Die Autoren bedanken sich die ursprüngliche Quelle für die Idee zu schneiden Kultur auf Maus-Embryonen 5 durchführen. Wir möchten Joachim Kirsch für die großzügige wissenschaftliche Unterstützung und Anna Degen anerkennen für die Tätigkeit als unser Mädchen für alles bei den Dreharbeiten. Und der Universität Heidelberg (Exzellenzcluster Cellular Networks): Diese Arbeit wurde von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (Sonderforschungsbereich 488, Teilprojekt B7/B9 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) gefördert.

Teil 1: Vorbereitung für das Schneiden und Kultivieren. <ol><li> Bereiten 10-cm-Zellkulturplatten mit Slicing (DMEM, 25% 1x HBSS, 25% fötalem Rinderserum, 0,5% Glucose, 1 mM Glutamin, 2,5 mM HEPES, pH 7,3) und 3-cm Millicell-CM 0,4-um Kultur Membran-Einsätze und halten in Brutschrank bei 37 ° C und 5% CO 2. </li><li> Hitze bis 4% Agarose für niedrigen Schmelzpunkt in PBS in der Mikrowelle und lassen Sie ihn auf Heizplatte, so dass es bei etwa 37 ° C bleibt </li><li> Füllen Sie 10-cm bakteriologischen Petrischalen mit PBS (140 mM NaCl, 2,7 mM KCl, 10 mM Na 2 HPO 4, 1,8 KH 2 PO 4) und auf Eis stellen. </li><li> Set up Mikrotom Kühleinrichtung oder sicherzustellen, dass Pufferwanne und Kühlelemente in den Gefrierschrank zur Vorkühlung es gespeichert. </li></ol> Teil 2: Embryo-Einbettung. <ol><li> Dissect Embryonen aus der Gebärmutter und untersuchen sie mit einem invertierten Fluoreszenzmikroskop für GFP-Expression zu überprüfen. </li><li> Legen Embryonen auf eine invertierte 10-cm-Petrischale und orientieren sie mit Whatman Papierstreifen übermäßigen PBS zu entfernen. </li><li> Bewerben Agarose auf den Embryo, um es in dieser Position zu fixieren. Lassen Agarose erstarren. </li><li> Begrenzen Sie die Umgebung des Embryos durch Schneiden mit einer Rasierklinge. </li><li> Drehen Sie die eingebettete Embryo auf der anderen Seite. </li><li> Wenden Sie zusätzliche Agarose an embryonalen Gewebe, um sicherzustellen, dass der Embryo vollständig eingebettet ist. </li><li> Bereiten Agarose-Block mit sauberen Kanten und montieren auf Vibratom Spannfutter mit Loctite 406, einem speziellen Klebstoff ähnlich wie bei &quot;Krazy Glue&quot;. </li></ol> Teil 3: Slicing Verfahren. <ol><li> Richten Sie die vorgekühlte Pufferwanne und dem Kühlelement. </li><li> Legen Sie das Futter mit der geklebten Gewebe und fügen 1x HBSS (Ca 2 +-Mg 2 +-freiem HBSS, 10 mM HEPES pH 7,3, 500 U / ml Penicillin / Streptomycin) bis bedeckt. </li><li> Insert und beheben vorgereinigt (70% Ethanol) Mikrotomklinge. </li><li> Bereiten Sie 350 bis 450 mu m Scheiben schneiden und übertragen Sie sie mit verkürzten Glas Pasteurpipetten in Zellkulturplatten auf Eis gehalten. </li><li> Mit einer Pinzette vorsichtig entfernen Agarose von jeder Scheibe und Transfer zum Kultur-Membranen Millicell. Über 4 Scheiben können auf einer Membran in einer 10-cm Gewebekultur Platte mit 6 ml Kulturmedium gefüllt kultiviert werden. </li><li> Inkubieren Scheiben bei 37 ° C und 5% CO 2 (Kulturmedium: DMEM, 25% 1x HBSS, 25% fötalem Rinderserum, 0,5% Glucose, 1 mM Glutamin, 2,5 mM HEPES, pH 7,3). Wenn man Zeitraffer-Imaging-Serie führt man sollte immer das Volumen des Mediums konstant. Im Falle der zeitlich Imaging-Serie für eine kurze Zeitspanne genügt es, das Medium zu verlassen, wie es ist. Für längere Zeiträume Kultur Veränderungen nach 12-20 Stunden empfohlen. </li></ol> Teil 4: Imaging Spinalnerven Auswuchs am Mikroskop. <ol><li> Image Spinalnerven Platzierung einer 10-cm Gewebekulturplatte, mit Millicell Kultur Membranen mit Scheiben, im Rahmen eines aufrechten Fluoreszenzmikroskop. </li><li> Beschriften Sie die Ausrichtung der Millicell Kultur Membranen auf Mikroskop-Bühne, um richtig zu positionieren in den nächsten Bildgebung Zeitpunkt. </li><li> Bild Spinalnerven Auswuchs mit 4x (numerische Apertur [NA] 0,1), 10x (NA 0,3) oder 20x (NA 0,5) Ziele. </li></ol> Abbildung 1 zeigt ein Imaging-Serie Darstellung der Spinalnerven Auswuchs während 20 Stunden Kultur mit 4x und 10x Ziele. <img src="/files/ftp_upload/2309/2309fig1.jpg" alt="Abbildung 1" /> Abbildung 1 Imaging Reihe von Spinalnerven Auswuchs in eine transversale Scheibe einer homozygoten tauGPF Embryo. * = Motoneuronen des ventralen Rückenmark, Pfeil = DRG. Die Rückenflosse (D)-ventralen (V) Achse der Scheibe angezeigt. Scalebars: 200 um.

<ol>
	<li>Tucker, K. L., Meyer, M., Barde, Y. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neurotrophins+are+required+for+nerve+growth+during+development.">Neurotrophins are required for nerve growth during development.</a> Nat Neurosci. 4, 29-37 (2001).</li><li>Brachmann, I., Jakubick, V. C., Shaked, M., Unsicker, K., Tucker, K. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+simple+slice+culture+system+for+the+imaging+of+nerve+development+in+embryonic+mouse.">A simple slice culture system for the imaging of nerve development in embryonic mouse.</a> Dev Dyn. 236, 3514-3523 (2007).</li><li>Collingridge, G. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+brain+slice+preparation:+a+tribute+to+the+pioneer+Henry+McIlwain.">The brain slice preparation: a tribute to the pioneer Henry McIlwain.</a> Journal of neuroscience methods. 59, 5-9 (1995).</li><li>Katz, L. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Local+circuitry+of+identified+projection+neurons+in+cat+visual+cortex+brain+slices.">Local circuitry of identified projection neurons in cat visual cortex brain slices.</a> J Neurosci. 7, 1223-1249 (1987).</li><li>Hotary, K. B., Landmesser, L. T., Tosney, K. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Embryo+slices.">Embryo slices.</a> Methods Cell Biol. 51, 109-124 (1996).</li></ol>

In einem umfassenden Vergleich von Methoden zur embryonalen Scheibe Kulturen der Mitte der Schwangerschaft Maus-Embryonen (E10 - E12) vorzubereiten, haben wir beobachtet, dass eine Vibratom ohne Frage stellt die zuverlässigsten Ergebnisse sowohl in Bezug auf die allgemeine Rentabilität der Kulturen und die Reproduzierbarkeit der den Nerv Auswuchs Muster. Im Gegensatz dazu bereit Scheiben mit einem McIlwain Gewebe Chopper 3 erwies sich als völlig lebensfähig. Wir hatten ursprünglich eine Guillotine-Method...

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		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>HBSS 10x</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>GIBCO</td>
<td>14180</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Dissection tools</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>FST</td>
<td>various</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>L.M.P. agarose</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>15517-022</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Whatmann paper</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Whatman Int.</td>
<td>3030917</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Shortened firepolished pipettes</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>DMEM</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>GIBCO</td>
<td>41966</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>FBS</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>GIBCO</td>
<td>10270-106</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Pen Strep</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>GIBCO</td>
<td>15140</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>L-glutamine 100x</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>GIBCO</td>
<td>25030</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Vibratome</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Microm International GmbH</td>
<td>HM 650 V</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Fluorescent microscope</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Olympus</td>
<td>BX61WI</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>analySIS</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Soft Imaging System</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Millicell-CM inserts</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Millipore</td>
<td>PICMORG 50</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>10 cm culture plates</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Greiner Bio-One</td>
<td>633171</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>LOCTITE 406</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Henkel</td>
<td>142580</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Razor blades</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
<td>none</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Dissecting microscope</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Nikon</td>
<td>SMZ800</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>HEPES</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Roth</td>
<td>9105.2</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Glucose</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>G7021</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>x4 objective</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Olympus</td>
<td>PL series</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>x10 objective</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Olympus</td>
<td>UPLFL &#x2013;PH series</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Filter</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Olympus</td>
<td>U-MNIBA2</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>CCD camera</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Soft Imaging System</td>
<td>SIS F-View II</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Equipment for heated chamber</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Leica</td>
<td>CTI-Controller 3700 and incubator S #11531171</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

organotypic slice culture of gfp-expressing mouse embryos for real-time imaging of peripheral nerve outgrowth

Für viele Zwecke ist der Anbau von Maus-Embryonen ex vivo als organotypischen Schnitten wünschenswert. Zum Beispiel verwenden wir eine transgene Maus-Linie (tauGFP), in dem die verbesserte Version des grün fluoreszierenden Protein (EGFP) exklusiv in allen Neuronen des sich entwickelnden zentralen und peripheren Nervensystems 1 ist ausgedrückt, so dass die Möglichkeit, beide Filme die Innervation das Vorderbein und diesen Prozess mit pharmakologischen und genetischen Techniken 2 zu manipulieren. Die wichtigsten Parameter für die erfolgreiche Kultivierung solcher Scheiben Kulturen ist die Methode, mit der die Scheiben sind vorbereitet. Nach umfangreichen Tests von einer Vielzahl von Methoden, die wir gefunden haben, dass ein Vibratom die bestmögliche Gerät, um die Embryonen, so dass sie routinemäßig in einer Kultur, die Lebensfähigkeit über einen Zeitraum von mehreren Tagen und vor allem zeigt, Ergebnis Scheibe ist, entwickelt sich in einem Alter, -spezifischen Art und Weise. Für Mitte der Schwangerschaft Embryonen, schließt dies die normale Folge der Spinalnerven aus dem Rückenmark und Spinalganglien, um ihre Ziele in der Peripherie und die richtige Bestimmung des Skelett-und Muskelgewebe. In dieser Arbeit präsentieren wir eine Methode für die Verarbeitung von ganzen Embryonen embryonale Tag (E) E10 bis E12 in 300 bis 400 Mikrometer Scheiben für den Anbau in einem Standard-Gewebekultur-Inkubator, der für Studium kann bis zu zwei Tage nach slice Vorbereitung. Entscheidend für den Erfolg dieses Ansatzes ist die Verwendung eines Vibratom jedem Agarose eingebettete Embryo in Scheiben schneiden. Dies ist durch den Anbau der Scheiben auf Millicell Kultur Membran-Einsätze auf ein kleines Volumen Medium platziert, wodurch eine Schnittstelle Kultur Technik gefolgt. Ein Wurf mit einem Durchschnitt von 7 Embryonen routinemäßig produziert mindestens 14 Scheiben (2-3 Scheiben von dem Vorderbein Region pro Embryo), das leicht variiert je nach Alter der Embryonen sowie die Dicke der Scheiben. Über 80% der kultivierten Scheiben zeigen Nerven Auswuchs, der througout der Anzucht 2 gemessen werden kann. Repräsentative Ergebnisse mit dem tauGFP Mauslinie demonstriert.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Organotypic Slice Culture of GFP-expressing Mouse Embryos for Real-time Imaging of Peripheral Nerve Outgrowth at JoVE.com

Organotypic Slice Culture of GFP-expressing Mouse Embryos for Real-time Imaging of Peripheral Nerve Outgrowth

Wir präsentieren eine Methode zur organotypischen Schnitten der Mitte der Schwangerschaft Maus-Embryonen für die Kultivierung und Zeitraffer-Bildgebung von peripheren Nerven Auswuchs vorzubereiten.

Organotypischen Kultur der GFP-exprimierenden Maus Embryonen für Real-time Imaging der peripheren Nerven Outgrowth

For many purposes, the cultivation of mouse embryos ex vivo as organotypic slices is desirable. For example, we employ a transgenic mouse line (tauGFP) in ...

organotypic-slice-culture-gfp-expressing-mouse-embryos-for-real-time

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

16.1K Aufrufe.  University of Heidelberg. Wir präsentieren eine Methode zur organotypischen Schnitten der Mitte der Schwangerschaft Maus-Embryonen für die Kultivierung und Zeitraffer-Bildgebung von peripheren Nerven Auswuchs vorzubereiten.

Serie: Organotypic Slice Culture of GFP-expressing Mouse Embryos for Real-time Imaging of Peripheral Nerve Outgrowth

The Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Culture Model for Examining Neuronal Injury

Organotypic hippocampal slice culture is an in vitro method to examine mechanisms of neuronal injury in which the basic architecture and composition of the hippocampus is relatively preserved 1. The organotypic culture system allows for the examination of neuronal, astrocytic and microglial effects, but as an ex vivo preparation, does not address effects of blood flow, or recruitment of peripheral inflammatory cells. To that end, this culture method is frequently used to examine excitotoxic and hypoxic injury to pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus, but has also been used to examine the inflammatory response. Herein we describe the methods for generating hippocampal slice cultures from postnatal rodent brain, administering toxic stimuli to induce neuronal injury, and assaying and quantifying hippocampal neuronal death.

The organoptypic hippocampal slice culture model is an in vitro model used to examine neuronal injury in a variety of paradigms. In this article, we describe the methods for generating slice cultures and quantifying neuronal injury.

Die Organotypische hippokampalen Slice-Kultur-Modell für die Prüfung neuronaler Schädigung

Organotypic hippocampal slice culture is an in vitro method to examine mechanisms of neuronal injury in which the basic architecture and composition of ...

Forschung

Neurowissenschaften

Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures

The hippocampus, a component of the limbic system, plays important roles in long-term memory and spatial navigation 1. Hippocampal neurons can modify the strength of their connections after brief periods of strong activation. This phenomenon, known as long-term potentiation (LTP) can last for hours or days and has become the best candidate mechanism for learning and memory 2. In addition, the well defined anatomy and connectivity of the hippocampus 3 has made it a classical model system to study synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity4.
As our understanding of the physiology of hippocampal synapses grew and molecular players became identified, a need to manipulate synaptic proteins became imperative. Organotypic hippocampal cultures offer the possibility for easy gene manipulation and precise pharmacological intervention but maintain synaptic organization that is critical to understanding synapse function in a more naturalistic context than routine culture dissociated neurons methods.
Here we present a method to prepare and culture hippocampal slices that can be easily adapted to other brain regions. This method allows easy access to the slices for genetic manipulation using different approaches like viral infection 5,6 or biolistics 7. In addition, slices can be easily recovered for biochemical assays 8, or transferred to microscopes for imaging 9 or electrophysiological experiments 10.

We describe a method to prepare organotypic hippocampal slices that can be easily adapted to other brain regions. Brain slices are laid on porous membranes and culture media is allowed to form an interface. This method preserves the gross architecture of the hippocampus for up to 2 weeks in culture.

Organotypischen hippokampalen Slice-Kulturen

The hippocampus, a component of the limbic system, plays important roles in long-term memory and spatial navigation 1. Hippocampal neurons can modify the ...

An Organotypic Slice Assay for High-Resolution Time-Lapse Imaging of Neuronal Migration in the Postnatal Brain

Neurogenesis in the postnatal brain depends on maintenance of three biological events: proliferation of progenitor cells, migration of neuroblasts, as well as differentiation and integration of new neurons into existing neural circuits. For postnatal neurogenesis in the olfactory bulbs, these events are segregated within three anatomically distinct domains: proliferation largely occurs in the subependymal zone (SEZ) of the lateral ventricles, migrating neuroblasts traverse through the rostral migratory stream (RMS), and new neurons differentiate and integrate within the olfactory bulbs (OB). The three domains serve as ideal platforms to study the cellular, molecular, and physiological mechanisms that regulate each of the biological events distinctly. This paper describes an organotypic slice assay optimized for postnatal brain tissue, in which the extracellular conditions closely mimic the in vivo environment for migrating neuroblasts. We show that our assay provides for uniform, oriented, and speedy movement of neuroblasts within the RMS. This assay will be highly suitable for the study of cell autonomous and non-autonomous regulation of neuronal migration by utilizing cross-transplantation approaches from mice on different genetic backgrounds.

This protocol describes an organotypic slice assay optimized for the postnatal brain and high-resolution time-lapse imaging of neuroblast migration in the rostral migratory stream.

Ein organotypischen Assay für High-Resolution Time-Lapse Imaging neuronaler Migration in der postnatalen Gehirn

Neurogenesis in the postnatal brain depends on maintenance of three biological events: proliferation of progenitor cells, migration of neuroblasts, as ...

Multiple-mouse Neuroanatomical Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The field of mouse phenotyping with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is rapidly growing, motivated by the need for improved tools for characterizing and evaluating mouse models of human disease. MRI is an excellent modality for investigating genetically altered animals. It is capable of whole brain coverage, can be used in vivo, and provides multiple contrast mechanisms for investigating different aspects of neuranatomy and physiology. The advent of high-field scanners along with the ability to scan multiple mice simultaneously allows for rapid phenotyping of novel mutations.
Effective mouse MRI studies require attention to many aspects of experiment design. In this article, we will describe general methods to acquire quality images for mouse phenotyping using a system that images mice concurrently in shielded transmit/receive radio frequency (RF) coils in a common magnet (Bock et al., 2003). We focus particularly on anatomical phenotyping, an important and accessible application that has shown a high potential for impact in many mouse models at our imaging centre. Before we can provide the detailed steps to acquire such images, there are important practical considerations for both in vivo brain imaging (Dazai et al., 2004) and ex vivo brain imaging (Spring et al., 2007) that should be noted. These are discussed below.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an increasingly popular tool for examining the phenotype of genetically altered mice. This article illustrates the methods necessary to achieve high-throughput phenotyping of genetically altered mice using multiple-mouse MRI.

Multiple-Maus Neuroanatomische Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The field of mouse phenotyping with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is rapidly growing, motivated by the need for improved tools for characterizing and ...

Whole Cell Recording from an Organotypic Slice Preparation of Neocortex

We have been studying the expression and functional roles of voltage-gated potassium channels in pyramidal neurons from rat neocortex. Because of the lack of specific pharmacological agents for these channels, we have taken a genetic approach to manipulating channel expression. We use an organotypic culture preparation (16) in order to maintain cell morphology and the laminar pattern of cortex. We typically isolate acute neocortical slices at postnatal days 8-10 and maintain the slices in culture for 3-7 days. This allows us to study neurons at a similar age to those in our work with acute slices and minimizes the development of exuberant excitatory connections in the slice. We record from visually-identified pyramidal neurons in layers II/III or V using infrared illumination (IR-) and differential interference contrast microscopy (DIC) with whole cell patch clamp in current- or voltage-clamp. We use biolistic (Gene gun) transfection of wild type or mutant potassium channel DNA to manipulate expression of the channels to study their function. The transfected cells are easily identified by epifluorescence microscopy after co-transfection with cDNA for green fluorescent protein (GFP). We compare recordings of transfected cells to adjacent, untransfected neurons in the same layer from the same slice.

This is a protocol to prepare and maintain a neocortical slice preparation in organotypic culture for the purpose of making electrical recordings from pyramidal neurons.

Whole Cell Aufnahme von einem organotypischen Vorbereitung der Neocortex

We have been studying the expression and functional roles of voltage-gated potassium channels in pyramidal neurons from rat neocortex.  Because of the ...

Electrophysiological Characterization of GFP-Expressing Cell Populations in the Intact Retina

Studying the physiological properties and synaptic connections of specific neurons in the intact tissue is a challenge for those cells that lack conspicuous morphological features or show a low population density. This applies particularly to retinal amacrine cells, an exceptionally multiform class of interneurons that comprise roughly 30 subtypes in mammals1. Though being a crucial part of the visual processing by shaping the retinal output2, most of these subtypes have not been studied up to now in a functional context because encountering these cells with a recording electrode is a rare event.
Recently, a multitude of transgenic mouse lines is available that express fluorescent markers like green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of promoters for membrane receptors or enzymes that are specific to only a subset of neurons in a given tissue3,4. These pre-labeled cells are therefore accessible to directed microelectrode targeting under microscopic control, permitting the systematic study of their physiological properties in situ. However, excitation of fluorescent markers is accompanied by the risk of phototoxicity for the living tissue. In the retina, this approach is additionally hampered by the problem that excitation light causes appropriate stimulation of the photoreceptors, thus inflicting photopigment bleaching and transferring the retinal circuits into a light-adapted condition. These drawbacks are overcome by using infrared excitation delivered by a mode-locked laser in short pulses of the femtosecond range. Two-photon excitation provides energy sufficient for fluorophore excitation and at the same time restricts the excitation to a small tissue volume minimizing the hazards of photodamage5. Also, it leaves the retina responsive to visual stimuli since infrared light (&gt;850 nm) is only poorly absorbed by photopigments6.
In this article we demonstrate the use of a transgenic mouse retina to attain electrophysiological in situ recordings from GFP-expressing cells that are visually targeted by two-photon excitation. The retina is prepared and maintained in darkness and can be subjected to optical stimuli which are projected through the condenser of the microscope (Figure 1). Patch-clamp recording of light responses can be combined with dye filling to reveal the morphology and to check for gap junction-mediated dye coupling to neighboring cells, so that the target cell can by studied on different experimental levels.

This article depicts the recording of individual cells from fluorescently tagged neuronal populations in the intact mouse retina. By using two-photon infrared excitation transgenetically labeled cells were targeted for patch-clamp recording to study their light responses, receptive field properties, and morphology.

Elektrophysiologische Charakterisierung von GFP-exprimierenden Zellpopulationen in der intakte Retina

Studying the physiological properties and synaptic connections of specific neurons in the intact tissue is a challenge for those cells that lack ...

A Protocol for the Administration of Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training

Neurologic disorders are characterized by abnormal cellular-, molecular-, and circuit-level functions in the brain. New methods to induce and control neuroplastic processes and correct abnormal function, or even shift functions from damaged tissue to physiologically healthy brain regions, hold the potential to dramatically improve overall health. Of the current neuroplastic interventions in development, neurofeedback training (NFT) from functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has the advantages of being completely non-invasive, non-pharmacologic, and spatially localized to target brain regions, as well as having no known side effects. Furthermore, NFT techniques, initially developed using fMRI, can often be translated to exercises that can be performed outside of the scanner without the aid of medical professionals or sophisticated medical equipment. In fMRI NFT, the fMRI signal is measured from specific regions of the brain, processed, and presented to the participant in real-time. Through training, self-directed mental processing techniques, that regulate this signal and its underlying neurophysiologic correlates, are developed. FMRI NFT has been used to train volitional control over a wide range of brain regions with implications for several different cognitive, behavioral, and motor systems. Additionally, fMRI NFT has shown promise in a broad range of applications such as the treatment of neurologic disorders and the augmentation of baseline human performance. In this article, we present an fMRI NFT protocol developed at our institution for modulation of both healthy and abnormal brain function, as well as examples of using the method to target both cognitive and auditory regions of the brain.

The ability to induce and/or control neural plasticity may be critical in future treatments for neurologic disorders and the recovery from brain injury. In this paper, we present a protocol on the use of neurofeedback training with functional magnetic resonance imaging to modulate human brain function.

Ein Protokoll für die Verwaltung von Real-Time-fMRT Neurofeedback Training

Neurologic disorders are characterized by abnormal cellular-, molecular-, and circuit-level functions in the brain. New methods to induce and control ...

Time-lapse Confocal Imaging of Migrating Neurons in Organotypic Slice Culture of Embryonic Mouse Brain Using In Utero Electroporation

In utero electroporation is a rapid and powerful approach to study the process of radial migration in the cerebral cortex of developing mouse embryos. It has helped to describe the different steps of radial migration and characterize the molecular mechanisms controlling this process. To directly and dynamically analyze migrating neurons they have to be traced over time. This protocol describes a workflow that combines in utero electroporation with organotypic slice culture and time-lapse confocal imaging, which allows for a direct examination and dynamic analysis of radially migrating cortical neurons. Furthermore, detailed characterization of migrating neurons, such as migration speed, speed profiles, as well as radial orientation changes, is possible. The method can easily be adapted to perform functional analyses of genes of interest in radially migrating cortical neurons by loss and gain of function as well as rescue experiments. Time-lapse imaging of migrating neurons is a state-of-the-art technique that once established is a potent tool to study the development of the cerebral cortex in mouse models of neuronal migration disorders.

Time-lapse Confocal Imaging of Migrating Neurons in Organotypic Slice Culture of Embryonic Mouse Brain Using In Utero Electroporation

This protocol provides instructions for direct observation of radially migrating cortical neurons. In utero electroporation, organotypic slice culture, and time-lapse confocal imaging are combined to directly and dynamically study the effects of overexpression or downregulation of genes of interest in migrating neurons and to analyze their differentiation during development.

Zeitraffer-konfokale Bildgebung der Migration von Neuronen in der organotypischen Scheibe Kultur der embryonalen Maus Gehirn mit<em&gt; In Utero</em&gt; Elektroporation

In utero electroporation is a rapid and powerful approach to study the process of radial migration in the cerebral cortex of developing mouse embryos. It ...

Ex Utero Electroporation and Organotypic Slice Cultures of Embryonic Mouse Brains for Live-Imaging of Migrating GABAergic Interneurons

GABAergic interneurons (INs) are critical components of neuronal networks that drive cognition and behavior. INs destined to populate the cortex migrate tangentially from their place of origin in the ventral telencephalon (including from the medial and caudal ganglionic eminences (MGE, CGE)) to the dorsal cortical plate in response to a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic cues. Different methodologies have been developed over the years to genetically manipulate specific pathways and investigate how they regulate the dynamic cytoskeletal changes required for proper IN migration. In utero electroporation has been extensively used to study the effect of gene repression or overexpression in specific IN subtypes while assessing the impact on morphology and final position. However, while this approach is readily used to modify radially migrating pyramidal cells, it is more technically challenging when targeting INs. In utero electroporation generates a low yield given the decreased survival rates of pups when electroporation is conducted before e14.5, as is customary when studying MGE-derived INs. In an alternative approach, MGE explants provide easy access to the MGE and facilitate the imaging of genetically modified INs. However, in these explants, INs migrate into an artificial matrix, devoid of endogenous guidance cues and thalamic inputs. This prompted us to optimize a method where INs can migrate in a more naturalistic environment, while circumventing the technical challenges of in utero approaches. In this paper, we describe the combination of ex utero electroporation of embryonic mouse brains followed by organotypic slice cultures to readily track, image and reconstruct genetically modified INs migrating along their natural paths in response to endogenous cues. This approach allows for both the quantification of the dynamic aspects of IN migration with time-lapse confocal imaging, as well as the detailed analysis of various morphological parameters using neuronal reconstructions on fixed immunolabeled tissue.

Ex Utero Electroporation and Organotypic Slice Cultures of Embryonic Mouse Brains for Live-Imaging of Migrating GABAergic Interneurons

Here, we provide a low-cost and reliable method to generate electroporated brain organotypic slice cultures from mouse embryos suitable for confocal microscopy and live-imaging techniques.

Ex Utero Elektroporation und organotypischen Slice Kulturen der embryonalen Mäusegehirnen für Live-Aufnahmen von Migration Gabaergen Interneuronen

GABAergic interneurons (INs) are critical components of neuronal networks that drive cognition and behavior. INs destined to populate the cortex migrate ...

Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

In the nervous system, myelin is a complex membrane structure generated by myelinating glial cells, which ensheathes axons and facilitates fast electrical conduction. Myelin alteration has been shown to occur in various neurological diseases, where it is associated with functional deficits. Here, we provide a detailed description of an ex vivo model consisting of mouse organotypic cerebellar slices, which can be maintained in culture for several weeks and further be labeled to visualize myelin.

Here we present a method to prepare organotypic slice cultures from mouse cerebellum and myelin sheath staining by immunohistochemistry suitable for investigating mechanisms of myelination and remyelination in the central nervous system.

Vorbereitung und Immunostaining Myelinating organotypischen zerebelläre Slice Kulturen

In the nervous system, myelin is a complex membrane structure generated by myelinating glial cells, which ensheathes axons and facilitates fast electrical ...