Ringraziamo Erika Mileti per un eccellente supporto tecnico e il Dott. Antonio Di Sabatino per fornire alle camere di ossigeno. Finanziamento: Questo lavoro è stato sostenuto da finanziamenti del 7 ° programma quadro dell&#39;UE (IBDase, ERC: Dendroworld) e Fondazione Cariplo per MR e sostegno da parte di una rete internazionale Marie Curie di formazione alla mobilità (Cross-Talk, Grant Agreement n: 21.553-2) a KT.

1. Raccogliere ed elaborare i Tissue <ol><li> Tissutale (sano o IBD mucosa) è ottenuto durante la chirurgia. Una volta che il campione è escisse trasferimento al laboratorio non appena possibile, mantenendolo in Ca + + / Mg + + tampone HBSS privo integrato con Pen / Strep a 4 ° C o su ghiaccio. </li></ol> * La dimensione del campione dipende dalla disponibilità del tessuto: la parte del tessuto ottenuto, è rigorosamente quello che non serve per la diagnosi e può variare notevolmente tra soggetti sani e IBD. Tessuto sano è asportato da pazienti sottoposti a intervento chirurgico per tumore del colon. <ol start="2"><li> Lavare il tessuto con delicatezza e pulirlo di tutto il materiale mesenterica. Separare lo strato di mucosa dalla sottomucosa usando forbici e pinze sterili mantenendo il tessuto in tampone HBSS in una capsula Petri (non necessariamente immerged). Toccare la superficie della mucosa con le pinze il meno possibile. </li><li> Tagliare mucosa in strisce di almeno 1 cm di larghezza e più a lungo possibile. Utilizzare due bisturi sterili, tanto come se si stesse tagliando il cibo. </li><li> Lavare pulire mucosa delicatamente in HBSS ed estenderla in una capsula di Petri con la parte apicale rivolta verso l&#39;alto. </li></ol> 2. Montaggio del Tissue <ol><li> Preparare mezzo fresco (tisDMEM). Utilizzare DMEM integrato con glutammina (2 mM) e NaPyr (1 mm) e aggiungere il 15% FBS-Na (Fetal Bovine Serum - Nord America), 1% ITS-X e 200 ng / ml di EGF al momento dell&#39;uso. </li><li> Riempire un piatto di 10 cm di Petri con il resto della FBS-Na (utilizzare circa 30 ml modo che reti metalliche saranno completamente sommersi) ed immergere le griglie metalliche. Mantenere la piastra di aprire e sostenere i cilindri di plastica sul suo rubinetto. </li></ol> * Le griglie metalliche sono in ferro. La maglia è di forma quadrata con un lato di 0,5 mm. <ol start="3"><li> Prendere 3 ml di colla chirurgica con un 10 o 20 microlitri pipetta. Applicare con attenzione ad uno dei confini di un cilindro di plastica tenendolo FIRM con le pinze. </li><li> Posizionare delicatamente il cilindro sul lato apicale della mucosa, il più vicino ad uno dei bordi della striscia il più possibile. </li><li> Per dare il tempo colla per attaccare saldamente il cilindro sul tessuto, preparare la piastra organo cultura centro-well: Pipettare 850 ml-1 ml di mezzo in centro ben e sostenere la griglia metallica sui bordi ben centrale della piastra. </li><li> Tagliare il tessuto in eccesso dai bordi del cilindro con due bisturi sterili come prima. </li><li> Sollevare delicatamente il cilindro con il tessuto allegato e posizionare il lato basolaterale in griglia metallica al centro della piastra. </li></ol> 3. Stimolazione <ol><li> Utilizzare gli stimoli della vostra scelta nella vostra concentrazione preferita. </li><li> Applicare volume appropriato nel centro del cilindro di plastica senza disturbare il cilindro o la superficie mucosa con la punta della pipetta. Assicurarsi che il volume prescelto copre uniformemente la superficie interna del cilindro. InVolumi dicata: Grande plastica cilindro: 200 pl Mezzo cilindro di plastica: 100 ml Piccolo cilindro di plastica: 50 ml </li><li> Incubare fino a 3 ore in un incubatore convenzionale. </li></ol> * Se si desidera incubare per intervalli di tempo più lunghi, assicurarsi di utilizzare un volume molto più piccolo di stimoli (10-20 ml) e inserire direttamente il tessuto in una atmosfera di 100% O 2 nella pressione di 1 atm (vedi 3.5) . <ol start="4"><li> Prendete il medium con gli stimoli al largo della superficie apicale del tessuto e non sostituiscono con terreno fresco, perché il tessuto non riceve abbastanza O 2 se uno spesso strato di medio sulla faccia apicale impedisce lo scambio di gas. Coprire la piastra. </li><li> Posizionare il tessuto in una atmosfera di 100% O 2 nella pressione di 1 atm. </li></ol> 4. Fare la raccolta <ol><li> Dopo 24 ore di tempo di cultura totale (± 2,5 ore), rimuovere con attenzione il cilindro da thtessuto e con l&#39;aiuto di un bisturi colla raschiando delicatamente e conservarla in base all&#39;analisi desiderata (fissa per immunoistochimica e / o test di immunofluorescenza, o congelare a scatto in N2 liquido per RNA purificazione e profilo di espressione genica o purificazione di proteine ​​e saggi di Western Blot ). </li><li> Raccogliere il medium basolaterale per secrezione di citochine profiling. Centrifugare a 8000 rpm per 7 minuti per far sedimentare i detriti, trasferire il surnatante in una provetta Eppendorf (in alternativa aliquota) e subito conservare a -20 ° C. </li></ol> * Se si desidera mantenere surnatanti più a lungo, conservarli a -80 ° C.

<ol>
	<li>Schuller, S., Lucas, M., Kaper, J. B., Giron, J. A., Phillips, A. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+ex+vivo+response+of+human+intestinal+mucosa+to+enteropathogenic+Escherichia+coli+infection.">The ex vivo response of human intestinal mucosa to enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection.</a> Cell. Microbiol. 11, 521-530 (2009).</li><li>Tsilingiri, K., 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=Probiotic+and+postbiotic+activity+in+health+and+disease:+comparison+on+a+novel+polarised+ex-vivo+organ+culture+model.">Probiotic and postbiotic activity in health and disease: comparison on a novel polarised ex-vivo organ culture model.</a> Gut. , (2012).</li><li>Tsilingiri, K., Rescigno, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Should+probiotics+be+tested+on+ex+vivo+organ+culture+models?.">Should probiotics be tested on ex vivo organ culture models?.</a> Gut Microbes. , (2012).</li><li>Mileti, E., Matteoli, G., Iliev, I. D., Rescigno, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+the+immunomodulatory+properties+of+three+probiotic+strains+of+Lactobacilli+using+complex+culture+systems:+prediction+for+in+vivo+efficacy.">Comparison of the immunomodulatory properties of three probiotic strains of Lactobacilli using complex culture systems: prediction for in vivo efficacy.</a> PLoS One. 4, e7056 (2009).</li><li>Cencic, A., Langerholc, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+cell+models+of+the+gut+and+their+applications+in+food+microbiology--a+review.">Functional cell models of the gut and their applications in food microbiology--a review.</a> Int. J. Food Microbiol. 141, S4-S14 (2010).</li><li>te Velde, A. A., Verstege, M. A., Hommes, D. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Critical+appraisal+of+the+current+practice+in+murine+TNBS-induced+colitis.">Critical appraisal of the current practice in murine TNBS-induced colitis.</a> Inflamm. Bowel Dis. 12, 995-999 (2006).</li><li>Senior, P. V., Pritchett, C. J., Sunter, J. P., Appleton, D. R., Watson, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Crypt+regeneration+in+adult+human+colonic+mucosa+during+prolonged+organ+culture.">Crypt regeneration in adult human colonic mucosa during prolonged organ culture.</a> J. Anat. 134, 459-469 (1982).</li><li>Browning, T. H., Trier, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Organ+culture+of+mucosal+biopsies+of+human+small+intestine.">Organ culture of mucosal biopsies of human small intestine.</a> J. Clin. Invest. 48, 1423-1432 (1969).</li><li>Besselink, M. G., 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=Probiotic+prophylaxis+in+predicted+severe+acute+pancreatitis:+a+randomised,+double-blind,+placebo-controlled+trial.">Probiotic prophylaxis in predicted severe acute pancreatitis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.</a> Lancet. 371, 651-659 (2008).</li><li>Lakhdari, O., 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=Identification+of+NF-kappaB+modulation+capabilities+within+human+intestinal+commensal+bacteria.">Identification of NF-kappaB modulation capabilities within human intestinal commensal bacteria.</a> J. Biomed. Biotechnol. 2011, 282356 (2011).</li></ol>

Nessun conflitto di interessi dichiarati.

La necessità di modelli fisiologicamente rilevanti su cui i trattamenti per mucosa intestinale umana possono essere validamente testati è stato a lungo enfatizzato. Molti ricercatori hanno identificato potenziali artefatti e difetti in entrambe cella 5 e 6 modelli di topo finora utilizzato per tale scopo. Infatti, anche se i dati preclinici promettente è spesso ottenuti, questi raramente si traducono in un beneficio clinico significativo. Il metodo descritto in quest...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Regeant</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog No.</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Reagents</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10X HBSS</td>
			<td>Eurocalne</td>
			<td>ECM4006XL</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Peni/Strepto</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>DE17602E</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gentamycin</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15750-037</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>BE12614</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FBS-Na</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>16000-044</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100X ITS-X</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>51500-056</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EGF</td>
			<td>Tebu-bio</td>
			<td>100-15</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>L-Glutamine</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>BE17605E</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Non essential aminoacids 100X</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>11140-035</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaPyr</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>11360-039</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Materials</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cloning cylinders 6x8 mm</td>
			<td>BellCo</td>
			<td>2090-00608</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cloning cylinders 8x8 mm</td>
			<td>BellCo</td>
			<td>2090-0080</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cloning cylinders 10x10 mm</td>
			<td>BellCo</td>
			<td>2090-01010</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Metal grids</td>
			<td>Home made</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Centre well organ culture plate</td>
			<td>BD Falcon</td>
			<td>353037</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical glue (Vetbond)</td>
			<td>3M</td>
			<td>1469SB</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Oxygen Jars</td>
			<td>Home made</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Oxygen tanks</td>
			<td>Air Liquid Sanit&agrave;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a novel method for the culture and polarized stimulation of human intestinal mucosa explants

Pochi modelli attualmente esistenti per simulare realisticamente micro-ambiente del complesso di intestino umano, dove una varietà di interazioni hanno luogo. Omeostasi corretta dipende direttamente queste interazioni, come egli si forma un intero risposta immunologica indurre tolleranza contro antigeni alimentari, mentre allo stesso tempo di montaggio risposte immunitarie efficaci contro microbi patogeni ingeriti accidentalmente con il cibo. Omeostasi intestinale è preservata anche attraverso varie complesse interazioni tra il microbiota (compreso cibo-associati ceppi batterici utili) e l&#39;host, che regolano il fissaggio / degradazione del muco, la produzione di peptidi antimicrobici attraverso la barriera epiteliale, e la &quot;istruzione&quot; di cellule epiteliali &#39;che controlla il fenotipo tollerogenica o immunogenica di, unico budello residenti cellule linfoidi&#39; popolazioni. Queste interazioni sono state finora molto difficile da riprodurre con saggi in vitroutilizzando sia linee cellulari coltivate o cellule mononucleari del sangue periferico. Inoltre, modelli murini differiscono sostanzialmente per componenti della mucosa intestinale (organizzazione strato di muco, batteri commensali comunità) rispetto nell&#39;intestino umano. Così, gli studi di una varietà di trattamenti per essere portati nelle cliniche per le condizioni legate allo stress o patologiche importanti come la sindrome dell&#39;intestino irritabile, malattie infiammatorie intestinali o il cancro del colon-retto sono stati difficili da realizzare. Per affrontare questi problemi, abbiamo sviluppato un nuovo sistema che ci permette di stimolare espianti di mucosa intestinale umana che conservano la loro in situ condizionata dal microbiota dell&#39;ospite e la risposta immunitaria, in modo polarizzato. Stimolazione apicale polarizzata è di grande importanza per l&#39;esito della suscitato risposta immunitaria. E &#39;stato ripetutamente dimostrato che gli stessi stimoli possono produrre risposte completamente diverse quando bypassare la faccia apicale della epi intestinalethelium, stimolando le cellule epiteliali basolaterally o di contatto diretto con componenti lamina propria, passando il fenotipo da tollerogenico a immunogenica e causando infiammazione inutile ed eccessivo delle superfici. Abbiamo ottenuto stimolazione polarizzata incollando un cilindro grotta che delimita la zona di stimolazione sulla faccia apicale della mucosa, come sarà descritto nel protocollo. Abbiamo utilizzato questo modello per esaminare, tra l&#39;altro, gli effetti differenziali di tre diversi ceppi di lattobacilli. Mostriamo che questo modello di sistema è molto potente per valutare le proprietà immunomodulanti di probiotici in condizioni di buona salute e di malattia.

Siamo riusciti a mantenere la mucosa intestinale umano sano e IBD in coltura per almeno 24 ore preservare il benessere del tessuto. In conformità con le precedenti osservazioni 1, questo era possibile solo se la maggior parte del tempo di coltura (almeno il 85% del totale) è avvenuta in O 2, come il tessuto non è sopravvissuto per 24 h in incubatori convenzionali (Figura 2). Abbiamo anche dimostrato che differenti risposte dei espianti possono essere osservati su questo modello ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Novel Method for the Culture and Polarized Stimulation of Human Intestinal Mucosa Explants at JoVE.com

A Novel Method for the Culture and Polarized Stimulation of Human Intestinal Mucosa Explants

Si introduce un nuovo metodo per il mantenimento della mucosa intestinale umana in coltura e monitoraggio della risposta a vari tipi di stimoli per almeno 24 ore. Con il nostro metodo, la polarità del tessuto sia conservato, consentendo una stimolazione fisiologica per via apicale.

Un nuovo metodo per la Cultura e polarizzata stimolazione umani espianti mucosa intestinale

Few models currently exist to realistically simulate the complex human intestine's micro-environment, where a variety of interactions take place. Proper ...

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Biology

13.0K Views.  European Institute of Oncology. Si introduce un nuovo metodo per il mantenimento della mucosa intestinale umana in coltura e monitoraggio della risposta a vari tipi di stimoli per almeno 24 ore. Con il nostro metodo, la polarità del tessuto sia conservato, consentendo una stimolazione fisiologica per via apicale.

Video: A Novel Method for the Culture and Polarized Stimulation of Human Intestinal Mucosa Explants

Method for Culture of Early Chick Embryos ex vivo (New Culture)

The chick embryo is a valuable tool in the study of early embryonic development. Its transparency, accessibility and ease of manipulation, make it an ideal tool for studying  the formation and patterning of brain, neural tube, somite and heart primordia. Applications of chick embryo culture include electroporation of DNA or RNA constructs in order to analyze gene function, grafts of growth factor coated beads such as FGFs and BMPs , as well as whole mount in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. This video demonstrates the different steps in chick embryo culture; First, the embryo is explanted in saline. Then, the embryo is centered on a glass ring. The membranes surrounding the embryo are lifted along the walls of the ring. The ring is then placed in a culture dish containing a pool of albumine. The culture dish is sealed and placed in a humid chamber, where the embryo is cultured for up to 24 hrs. Finally, the embryo is removed from the ring, fixed and processed for further applications. A troubleshooting guide is also presented.

Method for Culture of Early Chick Embryos ex vivo New Culture

This video demonstrates New culture, a method by which chick embryos are cultured outside the egg for up to 24 hr. This method enables one to study early development (primitive streak to 14 som.), a period corresponding to E7-9 in mouse. Applications of this technique include electroporation, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

Metodo per la Cultura di Chick primi embrioni ex vivo (Nuova Cultura)

The chick embryo is a valuable tool in the study of early embryonic development. Its transparency, accessibility and ease of manipulation, make it an ...

Ricerca

Biologia

Preparation and Culture of Rat Lens Epithelial Explants for Studying Terminal Differentiation

The anterior surface of the ocular lens is covered by a monolayer of epithelial cells, which proliferate in an annular zone underlying the ciliary body.  Following division, these cells migrate posteriorly, where FGF diffusing from the retina induces them to differentiate into a posterior array of elongated lens fiber cells, which compose the bulk of the lens.  Differentiation of lens epithelial cells into lens fibers can be induced in vitro by culturing explants of the central region of the anterior epithelium in the presence of FGF-2.  Explants are prepared from lenses of neonatal rats by removing the lens from the eye and grasping the lens capsule on the posterior side with dissecting tweezers.  The posterior capsule is then gently torn open and pressed down into the plastic bottom of a tissue culture dish. The peripheral regions of the explant are removed with a scalpel and the central area is then cultured in the presence of 100ng/ml FGF-2 for as long as 2-3 weeks, depending on the parameters to be studied.  Since epithelial cells in cultured explants differentiate in approximate synchrony over a period of days to weeks, the time course of signaling and gene expression can be determined using molecular, biochemical, and pharmacological techniques.  Immunofluorescence microscopy is a powerful adjunct to these methods as it demonstrates the subcellular localization of proteins of interest and can reveal the physiological consequences of experimental manipulations of signaling pathways.

Explants of the central region of rat lens epithelia differentiate synchronously when cultured in the presence of FGF-2. Immunofluorescence microscopy of such cultures can provides novel information about gene expression and signaling events associated with terminal differentiation.

La preparazione e la cultura di espianti Lens Rat epiteliali per lo Studio differenziazione terminale

The anterior surface of the ocular lens is covered by a monolayer of epithelial cells, which proliferate in an annular zone underlying the ciliary body.  ...

The Method of Rodent Whole Embryo Culture using the Rotator-type Bottle Culture System

Whole embryo culture (WEC) technique has been developed in 1950's by New and his colleagues, and applied for developmental biology 1. Although development and growth of mammalian embryos are critically dependent on the function of the placenta, WEC technique allows us to culture mouse and rat embryos ex vivo condition during limited periods corresponding to midgestation stages during embryonic day (E) 6.5-E12.5 in the mouse or E8.5-E14.5 in the rat 2, 3, 4. In WEC, we can directly target desired areas of embryos using fine glass capillaries because embryos can be manipulated under the microscope. Therefore, rodent WEC is very useful technique when we want to study dynamic developmental processes of postimplanted mammalian embryos. Up to date, several types of WEC systems have been developed 1. Among those, the rotator-type bottle culture system is most popular and suitable for long-term culture of embryos at midgestation, i.e., after E9.5 and E11.5 in the mouse and rat, respectively 1. In this video protocol, we demonstrate our standard procedures of rat WEC after E12.5 using a refined model of the original rotator system, which was designed by New and Cockroft 5, 6, and introduce various applications of WEC technique for studies in mammalian developmental biology.

Whole embryo culture technique allows us to culture mouse and rat embryos ex vivo condition during limited periods corresponding to midgestation stages. In this video protocol, we demonstrate our standard procedures of rat whole embryo culture after E12.5 using the rotator-type bottle culture system.

Il metodo di coltura degli embrioni roditori intero utilizzando il Rotator tipo di sistema cultura Bottiglia

Whole embryo culture (WEC) technique has been developed in 1950's by New and his colleagues, and applied for developmental biology 1. Although development ...

Mapping the After-effects of Theta Burst Stimulation on the Human Auditory Cortex with Functional Imaging

Auditory cortex pertains to the processing of sound, which is at the basis of speech or music-related processing1. However, despite considerable recent progress, the functional properties and lateralization of the human auditory cortex are far from being fully understood. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that can transiently or lastingly modulate cortical excitability via the application of localized magnetic field pulses, and represents a unique method of exploring plasticity and connectivity. It has only recently begun to be applied to understand auditory cortical function 2. 
An important issue in using TMS is that the physiological consequences of the stimulation are difficult to establish. Although many TMS studies make the implicit assumption that the area targeted by the coil is the area affected, this need not be the case, particularly for complex cognitive functions which depend on interactions across many brain regions 3. One solution to this problem is to combine TMS with functional Magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The idea here is that fMRI will provide an index of changes in brain activity associated with TMS. Thus, fMRI would give an independent means of assessing which areas are affected by TMS and how they are modulated 4. In addition, fMRI allows the assessment of functional connectivity, which represents a measure of the temporal coupling between distant regions. It can thus be useful not only to measure the net activity modulation induced by TMS in given locations, but also the degree to which the network properties are affected by TMS, via any observed changes in functional connectivity.
Different approaches exist to combine TMS and functional imaging according to the temporal order of the methods. Functional MRI can be applied before, during, after, or both before and after TMS. Recently, some studies interleaved TMS and fMRI in order to provide online mapping of the functional changes induced by TMS 5-7. However, this online combination has many technical problems, including the static artifacts resulting from the presence of the TMS coil in the scanner room, or the effects of TMS pulses on the process of MR image formation. But more importantly, the loud acoustic noise induced by TMS (increased compared with standard use because of the resonance of the scanner bore) and the increased TMS coil vibrations (caused by the strong mechanical forces due to the static magnetic field of the MR scanner) constitute a crucial problem when studying auditory processing. 
This is one reason why fMRI was carried out before and after TMS in the present study. Similar approaches have been used to target the motor cortex 8,9, premotor cortex 10, primary somatosensory cortex 11,12 and language-related areas 13, but so far no combined TMS-fMRI study has investigated the auditory cortex. The purpose of this article is to provide details concerning the protocol and considerations necessary to successfully combine these two neuroscientific tools to investigate auditory processing. 
Previously we showed that repetitive TMS (rTMS) at high and low frequencies (resp. 10 Hz and 1 Hz) applied over the auditory cortex modulated response time (RT) in a melody discrimination task 2. We also showed that RT modulation was correlated with functional connectivity in the auditory network assessed using fMRI: the higher the functional connectivity between left and right auditory cortices during task performance, the higher the facilitatory effect (i.e. decreased RT) observed with rTMS. However those findings were mainly correlational, as fMRI was performed before rTMS. Here, fMRI was carried out before and immediately after TMS to provide direct measures of the functional organization of the auditory cortex, and more specifically of the plastic reorganization of the auditory neural network occurring after the neural intervention provided by TMS. 
Combined fMRI and TMS applied over the auditory cortex should enable a better understanding of brain mechanisms of auditory processing, providing physiological information about functional effects of TMS. This knowledge could be useful for many cognitive neuroscience applications, as well as for optimizing therapeutic applications of TMS, particularly in auditory-related disorders.

Auditory processing is the basis of speech and music-related processing. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been used successfully to study cognitive, sensory and motor systems but has rarely been applied to audition. Here we investigated TMS combined with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to understand the functional organization of auditory cortex.

Mappatura delle postumi di Theta Burst stimolazione sulla corteccia uditiva umana con imaging funzionale

Auditory cortex pertains to the processing of sound, which is at the basis of speech or music-related processing1. However, despite considerable recent ...

Blastomere Explants to Test for Cell Fate Commitment During Embryonic Development

Fate maps, constructed from lineage tracing all of the cells of an embryo, reveal which tissues descend from each cell of the embryo. Although fate maps are very useful for identifying the precursors of an organ and for elucidating the developmental path by which the descendant cells populate that organ in the normal embryo, they do not illustrate the full developmental potential of a precursor cell or identify the mechanisms by which its fate is determined. To test for cell fate commitment, one compares a cell's normal repertoire of descendants in the intact embryo (the fate map) with those expressed after an experimental manipulation. Is the cell's fate fixed (committed) regardless of the surrounding cellular environment, or is it influenced by external factors provided by its neighbors? Using the comprehensive fate maps of the Xenopus embryo, we describe how to identify, isolate and culture single cleavage stage precursors, called blastomeres. This approach allows one to assess whether these early cells are committed to the fate they acquire in their normal environment in the intact embryo, require interactions with their neighboring cells, or can be influenced to express alternate fates if exposed to other types of signals.

The fate of an individual embryonic cell can be influenced by inherited molecules and/or by signals from neighboring cells. Utilizing fate maps of the cleavage stage Xenopus embryo, single blastomeres can be identified for culture in isolation to assess the contributions of inherited molecules versus cell-cell interactions.

Espianti blastomero al test per l&#39;Impegno cellulare Fate durante lo sviluppo embrionale

Fate maps, constructed from lineage tracing all of the cells of an embryo, reveal  which tissues descend from each cell of the embryo.  Although fate maps ...

A Novel Ex vivo Culture Method for the Embryonic Mouse Heart

Developmental studies in the mouse are hampered by the inaccessibility of the embryo during gestation. Thus, protocols to isolate and culture individual organs of interest are essential to provide a method of both visualizing changes in development and allowing novel treatment strategies. To promote the long-term culture of the embryonic heart at late stages of gestation, we developed a protocol in which the excised heart is cultured in a semi-solid, dilute Matrigel. This substrate provides enough support to maintain the three-dimensional structure but is flexible enough to allow continued contraction. In brief, hearts are excised from the embryo and placed in a mixture of cold Matrigel diluted 1:1 with growth medium. After the diluted Matrigel solidifies, growth medium is added to the culture dish. Hearts excised as late as embryonic day 16.5 were viable for four days post-dissection. Analysis of the coronary plexus shows that this method does not disrupt coronary vascular development. Thus, we present a novel method for long-term culture of embryonic hearts.

A Novel Ex vivo Culture Method for the Embryonic Mouse Heart

Developmental studies in the mouse are hampered by the inaccessibility of the embryo during gestation. To promote the long-term culture of the embryonic heart at late stages of gestation, we developed a protocol in which the excised heart is cultured in a semi-solid, dilute Matrigel.

A Novel<em&gt; Ex vivo</em&gt; Metodo di Cultura per il mouse embrionale del cuore

Developmental studies in the mouse are hampered  by the inaccessibility of the embryo during gestation. Thus, protocols to  isolate and culture individual ...

The Slice Culture Method for Following Development of Tooth Germs In Explant Culture

Explant culture allows manipulation of developing organs at specific time points&#160;and is therefore an important method for the developmental biologist. For many organs it is difficult to access developing tissue to allow monitoring during ex vivo culture. The slice culture method allows access to tissue so that morphogenetic movements can be followed and specific cell populations can be targeted for manipulation or lineage tracing.
In this paper we describe a method of slice culture that has been very successful for culture of tooth germs in a range of species. The method provides excellent access to the tooth germs, which develop at a similar rate to that observed in vivo, surrounded by the other jaw tissues. This allows tissue interactions between the tooth and surrounding tissue to be monitored. Although this paper concentrates on tooth germs, the same protocol can be applied to follow development of a number of other organs, such as salivary glands, Meckel&#39;s cartilage, nasal glands, tongue, and ear.

Here we detail a method to culture tooth germs in mandible slices using a tissue chopper. This method allows unique access to the tooth during development, providing excellent opportunity for manipulation and lineage tracing, not available using more traditional culture methods.

Il Metodo Culture Slice per seguire lo sviluppo dei germi dente Espianto Cultura

Explant culture allows manipulation of developing organs at specific time points&#160;and is therefore an important method for the developmental ...

Subcloning Plus Insertion (SPI) - A Novel Recombineering Method for the Rapid Construction of Gene Targeting Vectors

Gene targeting refers to the precise modification of a genetic locus using homologous recombination. The generation of novel cell lines and transgenic mouse models using this method necessitates the construction of a &#8216;targeting&#8217; vector, which contains homologous DNA sequences to the target gene, and has for many years been a limiting step in the process. Vector construction can be performed in vivo in Escherichia coli cells using homologous recombination mediated by phage recombinases using a technique termed recombineering. Recombineering is the preferred technique to subclone the long homology sequences (>4kb) and various targeting elements including selection markers that are required to mediate efficient allelic exchange between a targeting vector and its cognate genomic locus. Typical recombineering protocols follow an iterative scheme of step-wise integration of the targeting elements and require intermediate purification and transformation steps. Here, we present a novel recombineering methodology of vector assembly using a multiplex approach. Plasmid gap repair is performed by the simultaneous capture of genomic sequence from mouse Bacterial Artificial Chromosome libraries and the insertion of dual bacterial and mammalian selection markers. This subcloning plus insertion method is highly efficient and yields a majority of correct recombinants. We present data for the construction of different types of conditional gene knockout, or knock-in, vectors and BAC reporter vectors that have been constructed using this method. SPI vector construction greatly extends the repertoire of the recombineering toolbox and provides a simple, rapid and cost-effective method of constructing these highly complex vectors.

Subcloning Plus Insertion SPI - A Novel Recombineering Method for the Rapid Construction of Gene Targeting Vectors

Gene targeting methodologies can be used to generate transgenic mice with knockout, knock-in and tagged alleles. Here, we describe an improved method of recombineering in E. coli, that we term &#8216;subcloning plus insertion&#8217;, which can be used to generate custom gene targeting vectors rapidly.

Subcloning più Insertion (SPI) - A Novel Metodo recombineering per la costruzione rapida di gene targeting Vettori

Gene targeting refers to the precise modification of a genetic locus using homologous recombination. The generation of novel cell lines and transgenic ...

Method for the Assessment of Effects of a Range of Wavelengths and Intensities of Red/near-infrared Light Therapy on Oxidative Stress In Vitro

Red/near-infrared light therapy (R/NIR-LT), delivered by laser or light emitting diode (LED), improves functional and morphological outcomes in a range of central nervous system injuries in vivo, possibly by reducing oxidative stress. However, effects of R/NIR-LT on oxidative stress have been shown to vary depending on wavelength or intensity of irradiation. Studies comparing treatment parameters are lacking, due to absence of commercially available devices that deliver multiple wavelengths or intensities, suitable for high through-put in vitro optimization studies. This protocol describes a technique for delivery of light at a range of wavelengths and intensities to optimize therapeutic doses required for a given injury model. We hypothesized that a method of delivering light, in which wavelength and intensity parameters could easily be altered, could facilitate determination of an optimal dose of R/NIR-LT for reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro.
Non-coherent Xenon light was filtered through narrow-band interference filters to deliver varying wavelengths (center wavelengths of 440, 550, 670 and 810nm) and fluences (8.5 x 10-3 to 3.8 x 10-1 J/cm2) of light to cultured cells. Light output from the apparatus was calibrated to emit therapeutically relevant, equal quantal doses of light at each wavelength. Reactive species were detected in glutamate stressed cells treated with the light, using DCFH-DA and H2O2 sensitive fluorescent dyes.&#160;
We successfully delivered light at a range of physiologically and therapeutically relevant wavelengths and intensities, to cultured cells exposed to glutamate as a model of CNS injury. While the fluences of R/NIR-LT used in the current study did not exert an effect on ROS generated by the cultured cells, the method of light delivery is applicable to other systems including isolated mitochondria or more physiologically relevant organotypic slice culture models, and could be used to assess effects on a range of outcome measures of oxidative metabolism.

Method for the Assessment of Effects of a Range of Wavelengths and Intensities of Red/near-infrared Light Therapy on Oxidative Stress In Vitro

Non-coherent Xenon light was passed through narrow-band interference and neutral density filters to deliver light of varying wavelength and intensity to cultured cells. This protocol was used to assess the effects of red/near-infrared light therapy on production of reactive species in vitro: no effects were observed using the tested parameters.

Metodo per la valutazione degli effetti di un intervallo di lunghezze d&#39;onda e intensità di / vicino-infrarosso di terapia della luce rossa sullo stress ossidativo<em&gt; In Vitro</em

Red/near-infrared light therapy (R/NIR-LT), delivered by laser or light emitting diode (LED), improves functional and morphological outcomes in a range of ...

A Protocol for Lentiviral Transduction and Downstream Analysis of Intestinal Organoids

Intestinal crypt-villus structures termed organoids, can be kept in sustained culture three dimensionally when supplemented with the appropriate growth factors. Since organoids are highly similar to the original tissue in terms of homeostatic stem cell differentiation, cell polarity and presence of all terminally differentiated cell types known to the adult intestinal epithelium, they serve as an essential resource in experimental research on the epithelium. The possibility to express transgenes or interfering RNA using lentiviral or retroviral vectors in organoids has increased opportunities for functional analysis of the intestinal epithelium and intestinal stem cells, surpassing traditional mouse transgenics in speed and cost. In the current video protocol we show how to utilize transduction of small intestinal organoids with lentiviral vectors illustrated by use of doxycylin inducible transgenes, or IPTG inducible short hairpin RNA for overexpression or gene knockdown. Furthermore, considering organoid culture yields minute cell counts that may even be reduced by experimental treatment, we explain how to process organoids for downstream analysis aimed at quantitative RT-PCR, RNA-microarray and immunohistochemistry. Techniques that enable transgene expression and gene knock down in intestinal organoids contribute to the research potential that these intestinal epithelial structures hold, establishing organoid culture as a new standard in cell culture.

In this video protocol we give a step by step explanation of lentiviral transduction in organoids of primary intestinal epithelium and of processing and downstream analysis of these cultures by quantitative RT-PCR, RNA-microarray and immunohistochemistry.

Un protocollo per lentivirali trasduzione e analisi valle di intestinale organoidi

Intestinal crypt-villus structures termed organoids, can be kept in sustained culture three dimensionally when supplemented with the appropriate growth ...