Este trabajo fue apoyado por el NIH Instituto Nacional de Trastornos Neurológicos y Accidentes Cerebrovasculares (NINDS) (NS049442).&gt;

Resuspensión de β-amiloide Antes de empezar se han preparado: <ul><li> Aß 1-42 (polvo liofilizado) </li><li> 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) </li><li> Baja unión a tubos de polipropileno de microcentrífuga (1,5 ml) </li><li> Herméticas Hamilton jeringa con parada caída de teflón (250 l) </li><li> Dimetilsulfóxido (DMSO) </li></ul><ol><li> Permitir Aß 1-42 liofilizado para equilibrar a temperatura ambiente durante 30 minutos para evitar la condensación al abrir el vial de péptidos. </li><li> Bajo la campana extractora de humos, una nueva suspensión Aß 1-42 péptido en HFIP fría para obtener una solución 1 mM y agitar la solución durante unos segundos. </li><li> El uso de un cristal hermético jeringa Hamilton con enchufe de teflón, se dividen rápidamente el Aß 1-42 / HFIP solución igualmente en tres viales de polipropileno y el sello de los viales. </li><li> Los viales se incuban durante 2 horas para permitir monomerización Aß. A continuación, abra los viales y concentrar la solución de Aß 1-42 / HFIP al vacío mediante el uso de una centrifugadora SpeedVac (800 g, la temperatura ambiente) hasta que una película péptido claro se observa en la parte inferior de los viales. Compruebe cuidadosamente la temperatura dentro de la centrifugadora SpeedVac para evitar la degradación de péptidos (máximo 25 ° C). </li><li> Sello de los viales y almacenar las alícuotas a -80 ° C. Aß película se puede almacenar durante 6 meses. </li><li> Vuelva a suspender una película mediante la adición de DMSO para obtener una concentración de hasta 5 mm Aß 1-42. Sonicado en el baño de agua durante 10 minutos para asegurar la resuspensión completa. </li><li> Alícuota de este Aß 5mM 1-42 solución en viales de polipropileno. Sello de todos los viales y almacenarlos a -20 ° C. Alícuotas deben descongelarse sólo una vez. Cuidado con la condensación de agua en el interior del congelador. Péptidos en solución se degradan muy fácilmente. </li></ol> Oligomerización Antes de empezar se han preparado: <ul><li> Aß 1-42 / DMSO (5 mM) </li><li> Tampón fosfato estéril </li><li> Baja unión a tubos de polipropileno de microcentrífuga (1,5 ml) </li><li> Baja unión a tubos de polipropileno centrifugadora (50 ml) </li></ul><ol><li> Diluir el Aß obtenido 5mM 1-42 / alícuota DMSO con el tampón fosfato estéril (hasta 100 l). </li><li> Vortex durante 30 segundos y luego se incuban durante 12 horas a 4 ° C </li></ol> Tratamiento de corte del hipocampo En el tratamiento de rodajas de hipocampo, que es importante para evitar la adhesión no específica péptido en vasos de precipitados, tubos de superficies de perfusión, y la cámara de grabación. Usar preferentemente bajo tubo de polipropileno de unión y contenedores. Evite el uso de material de vidrio o de plástico genérico-ware. Los medios de comunicación de perfusión debe ser suero o albúmina libre. Perfusión Aß Antes de empezar se han preparado: <ul><li> Oligomerized Aß 1-42 </li><li> Búfer de grabación (en mm: 124 NaCl, 4,4 KCl, 1 de Na 2 HPO 4, 25 NaHCO 3, 2 CaCl 2, 2 MgCl 2, y la glucosa en 10) </li><li> Registro electrofisiológico de configuración con la interfaz de la cámara </li><li> Transversal rodajas de hipocampo incubadas en buffer de grabación oxigenada por lo menos 90 minutos después de la disección (T = 29 ° C, velocidad de perfusión constante = 2 ml / minuto) </li></ul><ol><li> Inmediatamente antes del experimento, se diluye la Aß oligomerized 1-42 alícuota a la concentración de trabajo adecuado (200 nm o superior) en un tubo de polipropileno con buffer de pre-grabación oxigenada. </li><li> Perfundir el Aß 1-42 solución durante 20 minutos para los cortes antes de la inducción de la plasticidad sináptica. </li></ol> La inducción de la plasticidad y el seguimiento <ol><li> Por lo general, el modelo más utilizado de la plasticidad sináptica es la LTP. Puede ser inducida a través de la estimulación tetánica de una sinapsis dada en el hipocampo. Nosotros registramos las respuestas de campo de las sinapsis entre las proyecciones de la garantía de Shaffer y las neuronas piramidales CA1 en el radiatum estrato. Nuestra estimulación tetánica consiste en una estimulación theta ráfaga, que incluye tres trenes separados por intervalos de 15 segundos. Cada tren se compone de 10 ráfagas a 5 Hz, donde cada ráfaga implica 5 pulsos a 100 Hz. Aplicar la estimulación tetánica inmediatamente después de la perfusión de Aß oligomerized se ha completado. </li><li> Inmediatamente después de la estimulación tetánica volver a la perfusión con buffer de grabación normal. Mantener una velocidad de perfusión constante, temperatura de la cámara de grabación y la oxigenación adecuada durante toda la duración del experimento. </li></ol> Los resultados representativos y los posibles problemas El Aß oligomerized acuerdo con el protocolo clásico de Stine et coll. 1, genera monómeros Aß y una variedad de oligómeros de diferente tamaños (dímero, trímero, etc) La perfusión de oligomerized Aß 1-42 conduce a la disminución de LTP en Aß tratados con rebanadas en comparación con rodajas de control. Bajo condiciones experimentales, en 3-5 meses de edad, los ratones macho C57BL/6J se utilizan, LTP en 200 nM Aß tratados con rebanadas es un promedio de 150% de los valores basales a las dos horas después de la estimulación tetánica, mientras que en las rebanadas de control de los valores LTP se un promedio de 200 a 250% de baseline2. En algunos casos, el tratamiento con Aß podría no reducir la LTP hipocampal. Varios errores graves que pueden ocurrir incluyen la excesiva película de secado durante la concentración de Aß y oligomerización incompleta. Perfusión de Aß en rodajas de hipocampo podría ser otra fuente de preocupación debido a las propiedades fisicoquímicas del péptido Aß en la solución, que es propenso a la adhesión no específica a los plásticos. Solución de problemas de estos temas se discuten a continuación.

<ol>
	<li>Stine, W. B., Dahlgren, K. N., Krafft, G. A., LaDu, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+characterization+of+conditions+for+amyloid-beta+peptide+oligomerization+and+fibrillogenesis.">In vitro characterization of conditions for amyloid-beta peptide oligomerization and fibrillogenesis.</a> J Biol Chem. 278, 11612-11622 (2003).</li><li>Vitolo, O. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Amyloid+beta+-peptide+inhibition+of+the+PKA/CREB+pathway+and+long-term+potentiation:+reversibility+by+drugs+that+enhance+cAMP+signaling.">Amyloid beta -peptide inhibition of the PKA/CREB pathway and long-term potentiation: reversibility by drugs that enhance cAMP signaling.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 99, 13217-13221 (2002).</li><li>Puzzo, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Picomolar+amyloid-beta+positively+modulates+synaptic+plasticity+and+memory+in+hippocampus.">Picomolar amyloid-beta positively modulates synaptic plasticity and memory in hippocampus.</a> J Neurosci. 28, 14537-14545 (2008).</li><li>Lewczuk, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+sample+collection+tubes+on+cerebrospinal+fluid+concentrations+of+tau+proteins+and+amyloid+beta+peptides.">Effect of sample collection tubes on cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of tau proteins and amyloid beta peptides.</a> Clin Chem. 52, 332-334 (2006).</li><li>Masliah, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanisms+of+synaptic+dysfunction+in+Alzheimer's+disease.">Mechanisms of synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.</a> Histol Histopathol. 10, 509-519 (1995).</li><li>Cullen, W. K., Suh, Y. H., Anwyl, R., Rowan, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Block+of+LTP+in+rat+hippocampus+in+vivo+by+beta-amyloid+precursor+protein+fragments.">Block of LTP in rat hippocampus in vivo by beta-amyloid precursor protein fragments.</a> Neuroreport. 8, 3213-3217 (1997).</li><li>Itoh, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impairments+of+long-term+potentiation+in+hippocampal+slices+of+beta-amyloid-infused+rats.">Impairments of long-term potentiation in hippocampal slices of beta-amyloid-infused rats.</a> Eur J Pharmacol. 382, 167-175 (1999).</li><li>Walsh, D. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Naturally+secreted+oligomers+of+amyloid+beta+protein+potently+inhibit+hippocampal+long-term+potentiation+in+vivo.">Naturally secreted oligomers of amyloid beta protein potently inhibit hippocampal long-term potentiation in vivo.</a> Nature. 416, 535-539 (2002).</li><li>Lambert, M. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=nonfibrillar+ligands+derived+from+Abeta1-42+are+potent+central+nervous+system+neurotoxins.">nonfibrillar ligands derived from Abeta1-42 are potent central nervous system neurotoxins.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 95, 6448-6453 (1998).</li><li>Gong, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ubiquitin+hydrolase+Uch-L1+rescues+beta-amyloid-induced+decreases+in+synaptic+function+and+contextual+memory.">Ubiquitin hydrolase Uch-L1 rescues beta-amyloid-induced decreases in synaptic function and contextual memory.</a> Cell. 126, 775-788 (2006).</li><li>Trinchese, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inhibition+of+calpains+improves+memory+and+synaptic+transmission+in+a+mouse+model+of+Alzheimer+disease.">Inhibition of calpains improves memory and synaptic transmission in a mouse model of Alzheimer disease.</a> J Clin Invest. 118, 2796-2807 (2008).</li></ol>

Los experimentos con animales se realizaron de acuerdo con las directrices y normas establecidas por el IACUC la Universidad de Columbia.

Como se describió anteriormente, existen varios problemas en la preparación de Aß oligoméricas pueden dar lugar a LTP intacta. Una forma de evaluar si la degradación de Aß o la falta de oligomerización Aß pudo haber ocurrido es evaluar la preparación de Aß con TRIS-Tricina PÁGINA / análisis de Western Blot y ultracentrifugación analítica (no se describe en este protocolo). Cuando Western Blotting muestras se preparan en condiciones non-denaturing/non-reducing, una preparación exitosa debe generar una firm...

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">	
		
		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>A&beta; 1-42 (lyophilized) </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>American Peptide Co.</td>
<td>62-0-80</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-Propanol (HFIP)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fluka</td>
<td>52517</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Biotium</td>
<td>90082</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>50mL Polypropylene Centrifuge Tubes</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Corning</td>
<td>05-538-67</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>1.5ml MaxyClear microtubes Maximum recovery</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Axygen</td>
<td>MCT-150-L-C</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Phosphate-Buffered Saline pH 7.4</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Invitrogen-Gibco</td>
<td>10010-023</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>GASTIGHT Syringes 250 &mu;L</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Hamilton</td>
<td>1725</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Bath sonicator</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Branson</td>
<td>3510</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Savant SpeedVac Concentrator System</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Various distributors</td>
<td>SC 110A</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

preparation of oligomeric &beta;-amyloid1-42 and induction of synaptic plasticity impairment on hippocampal slices

Deterioro de las conexiones sinápticas es probable que subyacen a los cambios sutiles que ocurren amnésico en las primeras etapas de la enfermedad de Alzheimer s (AD). β-amiloide (Aß), un péptido producido en grandes cantidades en el año, se sabe que reduce potenciación a largo plazo (LTP), un celular correlato de aprendizaje y la memoria. De hecho, el deterioro causado por Aß LTP es un paradigma útil experimental para el estudio de las disfunciones sináptica en modelos de AD y de detección de drogas capaces de mitigar o revertir tales alteraciones sinápticas. Los estudios han demostrado que Aß produce la interrupción de LTP preferentemente a través de su forma oligomérica. Aquí les ofrecemos un protocolo detallado para la LTP impedir en la perfusión de oligomerized sintéticos Aβ1-42 péptido en agudas rodajas de hipocampo. En este video, se describe un procedimiento paso a paso para la preparación de Aß oligoméricos<sub&gt; 1-42</sub&gt;. Luego, seguimos un experimento individual en la que la LTP se reduce en rodajas de hipocampo expuestas a Aß oligomerized<sub&gt; 1-42</sub&gt; En comparación con las rebanadas en un experimento de control cuando no se Aß<sub&gt; 1-42</subExposición&gt; había ocurrido.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Preparation of Oligomeric Î²-amyloid1-42 and Induction of Synaptic Plasticity Impairment on Hippocampal Slices at JoVE.com

Preparation of Oligomeric &amp;#946;-amyloid1-42 and Induction of Synaptic Plasticity Impairment on Hippocampal Slices

Una de las características de la enfermedad de Alzheimer es la elevación de Aß<sub&gt; 1-42</sub&gt; Péptido. Aquí les ofrecemos un protocolo para la preparación de Aß sintético<sub&gt; 1-42</sub&gt; Oligómeros, lo cual afecta el hipocampo potenciación a largo plazo, un celular correlato de la memoria. Este procedimiento es útil para la investigación de los mecanismos de Aß inducida por detección de patología y de drogas.

Preparación de oligómeros β-amiloide 1-42 Y la inducción del deterioro de plasticidad sináptica en rodajas de hipocampo

Impairment of synaptic connections is likely to underlie the subtle amnesic changes occurring at the early stages of Alzheimer s Disease (AD). ...

preparation-oligomeric-amyloid1-42-induction-synaptic-plasticity

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Preparation of Oligomeric &beta;-amyloid1-42 and Induction of Synaptic Plasticity Impairment on Hippocampal Slices

23.0K vistas.  Columbia University. Una de las características de la enfermedad de Alzheimer es la elevación de Aß 1-42 Péptido. Aquí les ofrecemos un protocolo para la preparación de Aß sintético 1-42 Oligómeros, lo cual afecta el hipocampo potenciación a largo plazo, un celular correlato de la memoria. Este procedimiento es útil para la investigación de los mecanismos de Aß inducida por detección de patología y de drogas.

Video: Preparation of Oligomeric &#946;-amyloid1-42 and Induction of Synaptic Plasticity Impairment on Hippocampal Slices

Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology

The rodent hippocampal slice preparation is perhaps the most broadly used tool for investigating mammalian synaptic function and plasticity. The hippocampus can be extracted quickly and easily from rats and mice and slices remain viable for hours in oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Moreover, basic electrophysisologic techniques are easily applied to the investigation of synaptic function in hippocampal slices and have provided some of the best biomarkers for cognitive impairments. The hippocampal slice is especially popular for the study of synaptic plasticity mechanisms involved in learning and memory. Changes in the induction of long-term potentiation and depression (LTP and LTD) of synaptic efficacy in hippocampal slices (or lack thereof) are frequently used to describe the neurologic phenotype of cognitively-impaired animals and/or to evaluate the mechanism of action of nootropic compounds. This article outlines the procedures we use for preparing hippocampal slices from rats and transgenic mice for the study of synaptic alterations associated with brain aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD)1-3. Use of aged rats and AD model mice can present a unique set of challenges to researchers accustomed to using younger rats and/or mice in their research. Aged rats have thicker skulls and tougher connective tissue than younger rats and mice, which can delay brain extraction and/or dissection and consequently negate or exaggerate real age-differences in synaptic function and plasticity. Aging and amyloid pathology may also exacerbate hippocampal damage sustained during the dissection procedure, again complicating any inferences drawn from physiologic assessment. Here, we discuss the steps taken during the dissection procedure to minimize these problems. Examples of synaptic responses acquired in "healthy" and "unhealthy" slices from rats and mice are provided, as well as representative synaptic plasticity experiments. The possible impact of other methodological factors on synaptic function in these animal models (e.g. recording solution components, stimulation parameters) are also discussed. While the focus of this article is on the use of aged rats and transgenic mice, novices to slice physiology should find enough detail here to get started on their own studies, using a variety of rodent models.

This article outlines procedures for preparing hippocampal slices from rats and transgenic mice for the study of synaptic alterations associated with brain aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer&#x2019;s disease.

Preparación de la aguda rodajas de hipocampo de ratas y ratones transgénicos para el estudio de las alteraciones sinápticas durante el envejecimiento y la patología amiloide

The rodent hippocampal slice preparation is perhaps the most broadly used tool for investigating mammalian synaptic function and plasticity. The ...

Investigación

Neurociencias

Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals

Mechanical dissociation of neurons from the central nervous system has the advantage that presynaptic boutons remain attached to the isolated neuron of interest. This allows for examination of synaptic transmission under conditions where the extracellular and postsynaptic intracellular environments can be well controlled. A vibration-based technique without the use of proteases, known as vibrodissociation, is the most popular technique for mechanical isolation. A micropipette, with the tip fire-polished to the shape of a small ball, is placed into a brain slice made from a P1-P21 rodent. The micropipette is vibrated parallel to the slice surface and lowered through the slice thickness resulting in the liberation of isolated neurons. The isolated neurons are ready for study within a few minutes of vibrodissociation. This technique has advantages over the use of primary neuronal cultures, brain slices and enzymatically isolated neurons including: rapid production of viable, relatively mature neurons suitable for electrophysiological and imaging studies; superior control of the extracellular environment free from the influence of neighboring cells; suitability for well-controlled pharmacological experiments using rapid drug application and total cell superfusion; and improved space-clamp in whole-cell recordings relative to neurons in slice or cell culture preparations. This preparation can be used to examine synaptic physiology, pharmacology, modulation and plasticity. Real-time imaging of both pre- and postsynaptic elements in the living cells and boutons is also possible using vibrodissociated neurons. Characterization of the molecular constituents of pre- and postsynaptic elements can also be achieved with immunological and imaging-based approaches.

This report demonstrates a technique for mechanical isolation of individual viable neurons retaining attached presynaptic boutons. Vibrodissociated neurons have the advantages of rapid production, excellent pharmacological control and improved space-clamp without influence from neighboring cells. This method can be used for imaging of synaptic elements and patch-clamp recording.

Vibrodissociation de las neuronas del cerebro de roedores Rodajas para el Estudio de la transmisión sináptica y la imagen terminales presinápticos

Mechanical dissociation of neurons from the central nervous system has the advantage that presynaptic boutons remain attached to the isolated neuron of ...

Lateral Diffusion and Exocytosis of Membrane Proteins in Cultured Neurons Assessed using Fluorescence Recovery and Fluorescence-loss Photobleaching

Membrane proteins such as receptors and ion channels undergo active trafficking in neurons, which are highly polarised and morphologically complex. This directed trafficking is of fundamental importance to deliver, maintain or remove synaptic proteins.
Super-ecliptic pHluorin (SEP) is a pH-sensitive derivative of eGFP that has been extensively used for live cell imaging of plasma membrane proteins1-2. At low pH, protonation of SEP decreases photon absorption and eliminates fluorescence emission. As most intracellular trafficking events occur in compartments with low pH, where SEP fluorescence is eclipsed, the fluorescence signal from SEP-tagged proteins is predominantly from the plasma membrane where the SEP is exposed to a neutral pH extracellular environment. When illuminated at high intensity SEP, like every fluorescent dye, is irreversibly photodamaged (photobleached)3-5. Importantly, because low pH quenches photon absorption, only surface expressed SEP can be photobleached whereas intracellular SEP is unaffected by the high intensity illumination6-10. 
FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) of SEP-tagged proteins is a convenient and powerful technique for assessing protein dynamics at the plasma membrane. When fluorescently tagged proteins are photobleached in a region of interest (ROI) the recovery in fluorescence occurs due to the movement of unbleached SEP-tagged proteins into the bleached region. This can occur via lateral diffusion and/or from exocytosis of non-photobleached receptors supplied either by de novo synthesis or recycling (see Fig. 1). The fraction of immobile and mobile protein can be determined and the mobility and kinetics of the diffusible fraction can be interrogated under basal and stimulated conditions such as agonist application or neuronal activation stimuli such as NMDA or KCl application8,10. 
We describe photobleaching techniques designed to selectively visualize the recovery of fluorescence attributable to exocytosis. Briefly, an ROI is photobleached once as with standard FRAP protocols, followed, after a brief recovery, by repetitive bleaching of the flanking regions. This 'FRAP-FLIP' protocol, developed in our lab, has been used to characterize AMPA receptor trafficking at dendritic spines10, and is applicable to a wide range of trafficking studies to evaluate the intracellular trafficking and exocytosis.

This report describes the use of live cell imaging and photobleach techniques to determine the surface expression, transport pathways and trafficking kinetics of exogenously expressed, pH-sensitive GFP-tagged proteins at the plasma membrane of neurons.

Difusión lateral y exocitosis de proteínas de membrana en neuronas cultivadas evaluó a través de la recuperación de fluorescencia y la pérdida de fluorescencia photobleaching

Membrane proteins such as receptors and ion channels undergo active trafficking in neurons, which are highly polarised and morphologically complex. This ...

Post-embedding Immunogold Labeling of Synaptic Proteins in Hippocampal Slice Cultures

Immunoelectron microscopy is a powerful tool to study biological molecules at the subcellular level. Antibodies coupled to electron-dense markers such as colloidal gold can reveal the localization and distribution of specific antigens in various tissues1. The two most widely used techniques are pre-embedding and post-embedding techniques. In pre-embedding immunogold-electron microscopy (EM) techniques, the tissue must be permeabilized to allow antibody penetration before it is embedded. These techniques are ideal for preserving structures but poor penetration of the antibody (often only the first few micrometers) is a considerable drawback2. The post-embedding labeling methods can avoid this problem because labeling takes place on sections of fixed tissues where antigens are more easily accessible. Over the years, a number of modifications have improved the post-embedding methods to enhance immunoreactivity and to preserve ultrastructure3-5.
Tissue fixation is a crucial part of EM studies. Fixatives chemically crosslink the macromolecules to lock the tissue structures in place. The choice of fixative affects not only structural preservation but also antigenicity and contrast. Osmium tetroxide (OsO4), formaldehyde, and glutaraldehyde have been the standard fixatives for decades, including for central nervous system (CNS) tissues that are especially prone to structural damage during chemical and physical processing. Unfortunately, OsO4 is highly reactive and has been shown to mask antigens6, resulting in poor and insufficient labeling. Alternative approaches to avoid chemical fixation include freezing the tissues. But these techniques are difficult to perform and require expensive instrumentation. To address some of these problems and to improve CNS tissue labeling, Phend et al. replaced OsO4 with uranyl acetate (UA) and tannic acid (TA), and successfully introduced additional modifications to improve the sensitivity of antigen detection and structural preservation in brain and spinal cord tissues7. We have adopted this osmium-free post-embedding method to rat brain tissue and optimized the immunogold labeling technique to detect and study synaptic proteins.
We present here a method to determine the ultrastructural localization of synaptic proteins in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. We use organotypic hippocampal cultured slices. These slices maintain the trisynaptic circuitry of the hippocampus, and thus are especially useful for studying synaptic plasticity, a mechanism widely thought to underlie learning and memory. Organotypic hippocampal slices from postnatal day 5 and 6 mouse/rat pups can be prepared as described previously8, and are especially useful to acutely knockdown or overexpress exogenous proteins. We have previously used this protocol to characterize neurogranin (Ng), a neuron-specific protein with a critical role in regulating synaptic function8,9 . We have also used it to characterize the ultrastructural localization of calmodulin (CaM) and Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)10. As illustrated in the results, this protocol allows good ultrastructural preservation of dendritic spines and efficient labeling of Ng to help characterize its distribution in the spine8. Furthermore, the procedure described here can have wide applicability in studying many other proteins involved in neuronal functions.

The localization and distribution of proteins provide important information for understanding their cellular functions. The superior spatial resolution of electron microscopy (EM) can be used to determine the subcellular localization of a given antigen following immunohistochemistry. For tissues of the central nervous system (CNS), preserving structural integrity while maintaining antigenicity has been especially difficult in EM studies. Here, we adopt a procedure that has been used to preserve structures and antigens in the CNS to study and characterize synaptic proteins in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.

Post-Etiquetado Inmunoelectrónica incorporación de proteínas sinápticas en cultivos de cortes de hipocampo

Immunoelectron microscopy is a powerful tool to study biological molecules at the subcellular level. Antibodies coupled to electron-dense markers such as ...

Improved Preparation and Preservation of Hippocampal Mouse Slices for a Very Stable and Reproducible Recording of Long-term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a type of synaptic plasticity characterized by an increase in synaptic strength and believed to be involved in memory encoding. LTP elicited in the CA1 region of acute hippocampal slices has been extensively studied. However the molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance phase of this phenomenon are still poorly understood. This could be partly due to the various experimental conditions used by different laboratories. Indeed, the maintenance phase of LTP is strongly dependent on external parameters like oxygenation, temperature and humidity. It is also dependent on internal parameters like orientation of the slicing plane and slice viability after dissection.
The optimization of all these parameters enables the induction of a very reproducible and very stable long-term potentiation. This methodology offers the possibility to further explore the molecular mechanisms involved in the stable increase in synaptic strength in hippocampal slices. It also highlights the importance of experimental conditions in in vitro investigation of neurophysiological phenomena.

This paper presents a complete methodology to prepare and preserve in vitro acute hippocampal slices from adult mice. This protocol allows the recording of very stable long-lasting long-term potentiation (LTP) for more than 8 hours with a success rate of 95%.

Mejora de la preparación y conservación de las rebanadas de hipocampo de un ratón de grabación muy estable y reproducible de la potenciación a largo plazo

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a type of synaptic plasticity characterized by an increase in synaptic strength and believed to be involved in memory ...

Stereotaxic Infusion of Oligomeric Amyloid-beta into the Mouse Hippocampus

Alzheimer&#8217;s disease is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the aging population. A key neuropathological feature of the disease is the over-production of amyloid-beta and the deposition of amyloid-beta plaques in brain regions of the afflicted individuals. Throughout the years scientists have generated numerous Alzheimer&#8217;s disease mouse models that attempt to replicate the amyloid-beta pathology. Unfortunately, the mouse models only selectively mimic the disease features. Neuronal death, a prominent effect in the brains of Alzheimer&#8217;s disease patients, is noticeably lacking in these mice. Hence, we and others have employed a method of directly infusing soluble oligomeric species of amyloid-beta - forms of amyloid-beta that have been proven to be most toxic to neurons - stereotaxically into the brain. In this report we utilize male C57BL/6J mice to document this surgical technique of increasing amyloid-beta levels in a select brain region. The infusion target is the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus because this brain structure, along with the basal forebrain that is connected by the cholinergic circuit, represents one of the areas of degeneration in the disease. The results of elevating amyloid-beta in the dentate gyrus via stereotaxic infusion reveal increases in neuron loss in the dentate gyrus within 1 week, while there is a concomitant increase in cell death and cholinergic neuron loss in the vertical limb of the diagonal band of Broca of the basal forebrain. These effects are observed up to 2 weeks. Our data suggests that the current amyloid-beta infusion model provides an alternative mouse model to address region specific neuron death in a short-term basis. The advantage of this model is that amyloid-beta can be elevated in a spatial and temporal manner.

Here, we present a protocol for direct stereotaxic brain infusion of amyloid-beta. This methodology provides an alternative in vivo mouse model to address the short-term effects of amyloid-beta on brain neurons.

Infusión estereotáxica de Oligomeric beta-amiloide en el hipocampo del ratón

Alzheimer&#8217;s disease is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the aging population. A key neuropathological feature of the disease is the ...

Investigation of Synaptic Tagging/Capture and Cross-capture using Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rodents

Synaptic tagging and capture (STC) and cross-tagging are two important mechanisms at cellular level that explain how synapse-specificity and associativity is achieved in neurons within a specific time frame. These long-term plasticity-related processes are the leading candidate models to study the basis of memory formation and persistence at the cellular level. Both STC and cross-tagging involve two serial processes: (1) setting of the synaptic tag as triggered by a specific pattern of stimulation, and (2) synaptic capture, whereby the synaptic tag interacts with newly synthesized plasticity-related proteins (PRPs). Much of the understanding about the concepts of STC and cross-tagging arises from the studies done in CA1 region of the hippocampus and because of the technical complexity many of the laboratories are still unable to study these processes. Experimental conditions for the preparation of hippocampal slices and the recording of stable late-LTP/LTD are extremely important to study synaptic tagging/cross-tagging. This video article describes the experimental procedures to study long-term plasticity processes such as STC and cross-tagging in the CA1 pyramidal neurons using stable, long-term field-potential recordings from acute hippocampal slices of rats.

This video article describes experimental procedures to study long-term plasticity and its associative processes such as synaptic tagging, capture and cross-tagging in the CA1 pyramidal neurons using acute hippocampal slices from rodents.

Investigación de sináptica Tagging / Captura y Cruz de captura utilizando aguda hipocampo rebanadas de Roedores

Synaptic tagging and capture (STC) and cross-tagging are two important mechanisms at cellular level that explain how synapse-specificity and associativity ...

Measuring Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

During endocytosis, fused synaptic vesicles are retrieved at nerve terminals, allowing for vesicle recycling and thus the maintenance of synaptic transmission during repetitive nerve firing. Impaired endocytosis in pathological conditions leads to decreases in synaptic strength and brain functions. Here, we describe methods used to measure synaptic vesicle endocytosis at the mammalian hippocampal synapse in neuronal culture. We monitored synaptic vesicle protein endocytosis by fusing a synaptic vesicular membrane protein, including synaptophysin and VAMP2/synaptobrevin, at the vesicular lumenal side, with pHluorin, a pH-sensitive green fluorescent protein that increases its fluorescence intensity as the pH increases. During exocytosis, vesicular lumen pH increases, whereas during endocytosis vesicular lumen pH is re-acidified. Thus, an increase of pHluorin fluorescence intensity indicates fusion, whereas a decrease indicates endocytosis of the labelled synaptic vesicle protein. In addition to using the pHluorin imaging method to record endocytosis, we monitored vesicular membrane endocytosis by electron microscopy (EM) measurements of Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) uptake by vesicles. Finally, we monitored the formation of nerve terminal membrane pits at various times after high potassium-induced depolarization. The time course of HRP uptake and membrane pit formation indicates the time course of endocytosis.

Synaptic vesicle endocytosis is detected by light microscopy of pHluorin fused with synaptic vesicle protein and by electron microscopy of vesicle uptake.

Medición de endocitosis vesícula sináptica en neuronas Hippocampal cultivadas

During endocytosis, fused synaptic vesicles are retrieved at nerve terminals, allowing for vesicle recycling and thus the maintenance of synaptic ...

Recording Synaptic Plasticity in Acute Hippocampal Slices Maintained in a Small-volume Recycling-, Perfusion-, and Submersion-type Chamber System

Even though experiments on brain slices have been in use since 1951, problems remain that reduce the probability of achieving a stable and successful analysis of synaptic transmission modulation when performing field potential or intracellular recordings. This manuscript describes methodological aspects that might be helpful in improving experimental conditions for the maintenance of acute brain slices and for recording field excitatory postsynaptic potentials in a commercially available submersion chamber with an outflow-carbogenation unit. The outflow-carbogenation helps to stabilize the oxygen level in experiments that rely on the recycling of a small buffer reservoir to enhance the cost-efficiency of drug experiments. In addition, the manuscript presents representative experiments that examine the effects of different carbogenation modes and stimulation paradigms on the activity-dependent synaptic plasticity of synaptic transmission.

This protocol describes the stabilization of the oxygen level in a small volume of recycled buffer and methodological aspects of recording activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in submerged acute hippocampal slices.

Grabación de la plasticidad sináptica en rebanadas Hippocampal agudas mantenidas en un pequeño volumen reciclado - perfusión- y sistema de cámara de tipo inmersión

Even though experiments on brain slices have been in use since 1951, problems remain that reduce the probability of achieving a stable and successful ...

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

In the brain, synapses are specialized junctions between neurons, determining the strength and spread of neuronal signaling. The number of synapses is tightly regulated during development and neuronal maturation. Importantly, deficits in synapse number can lead to cognitive dysfunction. Therefore, the evaluation of synapse number is an integral part of neurobiology. However, as synapses are small and highly compact in the intact brain, the assessment of absolute number is challenging. This protocol describes a method to easily identify and evaluate synapses in hippocampal rodent slices using immunofluorescence microscopy. It includes a three-step procedure to evaluate synapses in high-quality confocal microscopy images by analyzing the co-localization of pre- and postsynaptic proteins in hippocampal slices. It also explains how the analysis is performed and gives representative examples from both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. This protocol provides a solid foundation for the analysis of synapses and can be applied to any research investigating the structure and function of the brain.

A protocol for accurately identifying and analyzing synapses in hippocampal slices using immunofluorescence is outlined in this article.

Evaluación de la densidad de sinapsis en rebanadas de hipocampo cerebral de roedor

In the brain, synapses are specialized junctions between neurons, determining the strength and spread of neuronal signaling. The number of synapses is ...