Este trabajo fue financiado por el Wellcome Trust y la Fundación Británica del Corazón.

Todas las etapas se realizaron a temperatura ambiente, a menos que se indique lo contrario. 1. Enucleación y Fijación de postnatal Eyes <ol><li> Coloque el ratón sacrifique a las crías en su lado, quitar la piel que cubre el ojo con unas tijeras. </li><li> Con unas tijeras y pinzas para enucleación del ojo. </li><li> Coloque las tijeras por debajo del ojo enucleado, cortar el nervio óptico y los tejidos circundantes y levantar la vista. Transferencia a una placa de 24 pocillos que contenía 4% de paraformaldehído (PFA) formado por 2x en PBS a temperatura ambiente. </li><li> Permita que cada ojo para fijar por 10 - 15 min, luego traslado al frío 2x PBS en hielo durante 5 - 10 min. Es mejor escalonar enucleaciones y la posterior fijación para asegurar el grado de fijación es igual para cada ojo. </li></ol> 2. Disección de retinas murinos postnatales <ol><li> Transferencia de los ojos en una placa de Petri que contiene 2x PBS utilizando una pipeta Pasteur de plástico que se ha cortado para ensanchar el agujero y colocar en Dissección de microscopio. </li><li> Retire toda la grasa alrededor de los ojos con unas pinzas y tijeras. </li><li> Pierce el borde de la córnea con tijeras y cortar alrededor de la córnea y el iris y el descarte. </li><li> Inserte pinzas entre la retina y la esclerótica y retire la esclerótica con cuidado de no romper la retina. La capa de la coroides también se puede quitar, pero si hay un riesgo de daño a la retina que ocurre durante este paso, la capa de la coroides se puede dejar en, ya que no debería afectar significativamente la calidad de la inmunotinción. </li><li> Retire la lente y el humor vítreo utilizando pinzas. </li><li> Retire los recipientes hialoides por reuniéndolos en el centro de la atención con unas pinzas finas y luego tire rápidamente lejos del centro de la retina (como alternativa tijeretazo en la base de los vasos hyaloid con tijeras finas). </li><li> Enjuague la retina en forma de copa con PBS en una placa de Petri limpia. </li><li> Hacer 4 a 5 incisiones radiales que alcanzan aproximadamente 2/3 del radio de la retina utilizando primavera scissors para crear una forma de &quot;pétalo&quot;. </li><li> Extraiga PBS utilizando una pipeta Pasteur para aplanar la retina y, a continuación, eliminar el exceso de PBS con un pequeño trozo de papel absorbente. </li><li> Lentamente pipeta frío (-20 ° C) metanol gota a gota sobre la superficie de la retina hasta totalmente cubierto y luego inundación con metanol adicional. Esto le ayudará a fijar las retinas y facilitará la permeabilización. Las retinas se volverá blanco. </li><li> Transferir a un tubo de 2 ml utilizando una pipeta Pasteur de plástico que ha sido cortado para ensanchar el orificio. </li><li> Agregar la retina en metanol frío durante al menos 20 min antes de proceder con la inmunotinción. De los anticuerpos utilizados aquí, sólo la VE-cadherina no puede ser utilizado con éxito en las retinas fijadas con metanol. En este caso retinas deben proceder directamente a inmunotinción después del paso 9. </li><li> Si es necesario, las retinas se puede almacenar en metanol a -20 ° C durante hasta varios meses antes de la tinción. </li></ol> 3. Immuno / isolectina tinción de la retina Vasculatura <ol><li> Retire cuidadosamente / verter el metanol y enjuagar suavemente retinas brevemente en PBS (en esta etapa de la retina se encuentra todavía en el mismo tubo de 2 ml de la etapa 11 anterior). </li><li> Retire PBS y retinas de cobertura con 100 l de solución de Perm / Block (PBS + 0,3% Triton + 0,2% de BSA) + 5% de suero adecuado (vea la Tabla 1) y agite suavemente durante 1 hora. </li><li> Retire Perm / Bloquear e incubar retinas con agitación suave durante la noche a 4 ° C con 100 l de anticuerpos primarios seleccionados (véase la Tabla 1) y / o IsolectinB4, todo preparada diluyendo en Perm / Bloquear. </li><li> Retire anticuerpo / isolectina y lavar retinas 4 x 10 min en PBS + 0,3% Triton (PBSTx). </li><li> En algunos casos, por ejemplo, después de la tinción con IsolectinB4-Alexa488 o un anticuerpo primario conjugado directamente, no es necesario un anticuerpo secundario y las retinas se puede montar directamente (paso 7). Cuando un anticuerpo primario sin conjugar se ha utilizado en el paso 3, a continuación 100 l de la fluor apropiadoSe añade anticuerpo secundario escent (diluido 1/200 en PBSTx) y se deja incubar durante la noche a 4 ° C o durante 4 horas a temperatura ambiente. </li><li> Retire anticuerpo secundario y lavar retinas 4 x 15 min en 2 ml PBSTx. </li><li> Traslado retinas en portaobjetos utilizando una amplia perforación de plástico pipeta Pasteur y eliminar el exceso PBSTx con el tejido absorbente. Mount retinas por la adición de 50 l de prolongar medio de montaje sobre un portaobjetos y coloque suavemente sobre la retina. </li><li> Transferencia desliza a refrigerador durante la noche a 4 º C, asegurando que son planas y protegido de la luz, para que el medio de montaje Prolongar para ajustar. </li><li> Imagen retina utilizando un microscopio confocal o un microscopio de epifluorescencia. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Carmeliet, P., Jain, R. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+mechanisms+and+clinical+applications+of+angiogenesis.">Molecular mechanisms and clinical applications of angiogenesis.</a> Nature. 473 (7347), 298-307 (2011).</li><li>Staton, C. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Current+methods+for+assaying+angiogenesis+in+vitro+and+in+vivo.">Current methods for assaying angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.</a> Int J. Exp. Pathol. 85 (5), 233-248 (2004).</li><li>Goodwin, A. M. <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+assays+of+angiogenesis+for+assessment+of+angiogenic+and+anti-angiogenic+agents.">In vitro assays of angiogenesis for assessment of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic agents.</a> Microvasc. Res. 74 (2-3), 172-183 (2007).</li><li>Lawson, N. D., Weinstein, B. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+imaging+of+embryonic+vascular+development+using+transgenic+zebrafish.">In vivo imaging of embryonic vascular development using transgenic zebrafish.</a> Dev. Biol. 248 (2), 307-318 (2002).</li><li>Fruttiger, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+the+retinal+vasculature.">Development of the retinal vasculature.</a> Angiogenesis. 10 (2), 77-88 (2007).</li><li>Sawamiphak, S., Ritter, M., Acker-Palmer, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+of+retinal+explant+cultures+to+study+ex+vivo+tip+endothelial+cell+responses.">Preparation of retinal explant cultures to study ex vivo tip endothelial cell responses.</a> Nat. Protoc. 5 (10), 1659-1665 (1038).</li><li>Mahajan, V. B., Skeie, J. M., Assefnia, A. H., Mahajan, M., Tsang, S. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mouse+eye+enucleation+for+remote+high-throughput+phenotyping.">Mouse eye enucleation for remote high-throughput phenotyping.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (57), e3184 (2011).</li><li>Pitulescu, M. E., Schmidt, I., Benedito, R., Adams, R. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inducible+gene+targeting+in+the+neonatal+vasculature+and+analysis+of+retinal+angiogenesis+in+mice.">Inducible gene targeting in the neonatal vasculature and analysis of retinal angiogenesis in mice.</a> Nat. Protoc. 5 (9), 1518-1534 (2010).</li><li>Allinson, K. R., Lee, H. S., Fruttiger, M., McCarty, J., Arthur, H. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endothelial+expression+of+TGFbeta+type+II+receptor+is+required+to+maintain+vascular+integrity+during+postnatal+development+of+the+central+nervous+system.">Endothelial expression of TGFbeta type II receptor is required to maintain vascular integrity during postnatal development of the central nervous system.</a> PLoS One. 7 (9), e39336 (2012).</li><li>Mahmoud, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pathogenesis+of+arteriovenous+malformations+in+the+absence+of+endoglin.">Pathogenesis of arteriovenous malformations in the absence of endoglin.</a> Circ. Res. 106 (8), 1425-1433 (2010).</li><li>Lebrin, F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Thalidomide+stimulates+vessel+maturation+and+reduces+epistaxis+in+individuals+with+hereditary+hemorrhagic+telangiectasia.">Thalidomide stimulates vessel maturation and reduces epistaxis in individuals with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.</a> Nat. Med. 16 (4), 420-428 (2010).</li><li>Pi, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Role+of+connective+tissue+growth+factor+in+the+retinal+vasculature+during+development+and+ischemia.">Role of connective tissue growth factor in the retinal vasculature during development and ischemia.</a> Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 52 (12), 8701-8710 (2011).</li><li>Powner, M. B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Visualization+of+gene+expression+in+whole+mouse+retina+by+in+situ+hybridization.">Visualization of gene expression in whole mouse retina by in situ hybridization.</a> Nat. Protoc. 7 (6), 1086-1096 (2012).</li></ol>

Los autores declaran que no tienen intereses financieros en competencia.

El método presentado aquí ofrece una manera sencilla y eficaz para obtener imágenes de las preparaciones de todo el montaje manchadas de retinas de ratones neonatales, por lo que es un modelo fácilmente cuantificables y fisiológicamente relevantes de la angiogénesis. Inicialmente, el ojo del ratón puede ser muy difícil de diseccionar debido a su pequeño tamaño y la forma de globo, por lo que un poco de práctica y las buenas herramientas de disección son necesarias para obtener resultados fiables. La disecci?...

La angiogénesis es un proceso de desarrollo complejo definido por la formación de nuevos vasos sanguíneos a partir de una red de vasos pre-existentes y está regulada por varias vías de señalización. La más destacada de éstas es la vía del VEGF. VEGF es liberada por las células isquémicas y conduce a la iniciación de brotes angiogénicos en los vasos sanguíneos vecinos. La célula endotelial líder de un nuevo brote vascular es una célula de &#39;punta&#39;, que produce filopodios que alcanzan hacia fuera hacia la fuente de VEGF, y es seguida por la proliferación de células endoteliales &#39;tallo&#39;. De esta manera, las células endoteliales activadas migran y proliferan hacia una región avascular, donde forman nuevos tubos vasculares. Con el fin de estabilizar estos tubos para apoyar el flujo de sangre, las células endoteliales interactúan con los pericitos y células musculares lisas, que rodean los vasos sanguíneos nuevos 1. La angiogénesis es esencial para la vascularización del embrión y tejidos en crecimiento. Sin embargo, también contribuye a muchos patológicatrastornos de cal como el cáncer; mientras que defectos en la angiogénesis están asociados con enfermedades isquémicas. Por consiguiente, el desarrollo de tratamientos farmacológicos eficaces para regular la angiogénesis como un medio de tratamiento de la enfermedad es de gran interés. Por ejemplo, los factores anti-angiogénicos eficaces reducirán el crecimiento del cáncer, mientras que las estrategias de pro-angiogénicos pueden ser usados ​​para tratar la enfermedad isquémica. Por lo tanto, los modelos de angiogénesis son esenciales para entender mejor la regulación de la formación de nuevos vasos y para el desarrollo de nuevas estrategias terapéuticas para mejorar o disminuir el crecimiento vascular. Un elemento fundamental de la investigación de la angiogénesis es la elección de un modelo vascular apropiada. Muchos en modelos in vitro se han diseñado para reproducir los pasos básicos de la angiogénesis tales como la migración de células endoteliales, proliferación y supervivencia 2,3. A utilizado con frecuencia en el ensayo in vitro es la formación de una red ramificada de células endoteliales sobre una matriz de Matrigel, aunque tla suya no es específico de las células endoteliales, ni tampoco suelen incorporar el apoyo de los pericitos o células del músculo liso. Evaluación ex vivo de la angiogénesis brotación usando cultivo de órganos de ratón, tales como el ensayo de cuerpo embrioide, el ensayo de anillo aórtico y el ensayo metatarsiano fetal permite el análisis de la angiogénesis de las células endoteliales en el contexto de células de soporte adicionales. Sin embargo, las principales limitaciones de estos ensayos incluyen la falta de flujo de sangre y la regresión de los vasos a través del tiempo, dando una ventana limitada para el análisis. Por lo tanto, para comprender la regulación de la angiogénesis con mayor precisión, en modelos in vivo son necesarios tales como los desarrollados en el ratón utilizando esponjas implantadas por vía subcutánea o tapones de matrigel, así como el modelo de isquemia de las extremidades posteriores. Sin embargo, estos modelos son difíciles de analizar debido a la compleja arquitectura 3D de los neovasos. En contraste, el embrión de pez cebra ha demostrado ser un excelente modelo para la visualización de la angiogénesis en el conjuntoorganismo 4. Sin embargo, el ratón es evolutivamente mucho más estrechamente relacionada con la humana que pez cebra, haciendo que el ratón un modelo preferido en muchos casos. Por consiguiente la angiogénesis de la retina del ratón postnatal representa un método bien caracterizado de elección para la investigación angiogénesis. No sólo proporciona un entorno fisiológico, pero también un plexo vascular 2D que puede ser fácilmente visualizado utilizando manchas fluorescentes apropiados. La arquitectura de la red de vasos, la proliferación endotelial, germinación, reclutamiento de células perivasculares y remodelado vascular todo puede ser investigada utilizando esta técnica. En la retina del ratón neonatal, el desarrollo de los vasos sanguíneos de la retina se produce en la primera semana de vida postnatal. Los ratones, a diferencia de los humanos, nacen ciegos y las retinas sólo son vascularizados después del nacimiento. Surgen vasos de la retina desde el centro de la retina cerca del nervio óptico en el día postnatal 0 (P0), y se desarrollan por la angiogénesis para formar un altamente organizard plexo vascular que llega a la periferia de la retina en aproximadamente 5 P8. Los vasos sanguíneos se desarrollan de una manera característica con el plexo capilar creciente gradualmente hacia fuera desde el disco óptico hacia la periferia para generar un modelo de alternancia regular de las arterias y venas con una red capilar intervenir. La vasculatura de la retina proporciona un modelo ideal para estudiar la angiogénesis como los vasos se pueden identificar fácilmente a medida que crecen en lo que es esencialmente un plano 2D, por lo que es relativamente fácil de examinar la vasculatura de la retina en los preparativos de montaje plana 5. Un método para el aislamiento de la retina del ratón neonatal para el análisis de las respuestas de células endoteliales punta durante varias horas ex vivo ha sido reportado 6. Alternativamente, una investigación más detallada de toda la vasculatura de la retina y de los marcadores vasculares asociadas requiere la inmunotinción de muestras de retina fijos en diferentes etapas de desarrollo. Aquí proporcionamosuna descripción detallada de un método fiable y técnicamente sencillo que utilizamos para la tinción de todo el montaje de la retina plexo vascular murino, de la enucleación del ojo inicial postnatal (ver también 7) a través de los protocolos de tinción a la imagen final bajo el microscopio.

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plastic pipettes 3 ml</td>
			<td>Scientific Laboratory Supplies</td>
			<td>PIP4210</td>
			<td>Remove tip with scissors to create a wide bore</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BD Falcon 24-well plates</td>
			<td>Scientific Laboratory Supplies</td>
			<td>353226</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Select Petri dishes TV 90 mm</td>
			<td>Scientific Laboratory Supplies</td>
			<td>SLS2002</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Histobond slides</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>631-0624</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Coverslips 22 x 22 mm</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>631-1336</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont Tweezers #5</td>
			<td>World precision instruments</td>
			<td>14095</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spring scissors 10.5 cm long, with straight 8 mm blades</td>
			<td>World precision instruments</td>
			<td>501235</td>
			<td>Used for enucleation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vannas scissors 8.5 cm long, with straight 7 mm blades, and 0.025 x 0.015 mm superfine tips</td>
			<td>World precision instruments</td>
			<td>500086</td>
			<td>Used for dissecting retina</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Superfine vannas scissors 8 cm long with straight 3 mm blades, and 0.015 x 0.015 mm superfine tips</td>
			<td>World precision instruments</td>
			<td>501778</td>
			<td>Used for dissecting retina</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>crystal clear' tubes 2 ml</td>
			<td>Starlab</td>
			<td>E1420-2000</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Reagents</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium phosphate dibasic</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S0876</td>
			<td>PBS reagent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium phosphate monobasic</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P5655</td>
			<td>PBS reagent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium chloride</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S9625</td>
			<td>PBS reagent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P6148</td>
			<td>Make up in 2x PBS and store at -20 &deg;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A7638</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T9284</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey serum</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>D9663</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat serum</td>
			<td>Vector</td>
			<td>S-1000</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Prolong Gold anti-fade reagent</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>P36930</td>
			<td>Mounting reagent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isolectin GS-IB4-alexa 594</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>I21413</td>
			<td>Use at 1:200 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isolectin GS-IB4-alexa 488</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>I21411</td>
			<td>Use at 1:200 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Primary Antibodies</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-NG2 (rabbit polyclonal )</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>AB5320</td>
			<td>Detects pericytes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-GFAP (clone GA5, mouse monoclonal)</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>MAB360</td>
			<td>Detects astrocytes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Desmin (clone Y66, rabbit monoclonal)</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>04-585</td>
			<td>Detects pericytes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Collagen IV (rabbit polyclonal )</td>
			<td>Chemicon</td>
			<td>AB756P</td>
			<td>Detects vascular basement membrane</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-alpha smooth muscle actin-Cy3 (clone 1A4, mouse monoclonal)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C6198</td>
			<td>Detects vascular smooth muscle cells.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Endoglin (clone MJ7/18, rat monoclonal)</td>
			<td>BD Pharmingen</td>
			<td>550546</td>
			<td>Detects endothelial cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-CD31 (clone MEC13.3, rat monoclonal)</td>
			<td>BD Pharmingen</td>
			<td>553370</td>
			<td>Detects endothelial cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-VE-Cadherin (clone 11D4.1, rat monoclonal)</td>
			<td>BD Pharmingen</td>
			<td>550548</td>
			<td>Detects endothelial cell junctions</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Alk1 (goat polyclonal)</td>
			<td>R&amp;D Systems</td>
			<td>AF770</td>
			<td>Detects endothelial cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Secondary Antibodies</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-rabbit-Alexa594</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A11012</td>
			<td>All secondary antibodies are aliquoted immediately on arrival and stored at -20 &deg;C.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-rat-Alexa488</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A11006</td>
			<td>All secondary antibodies are aliquoted immediately on arrival and stored at -20 &deg;C.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-rat-Alexa594</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A11007</td>
			<td>All secondary antibodies are aliquoted immediately on arrival and stored at -20 &deg;C.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-mouse-Alexa488</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A11029</td>
			<td>All secondary antibodies are aliquoted immediately on arrival and stored at -20 &deg;C.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey anti-goat-Alexa594</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A11058</td>
			<td>All secondary antibodies are aliquoted immediately on arrival and stored at -20 &deg;C.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Microscopes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissection microscope</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>Stemi SV6</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Camera</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>Axiocam HRc</td>
			<td>Camera for dissection microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Epifluorescent Microscope</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>Axioimager with Apotome</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Camera</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>Axiocam HRm</td>
			<td>Camera for Axioimager</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Confocal Microscope</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>A1R</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

whole mount immunofluorescent staining of the neonatal mouse retina to investigate angiogenesis in vivo

La angiogénesis es el proceso complejo de la nueva formación de vasos sanguíneos definido por el surgimiento de nuevos vasos sanguíneos a partir de una red de vasos pre-existentes. La angiogénesis juega un papel clave no sólo en el desarrollo normal de los órganos y tejidos, pero también en muchas enfermedades en las que la formación de los vasos sanguíneos es mal regulada, tales como el cáncer, la ceguera y enfermedades isquémicas. En la vida adulta, los vasos sanguíneos son generalmente de reposo para la angiogénesis es un importante objetivo para el desarrollo de fármacos novedoso para tratar de regular la formación de nuevos vasos específicamente en la enfermedad. Con el fin de entender mejor la angiogénesis y para desarrollar estrategias apropiadas para regularlo, se requieren modelos que reflejan con precisión los diferentes pasos biológicos que están involucrados. La retina del ratón neonatal proporciona un excelente modelo de la angiogénesis debido a arterias, venas y capilares desarrollan para formar un plexo vascular durante la primera semana después del nacimiento. Este modelo también tiene la ventaja de tener una de dos diestructura dimensional (2D) hacer análisis simple en comparación con la compleja anatomía 3D de otras redes vasculares. Mediante el análisis del plexo vascular de la retina en diferentes momentos después del nacimiento, es posible observar las diversas etapas de la angiogénesis bajo el microscopio. Este artículo muestra un procedimiento sencillo para el análisis de la vasculatura de la retina del ratón usando tinción fluorescente con anticuerpos específicos isolectina y vasculares.

Después de la disección de la retina debe ser similar a una flor plana (Figura 1). Al utilizar el protocolo, descrito anteriormente, las células endoteliales se pueden ver mediante la tinción de B4-isolectina Alexa488 y el apoyo a las células musculares vasculares se visualizaron utilizando actina de músculo liso anti-alfa (Figura 2). El punto de vista de baja potencia utilizando un objetivo de 5X en la Figura 2 permite una visión general de la organización vasc...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Whole Mount Immunofluorescent Staining of the Neonatal Mouse Retina to Investigate Angiogenesis In vivo at JoVE.com

Whole Mount Immunofluorescent Staining of the Neonatal Mouse Retina to Investigate Angiogenesis In vivo

La retina murino neonatal proporciona un modelo bien caracterizado fisiológica de la angiogénesis, que permite que las investigaciones de las funciones de los diferentes genes o fármacos que modulan la angiogénesis en un<em&gt; In vivo</em&gt; Contexto. La tinción por inmunofluorescencia para visualizar con precisión el plexo vascular es crucial para el éxito de estos tipos de estudios.

Todo el montaje de la tinción de inmunofluorescencia del Neonatal ratón Retina de investigar Angiogénesis<em&gt; En vivo</em

Angiogenesis  is the complex process of new blood vessel formation defined by the sprouting  of new blood vessels from a pre-existing vessel network. ...

whole-mount-immunofluorescent-staining-neonatal-mouse-retina-to

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Whole Mount Immunofluorescent Staining of the Neonatal Mouse Retina to Investigate Angiogenesis In vivo

45.3K vistas.  Newcastle University. La retina murino neonatal proporciona un modelo bien caracterizado fisiológica de la angiogénesis, que permite que las investigaciones de las funciones de los diferentes genes o fármacos que modulan la angiogénesis en un In vivo Contexto. La tinción por inmunofluorescencia para visualizar con precisión el plexo vascular es crucial para el éxito de estos tipos de estudios.

Video: Whole Mount Immunofluorescent Staining of the Neonatal Mouse Retina to Investigate Angiogenesis In vivo

Visualization of the Embryonic Nervous System in Whole-mount Drosophila Embryos

The Drosophila embryo is an attractive model system for investigating the cellular and molecular basis of neuronal development. Here we describe the procedure for the visualization of Drosophila embryonic nervous system using antibodies to neuronal proteins. Since the entire embryonic peripheral nervous and central nervous systems are well characterized at the level of individual cells (Dambly-Chaudi&egrave;re et al., 1986; Bodmer et al., 1987; Bodmer et al., 1989), any aberrations to these systems can be easily identified using antibodies to different neuronal proteins. The developing embryos are collected at certain times to ensure that the embryos are in the proper developmental stages for visualization. After collection, the outer layers of the embryo, the chorion membrane and the vitelline envelope that surrounds the embryo, are removed before fixation. Embryos are then incubated with neuronal antibodies and visualized using fluorescently labeled secondary antibodies. Embryos at stages 12-17 are visualized to access the embryonic nervous system. At stage 12 the CNS germ band starts shortening and by stage 15 the definitive pattern of the commissure has been achieved. By stage 17 the CNS contracts and the PNS is fully developed (Campos-Ortega et al. 1985). Thus changes in the pattern of the PNS and CNS can be easily observed during these developmental stages.

Visualization of the Embryonic Nervous System in Whole-mount Drosophila Embryos

We describe the procedure to prepare staged Drosophila embryos for the visualization of the embryonic nervous system during embryogenesis.

Visualización del sistema nervioso embrionario en Todo el montaje Drosophila Los embriones

The Drosophila embryo is an attractive model system for investigating the cellular and molecular basis of neuronal development. Here we describe the ...

Investigación

Neurociencias

Dissection of a Mouse Eye for a Whole Mount of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) lies at the back of the mammalian eye, just under the neural retina, which contains the photoreceptors (rods and cones). The RPE is a monolayer of pigmented cuboidal cells and associates closely with the neural retina just above it. This association makes the RPE of great interest to researchers studying retinal diseases. The RPE is also the site of an in vivo assay of homology-directed DNA repair, the pun assay. The mouse eye is particularly difficult to dissect due to its small size (about 3.5mm in diameter) and its spherical shape. This article demonstrates in detail a procedure for dissection of the eye resulting in a whole mount of the RPE. In this procedure, we show how to work with, rather than against, the spherical structure of the eye. Briefly, the connective tissue, muscle, and optic nerve are removed from the back of the eye. Then, the cornea and lens are removed. Next, strategic cuts are made that result in significant flattening of the remaining tissue. Finally, the neural retina is gently lifted off, revealing an intact RPE, which is still attached to the underlying choroid and sclera. This whole mount can be used to perform the pun assay or for immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescent assessment of the RPE tissue.

A formal demonstration of the dissection of a mouse eye, resulting in a whole mount of the retinal pigment epithelium.

Disección de un ojo del ratón de un monte entero del epitelio pigmentario de la retina

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) lies at the back of the mammalian eye, just under the neural retina, which contains the photoreceptors (rods and ...

In vivo Electroporation of Developing Mouse Retina

The functional characterization of genes expressed during mammalian retinal development remains a significant challenge. Gene targeting to generate constitutive or conditional loss of function knockouts remains cost and labor intensive, as well as time consuming. Adding to these challenges, retina expressed genes may have essential roles outside the retina leading to unintended confounds when using a knockout approach. Furthermore, the ability to ectopically express a gene in a gain of function experiment can be extremely valuable when attempting to identify a role in cell fate specification and/or terminal differentiation.
We present a method for the rapid and efficient incorporation of DNA plasmids into the neonatal mouse retina by electroporation. The application of short electrical impulses above a certain field strength results in a transient increase in plasma membrane permeability, facilitating the transfer of material across the membrane 1,2,3,4. Groundbreaking work demonstrated that electroporation could be utilized as a method of gene transfer into mammalian cells by inducing the formation of hydrophilic plasma membrane pores allowing the passage of highly charged DNA through the lipid bilayer 5. Continuous technical development has resulted in the viability of electroporation as a method for in vivo gene transfer in multiple mouse tissues including the retina, the method for which is described herein 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. 
DNA solution is injected into the subretinal space so that DNA is placed between the retinal pigmented epithelium and retina of the neonatal (P0) mouse and electrical pulses are applied using a tweezer electrode. The lateral placement of the eyes in the mouse allows for the easy orientation of the tweezer electrode to the necessary negative pole-DNA-retina-positive pole alignment. Extensive incorporation and expression of transferred genes can be identified by postnatal day 2 (P2). Due to the lack of significant lateral migration of cells in the retina, electroporated and non-electroporated regions are generated. Non-electroporated regions may serve as internal histological controls where appropriate. 
Retinal electroporation can be used to express a gene under a ubiquitous promoter, such as CAG, or to disrupt gene function using shRNA constructs or Cre-recombinase. More targeted expression can be achieved by designing constructs with cell specific gene promoters. Visualization of electroporated cells is achieved using bicistronic constructs expressing GFP or by co-electroporating a GFP expression construct. Furthermore, multiple constructs may be electroporated for the study of combinatorial gene effects or simultaneous gain and loss of function of different genes. Retinal electroporation may also be utilized for the analysis of genomic cis-regulatory elements by generating appropriate expression constructs and deletion mutants. Such experiments can be used to identify cis-regulatory regions sufficient or required for cell specific gene expression 11. Potential experiments are limited only by construct availability.

In vivo Electroporation of Developing Mouse Retina

A method for the incorporation of plasmid DNA into murine retinal cells for the purpose of performing either gain- or loss of function studies in vivo is presented. This method capitalizes on the transient increase in permeability of cell plasma membranes induced by the application of an external electrical field.

En electroporación in vivo de la retina del ratón en desarrollo

The functional characterization of genes expressed during mammalian retinal development remains a significant challenge.  Gene targeting to generate ...

Whole Mount Immunolabeling of Olfactory Receptor Neurons in the Drosophila Antenna

Odorant molecules bind to their target receptors in a precise and coordinated manner. Each receptor recognizes a specific signal and relays this information to the brain. As such, determining how olfactory information is transferred to the brain, modifying both perception and behavior, merits investigation. Interestingly, there is emerging evidence that cellular transduction and transcriptional factors are involved in the diversification of olfactory receptor neuron. Here we provide a robust whole mount immunological labeling method to assay in vivo olfactory receptor neuron organization. Using this method, we identified all olfactory receptor neurons with anti-ELAV antibody, a known pan-neural marker and Or49a-mCD8::GFP, an olfactory receptor neuron specifically expressed in Nba neuron using anti-GFP antibody.

Whole Mount Immunolabeling of Olfactory Receptor Neurons in the Drosophila Antenna

Herein we describe the process of whole mount immunostaining of Drosophila antennae, which enables us to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the diversification of olfactory receptor neurons (ORN)s.

Todo el montaje de Immunolabeling olfativa del receptor de las neuronas en el<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Antena

Odorant molecules bind to their target receptors in a precise and coordinated manner. Each receptor recognizes a specific signal and relays this ...

Whole-mount Imaging of Mouse Embryo Sensory Axon Projections

The visualization of full-length neuronal projections in embryos is essential to gain an understanding of how mammalian neuronal networks develop. Here we describe a method to label in situ a subset of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) axon projections to assess their phenotypic characteristics using several genetically manipulated mouse lines. The TrkA-positive neurons are nociceptor neurons, dedicated to the transmission of pain signals. We utilize a TrkAtaulacZ mouse line to label the trajectories of all TrkA-positive peripheral axons in the intact mouse embryo. We further breed the TrkAtaulacZ line onto a Bax null background, which essentially abolishes neuronal apoptosis, in order to assess growth-related questions independently of possible effects of genetic manipulations on neuronal survival. Subsequently, genetically modified mice of interest are bred with the TrkAtaulacZ/Bax null line and are then ready for study using the techniques described herein. This presentation includes detailed information on mouse breeding plans, genotyping at the time of dissection, tissue preparation, staining and clearing to allow for visualization of full-length axonal trajectories in whole-mount preparation.

We present here an optimized protocol to genotype, stain and prepare fetal mice for the imaging of peripheral nociceptor axon projections in the whole animal, as an effective method to assess sensory axon growth phenotypes in developing genetically engineered mice.

Todo el montaje de imágenes de embriones de ratón Proyecciones sensorial Axon

The visualization of full-length neuronal projections in embryos is essential to gain an understanding of how mammalian neuronal networks develop. Here we ...

Whole Mount Dissection and Immunofluorescence of the Adult Mouse Cochlea

The organ of Corti, housed in the cochlea of the inner ear, contains mechanosensory hair cells and surrounding supporting cells which are organized in a spiral shape and have a tonotopic gradient for sound detection. The mouse cochlea is approximately 6 mm long and often divided into three turns (apex, middle, and base) for analysis. To investigate cell loss, cell division, or mosaic gene expression, the whole mount or surface preparation of the cochlea is useful. This dissection method allows visualization of all cells within the organ of Corti when combined with immunostaining and confocal microscopy to image cells at different planes in the z-axis. Multiple optical cross-sections can also be obtained from these z-stack images. In addition, the whole mount dissection method can be used for scanning electron microscopy, although a different fixation method is needed. Here, we present a method to isolate the organ of Corti as three intact cochlear turns (apex, middle, and base). This method can be used for mice ranging from one week of age through adulthood and differs from the technique used for neonatal samples where calcification of the cochlea is incomplete. A slightly modified version can be used for dissection of the rat cochlea. We also demonstrate a procedure for immunostaining with fluorescently tagged antibodies.

We present a method to isolate the adult organ of Corti as three intact cochlear turns (apex, middle, and base). We also demonstrate a procedure for immunostaining with fluorescently tagged antibodies. Together these techniques allow the study of hair cells, supporting cells, and other cell types found in the cochlea.

Todo el montaje La disección y de inmunofluorescencia del Adulto ratón cóclea

The organ of Corti, housed in the cochlea of the inner ear, contains mechanosensory hair cells and surrounding supporting cells which are organized in a ...

Patch Clamp Recording of Starburst Amacrine Cells in a Flat-mount Preparation of Deafferentated Mouse Retina

The mammalian retina is a layered tissue composed of multiple neuronal types. To understand how visual signals are processed within its intricate synaptic network, electrophysiological recordings are frequently used to study connections among individual neurons. We have optimized a flat-mount preparation for patch clamp recording of genetically marked neurons in both GCL (ganglion cell layer) and INL (inner nuclear layer) of mouse retinas. Recording INL neurons in flat-mounts is favored over slices because both vertical and lateral connections are preserved in the former configuration, allowing retinal circuits with large lateral components to be studied. We have used this procedure to compare responses of mirror-partnered neurons in retinas such as the cholinergic starburst amacrine cells (SACs).

This protocol demonstrates how to perform whole-cell patch clamp recording on retinal neurons from a flat-mount preparation.

Patch Clamp grabación de células amacrinas Starburst en un plano de montaje Preparación de Deafferentated retina del ratón

The mammalian retina is a layered tissue composed of multiple neuronal types. To understand how visual signals are processed within its intricate synaptic ...

A Simple One-step Dissection Protocol for Whole-mount Preparation of Adult Drosophila Brains

There is an increasing interest in using Drosophila to model human brain degenerative diseases, map neuronal circuitries in adult brains, and study the molecular and cellular basis of higher brain functions. A whole-mount preparation of adult brains with well-preserved morphology is critical for such whole brain-based studies, but can be technically challenging and time-consuming. This protocol describes an easy-to-learn, one-step dissection approach of an adult fly head in less than 10 s, while keeping the intact brain attached to the rest of the body to facilitate subsequent processing steps. The procedure helps remove most of the eye and tracheal tissues normally associated with the brain that can interfere with the later imaging step, and also places less demand on the quality of the dissecting forceps. Additionally, we describe a simple method that allows convenient flipping of the mounted brain samples on a coverslip, which is important for imaging both sides of the brains with similar signal intensity and quality. As an example of the protocol, we present an analysis of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in adult brains of WT (w1118) flies. The high efficacy of the dissection method makes it particularly useful for large-scale adult brain-based studies in Drosophila.

A Simple One-step Dissection Protocol for Whole-mount Preparation of Adult Drosophila Brains

The adult Drosophila brain is a valuable system for studying neuronal circuitry, higher brain functions, and complex disorders. An efficient method to dissect whole brain tissue from the small fly head will facilitate brain-based studies. Here we describe a simple, one-step dissection protocol of adult brains with well-preserved morphology.

Un simple de un solo paso para la disección Protocolo Todo el montaje Preparación de adulto<em&gt; Drosophila</emLos cerebros&gt;

There is an increasing interest in using Drosophila to model human brain degenerative diseases, map neuronal circuitries in adult brains, and study the ...

Transpupillary Two-Photon In Vivo Imaging of the Mouse Retina

The retina transforms light signals from the environment into electrical signals that are propagated to the brain. Diseases of the retina are prevalent and cause visual impairment and blindness. Understanding how such diseases progress is critical to formulating new treatments. In vivo&#160;microscopy in animal models of disease is a powerful tool for understanding neurodegeneration and has led to important progress towards treatments of conditions ranging from Alzheimer&#39;s disease to stroke. Given that the retina is the only central nervous system structure inherently accessible by optical approaches, it naturally lends itself towards in vivo imaging. However, the native optics of the lens and cornea present some challenges for effective imaging access.
This protocol outlines methods for in vivo two-photon imaging of cellular cohorts and structures in the mouse retina at cellular resolution, applicable for both acute- and chronic-duration imaging experiments. It presents examples of retinal ganglion cell (RGC), amacrine cell, microglial, and vascular imaging using a suite of labeling techniques including adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, transgenic mice, and inorganic dyes. Importantly, these techniques extend to all cell types of the retina, and suggested methods for accessing other cellular populations of interest are described. Also detailed are example strategies for manual image postprocessing for display and quantification. These techniques are directly applicable to studies of retinal function in health and disease.

In vivo imaging is a powerful tool for the study of biology in health and disease. This protocol describes transpupillary imaging of the mouse retina with a standard two-photon microscope. It also demonstrates different in vivoimaging methods to fluorescently label multiple cellular cohorts of the retina.

Imágenes transpupilares de dos fotones in vivo de la retina del ratón

The retina transforms light signals from the environment into electrical signals that are propagated to the brain. Diseases of the retina are prevalent ...

Whole-Mount Staining, Visualization, and Analysis of Fungiform, Circumvallate, and Palate Taste Buds

Taste buds are collections of taste-transducing cells specialized to detect subsets of chemical stimuli in the oral cavity. These transducing cells communicate with nerve fibers that carry this information to the brain. Because taste-transducing cells continuously die and are replaced throughout adulthood, the taste-bud environment is both complex and dynamic, requiring detailed analyses of its cell types, their locations, and any physical relationships between them. Detailed analyses have been limited by tongue-tissue heterogeneity and density that have significantly reduced antibody permeability. These obstacles require sectioning protocols that result in splitting taste buds across sections so that measurements are only approximated, and cell relationships are lost. To overcome these challenges, the methods described herein involve collecting, imaging, and analyzing whole taste buds and individual terminal arbors from three taste regions: fungiform papillae, circumvallate papillae, and the palate. Collecting whole taste buds reduces bias and technical variability and can be used to report absolute numbers for features including taste-bud volume, total taste-bud innervation, transducing-cell counts, and the morphology of individual terminal arbors. To demonstrate the advantages of this method, this paper provides comparisons of taste bud and innervation volumes between fungiform and circumvallate taste buds using a general taste-bud marker and a label for all taste fibers. A workflow for the use of sparse-cell genetic labeling of taste neurons (with labeled subsets of taste-transducing cells) is also provided. This workflow analyzes the structures of individual taste-nerve arbors, cell type numbers, and the physical relationships between cells using image analysis software. Together, these workflows provide a novel approach for tissue preparation and analysis of both whole taste buds and the complete morphology of their innervating arbors.

This paper describes methods for tissue preparation, staining, and analysis of whole fungiform, circumvallate, and palate taste buds that consistently yield whole and intact taste buds (including the nerve fibers that innervate them) and maintain the relationships between structures within taste buds and the surrounding papilla.

Tinción, visualización y análisis de papilas gustativas fungiformes, circunvaladas y del paladar

Taste buds are collections of taste-transducing cells specialized to detect subsets of chemical stimuli in the oral cavity. These transducing cells ...