Name: ballistic labeling of pyramidal neurons in brain slices and in primary cell culture
Uploaded: 2020-04-02T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Ballistic Labeling of Pyramidal Neurons in Brain Slices and in Primary Cell Culture at JoVE.com

This work was funded by NIH grants HD043680, MH106392, DA013137, and NS100624.

All animal protocols were reviewed and approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of South Carolina (federal assurance number: D16-00028).
1. Preparation of DiI/Tungsten bead tubing
<ol>
	<li>Dissolve 100 mg of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with 10 mL of ddH2O. Vortex the PVP solution lightly.</li>
	<li>Fill the tubing with the PVP solution (see Table of Materials) and leave it for 20 min. Then, expel the PVP solution through the other end of the...

<ol>
	<li>Gan, W. B., Grutzendler, J., Wong, W. T., Wong, R. O., Lichtman, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multicolor+"DiOlistic"+labeling+of+the+nervous+system+using+lipophilic+dye+combinations.">Multicolor "DiOlistic" labeling of the nervous system using lipophilic dye combinations.</a> Neuron. 27, 219-225 (2000).</li><li>Gan, W. B., Grutzendler, J., Wong, R. O., Lichtman, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ballistic+delivery+of+dyes+for+structural+and+functional+studies+of+the+nervous+system.">Ballistic delivery of dyes for structural and functional studies of the nervous system.</a> Cold Spring Harbor Protocol. 2009 (4), 5202 (2009).</li><li>Seabold, G. K., Daunais, J. B., Rau, A., Grant, K. A., Alvarez, V. 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I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Total+number+and+distribution+of+inhibitory+and+excitatory+synapses+on+hippocampal+CA1+pyramidal+cells.">Total number and distribution of inhibitory and excitatory synapses on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells.</a> Neuroscience. 102, 527-540 (2001).</li><li>Peters, A., Kaiserman-Abramof, I. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+small+pyramidal+neuron+of+the+rat+cerebral+cortex.+The+perikaryon,+dendrites+and+spines.">The small pyramidal neuron of the rat cerebral cortex. The perikaryon, dendrites and spines.</a> American Journal of Anatomy. 127, 321-355 (1970).</li><li>Harris, K. 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A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synaptic+connectivity+in+medium+spiny+neurons+of+the+nucleus+accumbens:+A+sex-dependent+mechanism+underlying+apathy+in+the+HIV-1+transgenic+rat.">Synaptic connectivity in medium spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens: A sex-dependent mechanism underlying apathy in the HIV-1 transgenic rat.</a> Frontiers in Behavior Neurosciences. 12, 285 (2018).</li><li>Roscoe, R. F., Mactutus, C. F., Booze, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=HIV-1+transgenic+female+rat:+synaptodendritic+alterations+of+medium+spiny+neurons+in+the+nucleus+accumbens.">HIV-1 transgenic female rat: synaptodendritic alterations of medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens.</a> Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology. 9 (5), 642-653 (2014).</li><li>Li, H., Aksenova, M., Bertrand, S. J., Mactutus, C. F., Booze, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantification+of+Filamentous+Actin+(F-actin)+Puncta+in+Rat+Cortical+Neurons.">Quantification of Filamentous Actin (F-actin) Puncta in Rat Cortical Neurons.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (108), e53697 (2016).</li><li>Rodriguez, A., Ehlenberger, D. B., Dickstein, D. L., Hof, P. R., Wearne, S. 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In this protocol, we describe a versatile labeling technique for neurons from both rat brain and those grown in vitro. Furthermore, we report the methodology for utilizing neuronal reconstruction software and neuronal reconstruction quantitative analysis software to assess neuronal morphology and dendritic spines. The assessment of neuronal morphology and dendritic spines provides an opportunity to determine alterations in dendritic branching complexity, neuronal arbor complexity, dendritic spine morphology, and synaptic...

In 2000, Gan et al. described a rapid labeling technique for individual neurons and glia in the nervous system that combined various lipophilic dyes, allowing for the simultaneous labeling of many brain cells with different colors1,2. More recently, a ballistic labeling technique was described by Seabold et al.3 that introduced fluorescent dyes (Dil) into the neurons of brain slices. A versatile staining technique, ballistic labeling is appreciated for its ability to be utilized in multiple animal species and across a wide range of ages. Furthermore, it can be combined with immunostaining to identify subpopulations of brain cells3. Compared with traditional techniques (e.g., Golgi-Cox silver impregnation, microinjection)4, ballistic labeling affords an opportunity to more clearly distinguish morphological characteristics, including dendritic spines, a feature that is critical for drawing inferences about neuronal complexity and synaptic connectivity5.
Excitatory pyramidal neurons are characterized by a single, large apical dendrite, multiple shorter basal dendrites, and thousands of dendritic spines6. Pyramidal neurons are found in multiple brain regions related to higher order cognitive processing, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus. In the PFC, pyramidal neurons are observed in layers II/III and layer V, with each exhibiting unique morphology. Specifically, pyramidal neurons in layer II/III of the PFC have a shorter apical dendrite and less branching than pyramidal neurons in layer V6. Within the hippocampus, pyramidal neurons are located in both the CA1 and CA3 regions, with each displaying distinct morphologies. Specifically, pyramidal neurons in the CA1 region exhibit a more distinctive apical dendrite, with branching occurring farther from the soma, relative to the CA3 region6.
Dendritic spines on pyramidal neurons in both the PFC and hippocampus are the primary site of excitatory synapses7. Morphological characteristics of dendritic spines, which are classically characterized into three primary categories (i.e., thin, stubby, or mushroom8), have been related to the size of the excitatory synapse9. Thin spines, characterized by a long, thin neck, small bulbous head, and smaller postsynaptic densities, are more unstable and develop weaker connections. However, mushroom spines, which have a larger dendritic spine head, are recognized for forming stronger synaptic connections, an effect resulting from their larger size. In sharp contrast, stubby spines are devoid of a spine neck, exhibiting an approximately equal head and neck volume ratio8. Within the hippocampus, branched spines may also be observed, whereby the spine has multiple heads that emerge from the same dendritic spine neck10. Therefore, the morphological changes of dendritic spines could reflect functionality and structural capacity. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that the size and shape of dendritic spines relates to their structural plasticity, leading to the idea that small spines are involved in learning and attention, whereas larger, more stable spines, are involved in long-term processes, including memory11. Additionally, the distribution of dendritic spines along the dendrite may be associated with synaptic connectivity5,12.
Thus, the present methodological paper has three goals: 1) Present our protocol for ballistic labeling, which has been utilized with a success rate (i.e., neurons meeting selection criteria and appropriate for analysis) of 83.3%5,12,13 and across multiple brain regions (i.e., PFC, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus); 2) Demonstrate the generalizability of the technique and its application to neurons grown in vitro; 3) Detail the methodology utilized in neuronal reconstruction software and the inferences that can be drawn from such data.

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	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:296px;">20Gx25mm PrecisionGlide needle</td>
			<td style="width:263px;">BD</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">305175</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">24-well cell culture plate</td>
			<td>Costar</td>
			<td>3562</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">35 mm Glass Bottom Dishes</td>
			<td>MatTek Corporation</td>
			<td>P35G-1.5-20-C</td>
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			<td>50X</td>
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			<td>BIO-RAD</td>
			<td>165-2417</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Borax</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>B9876</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Boric acid</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>B0252</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Cartridge holder</td>
			<td>BIO-RAD</td>
			<td>165-2426</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:296px;">Confocal imaging software</td>
			<td style="width:263px;">Nikon</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">EZ-C1</td>
			<td>version 3.81b</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:296px;">Confocal microscope</td>
			<td style="width:263px;">Nikon</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">TE-2000E</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Cover glass</td>
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			<td>637-137</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">DilC18(3)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>D282</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">DMEM/F12 medium</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>10565-018</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Dumont #5 Forceps</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>14095</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Dumont #7 Forceps</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>14097</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:296px;">F344 rat</td>
			<td style="width:263px;">(Harlan Laboratories, Indianapolis, IN)</td>
			<td style="width:143px;"></td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Glucose</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>101174Y</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">GlutaMax</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>35050-061</td>
			<td>100X</td>
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			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>H4641</td>
			<td>10X</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Helios diffusion screens</td>
			<td>BIO-RAD</td>
			<td>165-2475</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Helios gene gun kit</td>
			<td>BIO-RAD</td>
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			<td>BIO-RAD</td>
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			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
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			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>D150-1</td>
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			<td>Life Technologies</td>
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			<td style="width:263px;">mbf bioscience</td>
			<td style="width:143px;"></td>
			<td>dendritic spine analysis</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>158127-500G</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P6148</td>
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			<td>P9155</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Polyvinylpyrrolidone</td>
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			<td>5295</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">ProLong Gold antifade reagent</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>P36930</td>
			<td>mounting medium</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Rat brain matrix, 300 - 600g, Coronal, 0.5mm</td>
			<td>Ted Pella</td>
			<td>15047</td>
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</table>

ballistic labeling of pyramidal neurons in brain slices and in primary cell culture

It has been reported that the size and shape of dendritic spines is related to their structural plasticity. To identify the morphological structure of pyramidal neurons and dendritic spines, a ballistic labeling technique can be utilized. In the present protocol, pyramidal neurons are labeled with DilC18(3) dye and analyzed using neuronal reconstruction software to assess neuronal morphology and dendritic spines. To investigate neuronal structure, dendritic branching analysis and Sholl analysis are performed, allowing researchers to draw inferences about dendritic branching complexity and neuronal arbor complexity, respectively. The evaluation of dendritic spines is conducted using an automatic assisted classification algorithm integral to the reconstruction software, which classifies spines into four categories (i.e., thin, mushroom, stubby, filopodia). Furthermore, an additional three parameters (i.e., length, head diameter, and volume) are also chosen to assess alterations in dendritic spine morphology. To validate the potential of wide application of the ballistic labeling technique, pyramidal neurons from in vitro cell culture were successfully labeled. Overall, the ballistic labeling method is unique and useful for visualizing neurons in different brain regions in rats, which in combination with sophisticated reconstruction software, allows researchers to elucidate the possible mechanisms underlying neurocognitive dysfunction.

In Figure 2A, the typical pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal region in the rat brain sections were identified by ballistic labeling technology, characterized by one large apical dendrite and several smaller basal dendrites around the soma. Figure 2B shows the neuron in the neuronal reconstruction quantitative analysis software after the soma was detected, dendritic branches were traced, and spines were detected. Subsequently, the data were analyzed using neuro...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Ballistic Labeling of Pyramidal Neurons in Brain Slices and in Primary Cell Culture at JoVE.com

Ballistic Labeling of Pyramidal Neurons in Brain Slices and in Primary Cell Culture

We present a protocol to label and analyze pyramidal neurons, which is critical for evaluating potential morphological alterations in neurons and dendritic spines that may underlie neurochemical and behavioral abnormalities.

It has been reported that the size and shape of dendritic spines is related to their structural plasticity. To identify the morphological structure of ...

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