Questo lavoro è stato finanziato dal Wellcome Trust e della British Heart Foundation.

Tutte le fasi vengono eseguite a temperatura ambiente, se non diversamente indicato. 1. Enucleazione e la fissazione di postnatali Occhi <ol><li> Posizionare il mouse eutanasia cucciolo su un lato, togliere la pelle che copre gli occhi con le forbici. </li><li> Utilizzare forbici e pinze per enucleare l&#39;occhio. </li><li> Luogo forbici sotto l&#39;occhio enucleato, tagliare il nervo ottico e dei tessuti circostanti e sollevare l&#39;occhio. Trasferire in una piastra a 24 pozzetti contenente 4% paraformaldeide (PFA) composto 2x in PBS a temperatura ambiente. </li><li> Consentire ad ogni occhio di fissare per il 10 - 15 min, poi trasferimento al freddo 2x PBS in ghiaccio per 5 - 10 min. È meglio sfalsare enucleazioni e fissazione successiva per garantire il grado di fissazione è uguale per ogni occhio. </li></ol> 2. Dissezione di postnatali retine murini <ol><li> Trasferire gli occhi in una capsula di Petri contenente 2x PBS utilizzando una pipetta Pasteur di plastica che è stato tagliato per allargare il foro e posto sotto una diffuamen microscopio. </li><li> Rimuovere eventuale grasso intorno all&#39;occhio con pinze e forbici. </li><li> Pierce il bordo della cornea con forbici affilate e tagliare intorno alla cornea e iride e scartare. </li><li> Inserire pinza tra retina e la sclera e rimuovere la sclera facendo attenzione a non strappare la retina. Lo strato coroide può anche essere rimosso, ma se vi è il rischio di danni alla retina occorrono durante tale fase, lo strato coroide può essere lasciato in quanto non dovrebbe influenzare significativamente la qualità della immunocolorazione. </li><li> Rimuovere la lente e l&#39;umor vitreo con pinze. </li><li> Rimuovere i vasi hyaloids raccogliendo insieme nel centro dell&#39;occhio con una pinza sottile poi rapidamente allontanarsi dal centro della retina (in alternativa snip alla base dei vasi hyaloid con le forbici sottili). </li><li> Sciacquare la retina a forma di coppa con PBS in un piatto pulito Petri. </li><li> Fare 4 a 5 incisioni radiali raggiungono circa 2/3 del raggio della retina mediante molla scissors creare una forma &#39;petalo&#39;. </li><li> Erogare PBS utilizzando una pipetta Pasteur per appiattire la retina, e quindi rimuovere l&#39;eccesso di PBS con un piccolo pezzo di carta assorbente. </li><li> Lentamente pipetta freddo (-20 ° C) il metanolo goccia a goccia sulla superficie della retina fino totalmente coperto e poi alluvione con ulteriore metanolo. Ciò contribuirà a risolvere le retine e faciliterà permeabilizzazione. Le retine diventeranno bianche. </li><li> Trasferire in una provetta 2 ml utilizzando una pipetta Pasteur di plastica che è stato tagliato per allargare il foro. </li><li> Lascia retina in metanolo freddo per almeno 20 minuti prima di procedere con immunoistochimica. Degli anticorpi usati qui, solo VE-Caderina non può essere utilizzato con successo su metanolo retine fissi. In questo caso le retine devono proseguire dritto dell&#39;immunocolorazione dopo il punto 9. </li><li> Se necessario, le retine può essere conservato in metanolo a -20 ° C fino a diversi mesi prima della colorazione. </li></ol> 3. Immuno / colorazione isolectin della retina Vascuslatore <ol><li> Rimuovere con attenzione / versare via metanolo e delicatamente risciacquare retine brevemente in PBS (in questa fase la retina è ancora nella stessa 2 ml di tubo dal punto 11 di cui sopra). </li><li> Rimuovere PBS e copertura retine con 100 ml di soluzione di Perm / blocchi (PBS + 0,3% Triton + 0,2% BSA) + 5% di siero appropriato (cfr. tabella 1) e agitare delicatamente per 1 ora. </li><li> Rimuovere Perm / Blocca e incubare retine agitando delicatamente la notte a 4 ° C con 100 ml di anticorpi primari selezionati (vedi Tabella 1) e / o IsolectinB4, tutti preparati diluendo a Perm / blocchi. </li><li> Rimuovere anticorpo / isolectin e lavare retine 4 x 10 min in PBS + 0,3% Triton (PBSTx). </li><li> In alcuni casi, per esempio seguente colorazione con IsolectinB4-Alexa488 o un anticorpo primario direttamente coniugato, non è richiesto un anticorpo secondario e retine può essere montato direttamente (fase 7). Quando un anticorpo primario non coniugato è stato utilizzato nel passaggio 3, poi 100 microlitri della appropriata FluorÈ aggiunto anticorpo secondario escent (diluito 1/200 in PBSTx) e lasciata incubare una notte a 4 ° C o per 4 ore a temperatura ambiente. </li><li> Rimuovere anticorpo secondario e lavare retine 4 x 15 min in 2 ml PBSTx. </li><li> Trasferire retine su vetrini utilizzando un ampio foro di plastica pipetta Pasteur e rimuovere l&#39;eccesso PBSTx con tessuto assorbente. Mount retine con l&#39;aggiunta di 50 ml di prolungare mezzo di montaggio su un vetrino e delicatamente posizione sopra la retina. </li><li> Trasferimento scivola al frigorifero per una notte a 4 ° C, assicurando che siano piatte e al riparo dalla luce, per consentire al Prolungare montante per impostare. </li><li> Retina immagine utilizzando un microscopio confocale o un microscopio a epifluorescenza. </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>

Gli autori dichiarano di non avere interessi finanziari in competizione.

Il metodo qui presentato offre un modo semplice ed efficace per ottenere immagini colorate preparativi monte intero di retine neonatali del mouse, il che rende un modello facilmente quantificabile e fisiologicamente rilevanti di angiogenesi. Inizialmente, l&#39;occhio del mouse può essere molto difficile da sezionare grazie alle sue piccole dimensioni e la forma globo, quindi sono necessarie una certa pratica e di buoni strumenti di dissezione per risultati affidabili. Dissezione di occhi preparati in 2x concentrazione...

L&#39;angiogenesi è un processo complesso dello sviluppo definito dalla formazione di nuovi vasi sanguigni da una rete di vasi preesistenti ed è regolata da diverse vie di segnalazione. Il più importante di questi è il pathway VEGF. VEGF è rilasciato dalle cellule ischemiche e porta alla apertura di angiogenico spuntano nei vasi sanguigni circostanti. La cellula endoteliale leader da un nuovo germoglio vascolare è una &#39;punta&#39; cellula, che produce filopodi che raggiunge fuori verso la sorgente di VEGF, ed è seguita da proliferazione delle cellule endoteliali &#39;gambo&#39;. In questo modo, le cellule endoteliali attivate migrano e proliferano verso una regione avascolare dove formano nuovi tubi vascolari. Al fine di stabilizzare questi tubi per sostenere il flusso di sangue, cellule endoteliali interagiscono con periciti e cellule muscolari lisce, che circondano i nuovi vasi sanguigni 1. Angiogenesi è essenziale per vascolarizzazione dell&#39;embrione e tessuti in crescita. Tuttavia, essa contribuisce anche a molti patologicodisturbi cal come il cancro; che difetti di angiogenesi sono associati a malattie ischemiche. Lo sviluppo di trattamenti farmacologici efficaci per regolare l&#39;angiogenesi come mezzo di trattamento malattia è quindi di grande interesse. Per esempio, efficaci fattori anti-angiogenici ridurranno la crescita del cancro, mentre strategie pro-angiogenici possono essere usati per trattare la malattia ischemica. Così, i modelli di angiogenesi sono essenziali per comprendere meglio la regolazione della formazione di nuovi vasi e per lo sviluppo di nuove strategie terapeutiche per migliorare o ridurre la crescita vascolare. Un elemento fondamentale della ricerca angiogenesi è la scelta di un modello appropriato vascolare. Molti modelli in vitro sono stati progettati per riprodurre i passi base dell&#39;angiogenesi come la migrazione delle cellule endoteliali, la proliferazione e la sopravvivenza 2,3. Un frequentemente utilizzati saggio in vitro è la formazione di una rete ramificata di cellule endoteliali su una matrice in Matrigel, sebbene til suo non è specifico per le cellule endoteliali, né di solito incorporano il supporto di periciti o cellule muscolari lisce. Valutazione della ex vivo germinazione angiogenesi usando organo cultura mouse, ad esempio, il saggio corpo embrioide, il saggio anello aortico e il saggio metatarso fetale permette l&#39;analisi di angiogenesi delle cellule endoteliali nel contesto delle cellule di supporto aggiuntivi. Tuttavia, le limitazioni principali di questi saggi comprendono la mancanza di flusso di sangue e la regressione dei vasi nel tempo, dando una limitata finestra di analisi. Pertanto, per comprendere la regolazione dell&#39;angiogenesi, più precisamente, in modelli in vivo sono necessari come quelli sviluppati nel topo usando spugne impiantati sottocute o spine matrigel, così come il modello di ischemia dell&#39;arto posteriore. Tuttavia, questi modelli sono difficili da analizzare a causa della complessa architettura 3D del neovasi. In contrasto, l&#39;embrione zebrafish è dimostrato un modello eccellente per visualizzare angiogenesi in tuttamicrorganismo 4. Tuttavia, il topo è evolutivamente molto più strettamente correlato umano rispetto zebrafish, rendendo così il mouse un modello preferito in molti casi. Conseguentemente angiogenesi della retina topo postnatale rappresenta un metodo ben caratterizzato di scelta per la ricerca angiogenesi. Esso non solo fornisce un ambiente fisiologico, ma anche un 2D plesso vascolare che può essere facilmente visualizzato per mezzo di macchie fluorescenti appropriati. L&#39;architettura della rete nave, proliferazione endoteliale, crescita, reclutamento di cellule perivascolari e vaso rimodellamento possono tutti essere studiata utilizzando questa tecnica. Nella retina neonatale topo, lo sviluppo dei vasi retinici avviene nella prima settimana di vita postnatale. I topi, a differenza degli umani, nascono ciechi e le retine diventano solo vascolarizzato dopo la nascita. Vasi retinici nascono dal centro della retina vicino al nervo ottico al giorno postnatale 0 (P0), e si sviluppano da angiogenesi per formare un altamente organizzared plesso vascolare che raggiunge la periferia retinica di circa 5 P8. I vasi sanguigni si sviluppano in modo caratteristico con il plesso capillare gradualmente crescente verso l&#39;esterno del disco ottico verso la periferia per generare un normale modello di alternanza delle arterie e delle vene, con una rete capillare di intervenire. La vascolarizzazione della retina fornisce un modello ideale per studiare l&#39;angiogenesi come i vasi possono essere facilmente identificati come crescono in quello che è essenzialmente un piano 2D, rendendo così relativamente facile per esaminare la vascolarizzazione retinica nei preparati TV a montaggio 5. Un metodo per isolare il mouse retina neonatale per analisi delle risposte delle cellule endoteliali punta su diverse ore ex vivo è stato riportato 6. In alternativa, un esame più dettagliato di tutto il sistema vascolare della retina e marcatori vascolari associate richiede immunoistochimica di campioni di retina fisse a diversi stadi di sviluppo. Qui forniamouna descrizione dettagliata di un metodo affidabile e tecnicamente semplice che utilizziamo per tutta la colorazione monte della retina murina plesso vascolare, dalla enucleazione iniziale dell&#39;occhio postnatale (vedere anche 7) attraverso i protocolli di colorazione per l&#39;imaging finale al 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

L&#39;angiogenesi è il complesso processo di formazione di nuovi vasi definito dalla germinazione di nuovi vasi sanguigni da una rete di vasi pre-esistente. Angiogenesi gioca un ruolo chiave non solo nel normale sviluppo di organi e tessuti, ma anche in molte malattie in cui la formazione del vaso sanguigno è disregolato, come il cancro, cecità e malattie ischemiche. Nella vita adulta, i vasi sanguigni sono generalmente quiescente così angiogenesi è un obiettivo importante per il romanzo lo sviluppo di farmaci per cercare di regolare la formazione di nuovi vasi specificamente nella malattia. Per capire meglio l&#39;angiogenesi e di sviluppare strategie appropriate per regolarlo, i modelli sono richieste che rispecchiano fedelmente le varie fasi biologiche che sono coinvolti. Il mouse retina neonatale fornisce un eccellente modello di angiogenesi perché arterie, vene e capillari sviluppano a formare un plesso vascolare durante la prima settimana dopo la nascita. Questo modello ha anche il vantaggio di avere un due dibidimensionale (2D) Struttura rendendo semplice analisi rispetto alla complessa anatomia 3D di altre reti vascolari. Analizzando la retina plesso vascolare in tempi diversi dopo la nascita, è possibile osservare le varie fasi della angiogenesi al microscopio. Questo articolo illustra una procedura semplice per analizzare il sistema vascolare di una retina di topo mediante colorazione fluorescente con anticorpi specifici isolectin e vascolari.

Dopo la dissezione della retina dovrebbe apparire come un fiore piatto (Figura 1). Utilizzando il protocollo, di cui sopra, le cellule endoteliali possono essere visti utilizzando isolectin colorazione B4-Alexa488 e sostenendo cellule muscolari vascolari sono visualizzati tramite actina muscolo liscio anti-alfa (Figura 2). La vista a bassa potenza usando un obiettivo 5X in figura 2 consente una visione d&#39;insieme dell&#39;organizzazione vascolare della retina. Inoltr...

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 murina neonatale fornisce un modello fisiologico ben caratterizzato dell&#39;angiogenesi, che permette indagini sui ruoli dei geni o farmaci diversi che modulano l&#39;angiogenesi in un<em&gt; In vivo</em&gt; Contesto. Immunofluorescenza per visualizzare con precisione il plesso vascolare è fondamentale per il successo di questo tipo di studi.

Tutta Monte immunofluorescenza del mouse Retina neonatale per Indagare Angiogenesi<em&gt; In 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. ...

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Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

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

45.3K Views.  Newcastle University. La retina murina neonatale fornisce un modello fisiologico ben caratterizzato dell'angiogenesi, che permette indagini sui ruoli dei geni o farmaci diversi che modulano l'angiogenesi in un In vivo Contesto. Immunofluorescenza per visualizzare con precisione il plesso vascolare è fondamentale per il successo di questo tipo di studi.

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.

Visualizzazione del sistema nervoso embrionale in Whole-mount Drosophila Embrioni

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

Ricerca

Neuroscienze

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.

Dissezione di un occhio mouse per un monte intero di dell&#39;epitelio pigmentato retinico

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.

In elettroporazione in vivo di Retina topo in via di sviluppo

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.

Tutta Monte immunomarcatura di recettore olfattivo neuroni nel<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Antenna

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.

Whole-mount Imaging di embrione di topo Sensory Axon Proiezioni

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.

Tutta Monte dissezione e immunofluorescenza del topo adulto Coclea

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 di celle Starburst amacrine in un appartamento di montaggio Preparazione di 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 ...

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 semplice passo-dissezione Protocollo per tutto il montaggio Preparazione per adulti<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Brains

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.

Transpupillare Due fotoni In vivo Imaging della retina del topo

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.

Colorazione, visualizzazione e analisi di papille gustative fungiformi, circumvallate e palato

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