Name: planarian immobilization, partial irradiation, and tissue transplantation
Uploaded: 2012-08-06T12:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Planarian Immobilization, Partial Irradiation, and Tissue Transplantation at JoVE.com

The authors would like to thank Chiyoko Kobayashi and Kiyokazu Agata for helpful advice on planarian transplantation as well as past and present members of the S&aacute;nchez lab for invaluable discussions during the development of these techniques. This work was supported by NIH Training Grant (5T32 HD0791) to OCG and NIH R37GM057260 to ASA. ASA is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator.

Note: this protocol suggests the use of potentially hazardous materials (lead and chloretone). Acquire, read, and follow MSDS for all potentially hazardous materials.
1. Animal Culture, Selection, and Preparation
<ol>
 <li>For animal culture and handling use planarian water (1X Montju&iuml;c salts9) and plastic transfer pipettes.</li>
 <li>Sexual biotype Schmidtea mediterranea can be used when raised in the laboratory under normal culture conditions1...

<ol>
	<li>Morgan, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Experimental+studies+of+the+regeneration+of+Planaria+maculata.">Experimental studies of the regeneration of Planaria maculata.</a> Arch. Entw. Mech. Org. 7, 364-397 .</li><li>Reddien, P. W., Sanchez Alvarado, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fundamentals+of+planarian+regeneration.">Fundamentals of planarian regeneration.</a> Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 20, 725-757 (2004).</li><li>Randolph, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+regeneration+of+the+tail+in+lumbriculus.">The regeneration of the tail in lumbriculus.</a> J. Morphol. 7, 317-344 .</li><li>Wagner, D. E., Wang, I. E., Reddien, P. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Clonogenic+neoblasts+are+pluripotent+adult+stem+cells+that+underlie+planarian+regeneration.">Clonogenic neoblasts are pluripotent adult stem cells that underlie planarian regeneration.</a> Science. 332, 811-816 (2011).</li><li>Santos, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Studies+on+transplantation+in+planaria.">Studies on transplantation in planaria.</a> Biological Bulletin. 57, 188-197 (1929).</li><li>Morgan, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regeneration+of+grafted+pieces+of+planarians.">Regeneration of grafted pieces of planarians.</a> J. Exp. Zo&#246;l. 3, 269-294 (1906).</li><li>Dubois, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Contribution+&#225;+l+'&#232;tude+de+la+migration+des+cellules+de+règènèration+chez+les+Planaires+dulcicoles.">Contribution &#225; l '&#232;tude de la migration des cellules de règènèration chez les Planaires dulcicoles.</a> Bull. Biol. Fr. Belg. 83, 213-283 (1949).</li><li>Purton, L. E., Scadden, D. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Limiting+factors+in+murine+hematopoietic+stem+cell+assays.">Limiting factors in murine hematopoietic stem cell assays.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 1, 263-270 (2007).</li><li>Cebria, F., Newmark, P. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Planarian+homologs+of+netrin+and+netrin+receptor+are+required+for+proper+regeneration+of+the+central+nervous+system+and+the+maintenance+of+nervous+system+architecture.">Planarian homologs of netrin and netrin receptor are required for proper regeneration of the central nervous system and the maintenance of nervous system architecture.</a> Development. , 132-3691 (2005).</li><li>Newmark, P. A., S&#225;nchez Alvarado, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bromodeoxyuridine+specifically+labels+the+regenerative+stem+cells+of+planarians.">Bromodeoxyuridine specifically labels the regenerative stem cells of planarians.</a> Dev. Biol. 220, 142-153 (2000).</li><li>Miller, W., Kennedy, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=X-ray+attenuation+in+lead,+aluminum,+and+concrete+in+the+range+275+to+525+kilovolts.">X-ray attenuation in lead, aluminum, and concrete in the range 275 to 525 kilovolts.</a> Radiology. 65, 920-925 (1955).</li><li>Pearson, B. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Formaldehyde-based+whole-mount+in+situ+hybridization+method+for+planarians.">Formaldehyde-based whole-mount in situ hybridization method for planarians.</a> Dev. Dyn. 238, 443-450 (2009).</li><li>Hayashi, T., Asami, M., Higuchi, S., Shibata, N., Agata, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+of+planarian+X-ray-sensitive+stem+cells+by+fluorescence-activated+cell+sorting.">Isolation of planarian X-ray-sensitive stem cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting.</a> Dev. Growth Differ. 48, 371-380 (2006).</li><li>Reddien, P. W., Oviedo, N. J., Jennings, J. R., Jenkin, J. C., S&#225;nchez Alvarado, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=SMEDWI-2+is+a+PIWI-like+protein+that+regulates+planarian+stem+cells.">SMEDWI-2 is a PIWI-like protein that regulates planarian stem cells.</a> Science. 310, 1327-1330 (2005).</li><li>St&#233;phan-Dubois, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Les+cellules+de+r&#233;g&#233;n&#233;ration+chez+la+planaire+Dendrocoleum+lacteum.">Les cellules de r&#233;g&#233;n&#233;ration chez la planaire Dendrocoleum lacteum.</a> Bulletin de la Société Zooologique de France. 86, 172-185 (1961).</li><li>Gurley, K. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expression+of+secreted+Wnt+pathway+components+reveals+unexpected+complexity+of+the+planarian+amputation+response.">Expression of secreted Wnt pathway components reveals unexpected complexity of the planarian amputation response.</a> Dev. Biol. 347, 24-39 (2010).</li><li>Salvetti, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adult+stem+cell+plasticity:+neoblast+repopulation+in+non-lethally+irradiated+planarians.">Adult stem cell plasticity: neoblast repopulation in non-lethally irradiated planarians.</a> Dev. Biol. 328, 305-314 (2009).</li></ol>

Importance of immobilization
Immobilization is by far the most critical step for the successful completion of any of these processes. If planaria are improperly immobilized prior to partial irradiation, they may move beneath the lead shield, producing inconsistent and confounding results. Additionally, if animals are insufficiently immobilized following transplantation, the host worm will likely move away from the graft tissue, resulting in a failure of the graft to heal properly to the host. Pro...

<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of the reagent</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue number</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>General Purpose Transfer Pipette</td>
 <td>Samco</td>
 <td>691</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Capillary tubes (ID 0.75 mm)</td>
 <td>FHC</td>
 <td>30-30-0</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Capillary tubes (OD 0.7 mm)</td>
 <td>FHC</td>
 <td>30-50-08</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Parafilm M</td>
 <td>VWR</td>
 <td>52858-076</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Kimwipes 34155</td>
 <td>VWR</td>
 <td>500029-891</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Black filter paper</td>
 <td>Schleicher &amp; Schuell</td>
 <td>10310809</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Whatman #2 filter paper 1002-055</td>
 <td>Fisher Scientific</td>
 <td>09-810B</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Whatman #3 filter paper 1003-185</td>
 <td>Fisher Scientific</td>
 <td>09-820E</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Cigarette rolling paper</td>
 <td>Zig-Zag, original</td>
 <td>NA</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Petri dishes</td>
 <td>VWR</td>
 <td>82050-544</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Forceps DUMONT, INOX #5</td>
 <td>FST</td>
 <td>11251-20</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Chloretone</td>
 <td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
 <td>112054</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Casein</td>
 <td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
 <td>C3400</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Lead Shields</td>
 <td>Alpha Systems Corp., Bluffdale, UT</td>
 <td>Custom design</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>XRAD-320 Biological Irradiator</td>
 <td>Precision X-Ray, North Branford, CT</td>
 <td>NA</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

planarian immobilization, partial irradiation, and tissue transplantation

The planarian, a freshwater flatworm, has proven to be a powerful system for dissecting metazoan regeneration and stem cell biology1,2. Planarian regeneration of any missing or damaged tissues is made possible by adult stem cells termed neoblasts3. Although these stem cells have been definitively shown to be pluripotent and singularly capable of reconstituting an entire animal4, the heterogeneity within the stem cell population and the dynamics of their cellular behaviors remain largely unresolved. Due to the large number and wide distribution of stem cells throughout the planarian body plan, advanced methods for manipulating subpopulations of stem cells for molecular and functional study in vivo are needed.
Tissue transplantation and partial irradiation are two methods by which a subpopulation of planarian stem cells can be isolated for further study. Each technique has distinct advantages. Tissue transplantation allows for the introduction of stem cells, into a na&iuml;ve host, that are either inherently genetically distinct or have been previously treated pharmacologically. Alternatively, partial irradiation allows for the isolation of stem cells within a host, juxtaposed to tissue devoid of stem cells, without the introduction of a wound or any breech in tissue integrity. Using these two methods, one can investigate the cell autonomous and non-autonomous factors that control stem cell functions, such as proliferation, differentiation, and migration.
Both tissue transplantation5,6 and partial irradiation7 have been used historically in defining many of the questions about planarian regeneration that remain under study today. However, these techniques have remained underused due to the laborious and inconsistent nature of previous methods. The protocols presented here represent a large step forward in decreasing the time and effort necessary to reproducibly generate large numbers of grafted or partially irradiated animals with efficacies approaching 100 percent. We cover the culture of large animals, immobilization, preparation for partial irradiation, tissue transplantation, and the optimization of animal recovery. Furthermore, the work described here demonstrates the first application of the partial irradiation method for use with the most widely studied planarian, Schmidtea mediterranea. Additionally, efficient tissue grafting in planaria opens the door for the functional testing of subpopulations of na&iuml;ve or treated stem cells in repopulation assays, which has long been the gold-standard method of assaying adult stem cell potential in mammals8. Broad adoption of these techniques will no doubt lead to a better understanding of the cellular behaviors of adult stem cells during tissue homeostasis and regeneration.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Planarian Immobilization, Partial Irradiation, and Tissue Transplantation at JoVE.com

Planarian Immobilization, Partial Irradiation, and Tissue Transplantation

An effective method for grafting tissue of defined and consistent size between planaria is described. Also included is a description of how the immobilization technique used for transplantation can be adapted, in conjunction with lead shields, for the partial irradiation of live animals.

The planarian, a freshwater flatworm, has proven to be a powerful system for dissecting metazoan regeneration and stem cell biology1,2. Planarian ...

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