SEROTONIN 5-HT2A RECEPTORS ARE EXPRESSED ON PYRAMIDAL CELLS AND INTERNEURONS IN THE RAT CORTEX

The distribution of 5-HT2A receptors in rat cortex was evaluated using newly developed antibodies. Each of three antibodies tested identifie d an identical pattern of 5-HT2A-like immunoreactivity (5-HT2A-li) in rat cortex with 5-HT2A-li showing a widespread distribution. The major ity of 5-HT2A-li cells displayed a pyramidal morphology. While a minor ity, some cortical neurons with a bipolar morphology displayed 5-HT2A- li as well. Dual-label fluorescence confocal microscopic studies with a 5-HT2A antibody and a mouse monoclonal antibody to parvalbumin, a ma rker of a subset of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons i n the cortex, demonstrated that although some cells expressing 5-HT2A- li were interneurons, most were not. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.