Name: culture of neurospheres derived from the neurogenic niches in adult prairie voles
Uploaded: 2020-06-10T14:45:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Culture of Neurospheres Derived from the Neurogenic Niches in Adult Prairie Voles at JoVE.com

This research was supported by grants CONACYT 252756 and 253631; UNAM-DGAPA-PAPIIT IN202818 and IN203518; INPER 2018-1-163, and NIH P51OD11132. We thank Deisy Gasca, Carlos Lozano, Mart&#237;n Garc&#237;a, Alejandra Castilla, Nidia Hernandez, Jessica Norris and Susana Castro for their excellent technical assistance.

The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Instituto de Neurobiolog&#237;a, Universidad Nacional Aut&#243;noma de M&#233;xico, Mexico and Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia (2018-1-163). The reproduction, care and humane endpoints of the animals were established following the Official Mexican Standard (NOM-062-Z00-1999) based on the &#8220;Ley General de Salud en Materia de Investigaci&#243;n para la Salud&#8221; (General Health Law for Health Research) of the Mexican Secretaria of Health.
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<ol>
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A stage to obtain a neural stem cell culture is the digestion period with the enzymatic solution, which should not exceed more than 30 min because it might decrease cell viability. The neurospheres should emerge at 8-10 days after initial culture; if they do not emerge by day 12, discard the culture and repeat the experiment, reducing the digestion period. Another issue is the blood vessels that cover the brain tissue. They should be completely removed during the dissection because the excess of erythrocytes can interfer...

The prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), a member of the Cricetidae family, is a small mammal whose life strategy develops as a socially monogamous and highly sociable species. Both males and females establish an enduring pair bond after mating or long periods of cohabitation characterized by sharing the nest, defending their territory, and displaying biparental care for their progeny1,2,3,4. Thus, the prairie vole is a valuable model for understanding the neurobiological basis of socio-sexual behavior and impairments in social cognition5.
Adult neurogenesis is one of the most paramount processes of neural plasticity that leads to behavioral changes. For example, our research group reported in male voles that social cohabitation with mating increased cell proliferation in the subventricular zone (VZ) and subgranular zone in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, suggesting that adult neurogenesis can play a role in the formation of pair bonding induced by mating in prairie voles (unpublished data). On the other hand, although the brain regions where new neurons are generated and integrated are well known, the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in these processes remain undetermined due to technical drawbacks in the whole brain model6. For instance, the signaling pathways controlling gene expression and other cellular activities have a relatively short activation period (detection of phosphoproteome)7. One alternative model is isolated and cultured adult neural stem cells or progenitor cells to elucidate molecular components involved in adult neurogenesis.
The first approach to maintain in vitro neural precursors from adult mammal (mouse) brain was the assay of neurospheres, which are cellular aggregates growing under non-adherent conditions which preserve their multipotent potential to generate neurons, as well as astrocytes8,9,10. During their development, there is a selection process where only the precursors will respond to mitogens such as the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) to proliferate and generate neurospheres8,9,10.
To our knowledge, no protocol is reported in the literature to obtain adult neural progenitors from prairie voles. Here, we established the culture conditions to isolate neuronal progenitors from neurogenic niches and their in vitro maintenance through the neurosphere formation assay. Thus, experiments can be designed to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in proliferation, migration, differentiation and survival of the neural stem cells and progenitors, processes that are still unknown in the prairie vole. Moreover, elucidating in vitro differences in the properties of the cells derived from the VZ and DG could provide information about the role of neurogenic niches in neural plasticity associated with changes in socio-sexual behavior and cognitive behaviors, and deficits in social interactions (autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia), which could also be sex-dependent.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibodies</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Antibody ID</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Nestin</td>
			<td>GeneTex</td>
			<td>GTX30671</td>
			<td>RRID:AB_625325</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Doublecortin</td>
			<td>MERCK</td>
			<td>AB2253</td>
			<td>RRID:AB_1586992</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Ki67</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab66155</td>
			<td>RRID:AB_1140752</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-MAP2</td>
			<td>GeneTex</td>
			<td>GTX50810</td>
			<td>RRID:AB_11170769</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-GFAP</td>
			<td>SIGMA</td>
			<td>G3893</td>
			<td>RRID:AB_477010</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat Anti-Mouse Alexa Fluor 488</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A-11029</td>
			<td>RRID:AB_2534088</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat Anti-Rabbit Alexa Fluor 568</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A-11036</td>
			<td>RRID:AB_10563566</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat Anti-Guinea Pig Alexa Fluor 488</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A-11073</td>
			<td>RRID:AB_2534117</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Culture reagents</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibiotic-Antimycotic</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific/Gibco</td>
			<td>15240062</td>
			<td>100X</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>B-27 supplement</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific/Gibco</td>
			<td>17504044</td>
			<td>50X</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagenase, Type IV</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific/Gibco</td>
			<td>17104019</td>
			<td>Powder</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dispase</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific/Gibco</td>
			<td>17105041</td>
			<td>Powder</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM/F12, HEPES</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific/Gibco</td>
			<td>11330032</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glucose</td>
			<td>any brand</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Powder, Cell Culture Grade</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GlutaMAX</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific/Gibco</td>
			<td>35050061</td>
			<td>100X</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES</td>
			<td>any brand</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Powder, Cell Culture Grade</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse Laminin</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>354232</td>
			<td>1 mg/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N-2 supplement</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific/Gibco</td>
			<td>17502048</td>
			<td>100X</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NAHCO3</td>
			<td>any brand</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Powder, Suitable for Cell Culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Neurobasal</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific/Gibco</td>
			<td>21103049</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific/Gibco</td>
			<td>10010023</td>
			<td>1X</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly-L-ornithine hydrobromide</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P3655</td>
			<td>Powder</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Recombinant Human EGF</td>
			<td>Peprotech</td>
			<td>AF-100-15</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Recombinant Human FGF-basic</td>
			<td>Peprotech</td>
			<td>AF-100-18B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>StemPro Accutase Cell Dissociation Reagent</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific/Gibco</td>
			<td>A1110501</td>
			<td>100 mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Disposable material</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24-well Clear Flat Bottom Ultra-Low Attachment Multiple Well Plates</td>
			<td>Corning/Costar</td>
			<td>3473</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24-well Clear TC-treated Multiple Well Plates</td>
			<td>Corning/Costar</td>
			<td>3526</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>40 &#181;m Cell Strainer</td>
			<td>Corning/Falcon</td>
			<td>352340</td>
			<td>Blue</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bottle Top Vacuum Filter, 0.22 &#181;m pore</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>431118</td>
			<td>PES membrane, 45 mm diameter neck</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Non-Pyrogenic Sterile Centrifuge Tube</td>
			<td>any brand</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>with conical bottom</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Non-Pyrogenic sterile tips of 1,000 &#181;l, 200 &#181;l and 10 &#181;l.</td>
			<td>any brand</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile cotton gauzes</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile microcentrifuge tubes of 1.5 mL</td>
			<td>any brand</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile serological pipettes of 5, 10 and 25 mL</td>
			<td>any brand</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile surgical gloves</td>
			<td>any brand</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe Filters, 0.22 &#181;m pore</td>
			<td>Merk Millipore</td>
			<td>SLGPR33RB</td>
			<td>Polyethersulfone (PES) membrane, 33 mm diameter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Equipment and surgical instruments</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biological safety cabinet</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissecting Scissors</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont Forceps</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Motorized Pipet Filler/Dispenser</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micropipettes</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Petri Dishes</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scalpel Blades</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stainless-steel Spatula</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

culture of neurospheres derived from the neurogenic niches in adult prairie voles

Neurospheres are primary cell aggregates that comprise neural stem cells and progenitor cells. These 3D structures are an excellent tool to determine the differentiation and proliferation potential of neural stem cells, as well as to generate cell lines than can be assayed over time. Also, neurospheres can create a niche (in vitro) that allows the modeling of the dynamic changing environment, such as varying growth factors, hormones, neurotransmitters, among others. Microtus ochrogaster (prairie vole) is a unique model for understanding the neurobiological basis of socio-sexual behaviors and social cognition. However, the cellular mechanisms involved in these behaviors are not well known. The protocol aims to obtain neural progenitor cells from the neurogenic niches of the adult prairie vole, which are cultured under non-adherent conditions, to generate neurospheres. The size and number of neurospheres depend on the region (subventricular zone or dentate gyrus) and sex of the prairie vole. This method is a remarkable tool to study sex-dependent differences in neurogenic niches in vitro and the neuroplasticity changes associated with social behaviors such as pair bonding and biparental care. Also, cognitive conditions that entail deficits in social interactions (autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia) could be examined.

Neurospheres were formed from neural stem cells isolated from the VZ and DG of both female and male adult prairie voles. About 8-10 days after starting the culture, cells should have formed the neurospheres. Note that the plate may contain debris in the primary culture (Figure 3A). However, in passage 1 the culture should only consist of neurospheres (Figure 3B).
A higher number of neurospheres were obtained from the female VZ as comp...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Culture of Neurospheres Derived from the Neurogenic Niches in Adult Prairie Voles at JoVE.com

Culture of Neurospheres Derived from the Neurogenic Niches in Adult Prairie Voles

We established the conditions to culture neural progenitor cells from the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus of the adult brain of prairie voles, as a complementary in vitro study, to analyze the sex-dependent differences between neurogenic niches that could be part of functional plastic changes associated with social behaviors.

Neurospheres are primary cell aggregates that comprise neural stem cells and progenitor cells. These 3D structures are an excellent tool to determine the ...

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Neuroscience

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