This work was supported by a National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) Young Investigator Award and National Institutes of Health grant R01NS073635 to AV.

1. Preparation of Reagents and Solutions
<ol>
	<li>Coating of 35 mm culture dish: Collagen Type 1 solution is supplied as an aqueous solution in 20 mM acetic acid (~100 mg protein/vial). Dilute an appropriate volume of collagen solution to a working concentration of 0.01% using sterile tissue culture grade water. Coat dishes with 1 ml of collagen solution for 3-4 hr at room temperature (RT) or 37 &#176;C, or overnight at 2-8 &#176;C. Remove excess solution from the coated dish and allow it to dry overnight. Rinse the d...

<ol>
	<li>Shen, Q., S, 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=Endothelial+cells+stimulate+self-renewal+and+expand+neurogenesis+of+neural+stem+cells.">Endothelial cells stimulate self-renewal and expand neurogenesis of neural stem cells.</a> Science. 304, 1338-1340 (2004).</li><li>Milner, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+three-dimensional+system+to+study+interactions+between+endothelial+cells+and+neural+cells+of+the+developing+central+nervous+system.">A novel three-dimensional system to study interactions between endothelial cells and neural cells of the developing central nervous system.</a> BMC Neurosci. 8, 3 (2007).</li><li>Rauch, M. F., Michaud, M., Xu, H., Madri, J. A., Lavik, E. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Co-culture+of+primary+neural+progenitor+and+endothelial+cells+in+a+macroporous+gel+promotes+stable+vascular+networks+in+vivo.">Co-culture of primary neural progenitor and endothelial cells in a macroporous gel promotes stable vascular networks in vivo.</a> 19, 1469-1485 (2008).</li><li>Vasudevan, A., Long, J. E., Crandall, J. E., Rubenstein, J. L., Bhide, P. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Compartment-specific+transcription+factors+orchestrate+angiogenesis+gradients+in+the+embryonic+brain.">Compartment-specific transcription factors orchestrate angiogenesis gradients in the embryonic brain.</a> Nat. Neurosci. 11, 429-439 (2008).</li><li>Vasudevan, A., Bhide, P. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Angiogenesis+in+the+embryonic+CNS:+a+new+twist+on+an+old+tale.">Angiogenesis in the embryonic CNS: a new twist on an old tale.</a> Cell Adh. Migr. 2, 167-169 (2008).</li><li>Won, C. 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=Autonomous+vascular+networks+synchronize+GABA+neuron+migration+in+the+embryonic+forebrain.">Autonomous vascular networks synchronize GABA neuron migration in the embryonic forebrain.</a> Nat. Commun. 4, 2149-2162 (2013).</li><li>Dong, Q. 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=A+general+strategy+for+isolation+of+endothelial+cells+from+murine+tissues.+Characterization+of+two+endothelial+cell+lines+from+the+murine+lung+and+subcutaneous+sponge+implants.">A general strategy for isolation of endothelial cells from murine tissues. Characterization of two endothelial cell lines from the murine lung and subcutaneous sponge implants.</a> Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 17, 1599-1604 (1997).</li><li>Erblich, B., Zhu, L., Etgen, A. M., Dobrenis, K., Pollard, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Absence+of+colony+stimulation+factor-1+receptor+results+in+loss+of+microglia,+disrupted+brain+development+and+olfactory+deficits.">Absence of colony stimulation factor-1 receptor results in loss of microglia, disrupted brain development and olfactory deficits.</a> PLoS One. 6, (2011).</li><li>Wichterle, H., Garcia-Verdugo, J. M., Herrera, D. G., Alvarez-Buylla, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Young+neurons+from+medial+ganglionic+eminence+disperse+in+adult+and+embryonic+brain.">Young neurons from medial ganglionic eminence disperse in adult and embryonic brain.</a> 2, 461-466 (1999).</li><li>Snapyan, 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=Vasculature+guides+migrating+neuronal+precursors+in+the+adult+mammalian+forebrain+via+brain-derived+neurotrophic+factor+signaling.">Vasculature guides migrating neuronal precursors in the adult mammalian forebrain via brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling.</a> J. Neurosci. 29, 4172-4188 (2009).</li><li>Whitman, M. C., Fan, W., Rela, L., Rodriguez-Gil, D. J., Greer, C. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Blood+vessels+form+a+migratory+scaffold+in+the+rostral+migratory+stream.">Blood vessels form a migratory scaffold in the rostral migratory stream.</a> J. Comp. Neurol. 516, 94-104 (2009).</li></ol>

PVEC&#39;s are more physiologically relevant than adult brain endothelial cells and ECs from other tissue sources for studies focusing on neurovascular interactions and also have therapeutic potential. For PVEC preparation, it is critical beginning with dissection to work fast to achieve a good viability since dead cells may bind nonspecifically to CD31 MicroBeads. In addition, if single-cell suspension is not achieved prior to the magnetic labeling step, this will result in troubleshooting since cell clumps will clog th...

Angiogenesis, neurogenesis and neuronal migration are critical events in central nervous system (CNS) development, repair and regeneration. Several elegant studies have shown that endothelial cells stimulate neuronal proliferation and vice versa through release of soluble factors and by direct contact. We found it curious that in majority of these studies1-3, while neuronal progenitors/neural stem cells are isolated from the embryonic brain, they are cocultured with endothelial cells from the adult brain, other adult tissue sources, or with endothelial cell lines. This might in part be due to the technical difficulties associated with isolating and culturing pure populations of endothelial cells from the embryonic brain. However, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and neuronal migration are concurrent events occurring in orders of magnitude more robust in the embryonic brain than in the normal adult brain. The periventricular vascular network of the embryonic forebrain (telencephalon) originates from a vessel located within the basal ganglia primordium and develops in the form of an orderly gradient from ventral to dorsal telencephalon by embryonic day 11 (E11)4,5. This plexus of vessels of the periventricular vascular network are distinct from pial vessels based on origins, anatomical location, growth patterns, and developmental regulation4,5. The direction of propagation of the periventricular angiogenesis gradient matches the telencephalic transverse neurogenetic gradient. Within the telencephalon, the periventricular angiogenesis gradient and the gradient of GABA neurons migrating tangentially overlaps spatially as well6. With respect to timing, the angiogenesis gradient is in advance of the neurogenetic gradient and GABA neuron gradient by about a day. Thus, periventricular endothelial cells are spatially and temporally well positioned to provide critical cues to support telencephalic neurogenesis and neuronal migration4,6. Therefore, use of embryonic periventricular endothelial cells in coculture experiments with neuronal progenitors and/or neurons would provide a more favorable model for studying neurovascular interactions and developing novel avenues for treatment of neurodegenerative disease or ischemic/traumatic brain injury.
We emphasize the importance of removing the pial membrane, not only to limit epithelial cell contamination but also to separate pial endothelial cells which are molecularly and functionally distinct from endothelial cells of the periventricular vascular network4,6 (termed PVECs to distinguish from pial ECs). Here, we describe the method that we routinely use in our laboratory to obtain a rich and pure yield of PVECs. These endothelial cells are prepared from embryonic forebrains isolated from a single timed-pregnant mouse. They can be expanded, subcultured, and frozen down successfully for future use.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="768">
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	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">DNase I</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">D-4527</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"> </td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Collagen, Type 1 solution from rat tail </td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C3867</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">DPBS</td>
			<td>Quality Biologicals</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">114057-131</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">EDTA</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>M4055</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">BSA</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Sigma</td>
			<td>A2058</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">MS column</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotech</td>
			<td>130-042-201</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">CD31 microbeads</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotech</td>
			<td>130-097-418</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">MACS separator</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotech</td>
			<td>130-042-102</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">MACS multi stand</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotech</td>
			<td>130-042-303</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Cell strainer 70 &#181;m</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">BD Bioscience</td>
			<td>352350</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Antibiotic and antimycotic solution</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A5955</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">FBS</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>F4135</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Collagenase/Dispase</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>10269638001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">DMEM </td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Lonza</td>
			<td>12-604F</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">35 mm culture dish</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">BD Bioscience</td>
			<td>353001</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">15 ml falcon tube </td>
			<td style="width:183px;">BD Bioscience</td>
			<td>352097</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">50 ml falcon tube</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">BD Bioscience</td>
			<td>352098</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">ECCM kit</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">BD Bioscience</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">355054</td>
			<td>Kit Includes Endothelial cell growth supplement, EGF and Soybean Trypsin Inhibitor</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Endothelial Cell Growth Supplement (ECGS)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">BD Bioscience</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">354006</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">RBECGM</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Cell applications </td>
			<td style="width:147px;">R819-500</td>
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			<td style="width:183px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">10565-018</td>
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			<td style="width:183px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">305050-061</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">tissue culture grade water</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">15230162</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">0.25% Trypsin</td>
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			<td style="width:147px;">15050</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Soyabean trypsin inhibitor</td>
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			<td style="width:147px;">5425</td>
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			<td style="width:147px;">354234</td>
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			<td style="width:147px;">Q25021</td>
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			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:271px;">CellLight Plasma Membrane-RFP, BacMam 2.0</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">C10608</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Biotinylated Isolectin B4 antibody</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">L2140</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Anti-Von Willebrand factor</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">F3520</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Anti-CD31/PECAM-1</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">BD Pharmingen</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">550274</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:271px;">Vectashield Hardset Mounting media with DAPI</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Vector Laboratories</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">H-1500</td>
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		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:271px;">Ketamine</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Butler Schein Animal Health Supply</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">44028</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Xylazine</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Lloyd Laboratories</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">1009</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Stereomicroscope</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Motic</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">SMZ-168</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">hemocytometer</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">267110</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">inverted microscope</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Olympus CK-40</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">CK-40</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Flouroscent microscope</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Olympus FSX-100</td>
			<td style="width:147px;">FSX-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Fine forceps</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Roboz surgical instrument</td>
			<td>7 inox</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Fine microtip scissors</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Roboz surgical instrument</td>
			<td>RS5611</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

isolation and culture of endothelial cells from the embryonic forebrain

Embryonic brain endothelial cells can serve as an important tool in the study of angiogenesis and neurovascular development and interactions. The two vascular networks of the embryonic forebrain, pial and periventricular, are spatially distinctive and have different origins and growth patterns. Endothelial cells from the pial and periventricular vascular networks have unique gene expression profiles and functions. Here we present a step-by-step protocol for isolation, culture, and verification of pure populations of endothelial cells from the periventricular vascular network (PVECs) of the embryonic forebrain (telencephalon). In this approach, telencephalon devoid of pial membrane obtained from embryonic day 15 mice is minced, digested with collagenase/dispase, and dispersed mechanically into a single cell suspension. PVECs are purified from cell suspension using positive selection with anti-CD-31/PECAM-1 antibody conjugated to MicroBeads using a strong magnetic separation method. Purified cells are cultured on collagen 1&#160;coated culture dishes in endothelial cell culture medium until they become confluent and further subcultured. PVECs obtained with this protocol exhibit cobblestone and spindle shaped phenotypes, as visualized by phase-contrast light microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. Purity of PVEC cultures was established with endothelial cell markers. In our hands, this method reliably and consistently yields pure populations of PVECs. This protocol will benefit studies aimed at gaining mechanistic insights into forebrain angiogenesis, understanding PVEC interactions, and cross-talks with neuronal cell types and holds tremendous potential for therapeutic angiogenesis.

The phenotypic characterization of PVECs from day 1-12 is shown by phase-contrast light microscopy (Figure 2). The cells attached to the dish on day 1 show morphology characteristic of cell division (Figure 2A). Between 5-8 days, PVECs transition from cobble stone to spindle shaped morphology typical for endothelial cells and more akin to its in vivo state (Figures 2B and 2C). By day 12 the PVEC culture achieves full confluence (Figure 2...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation and Culture of Endothelial Cells from the Embryonic Forebrain at JoVE.com

Isolation and Culture of Endothelial Cells from the Embryonic Forebrain

This video demonstrates an easy and reliable strategy for preparation of pure cultures of endothelial cells from the embryonic forebrain within 10-12 days and will be useful for research focused on many aspects of cerebral angiogenesis.

Embryonic brain endothelial cells can serve as an important tool in the study of angiogenesis and neurovascular development and interactions. The two ...

isolation-culture-endothelial-cells-from-embryonic

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JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

15.3K ビュー.  Harvard Medical School. このビデオでは、10〜12日以内に、胚前脳からの内皮細胞の純粋培養を調製するための簡単​​で信頼性の高い戦略を示し、脳血管新生のさまざまな側面に焦点を当てた研究のために有用であろう。 