Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.13.249615v1?rss=1 Authors: Lesnikova, A., Casarotto, P. C., Fred, M. S., Voipio, M., Winkel, F., Steinzeig, A., Antila, H., Umemori, J., Biojone, C., Castren, E. Abstract: Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are an extracellular matrix structure rich in chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) which preferentially encase parvalbumin-containing (PV+) interneurons. PNNs restrict cortical network plasticity but the molecular mechanisms involved are unclear. We found that reactivation of ocular dominance plasticity in the adult visual cortex induced by chondroitinase (chABC)-mediated PNN removal requires intact TRKB signaling in PV+ neurons. Additionally, we demonstrate that chABC increases TRKB phosphorylation (pTRKB), while PNN component aggrecan attenuates BDNF-induced pTRKB in cortical neurons in culture. We further found that protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma (PTP{sigma}, PTPRS), receptor for CSPGs, interacts with TRKB and restricts TRKB phosphorylation. PTP{sigma} deletion increases phosphorylation of TRKB in vivo and in vitro, and juvenile-like plasticity is retained in the visual cortex of adult PTP{sigma} deficient mice (PTP{sigma}+/-). The antidepressant drug fluoxetine, which is known to promote TRKB phosphorylation and reopen critical period-like plasticity in the adult brain, disrupts the interaction between TRKB and PTP{sigma} by binding to the transmembrane domain of TRKB. We propose that both chABC and fluoxetine reopen critical period-like plasticity in the adult visual cortex by promoting TRKB signaling in PV+ neurons through inhibition of TRKB dephosphorylation by the PTP{sigma}-CSPG complex. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info