7.JNS11158

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Paxinos, G., and Watson, C. (2007). The Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates. 6th Edn. Amsterdam; Boston: Academic Press/Elsevier.

Google Scholar

Péterfi, Z., Farkas, I., Denis, R. G. P., Farkas, E., Uchigashima, M., Füzesi, T., et al. (2018). Endocannabinoid and nitric oxide systems of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus mediate effects of NPY on energy expenditure. Mol. Metab. 18, 120–133. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2018.08.007

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Prager-Khoutorsky, M., and Bourque, C. W. (2015). Mechanical basis of osmosensory transduction in magnocellular neurosecretory neurones of the rat supraoptic nucleus. J. Neuroendocrinol. 27, 507–515. doi: 10.1111/jne.12270

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Proulx, C. D., Hikosaka, O., and Malinow, R. (2014). Reward processing by the lateral habenula in normal and depressive behaviors. Nat. Neurosci. 17, 1146–1152. doi: 10.1038/nn.3779

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Saito, Y. C., Maejima, T., Nishitani, M., Hasegawa, E., Yanagawa, Y., Mieda, M., et al. (2018). Monoamines inhibit GABAergic neurons in ventrolateral preoptic area that make direct synaptic connections to hypothalamic arousal neurons. J. Neurosci. 38, 6366–6378. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.2835-17.2018

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Salaberry, N. L., Hamm, H., Felder-Schmittbuhl, M. P., and Mendoza, J. (2019). A suprachiasmatic-independent circadian clock(s) in the habenula is affected by Per gene mutations and housing light conditions in mice. Brain Struct. Funct. 224, 19–31. doi: 10.1007/s00429-018-1756-4

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Sandgren, J. A., Linggonegoro, D. W., Zhang, S. Y., Sapouckey, S. A., Claflin, K. E., Pearson, N. A., et al. (2018). Angiotensin AT1A receptors expressed in vasopressin-producing cells of the supraoptic nucleus contribute to osmotic control of vasopressin. Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol. 314, R770–R780. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00435.2017

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Sarkar, S., Zaretskaia, M. V., Zaretsky, D. V., Moreno, M., and DiMicco, J. A. (2007). Stress- and lipopolysaccharide-induced c-fos expression and nNOS in hypothalamic neurons projecting to medullary raphe in rats: a triple immunofluorescent labeling study. Eur. J. Neurosci. 26, 2228–2238. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2007.05843.x

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Shih, P. Y., Engle, S. E., Oh, G., Deshpande, P., Puskar, N. L., Lester, H. A., et al. (2014). Differential expression and function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in subdivisions of medial habenula. J. Neurosci. 34, 9789–9802. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.0476-14.2014

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Shin, J. W., Geerling, J. C., Stein, M. K., Miller, R. L., and Loewy, A. D. (2011). FoxP2 brainstem neurons project to sodium appetite regulatory sites. J. Chem. Neuroanat. 42, 1–23. doi: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2011.05.003

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Song, S. Y., Li, Y. H., Bao, C. Y., Li, Y., Yin, P. C., Hong, J., et al. (2019). Stereotaxic coordinates and morphological characterization of a unique nucleus (CSF-contacting nucleus) in rat. Front. Neuroanat. 13:47. doi: 10.3389/fnana.2019.00047

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Song, S. Y., and Zhang, L. C. (2018). The establishment of a CSF-contacting nucleus “knockout” model animal. Front. Neuroanat. 12:22. doi: 10.3389/fnana.2018.00022

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Sun, H., Zhao, P., Liu, W., Li, L., Ai, H., and Ma, X. (2018). Ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus in regulation of stress-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Sci. Rep. 8:10170. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-28456-0

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Sun, W., Zhou, Q., Ba, X., Feng, X., Hu, X., Cheng, X., et al. (2018). Oxytocin relieves neuropathic pain through GABA release and presynaptic TRPV1 inhibition in spinal cord. Front. Mol. Neurosci. 11:248. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00248

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Tang, H. L., Zhang, G., Ji, N. N., Du, L., Chen, B. B., Hua, R., et al. (2017). Toll-like receptor 4 in paraventricular nucleus mediates visceral hypersensitivity induced by maternal separation. Front. Pharmacol. 8:309. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00309

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Telkes, I., Viswanathan, A., Jimenez-Shahed, J., Abosch, A., Ozturk, M., Gupte, A., et al. (2018). Local field potentials of subthalamic nucleus contain electrophysiological footprints of motor subtypes of Parkinson’s disease. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A 115, E8567–E8576. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1810589115

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Trageser, J. C., and Keller, A. (2004). Reducing the uncertainty: gating of peripheral inputs by zona incerta. J. Neurosci. 24, 8911–8915. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.3218-04.2004

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wang, X. Y., Yan, W. W., Zhang, X. L., Liu, H., and Zhang, L. C. (2014). ASIC3 in the cerebrospinal fluid-contacting nucleus of brain parenchyma contributes to inflammatory pain in rats. Neurol. Res. 36, 270–275. doi: 10.1179/1743132813y.0000000297

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Watabe-Uchida, M., Zhu, L., Ogawa, S. K., Vamanrao, A., and Uchida, N. (2012). Whole-brain mapping of direct inputs to midbrain dopamine neurons. Neuron 74, 858–873. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2012.03.017

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wei, Q., Krolewski, D. M., Moore, S., Kumar, V., and Akil, H. (2018). Uneven balance of power between hypothalamic peptidergic neurons in the control of feeding. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A 115, E9489–E9498. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1802237115

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wu, Y. H., Song, S. Y., Liu, H., Xing, D., Wang, X., Fei, Y., et al. (2015). Role of adrenomedullin in the cerebrospinal fluid-contacting nucleus in the modulation of immobilization stress. Neuropeptides 51, 43–54. doi: 10.1016/j.npep.2015.03.007

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Xing, D., Wu, Y., Li, G., Song, S., Liu, Y., Liu, H., et al. (2015). Role of cerebrospinal fluid-contacting nucleus in sodium sensing and sodium appetite. Physiol. Behav. 147, 291–299. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.04.034

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Yamanaka, K., Gouraud, S. S., Takagishi, M., Kohsaka, A., Maeda, M., and Waki, H. (2017). Evidence for a histaminergic input from the ventral tuberomammillary nucleus to the solitary tract nucleus involved in arterial pressure regulation. Physiol. Rep. 5:e13095. doi: 10.14814/phy2.13095

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhang, G., Yu, L., Chen, Z. Y., Zhu, J. S., Hua, R., Qin, X., et al. (2016). Activation of corticotropin-releasing factor neurons and microglia in paraventricular nucleus precipitates visceral hypersensitivity induced by colorectal distension in rats. Brain Behav. Immun. 55, 93–104. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.12.022

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhang, N., Yang, L., Guo, L., and Bi, S. (2018). Activation of dorsomedial hypothalamic neurons promotes physical activity and decreases food intake and body weight in zucker fatty rats. Front. Mol. Neurosci. 11:179. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00179

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhang, L. C., Zeng, Y. M., Ting, J., Cao, J. P., and Wang, M. S. (2003). The distributions and signaling directions of the cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons in the parenchyma of a rat brain. Brain Res. 989, 1–8. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(03)03123-8

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhong, H., Tong, L., Gu, N., Gao, F., Lu, Y., Xie, R. G., et al. (2017). Endocannabinoid signaling in hypothalamic circuits regulates arousal from general anesthesia in mice. J. Clin. Invest. 127, 2295–2309. doi: 10.1172/jci91038

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhou, Q. Q., Chen, S. S., Zhang, Q. Q., Liu, P. F., Fang, H. Z., Yang, Y., et al. (2017). Cerebrospinal fluid-contacting nucleus mediates nociception via release of fractalkine. Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 50:e6275. doi: 10.1590/1414-431x20176275

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Keywords: CSF-contacting nucleus, diencephalon, thalamus, projection, retrograde trace

Citation: Song S-Y, Li Y, Zhai X-M, Li Y-H, Bao C-Y, Shan C-J, Hong J, Cao J-L and Zhang L-C (2020) Monosynaptic Input Mapping of Diencephalic Projections to the Cerebrospinal Fluid-Contacting Nucleus in the Rat. Front. Neuroanat. 14:7. doi: 10.3389/fnana.2020.00007

Received: 25 December 2019; Accepted: 13 February 2020;
Published: 28 February 2020.

Edited by:

Yun-Qing Li, Fourth Military Medical University, China

Reviewed by:

Xu-Feng Huang, University of Wollongong, Australia
Adhil Bhagwandin, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Copyright © 2020 Song, Li, Zhai, Li, Bao, Shan, Hong, Cao and Zhang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Li-Cai Zhang, bGljYWl6aGFuZzAwMUAxNjMuY29t

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.