This study was supported by NeuralStem, Inc., and Johns Hopkins Project RESTORE.

注：すべての動物の手順は、ジョンズ·ホプキンス大学動物実験委員会によって承認されました。麻酔機は、必要に応じて毎年点検とキャリブレーションが必要です。 1.麻酔とポジショニング<ol><li>麻酔。 <ol><li> 2〜3％のイソフルラン麻酔下で、すべての外科的処置を実行します。つま先のピンチと呼吸数による麻酔の適切なレベルを確認してください。ラットはつま先のピンチに反応して尻込みしていないことを確認してください。 注：フリンチは遅すぎる麻酔を示し、開始前に長い麻酔以上イソフルラン濃度を必要とする場合があります。 2秒ごとに麻酔を示す遅すぎる1息未満の呼吸率が高すぎて、イソフルラン濃度の軽量化が必要な場合があります。 </li><li>手順中にヘッドの移動を避けるために、必要に応じて動物を固定します。外科的な目にリドカインのドロップを置きます。麻酔下ながら乾燥を防止するために、人工涙液を10分ごとに使用します。与えます0.01ミリグラム/ kgのSC手術前にし、その後、6-8時間のブプレノルフィンの注射は、必要に応じて。 </li></ol></li><li>ポジショニング。 <ol><li>定位フレームにラットを配置し、加熱パッドで暖かく保ちます。目の露出を避けるために注意しながらアルコールと頭皮の毛をぬらし。術後感染症のリスクを最小限に抑えるために、滅菌ツールおよび滅菌技術を使用してください。 </li></ol></li></ol> 2. Eyeコントロール<ol><li>横結膜に4-0縫合糸を置き、穏やかなトラクションを可能にするのに十分な縫合糸でそれを結びます。 </li></ol> 3.解剖<ol><li>最初の解剖。 <ol><li> 図1に示すように、サイズ10メスを用いて軌道尾根の上を覆う皮膚中〜1インチの切開を行います。皮膚とその下の筋膜を引っ込め、慎重に筋膜を離れて解剖。外科的に過度の出血を防止するために、筋膜を切開しながら、血管を切断しないようにします。 PL戦略的に使用します止血を提供するために、綿のヒントを出し抜か。 </li></ol></li><li>深く解剖。 注：ダウンし、ソケットから目を引く結膜にやさしい牽引すると、優れた軌道筋肉が見えてきます。視神経を露出させるために、この筋肉を切断する必要があり、眼窩脂肪を除去しました。脂肪は破棄することができ、注入後に交換するべ​​きではありません。この点から、視神経筋膜は、硬膜に包まれた血管（ 図1）と一緒に、視神経自体の束として表示される必要があります。 <ol><li>低外傷性穿孔するためにメスまたは31ゲージベベル針を用いて硬膜内の小さな切開を行います。 </li></ol></li></ol> 4.ピペットインジェクタ<ol><li> 50〜100ミクロンの直径にガラスマイクロピペットを引き出します。安定性を提供するために、マイクロマニピュレータにマイクロピペットをマウントし、注入ポンプに接続されたハミルトンシリンジに接続します。 </li><li>ビーズを引き上げ（または幹細胞）前後のメチルブルー溶液0.5μlの体積と一緒に逆行マイクロピペットに0.5〜1.0μlのボリュームに再構成しました。 注：毎分0.5〜2μLに設定注入速度は、視神経への外傷を防ぐことができます。 </li></ol> 5.インジェクション<ol><li>ただ、ニックの入った硬膜上記視神経にマイクロピペットの先端を下げます。 注：少なくとも損傷で視神経結果にガラスチップの小さな、しかし、活発な動き。輸液ポンプが始まると、メチル青色色素を注入視神経の領域を強調表示する必要があります。色素はくも膜下腔に漏出することなく、視神経内に局在したまま必要があります。 </li><li>幹細胞の注入が完了すると判断し、メチルブルーの第二の用量が注入されるように注入ポンプをオフにするためにメチルブルーの第2帯域に従ってください。高い防ぐために注入し、それぞれ1μlのボリュームの2分間の視神経内にまだマイクロピペットを保ちますマイクロピペットの離脱時の圧力噴出。 注：別のアプローチは、手動で操作することができ、空気充填された注射器にピペットチップを接続することです。いずれにしても、視神経の損傷を最小限に抑えるために無理な力を避けます。私たちは、それぞれの視神経にボリュームのない2以下μLを注入することをお勧めします。 </li></ol> 6.フォローアップ<ol><li>即時。 <ol><li>注入が完了すると、止血を提供するために使用される任意の綿のヒントと一緒にマイクロピペットを削除します。 3-0シルクで皮膚を縫合し、結膜縫合糸を除去します。 </li><li>彼らは麻酔から出てくるまで、加熱パッド上に暖かいラットをしてください。それは胸骨横臥位を維持するのに十分な意識を取り戻したまで無人動物を放置しないでください。完全に回復するまで、他の動物の会社に手術を受けた動物を返しません。 </li><li>動物は、過度の嗜眠、運動失調、またはこじつけbreathin含む痛みの徴候を示している場合gであり、1日3回まで筋肉内ブプレノルフィン（0.05ミリグラム/ kg）で適切な鎮痛を管理します。 </li></ol></li><li>長期。 <ol><li>次の24〜48時間、腫れや放電傷から、またはそのような発声、猫背外観、非グルーミング、または食べていないような痛みの他の徴候を含む、手術の合併症のラットを観察します。必要に応じて獣医師や倫理的安楽死との協議を検討してください。 </li></ol></li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Dahlmann-Noor, A., Vijay, S., Jayaram, H., Limb, A., Khaw, P. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Current+approaches+and+future+prospects+for+stem+cell+rescue+and+regeneration+of+the+retina+and+optic+nerve.">Current approaches and future prospects for stem cell rescue and regeneration of the retina and optic nerve.</a> Canadian journal of ophthalmology Journal canadien d'ophtalmologie. 45 (4), 333-341 (2010).</li><li>Quigley, H. A., Iglesia, D. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stem+cells+to+replace+the+optic+nerve.">Stem cells to replace the optic nerve.</a> Eye. 18 (11), 1085-1088 (2004).</li><li>Ghaffarieh, A., Levin, L. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Optic+nerve+disease+and+axon+pathophysiology.">Optic nerve disease and axon pathophysiology.</a> International review of neurobiology. 105, 1-17 (2012).</li><li>Fukui, Y., Hayasaka, S., Bedi, K. S., Ozaki, H. S., Takeuchi, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+study+of+the+development+of+the+optic+nerve+in+rats+reared+in+the+dark+during+early+postnatal+life.">Quantitative study of the development of the optic nerve in rats reared in the dark during early postnatal life.</a> Journal of anatomy. 174, 37-47 (1991).</li><li>Celestre, P. C., 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=Minimally+invasive+approaches+to+the+cervical+spine.">Minimally invasive approaches to the cervical spine.</a> The Orthopedic clinics of North America. 43 (1), 137-147 (2012).</li><li>Hallas, B. H., Wells, M. 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+Technique+for+Multiple+Injections+into+the+Mammalian+Optic+Nerve.">A Novel Technique for Multiple Injections into the Mammalian Optic Nerve.</a> Kopf Carrier. 54, (2001).</li><li>Harvey, A. R., Hellstrom, M., Rodger, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gene+therapy+and+transplantation+in+the+retinofugal+pathway.">Gene therapy and transplantation in the retinofugal pathway.</a> Progress in brain research. 175, 151-161 (2009).</li><li>Adachi-Usami, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Optic+neuritis--from+diagnosis+to+optic+nerve+transplantation.">Optic neuritis--from diagnosis to optic nerve transplantation.</a> Nippon Ganka Gakkai zasshi. 104 (12), 841-857 (2000).</li><li>Slater, B. J., Vilson, F. L., Guo, Y., Weinreich, D., Hwang, S., Bernstein, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Optic+nerve+inflammation+and+demyelination+in+a+rodent+model+of+nonarteritic+anterior+ischemic+optic+neuropathy.">Optic nerve inflammation and demyelination in a rodent model of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.</a> Investigative ophthalmology &amp; visual science. 54 (13), 7952-7961 (2013).</li><li>Zarbin, M. A., Arlow, T., Ritch, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regenerative+nanomedicine+for+vision+restoration.">Regenerative nanomedicine for vision restoration.</a> Mayo Clinic proceedings. 88 (12), 1480-1490 (2013).</li></ol>

The authors have no meaningful disclosures to report.

Direct injection into the optic nerve of stem cells or other products intended to facilitate regeneration provides a convenient model compared to other means of injections into the CNS. This technique takes less time, requires less total anesthesia, avoids drilling or removing skull or bone tissue, reduces complications rates and allows for more rapid recovery following surgery. 
The most critical steps in this protocol include: 1. Adequate hemostasis in the surgical field to allow clear visua...

視神経は、中枢神経系（CNS）は、視神経炎、緑内障および外傷などの眼科条件を含む再生研究のための理想的なロケーションを提供します。幹細胞の種々の注射は、いずれかの軸索の数を増加させ、および/ ​​または変性疾患を予防効果を示したか、失われたミエリンの取り付けの見込みを示している。1,2 人間の視神経が約3.0〜3.5ミリメートルの直径を有する視交叉に網膜から走行約120万平行軸索が含まれています。3、実験室でヒト疾患をモデル化するために、ラットは、頻繁に使用されています。成体ラットの視神経は、約0.5mmの直径内に約10万軸索を含んでいます。CNS再生研究の主な制限の4つは、直接骨なしアクセスです。頭蓋骨や脊椎骨が除去されたときに、動物に、合併症、手術リスクが高くなっています。の利点と同様に、頭蓋骨のオファー減少合併症、より迅速な回復を開かずに脊椎における低侵襲アプローチ、5直接視神経注射。 この技術は、以前の研究で使用されてきた。6本稿および付随ビデオでは、我々はラット視神経に幹細胞を注入するための低侵襲性の手順を示します。

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="851">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:335px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Lewis rat</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">Charles River</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:151px;">4</td>
			<td>Any rat strain will work.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Anesthesia machine</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">Surgivet</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">CDS9000</td>
			<td>CDS 9000 Small Animal Anesthesia Machine - Pole Mount</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Infusion pump</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">Stoelting</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:151px;">53129</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Dissection microscope</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">National Optical</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">409-411-1105</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Fiber-optic light source</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">12-562-21</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Dissection and Stereotaxic Instrument</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">Stoelting</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:151px;">51400</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Pipette Puller</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">Kopf</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:151px;">750</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Pipettes</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">18150-6</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Disposable scalpel blades</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">810-15-021</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Iridectomy scissors</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td style="width:151px;">Uniband LA-4XF</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

minimally-invasive technique for injection into rat optic nerve

The rat optic nerve is a useful model for stem cell regeneration research. Direct injection into the rat optic nerve allows delivery into the central nervous system in a minimally-invasive surgery without bone removal. This technique describes an approach to visualization and direct injection of the optic nerve following minor fascial dissection from the orbital ridge, using a conjunctival traction suture to gently pull the eye down and out. Representative examples of an injected optic nerve show successful injection of dyed beads.

実験の終わりに、ラットを屠殺し、4％パラホルムアルデヒドで灌流しました。視神経を注意深く切開し、クライオスタット切片のために取り付けられた2はエバンスブルー色素部位を可視化するために注入された低電力でラット全視神経の一例を示す図 。矢印は注射の正確な位置を特定します。神経ダウン色素の制限拡散によって示されるように、この切開は、注射...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Minimally-invasive Technique for Injection into Rat Optic Nerve at JoVE.com

Minimally-invasive Technique for Injection into Rat Optic Nerve

Direct injection into the rat optic nerve is useful for regenerative research. We demonstrate a minimally-invasive technique for direct injection into a rat optic nerve that does not involve opening the skull. Using this method, surgical complications are minimized and recovery is more rapid.

ラット視神経への注入のための低侵襲テクニック

The rat optic nerve is a useful model for stem cell regeneration research. Direct injection into the rat optic nerve allows delivery into the central ...

minimally-invasive-technique-for-injection-into-rat-optic-nerve

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

9.5K ビュー.  Johns Hopkins University. Direct injection into the rat optic nerve is useful for regenerative research. We demonstrate a minimally-invasive technique for direct injection into a rat optic nerve that does not involve opening the skull. Using this method, surgical complications are minimized and recovery is more rapid. 

ビデオ: Minimally-invasive Technique for Injection into Rat Optic Nerve

Single-unit In vivo Recordings from the Optic Chiasm of Rat

Information about the visual world is transmitted to the brain in sequences of action potentials in retinal ganglion cell axons that make up the optic nerve. In vivo recordings of ganglion cell spike trains in several animal models have revealed much of what is known about how the early visual system processes and encodes visual information. However, such recordings have been rare in one of the most common animal models, the rat, possibly owing to difficulty in detecting spikes fired by small diameter axons. The many retinal disease models involving rats motivate a need for characterizing the functional properties of ganglion cells without disturbing the eye, as with intraocular or in vitro recordings. Here, we demonstrate a method for recording ganglion cell spike trains from the optic chiasm of the anesthetized rat. We first show how to fabricate tungsten-in-glass electrodes that can pick up electrical activity from single ganglion cell axons in rat. The electrodes outperform all commercial ones that we have tried. We then illustrate our custom-designed stereotaxic system for in vivo visual neurophysiology experiments and our procedures for animal preparation and reliable and stable electrode placement in the optic chiasm.

Single-unit In vivo Recordings from the Optic Chiasm of Rat

Retinal ganglion cells transmit visual information from the eye to the brain with sequences of action potentials. Here, we demonstrate how to record the action potentials of single ganglion cells in vivo from anesthetized rats.

シングルユニット in vivoで</emラットの視交叉から>録音

Information about the visual world is transmitted to the brain in sequences of action potentials in retinal ganglion cell axons that make up the optic ...

神経科学

Axoplasm Isolation from Rat Sciatic Nerve

Isolation of pure axonal cytoplasm (axoplasm) from peripheral nerve is crucial for biochemical studies of many biological processes. In this article, we demonstrate and describe a protocol for axoplasm isolation from adult rat sciatic nerve based on the following steps: (1) dissection of nerve fascicles and separation of connective tissue; (2) incubation of short segments of nerve fascicles in hypotonic medium to release myelin and lyse non-axonal structures; and (3) extraction of the remaining axon-enriched material. Proteomic and biochemical characterization of this preparation has confirmed a high degree of enrichment for axonal components.

We demonstrate a protocol for axoplasm isolation from adult rat sciatic nerve based on dissection of nerve fascicles and incubation in hypotonic medium to release myelin and lyse non-axonal structures, followed by extraction of the remaining axon-enriched material.

ラット坐骨神経からの軸索原形質分離

Isolation of pure axonal cytoplasm (axoplasm) from peripheral nerve is crucial for biochemical studies of many biological processes. In this article, we ...

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are CNS neurons that output visual information from the retina to the brain, via the optic nerve. 
The optic nerve can be accessed within the orbit of the eye and completely transected (axotomized), cutting the axons of the entire RGC population. Optic nerve 
transection is a reproducible model of apoptotic neuronal cell death in the adult CNS 1-4. This model is particularly attractive because the vitreous
 chamber of the eye acts as a capsule for drug delivery to the retina, permitting experimental manipulations via intraocular injections. The diffusion of chemicals 
through the vitreous fluid ensures that they act upon the entire RGC population. Moreover, RGCs can be selectively transfected by applying short interfering RNAs 
(siRNAs), plasmids, or viral vectors to the cut end of the optic nerve 5-7 or injecting vectors into their target, the superior colliculus 8. 
This allows researchers to study apoptotic mechanisms in the desired neuronal population without confounding effects on other bystander neurons or surrounding glia. 
An additional benefit is the ease and accuracy with which cell survival can be quantified after injury. The retina is a flat, layered tissue and RGCs are localized in 
the innermost layer, the ganglion cell layer. The survival of RGCs can be tracked over time by applying a fluorescent tracer (3% Fluorogold) to the cut end of the 
optic nerve at the time of axotomy, or by injecting the tracer into the superior colliculus (RGC target) one week prior to axotomy. The tracer is retrogradely transported, labeling 
the entire RGC population. Because the ganglion cell layer is a monolayer (one cell thick), RGC densities can be quantified in flat-mounted tissue, without the need 
for stereology. Optic nerve transection leads to the apoptotic death of 90% of injured RGCs within 14 days postaxotomy 9-11. RGC apoptosis has a 
characteristic time-course whereby cell death is delayed 3-4 days postaxotomy, after which the cells rapidly degenerate. This provides a time window for 
experimental manipulations directed against pathways involved in apoptosis.

Optic Nerve transection is a widely used model of adult CNS injury. Ninety percent of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) whose axons are completely transected (axotomy) die within 14 days after axotomy. This model is easily amenable to experimental manipulations and highly reproducible.

視神経切断：中枢神経系における成人ニューロンのアポトーシスのモデル

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are CNS neurons that output visual information from the retina to the brain, via the optic nerve. 
The optic nerve can be ...

Methods for Experimental Manipulations after Optic Nerve Transection in the Mammalian CNS

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are CNS neurons that output visual information from the retina to the brain, via the optic nerve. The optic nerve can be accessed within the orbit of the eye and completely transected (axotomized), cutting the axons of the entire RGC population. Optic nerve transection is a reproducible model of apoptotic neuronal cell death in the adult CNS 1-4. This model is particularly attractive because the vitreous chamber of the eye acts as a capsule for drug delivery to the retina, permitting experimental manipulations via intraocular injections. The diffusion of chemicals through the vitreous fluid ensures that they act upon the entire RGC population. Viral vectors, plasmids or short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can also be delivered to the vitreous chamber in order to infect or transfect retinal cells 5-12. The high tropism of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vectors is beneficial to target RGCs, with an infection rate approaching 90% of cells near the injection site 6, 7, 13-15. Moreover, RGCs can be selectively transfected by applying siRNAs, plasmids, or viral vectors to the cut end of the optic nerve 16-19 or injecting vectors into their target the superior colliculus 10. This allows researchers to study apoptotic mechanisms in the injured neuronal population without confounding effects on other bystander neurons or surrounding glia. RGC apoptosis has a characteristic time-course whereby cell death is delayed 3-4 days postaxotomy, after which the cells rapidly degenerate. This provides a window for experimental manipulations directed against pathways involved in apoptosis. Manipulations that directly target RGCs from the transected optic nerve stump are performed at the time of axotomy, immediately after cutting the nerve. In contrast, when substances are delivered via an intraocular route, they can be injected prior to surgery or within the first 3 days after surgery, preceding the initiation of apoptosis in axotomized RGCs. In the present article, we demonstrate several methods for experimental manipulations after optic nerve transection.

Optic Nerve transection is a widely used model of adult CNS injury. This model is ideal for performing a number of experimental manipulations that target the retina globally or directly target the injured neuronal population of retinal ganglion cells.

哺乳類の中枢神経系における視神経切断後の実験操作のための方法

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are CNS neurons that output visual information from the retina to the brain, via the optic nerve. The optic nerve can be ...

An Optic Nerve Crush Injury Murine Model to Study Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival

Injury to the optic nerve can lead to axonal degeneration, followed by a gradual death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which results in irreversible vision loss. Examples of such diseases in human include traumatic optic neuropathy and optic nerve degeneration in glaucoma. It is characterized by typical changes in the optic nerve head, progressive optic nerve degeneration, and loss of retinal ganglion cells, if uncontrolled, leading to vision loss and blindness.
The optic nerve crush (ONC) injury mouse model is an important experimental disease model for traumatic optic neuropathy, glaucoma, etc. In this model, the crush injury to the optic nerve leads to gradual retinal ganglion cells apoptosis. This disease model can be used to study the general processes and mechanisms of neuronal death and survival, which is essential for the development of therapeutic measures. In addition, pharmacological and molecular approaches can be used in this model to identify and test potential therapeutic reagents to treat different types of optic neuropathy.
Here, we provide a step by step demonstration of (I) Baseline retrograde labeling of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) at day 1, (II) Optic nerve crush injury at day 4, (III) Harvest the retinae and analyze RGC survival at day 11, and (IV) Representative result.

This protocol shows how to retrogradely label retinal ganglion cells, and how to subsequently make an optic nerve crush injury in order to analyze retinal ganglion cell survival and apoptosis. It is an experimental disease model for different types of optic neuropathy, including glaucoma.

網膜神経節細胞の生存を研究するために視神経挫滅モデルマウス

Injury to the optic nerve can lead to axonal degeneration, followed by a gradual death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which results in irreversible ...

In vivo Imaging of Optic Nerve Fiber Integrity by Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Mice

The rodent visual system encompasses retinal ganglion cells and their axons that form the optic nerve to enter thalamic and midbrain centers, and postsynaptic projections to the visual cortex. Based on its distinct anatomical structure and convenient accessibility, it has become the favored structure for studies on neuronal survival, axonal regeneration, and synaptic plasticity. Recent advancements in MR imaging have enabled the in vivo visualization of the retino-tectal part of this projection using manganese mediated contrast enhancement (MEMRI). Here, we present a MEMRI protocol for illustration of the visual projection in mice, by which resolutions of (200 &#181;m)3 can be achieved using common 3 Tesla scanners. We demonstrate how intravitreal injection of a single dosage of 15 nmol MnCl2 leads to a saturated enhancement of the intact projection within 24 hr. With exception of the retina, changes in signal intensity are independent of coincided visual stimulation or physiological aging. We further apply this technique to longitudinally monitor axonal degeneration in response to acute optic nerve injury, a paradigm by which Mn2+ transport completely arrests at the lesion site. Conversely, active Mn2+ transport is quantitatively proportionate to the viability, number, and electrical activity of axon fibers. For such an analysis, we exemplify Mn2+ transport kinetics along the visual path in a transgenic mouse model (NF-&#954;B p50KO) displaying spontaneous atrophy of sensory, including visual, projections. In these mice, MEMRI indicates reduced but not delayed Mn2+ transport as compared to wild type mice, thus revealing signs of structural and/or functional impairments by NF-&#954;B mutations.
In summary, MEMRI conveniently bridges in vivo assays and post mortem histology for the characterization of nerve fiber integrity and activity. It is highly useful for longitudinal studies on axonal degeneration and regeneration, and investigations of mutant mice for genuine or inducible phenotypes.

In vivo Imaging of Optic Nerve Fiber Integrity by Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Mice

This video illustrates a method, using a clinical 3 T scanner, for contrast-enhanced MR imaging of the na&#239;ve mouse visual projection and for repetitive and longitudinal in vivo studies of optic nerve degeneration associated with acute optic nerve crush injury and chronic optic nerve degeneration in knock-out mice (p50KO).

マウスにおける造影MRIによる視神経線維の整合性in vivoイメージング

The rodent visual system encompasses retinal ganglion cells and their axons that form the optic nerve to enter thalamic and midbrain centers, and ...

A Method of Nodose Ganglia Injection in Sprague-Dawley Rat

Afferent signaling via the vagus nerve transmits important general visceral information to the central nervous system from many diverse receptors located in the organs of the abdomen and thorax. The vagus nerve communicates information from stimuli such as heart rate, blood pressure, bronchopulmonary irritation, and gastrointestinal distension to the nucleus of solitary tract of the medulla. The cell bodies of the vagus nerve are located in the nodose and petrosal ganglia, of which the majority are located in the former. The nodose ganglia contain a wealth of receptors for amino acids, monoamines, neuropeptides, and other neurochemicals that can modify afferent vagus nerve activity. Modifying vagal afferents through systemic peripheral drug treatments targeted at the receptors on nodose ganglia has the potential of treating diseases such as sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or chronic cough. The protocol here describes a method of injection neurochemicals directly into the nodose ganglion. Injecting neurochemicals directly into the nodose ganglia allows study of effects solely on cell bodies that modulate afferent nerve activity, and prevents the complication of involving the central nervous system as seen in systemic neurochemical treatment. Using readily available and inexpensive equipment, intranodose ganglia injections are easily done in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats.

Afferent vagal signaling transmits important information to central nervous system from receptors located in organs of the abdomen and thorax. The nodose ganglia of vagus nerves contain many types of receptors that modulate vagal activity. This protocol describes a method of local injections of neurochemicals into the nodose ganglia.

スプラーグ - ドーリーラットのメソッド節状神経節の注入

Afferent signaling via the vagus nerve transmits important general visceral information to the central nervous system from many diverse receptors located ...

Intramuscular Injections Along the Motor End Plates: A Minimally Invasive Approach to Shuttle Tracers Directly into Motor Neurons

Diseases affecting the integrity of spinal cord motor neurons are amongst the most debilitating neurological conditions. Over the last decades, the development of several animal models of these neuromuscular disorders has provided the scientific community with different therapeutic scenarios aimed at delaying or reversing the progression of these conditions. By taking advantage of the retrograde machinery of neurons, one of these approaches has been to target skeletal muscles in order to shuttle therapeutic genes into corresponding spinal cord motor neurons. Although once promising, the success of such gene delivery approach has been hampered by the sub-optimal number of transduced motor neurons it has so far shown to yield. Motor end plates (MEPs) are highly specialized regions on the skeletal musculature that are in direct synaptic contact to the spinal cord &#945; motor neurons. In this regard, it is important to note that, so far, the efforts to retrogradely transfer genes into motor neurons were made without reference to the location of the MEP region in the targeted muscles. Here, we describe a simple protocol 1) to reveal the exact location of the MEPs on the surface of skeletal muscles and 2) to use this information to guide the intramuscular delivery and subsequent optimal retrograde transport of retrograde tracers into motor neurons. We hope to utilize the results from these tracing experiments in further studies into investigating retrograde transport of therapeutic genes to spinal cord motor neurons through the targeting of MEPs.

The efficacy of intramuscular uptake and retrograde transport of molecules to corresponding motor neurons depends on the location of the injection sites with respect to the motor end plates (MEPs). Here, we describe how to locate MEPs on skeletal muscles to optimise retrograde transport of tracers into motor neurons.

モーターエンドプレートに沿って筋肉内注射：直接運動ニューロンへのシャトルトレーサーへの低侵襲アプローチ

Diseases affecting the integrity of spinal cord motor neurons are amongst the most debilitating neurological conditions. Over the last decades, the ...

Visual Evoked Potential Recording in a Rat Model of Experimental Optic Nerve Demyelination

The visual evoked potential (VEP) recording is widely used in clinical practice to assess the severity of optic neuritis in its acute phase, and to monitor the disease course in the follow-up period. Changes in the VEP parameters closely correlate with pathological damage in the optic nerve. This protocol provides a detailed description about the rodent model of optic nerve microinjection, in which a partial demyelination lesion is produced in the optic nerve. VEP recording techniques are also discussed. Using skull implanted electrodes, we are able to acquire reproducible intra-session and between-session VEP traces. VEPs can be recorded on individual animals over a period of time to assess the functional changes in the optic nerve longitudinally. The optic nerve demyelination model, in conjunction with the VEP recording protocol, provides a tool to investigate the disease processes associated with demyelination and remyelination, and can potentially be employed to evaluate the effects of new remyelinating drugs or neuroprotective therapies.

Focal demyelination is induced in the optic nerve using lysolecithin microinjection. Visual evoked potentials are recorded via skull electrodes implanted over the visual cortex to examine the signal conduction along the visual pathway in vivo. This protocol details the surgical procedures underlying electrode implantation and optic nerve microinjection.

実験視神経の脱髄のラットモデルにおける視覚誘発電位の記録

The visual evoked potential (VEP) recording is widely used in clinical practice to assess the severity of optic neuritis in its acute phase, and to ...

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal surgery has become the gold standard for the surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas and many other pituitary lesions. Refinements in surgical techniques, technological advancements, and incorporation of neuronavigation have rendered this surgery minimally invasive. The complication rates of this surgery are very low while excellent results are consistently obtained through this approach.
This paper focuses on the step-by-step surgical approach to pituitary adenomas, which is based on personal experience, and details the results obtained with this minimally invasive surgery.

The aim of this paper is to describe the different steps of the endoscopic endonasal approach to the sella turcica.

内視鏡内視鏡下鼻内のトランス蝶アプローチ: 下垂体腺腫に対する低侵襲手術

Endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal surgery has become the gold standard for the surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas and many other pituitary ...