Name: Liberase-Based Enzymatic Purification of Microglial Cells Isolated from a Mouse Spinal Cord
Uploaded: 2023-09-22T14:00:00
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liberase-based enzymatic purification of microglial cells isolated from a mouse spinal cord

Extraction and Enzymatic Purification of Microglia from the Mouse Spinal Cord

The defining characteristic of vertebrates is the vertebral column or spine, in which the notochord has been replaced by a sequence of segmented bones called vertebrae, divided by intervertebral discs. This succession of osseous material shapes the spinal canal, a cavity that encloses and protects the spinal cord1. In the genus Rodentia, the spine is usually formed by seven cervical vertebrae, thirteen thoracic vertebrae, six lumbar vertebrae, and a variable number of caudal vertebrae2,3. The length of the spinal cord is similar to that of the spine, and the terminal filum is a non-nervous structure that anchors the spinal cord to the sacrum. Additionally, nerve fibers exit through the intervertebral foramen1.
The development and proper function of the central nervous system in mammals critically depend on the activity of the nervous system&#39;s resident macrophages, called microglia4. Although microglia were initially described as brain resident phagocytes, recent research has attributed many dynamic functions to these cells5,6. Microglia&#39;s size ranges from 7 to 10 &#181;m in homeostasis; they are considered among the most versatile cells in the body and can adapt morphologically and functionally to their constantly changing environment7. These cells exhibit high heterogeneity during both the embryonic and adult stages8,9, while in the adult stage, they also display complex functional heterogeneity based on their spatiotemporal context10. The heterogeneity and multiple functions of microglia allow for differential gene expression and behavior in the spinal cord and brain. It has been shown that CD11b, CD45, CD86, and CCR9 expression is higher in the spinal cord compared to the brain8,9.
Multiple protocols exist for cerebral microglia isolation11,12; however, only a few exist for spinal cord microglia13,14. Optimizing a method for purifying microglia from the spinal cord facilitates the development of multiple studies focused on discovering microglia physiology. This protocol aims to describe a simple and highly reproducible extraction of the mouse spinal cord and the purification of microglia (Figure 1).

Author Spotlight: Microglia Research on Spinal Cord Heterogeneity and Purification 

Rapid and Efficient Enrichment of Mouse Spinal Cord Microglia

Our research focuses on the heterogeneity of microglia, which can exhibit both pro and anti-inflammatory behaviors across different pathologies and regions like the brain and spinal cord. We aim to enable a deeper understanding of spinal cord microglia behavior in diverse scenarios. The heterogeneity of microglia has made it difficult to classify them.This year, a new and broad classification has been proposed that goes beyond just a pro or anti-inflammatory status. Currently, achieving high purity and gel in isolating spinal cord microglia from animal models of neurological pathologies is a significant experiment and challenge. We identified a novel cytokine signaling pathway in the spinal cord microglia during chronic pain.Our protocol allows for a more controlled and somatic digestion, followed by a density gradient. Both result in less contamination by astrocytes compared to currently employed techniques for the purification of microglia from the spinal cord, brain, or embryos.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Liberase-Based Enzymatic Purification of Microglial Cells Isolated from a Mouse Spinal Cord at JoVE.com

Liberase-Based Enzymatic Purification of Microglial Cells Isolated from a Mouse Spinal Cord  

To begin, with a scalpel, make an incision along the dorsal midline of a euthanized mouse from the occipital to the sacral region. Using a stereoscopic surgical microscope, carefully dissect through layers until the lumbar spine. Identify the last costal arch.Identify the last cervical vertebra and the sacrum. Then make a cut to separate the spine. With a pair of dissecting forceps, perform a dorsal laminectomy of the vertebra to extract the spinal cord.Remove the nerves emerging through the foramina which constitute the peripheral nervous system. Now, place the extracted spinal cord on a dissecting board. With a pair of vannas scissors, cut it into two-millimeter sized pieces.Then transfer the pieces to a two-milliliter flat-bottomed microtube. Add one milliliter of HBSS-LD working solution to the microtube. Incubate the mixture at 37 degrees Celsius for 25 minutes.Make sure to vigorously vortex the mixture every five minutes. Next, pass the contents of each digestion through a 40-micron-size strainer. Then add seven milliliters of HBSS with 2%FBS to neutralize the digestion and crush the remaining tissue.Transfer the suspension to a 50-milliliter conical tube before centrifuging it at 220 g for five minutes at four degrees Celsius. Now use a one-milliliter micropipette to discard the supernatant. Then resuspend the pellet in two milliliters of HBSS-FBS in a new 15-milliliter conical tube.Add two milliliters of 90%isotonic density gradient medium to the tube, and centrifuge the mixture at 160 g for 25 minutes at 18 degrees Celsius. Finally, with a transfer pipette, retrieve the interphase and transfer it to a 15-milliliter conical tube. Wash the cells with 10 milliliters of PBS, then centrifuge the cells at 220 g for five minutes at five degrees Celsius before further experimentation.The purification of the extracted microglial cells yielded up to 99%cell yield as confirmed by FACS staining. Double positive cells with an average size of 10 micrometers consistent with nonactivated microglia were observed.

liberase-based-enzymatic-purification-microglial-cells-isolated-from

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

The vertebral column defines a vertebrate and shapes the spinal canal, a cavity that encloses and safeguards the spinal cord. Proper development and function of the mammalian central nervous system rely significantly on the activity of resident macrophages known as microglia. Microglia display heterogeneity and multifunctionality, enabling distinct gene expression and behavior within the spinal cord and brain. Numerous studies have explored cerebral microglia function, detailing purification methods extensively. However, the purification of microglia from the spinal cord in mice lacks a comprehensive description. In contrast, the utilization of a highly purified collagenase, as opposed to an unrefined extract, lacks reporting within central nervous system tissues. In this study, the vertebral column and spinal cord were excised from 8-10 week-old C57BL/6 mice. Subsequent digestion employed a highly purified collagenase, and microglia purification utilized a density gradient. Cells underwent staining for flow cytometry, assessing viability and purity through CD11b and CD45 staining. Results yielded an average viability of 80% and a mean purity of 95%. In conclusion, manipulation of mouse microglia involved digestion with a highly purified collagenase, followed by a density gradient. This approach effectively produced substantial spinal cord microglia populations.

Microglia are regarded as some of the most versatile cells in the body, capable of morphological and functional adaptation. Their heterogeneity and multifunctionality enable the maintenance of brain homeostasis, while also being linked to various neurological pathologies. Here, a technique for purifying spinal cord microglia is described.

The vertebral column defines a vertebrate and shapes the spinal canal, a cavity that encloses and safeguards the spinal cord. Proper development and ...