Unsere Arbeit wird durch den Schweizerischen Nationalfonds (SNF), die Schweizer Initiative in Systembiologie (SystemsX.ch), der Gesellschaft für Muskelkranke USA (MDA), die Association Française contre les Myopathien (AFM), das Vereinigte Mitochondriopathie Stiftung unterstützt (UMDF), die Gebert-Rüf-Stiftung Seltene Erkrankungen Programm (GRF), der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Forschung der Muskelerkrankungen (SSEM / FSRMM), die Swiss Life &quot;Jubiläumsstiftung für Volksgesundheit und medizinische Forschung&quot;, der Roche Research Foundation und der Universität Basel.

1. Vorbereitung des Primary Human Muscle Cell Culture <ol><li> Stellen Sie die menschliche Muskelkraft Zellkulturen gemäß der Explantation-Re-Explantation Technik 4. Entfernen Sie zunächst nicht Muskelgewebe aus den Biopsien. Dann betten 1 mm 3 Muskel Explantate in einem Koagulum von Plasma, das Fibroblasten aus den Explantaten entstehen können. </li><li> Die eingebetteten Explantate werden auf einem Plasma-Gelatine beschichtete Schale überführt und lassen Sie sie in normalen Nährmedium wachsen (MEM mit 25% Medium 199, 10% fötalem Rinderserum [FBS], 1% Penicillin / Streptomycin, 10 pg / ml Insulin, ergänzt 10 ng / ml humanen epidermalen Wachstumsfaktor [EGF], 12,5 ng / ml menschlichen Fibroblasten-Wachstumsfaktor [FGF]) in einer Monoschicht. Die Zellen, die aus den Explantaten entstehen unter diesen Bedingungen sind Muskelzellen. Diese Zellen werden weiter in einer Monoschicht nach dem Entfernen der Explantate wachsen. </li><li> Kultivieren der Zellen aneurally auf 0,1% Gelatine-beschichteten Platten in normalem Wachstumsmedium. Die Zellen könnenaneurally kultiviert und verstärkt nach Bedarf. Es ist besser, Muskelzellen mit einer Passage zwischen 3 und 8 verwenden, um die Co-Kulturen durchzuführen. Es ist wichtig, junge Myotuben innervieren; nach diesem Punkt haben die Co-Kulturen ein hohes Risiko des Scheiterns. Darüber hinaus sollte Myotuben nicht zu groß und zu dick. </li><li> Zwei Tage vor der Innervation vorgesehen ist, die Platte Muskelzellen auf 35 mm-Gewebekulturschalen (oder 6-Well-Platten) in einer Dichte von 500.000 Zellen pro Schale in normalem Wachstumsmedium. Bei dieser Dichte sind die Zellen in der richtigen Konfluenz, um die Fusion am folgenden Tag zu beginnen, und anschließende Innervation am Tag nach. Mit Hilfe dieser Voraussetzungen sind die Myotuben zum richtigen Zeitpunkt für eine optimale Innervation und damit spätere Faser Kontraktion. </li><li> Am nächsten Tag, ersetzen Sie den normalen Nährmedium mit einer Fusion Medium MEM komponierte mit 25% Medium 199, 5% FBS, 10 pg / ml Insulin und 1% Penicillin / Streptomycin ergänzt. </li></ol> 2. Isolati<html> auf der Ratte Embryonale Spinal Cord Explantate Das gesamte Verfahren, um die Wirbelsäule zu isolieren Explantate wird unter einem binokularen Mikroskop durchgeführt, in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS, Gibco / Invitrogen ref 14170) mit 10% fötalem Rinderserum (FBS). <ol><li> Es ist entscheidend, dass die Ratte Embryonen sind zwischen ED 13 und 14 als eine andere Entwicklungsstufe würde das gesamte Verfahren zu gefährden. Opfere eine schwangere Frau mit CO 2 und das gesamte Embryo-Kette in HBSS Medium. Isolieren Sie jedes Embryo und enthaupten sie für Euthanasie. </li><li> Präparieren Sie den Embryo Rückenmark vom Rest des Körpers in einem Stück zu entfernen und umliegenden Muskel-und Bindegewebe. Seien Sie sehr vorsichtig, um die hintere Wurzel Ganglien (DRGs), die an der Wirbelsäule, funktionelle Innervation gewährleisten zu halten. </li><li> Schneiden jedes Rückenmark quer in einer Weise, dass jeder Explantat mindestens 2 DRG gebunden ist (Explantate von 1 mm 3). </li></ol><html> ove_title &quot;&gt; 3. Innervation des menschlichen embryonalen Muskelzellen mit der Wirbelsäule der Ratte Explantate <ol><li> Entfernen Sie das Medium Fusion auf den Muskel-Zellkultur, so dass eine feine Schicht von Medium auf der Monoschicht. </li><li> Legen Sie die Explantate vorsichtig auf die Muskelzelle Schicht, fünf gleichmäßig verteilte Explantate pro 35 mm Schale. </li><li> In sehr langsam, tropfenweise, Fusion Medium auf jede Explantat. Es ist notwendig, Medium für den Muskelzellen hinzu, um zu überleben, aber nicht zu viel, damit die Explantate auf erste haften und Kontakt mit den Zellen. Wenn das Medium nicht richtig aufgenommen wird (zu stark oder zu viel Medium) werden die Explantate zu schweben und wird scheitern, die Muskelzellen zu innervieren. </li><li> Sobald die Explantate zu haften beginnen, ganz oben auf der Fusion mittel-bis 2 ml pro 35 mm Schale, und stellte das Geschirr sehr sorgfältig zurück in den Inkubator. </li></ol> 4. Wartung der heterologen Nerv-Muskel-Co-Kulturen <ol><li> Ändern Sie die Fusion Medium zweimal pro Woche. </li></ol>_title &quot;&gt; 5. repräsentative Ergebnisse Sobald zwei Tage nach der Innervation, ist es möglich, die Neuriten, die aus jedem Explantat und der Herstellung von Kontakten mit den Muskelzellen, die von den Button-ähnliche Strukturen (Abb. 1) dargestellt zu sehen. Bereits 4-6 Tage nach der Innervation, ein paar einzelne Fasern zur Kontraktion zu starten. Die Wehen bestehen seit vielen Monaten, gewartet indem Sie einfach den Nährboden zweimal pro Woche. Nach ca. 2 Wochen, degeneriert das Rückenmark Explantat selbst, sondern die Innervation konserviert ist. Das ist normal. Eine feine Schicht von Nervenzellen Komponente bleibt auf der Oberfläche der Muskelzelle Schicht. Diese Nervennetzwerk ausreichend ist, um die Funktionalität der Motoreinheit zu halten. Wenn die Explantate im Medium der Tag nach der Innervation schweben, werden sie nie einhalten. Dies geschieht, wenn die Muskelzelle Schichtnicht ausreichend konfluent, oder wenn das Medium zu grob zugegeben. Manchmal werden die Explantat hält aber keine Neuriten hervor. Dies ist wahrscheinlich auf das Fehlen von DRG-ähnliches enthalten. In diesem Fall ebenso wird die Innervation nicht hergestellt werden. Manipulieren Sie das Geschirr sehr sorgfältig in der ersten Woche, als die Explantate noch leicht zu lösen. Um die Fusion Media tauschen, fügen Sie die Flüssigkeit tropfenweise mit einer minimalen Geschwindigkeit zu Zellablösung zu vermeiden. <img alt="1" src="/files/ftp_upload/3616/3616fig1.jpg" /> Abbildung 1. Rückenmark Explantate-Muskelzelle Co-Kulturen von Tag 1 bis Tag 15.

<ol>
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Wir haben nichts zu offenbaren.

Eine physiologische In-vitro-Werkzeug, um Muskel-Zell-Funktion in normalen und pathologischen Kontext zu studieren, ist von höchstem Interesse für die myologists, weil Muskel-Zellkulturen in der Regel nicht rekapitulieren die Bedeutung der mehrere Zellen und Zell-Typ-Verbindungen. Die Zugabe von gereinigtem motorischen Neuronen zu Muskelzellen ist nicht genug, um eine funktionelle Einheit Motors zu erreichen, da die Anwesenheit von Schwann-Zellen für die Innervation effizient zu sein 5 erforderlic...

<table border="1"><tbody><tr><td> Name des Reagenz </td><td> Firma </td><td> Katalog-Zahl </td></tr><tr><td> HBSS </td><td> Gibco / Invitrogen </td><td> 14170 </td></tr><tr><td> MEM </td><td> Gibco / Invitrogen </td><td> 31095 </td></tr><tr><td> Medium 199 </td><td> Gibco / Invitrogen </td><td> 31153 </td></tr><tr><td> Fötalem Rinderserum </td><td> Fetal Clone Perbio </td><td> SH30066.03 </td></tr><tr><td> Insulin </td><td> Sigma </td><td> I9278 </td></tr><tr><td> Human-EGF </td><td> Sigma </td><td> E9644 </td></tr><tr><td> Humanen FGF </td><td> Sigma </td><td> F0291 </td></tr><tr><td> Penicillin / Streptomycin-Lösung </td><td> Gibco </td><td> 15140 </td></tr></tbody></table>

a functional motor unit in the culture dish: co-culture of spinal cord explants and muscle cells

Humane primäre Muskelzellen aneurally in Monoschicht kultiviert sich selten spontan, weil, in Abwesenheit eines Nerven-Komponente, Zelldifferenzierung begrenzt ist und Motorneuronen Stimulation fehlt 1. Diese Einschränkungen erschweren die in vitro-Studie von vielen neuromuskulären Erkrankungen in kultivierten Muskelzellen. Wichtig ist, dass die experimentellen Randbedingungen von einschichtigen, kultivierten Muskelzellen durch funktionelle Innervation der Muskelfasern mit Rückenmark Explantate in Co-Kulturen überwunden werden. Hier zeigen wir die verschiedenen Schritte, um eine effiziente, ordnungsgemäße Innervation von humanen primären Muskelzellen erzielen, was zu Differenzierung und Kontraktion Faser nach dem Verfahren von Askanas 2 entwickelt abzuschließen. Dazu werden Muskelzellen mit Rückenmark Explantate von Rattenembryonen bei ED 13,5 co-kultiviert, mit der Spinalganglien noch an das Rückenmark Scheiben befestigt. Nach ein paar Tagen, fi der MuskelMitglieder starten zu kontrahieren und schließlich zu quergestreiften durch Innervation durch funktionelle Neuriten Projektion aus dem Rückenmark Explantate, dass zu den Muskelzellen verbinden. Diese Struktur kann für viele Monate aufrechterhalten werden, einfach durch einen regelmäßigen Austausch des Kulturmediums. Die Anwendungen dieser sehr wertvolles Werkzeug sind zahlreich, wie es ein funktionierendes Modell für multidisziplinäre Analysen der menschlichen Entwicklung der Muskulatur und Innervation darstellt. In der Tat tritt eine komplette De-novo-neuromuskulären Synapse Installation in einer Kulturschale, so dass eine einfache Messung vieler Parameter bei jedem Schritt in einer grundlegenden und physiologischen Kontext. Nur um ein paar Beispiele, genomische und / oder Proteom-Studien zitieren kann direkt auf die Co-Kulturen durchgeführt werden. Darüber hinaus können Vor-und postsynaptischen Effekte gezielt und separat an der neuromuskulären Synapse beurteilt werden, da beide Komponenten aus verschiedenen Spezies stammen,Ratte und Mensch, beziehungsweise. Der Nerv-Muskel-Co-Kultur kann auch mit menschlichen Muskelzellen von Patienten mit Muskel-oder neuromuskuläre Erkrankungen 3 isoliert durchgeführt werden, und kann somit als Screening-Instrument für Wirkstoffkandidaten eingesetzt werden. Schließlich wird keine spezielle Ausrüstung, sondern eine regelmäßige BSL2 erforderliche Hilfe zu einer funktionellen Einheit Motor in der Kulturschale zu reproduzieren. Diese Methode ist somit sowohl für den Muskelaufbau sowie die neuromuskuläre Forschungsgemeinschaften für physiologische und mechanistische Studien der neuromuskulären Funktion wertvoll, in einem normalen Rahmen und Krankheit.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Functional Motor Unit in the Culture Dish: Co-culture of Spinal Cord Explants and Muscle Cells at JoVE.com

A Functional Motor Unit in the Culture Dish: Co-culture of Spinal Cord Explants and Muscle Cells

Cultured Muskelzellen sind ein unzureichendes Modell zu rekapitulieren innervierten Muskel<em&gt; In-vivo-</em&gt;. Eine funktionale Motoreinheit reproduziert werden kann<em&gt; In-vitro-</em&gt; Durch Innervation der differenzierten humanen primären Muskelzellen mit Rattenembryo Rückenmark Explantate. Dieser Artikel beschreibt die Co-Kulturen von Rückenmark und Muskelzellen Explantate etabliert werden.

Ein Functional Motor Unit in der Kulturschale: Co-Kultur von Spinal Cord Explantate und Muskelzellen

Human primary muscle cells cultured  aneurally in monolayer rarely contract spontaneously because, in the absence of  a nerve component, cell ...

a-functional-motor-unit-culture-dish-co-culture-spinal-cord-explants

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

15.2K Aufrufe.  University of Basel. Cultured Muskelzellen sind ein unzureichendes Modell zu rekapitulieren innervierten Muskel In-vivo-. Eine funktionale Motoreinheit reproduziert werden kann In-vitro- Durch Innervation der differenzierten humanen primären Muskelzellen mit Rattenembryo Rückenmark Explantate. Dieser Artikel beschreibt die Co-Kulturen von Rückenmark und Muskelzellen Explantate etabliert werden.

Serie: A Functional Motor Unit in the Culture Dish: Co-culture of Spinal Cord Explants and Muscle Cells

Dissection and Culture of Commissural Neurons from Embryonic Spinal Cord

Commissural neurons have been widely used to investigate the mechanisms underlying axon guidance during embryonic spinal cord development. The cell bodies of these neurons are located in the dorsal spinal cord and their axons follow stereotyped trajectories during embryonic development. Commissural axons initially project ventrally towards the floorplate. After crossing the midline, these axons turn anteriorly and project towards the brain. Each of these steps is regulated by the action of several guidance cues. Cultures highly enriched in commissural neurons are ideally suited for many experiments addressing the mechanisms of axon pathfinding, including turning assays, immunochemistry and biochemistry. Here, we describe a method to dissect and culture commissural neurons from E13 rat dorsal spinal cord. First, the spinal cord is isolated and dorsal strips are dissected out. The dorsal tissue is then dissociated into a cell suspension by trypsinization and mechanical disruption. Neurons are plated onto poly-L-lysine-coated glass coverslips or tissue-culture dishes. After 30 hours in vitro, most neurons have extended an axon. The purity of the culture (Yam et al. 2009), typically over 90%, can be assessed by immunolabeling with the commissural neuron markers DCC, LH2 and TAG1 (Helms and Johnson, 1998). This neuronal preparation is a useful tool for in vitro studies of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of commissural axon growth and guidance during spinal cord development.

This video demonstrates a method to dissect and culture commissural neurons from E13 rat dorsal spinal cord. Dissociated commissural neurons are useful to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of axon growth and guidance.

Dissection und Kultur kommissuralen Nervenzellen aus embryonalen Rückenmark

Commissural neurons have been widely used to investigate the mechanisms underlying axon guidance during embryonic spinal cord development. The cell bodies ...

Forschung

Neurowissenschaften

Dissection and Culture of Chick Statoacoustic Ganglion and Spinal Cord Explants in Collagen Gels for Neurite Outgrowth Assays

The sensory organs of the chicken inner ear are innervated by the peripheral processes of statoacoustic ganglion (SAG) neurons. Sensory organ innervation depends on a combination of axon guidance cues1 and survival factors2 located along the trajectory of growing axons and/or within their sensory organ targets. For example, functional interference with a classic axon guidance signaling pathway, semaphorin-neuropilin, generated misrouting of otic axons3. Also, several growth factors expressed in the sensory targets of the inner ear, including Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), have been manipulated in transgenic animals, again leading to misrouting of SAG axons4. These same molecules promote both survival and neurite outgrowth of chick SAG neurons in vitro5,6.
Here, we describe and demonstrate the in vitro method we are currently using to test the responsiveness of chick SAG neurites to soluble proteins, including known morphogens such as the Wnts, as well as growth factors that are important for promoting SAG neurite outgrowth and neuron survival. Using this model system, we hope to draw conclusions about the effects that secreted ligands can exert on SAG neuron survival and neurite outgrowth. 
SAG explants are dissected on embryonic day 4 (E4) and cultured in three-dimensional collagen gels under serum-free conditions for 24 hours. First, neurite responsiveness is tested by culturing explants with protein-supplemented medium. Then, to ask whether point sources of secreted ligands can have directional effects on neurite outgrowth, explants are co-cultured with protein-coated beads and assayed for the ability of the bead to locally promote or inhibit outgrowth. We also include a demonstration of the dissection (modified protocol7) and culture of E6 spinal cord explants. We routinely use spinal cord explants to confirm bioactivity of the proteins and protein-soaked beads, and to verify species cross-reactivity with chick tissue, under the same culture conditions as SAG explants. These in vitro assays are convenient for quickly screening for molecules that exert trophic (survival) or tropic (directional) effects on SAG neurons, especially before performing studies in vivo. Moreover, this method permits the testing of individual molecules under serum-free conditions, with high neuron survival8.

We demonstrate how to dissect and culture chick E4 statoacoustic ganglion and E6 spinal cord explants. Explants are cultured under serum-free conditions in 3D collagen gels for 24 hours. Neurite responsiveness is tested with growth factor-supplemented medium and with protein-coated beads.

Dissection und Kultur von Chick Statoacoustic Ganglion und Rückenmark Explantate in Kollagengelen für Neuritenwachstum Assays

The sensory organs of the chicken inner ear are innervated by the peripheral processes of statoacoustic ganglion (SAG) neurons. Sensory organ innervation ...

Chicken Embryo Spinal Cord Slice Culture Protocol

Slice cultures can facilitate the manipulation of embryo development both pharmacologically and through gene manipulations. In this reduced system, potential lethal side effects due to systemic drug applications can be overcome. However, culture conditions must ensure that normal development proceeds within the reduced environment of the slice. We have focused on the development of the spinal cord, particularly that of spinal motor neurons. We systematically varied culture conditions of chicken embryo slices from the point at which most spinal motor neurons had been born. We assayed the number and type of motor neurons that survived during the culture period and the position of those motor neurons compared to that in vivo. We found that serum type and neurotrophic factors were required during the culture period and were able to keep motor neurons alive for at least 24 hr and allow those motor neurons to migrate to appropriate positions in the spinal cord. We present these culture conditions and the methodology of preparing the embryo slice cultures using eviscerated chicken embryos embedded in agarose and sliced using a vibratome.

Slice cultures facilitate the manipulation of embryo development by gene and pharmacological perturbations. However, culture conditions must ensure that normal development can proceed within the reduced environment of the slice. We illustrate a protocol that facilitates normal spinal cord development to proceed for at least 24 hr.

Hühnerembryo Spinal Cord Scheibe Kultur Protocol

Slice cultures can facilitate the manipulation of  embryo development both pharmacologically and through gene manipulations. In  this reduced system, ...

Analysis of Developing Tooth Germ Innervation Using Microfluidic Co-culture Devices

Innervation plays a key role in the development, homeostasis and regeneration of organs and tissues. However, the mechanisms underlying these phenomena are not well understood yet. In particular, the role of innervation in tooth development and regeneration is neglected.
Several in vivo studies have provided important information about the patterns of innervation of dental tissues during development and repair processes of various animal models. However, most of these approaches are not optimal to highlight the molecular basis of the interactions between nerve fibres and target organs and tissues.
Co-cultures constitute a valuable method to investigate and manipulate the interactions between nerve fibres and teeth in a controlled and isolated environment. In the last decades, conventional co-cultures using the same culture medium have been performed for very short periods (e.g., two days) to investigate the attractive or repulsive effects of developing oral and dental tissues on sensory nerve fibres. However, extension of the culture period is required to investigate the effects of innervation on tooth morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation.
Microfluidics systems allow co-cultures of neurons and different cell types in their appropriate culture media. We have recently demonstrated that trigeminal ganglia (TG) and teeth are able to survive for a long period of time when co-cultured in microfluidic devices, and that they maintain in these conditions the same innervation pattern that they show in vivo.
On this basis, we describe how to isolate and co-culture developing trigeminal ganglia and tooth germs in a microfluidic co-culture system.This protocol describes a simple and flexible way to co-culture ganglia/nerves and target tissues and to study the roles of specific molecules on such interactions in a controlled and isolated environment.

Co-cultures represent a valuable method to study the interactions between nerves and target tissues and organs. Microfluidic systems allow co-culturing ganglia and whole developing organs or tissues in different culture media, thus representing a valuable tool for the in vitro study of the crosstalk between neurons and their targets.

Die Analyse der Entwicklung von Zahnkeim Innervation Mit Microfluidic Co-Kultur-Geräte

Innervation plays a key role in the development, homeostasis and regeneration of organs and tissues. However, the mechanisms underlying these phenomena ...

Zebrafish In Situ Spinal Cord Preparation for Electrophysiological Recordings from Spinal Sensory and Motor Neurons

Zebrafish, first introduced as a developmental model, have gained popularity in many other fields. The ease of rearing large numbers of rapidly developing organisms, combined with the embryonic optical clarity, served as initial compelling attributes of this model. Over the past two decades, the success of this model has been further propelled by its amenability to large-scale mutagenesis screens and by the ease of transgenesis. More recently, gene-editing approaches have extended the power of the model.
For neurodevelopmental studies, the zebrafish embryo and larva provide a model to which multiple methods can be applied. Here, we focus on methods that allow the study of an essential property of neurons, electrical excitability. Our preparation for the electrophysiological study of zebrafish spinal neurons involves the use of veterinarian suture glue to secure the preparation to a recording chamber. Alternative methods for recording from zebrafish embryos and larvae involve the attachment of the preparation to the chamber using a fine tungsten pin1,2,3,4,5. A tungsten pin is most often used to mount the preparation in a lateral orientation, although it has been used to mount larvae dorsal-side up4. The suture glue has been used to mount embryos and larvae in both orientations. Using the glue, a minimal dissection can be performed, allowing access to spinal neurons without the use of an enzymatic treatment, thereby avoiding any resultant damage. However, for larvae, it is necessary to apply a brief enzyme treatment to remove the muscle tissue surrounding the spinal cord. The methods described here have been used to study the intrinsic electrical properties of motor neurons, interneurons, and sensory neurons at several developmental stages6,7,8,9.

Zebrafish In Situ Spinal Cord Preparation for Electrophysiological Recordings from Spinal Sensory and Motor Neurons

This manuscript describes methods for electrophysiological recordings from spinal neurons of zebrafish embryos and larvae. The preparation maintains neurons in situ and often involves minimum dissection. These methods allow for the electrophysiological study of a variety of spinal neurons, from the initial electrical excitability acquisition through the early larval stages.

Zebrafisch<em&gt; In Situ</em&gt; Spinal Cord Vorbereitung für elektrophysiologische Aufzeichnungen von Spinal Sensory and Motor Neurons

Zebrafish, first introduced as a developmental model, have gained popularity in many other fields. The ease of rearing large numbers of rapidly developing ...

Laminectomy and Spinal Cord Window Implantation in the Mouse

This protocol describes a method for spinal cord laminectomy and glass window implantation for in vivo imaging of the mouse spinal cord. An integrated digital vaporizer is utilized to achieve a stable plane of anesthesia at a low-flow rate of isoflurane. A single vertebral spine is removed, and a commercially available cover-glass is overlaid on a thin agarose bed. A 3D-printed plastic backplate is then affixed to the adjacent vertebral spines using tissue adhesive and dental cement. A stabilization platform is used to reduce motion artifact from respiration and heartbeat. This rapid and clamp-free method is well-suited for acute multi-photon fluorescence microscopy. Representative data are included for an application of this technique to two-photon microscopy of the spinal cord vasculature in transgenic mice expressing eGFP:Claudin-5 &#8212; a tight junction protein.

This protocol describes implantation of a glass window onto the spinal cord of a mouse to facilitate visualization by intravital microscopy.

Laminektomie und Rückenmarksfenster-Implantation in der Maus

This protocol describes a method for spinal cord laminectomy and glass window implantation for in vivo imaging of the mouse spinal cord. An integrated ...

Identifying Cell Surface Markers of Primary Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells by Metabolic Labeling of Sialoglycan

Neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) are the cellular basis for the complex structures and functions of the brain. They are located in specialized niches in vivo and can be isolated and expanded in vitro, serving as an important resource for cell transplantation to repair brain damage. However, NSPCs are heterogeneous and not clearly defined at the molecular level or purified due to a lack of specific cell surface markers. The protocol presented, which has been previously reported, combines a neural-endothelial co-culture system with a metabolic glycan labeling method to identify the surface sialoglycoproteome of primary NSPCs. The NSPC-endothelial co-culture system allows self-renewal and expansion of primary NSPCs in vitro, generating a sufficient number of NSPCs. Sialoglycans in cultured NSPCs are labeled using an unnatural sialic acid metabolic reporter with bioorthogonal functional groups. By comparing the sialoglycoproteome from self-renewing NSPCs expanded in an endothelial co-culture with differentiating neural culture, we identify a list of membrane proteins that are enriched in NSPCs. In detail, the protocol involves: 1) set-up of an NSPC-endothelial co-culture and NSPC differentiating culture; 2) labeling with azidosugar per-O-acetylated N-azidoacetylmannosamine (Ac4ManNAz); and 3) biotin conjugation to modified sialoglycan for imaging after fixation of neural culture or protein extraction from neural culture for mass spectrometry analysis. Then, the NSPC-enriched surface marker candidates are selected by comparative analysis of mass spectrometry data from both the expanded NSPC and differentiated neural cultures. This protocol is highly sensitive for identifying membrane proteins of low abundance in the starting materials, and it can be applied to marker discovery in other systems with appropriate modifications

Presented here is a protocol that combines an in vitro neural-endothelial co-culture system and metabolic incorporation of sialoglycan with bioorthogonal functional groups to expand primary neural stem and progenitor cells and label their surface sialoglycoproteins for imaging or mass-spectrometry analysis of cell surface markers.

Identifizieren von Zelloberflächenmarkern von primären neuralen Stamm- und Vorläuferzellen durch metabolische Kennzeichnung von Sialoglycan

Neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) are the cellular basis for the complex structures and functions of the brain. They are located in specialized ...

Direct Injection of a Lentiviral Vector Highlights Multiple Motor Pathways in the Rat Spinal Cord

Introducing proteins of interest into cells in the nervous system is challenging due to innate biological barriers that limit access to most molecules. Injection directly into spinal cord tissue bypasses these barriers, providing access to cell bodies or synapses where molecules can be incorporated. Combining viral vector technology with this method allows for introduction of target genes into nervous tissue for the purpose of gene therapy or tract tracing. Here a virus engineered for highly efficient retrograde transport (HiRet) is introduced at the synapses of propriospinal interneurons (PNs) to encourage specific transport to neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem nuclei. Targeting PNs takes advantage of the numerous connections they receive from motor pathways such as the rubrospinal and reticulospinal tracts, as well as their interconnection with each other throughout spinal cord segments. Representative tracing using the HiRet vector with constitutively active green fluorescent protein (GFP) shows high fidelity details of cell bodies, axons and dendritic arbors in thoracic PNs and in reticulospinal neurons in the pontine reticular formation. HiRet incorporates well into brainstem pathways and PNs but shows age dependent integration into corticospinal tract neurons. In summary, spinal cord injection using viral vectors is a suitable method for introduction of proteins of interest into neurons of targeted tracts.

This protocol demonstrates injection of a retrogradely transportable viral vector into rat spinal cord tissue. The vector is taken up at the synapse and transported to the cell body of target neurons. This model is suitable for retrograde tracing of important spinal pathways or targeting cells for gene therapy applications.

Direkter Einspritzung von Lentivirale Vektor zeigt mehrere motorische Bahnen im Rückenmark Ratte

Introducing proteins of interest into cells in the nervous system is challenging due to innate biological barriers that limit access to most molecules. ...

Conversion of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) into Functional Spinal and Cranial Motor Neurons Using PiggyBac Vectors

We describe here a method to obtain functional spinal and cranial motor neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Direct conversion into motor neuron is obtained by ectopic expression of alternative modules of transcription factors, namely Ngn2, Isl1 and Lhx3 (NIL) or Ngn2, Isl1 and Phox2a (NIP). NIL and NIP specify, respectively, spinal and cranial motor neuron identity. Our protocol starts with the generation of modified iPSC lines in which NIL or NIP are stably integrated in the genome via a piggyBac transposon vector. Expression of the transgenes is then induced by doxycycline and leads, in 5 days, to the conversion of iPSCs into MN progenitors. Subsequent maturation, for 7 days, leads to homogeneous populations of spinal or cranial MNs. Our method holds several advantages over previous protocols: it is extremely rapid and simplified; it does not require viral infection or further MN isolation; it allows generating different MN subpopulations (spinal and cranial) with a remarkable degree of maturation, as demonstrated by the ability to fire trains of action potentials. Moreover, a large number of motor neurons can be obtained without purification from mixed populations. iPSC-derived spinal and cranial motor neurons can be used for in vitro modeling of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases of the motor neuron. Homogeneous motor neuron populations might represent an important resource for cell type specific drug screenings.

Conversion of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells iPSCs into Functional Spinal and Cranial Motor Neurons Using PiggyBac Vectors

This protocol allows rapid and efficient conversion of induced pluripotent stem cells into motor neurons with a spinal or cranial identity, by ectopic expression of transcription factors from inducible piggyBac vectors.

Umwandlung von vom Menschen induktiven Pluripotent-Stammzellen (iPSCs) in funktionale Wirbelsäulen-und Krankheitsanleitungsneuronen mit PiggyBac-Vektoren

We describe here a method to obtain functional spinal and cranial motor neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Direct conversion into ...

Intra-Arterial Delivery of Neural Stem Cells to the Rat and Mouse Brain: Application to Cerebral Ischemia

Neural stem cell (NSC) therapy is an emerging innovative treatment for stroke, traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disorders. As compared to intracranial delivery, intra-arterial administration of NSCs is less invasive and produces a more diffuse distribution of NSCs within the brain parenchyma. Further, intra-arterial delivery allows the first-pass effect in the brain circulation, lessening the potential for trapping of cells in peripheral organs, such as liver and spleen, a complication associated with peripheral injections. Here, we detail the methodology, in both mice and rats, for delivery of NSCs through the common carotid artery (mouse) or external carotid artery (rat) to the ipsilateral hemisphere after an ischemic stroke. Using GFP-labeled NSCs, we illustrate the widespread distribution achieved throughout the rodent ipsilateral hemisphere at 1 d, 1 week and 4 weeks after postischemic delivery, with a higher density in or near the ischemic injury site. In addition to long-term survival, we show evidence of differentiation of GFP-labeled cells at 4 weeks. The intra-arterial delivery approach described here for NSCs can also be used for administration of therapeutic compounds, and thus has broad applicability to varied CNS injury and disease models across multiple species.

A method for delivering neural stem cells, adaptable for injecting solutions or suspensions, through the common carotid artery (mouse) or external carotid artery (rat) after ischemic stroke is reported. Injected cells are distributed broadly throughout the brain parenchyma and can be detected up to 30 d after delivery.

Intra-arterielle Lieferung von neuronalen Stammzellen an das Ratten- und Maushirn: Anwendung auf zerebrale Ischämie

Neural stem cell (NSC) therapy is an emerging innovative treatment for stroke, traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disorders. As compared to ...