This work was supported by a research grant MOP 119271 to JMW by the Canadian Institute of Health Research. The authors would like to thank Ms. Yao Fang Tan for her outstanding technical assistance.

NOTE: All animal procedures conformed to the animal health and welfare guidelines of the Department of Comparative Medicine at the University of Toronto.
1. Preparation of Hippocampal Slices
<ol>
	<li>Sterilize the following instruments using the dry autoclave at 125 &#176;C: Scalpel handle (#3) (2), Standard pattern forceps, large (1), Small dissector scissor (angled to side) (1), Micro spoon (spoon and flat spatula ends) (1), Micro-spatulas (rounded and rounded tapered ends) (2), Fine pain...

<ol>
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A., Stoppini, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Time+course+of+synaptic+development+in+hippocampal+organotypic+cultures.">Time course of synaptic development in hippocampal organotypic cultures.</a> Developmental Brain Research. 71 (1), 93-100 (1993).</li><li>Rio, J. A., Heimrich, B., Soriano, E., Schwegler, H., Frotscher, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Proliferation+and+differentiation+of+glial+fibrillary+acidic+protein-immunoreactive+glial+cells+in+organotypic+slice+cultures+of+rat+hippocampus.">Proliferation and differentiation of glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactive glial cells in organotypic slice cultures of rat hippocampus.</a> Neuroscience. 43 (2-3), 335-347 (1991).</li><li>Ziemka-Nalecz, M., Stanaszek, L., Zalewska, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oxygen-glucose+deprivation+promotes+gliogenesis+and+microglia+activation+in+organotypic+hippocampal+slice+culture:+involvement+of+metalloproteinases.">Oxygen-glucose deprivation promotes gliogenesis and microglia activation in organotypic hippocampal slice culture: involvement of metalloproteinases.</a> Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis. 73 (1), 130-142 (2013).</li><li>Subramanian, 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=Transcription+factor+Lhx2+is+necessary+and+sufficient+to+suppress+astrogliogenesis+and+promote+neurogenesis+in+the+developing+hippocampus.">Transcription factor Lhx2 is necessary and sufficient to suppress astrogliogenesis and promote neurogenesis in the developing hippocampus.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 108 (27), E265-E274 (2011).</li><li>Strassburger, M., Braun, H., Reymann, K. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anti-inflammatory+treatment+with+the+p38+mitogen-activated+protein+kinase+inhibitor+SB239063+is+neuroprotective,+decreases+the+number+of+activated+microglia+and+facilitates+neurogenesis+in+oxygen-glucose-deprived+hippocampal+slice+cultures.">Anti-inflammatory treatment with the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor SB239063 is neuroprotective, decreases the number of activated microglia and facilitates neurogenesis in oxygen-glucose-deprived hippocampal slice cultures.</a> European Journal Of Pharmacology. 592 (1-3), 55-61 (2008).</li><li>Sadgrove, M. P., Chad, J. E., Gray, W. 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Current Drug Targets.</a> CNS And Neurological Disorders. 4 (4), 435-452 (2005).</li><li>Berdichevsky, Y., 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=PI3K-Akt+signaling+activates+mTOR-mediated+epileptogenesis+in+organotypic+hippocampal+culture+model+of+post-traumatic+epilepsy.">PI3K-Akt signaling activates mTOR-mediated epileptogenesis in organotypic hippocampal culture model of post-traumatic epilepsy.</a> The Journal Of Neuroscience : The Official Journal Of The Society For Neuroscience. 33 (21), 9056-9067 (2013).</li><li>Koyama, R., 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=GABAergic+excitation+after+febrile+seizures+induces+ectopic+granule+cells+and+adult+epilepsy.">GABAergic excitation after febrile seizures induces ectopic granule cells and adult epilepsy.</a> Nature Medicine. 18 (8), 1271 (2012).</li><li>Staley, K. 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H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neurogenesis+in+hippocampal+slice+cultures.">Neurogenesis in hippocampal slice cultures.</a> Molecular And Cellular Neurosciences. 26 (2), 241-250 (2004).</li><li>Kamada, 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=Intrinsic+and+spontaneous+neurogenesis+in+the+postnatal+slice+culture+of+rat+hippocampus.">Intrinsic and spontaneous neurogenesis in the postnatal slice culture of rat hippocampus.</a> The European Journal Of Neuroscience. 20 (10), 2499-2508 (2004).</li><li>Kim, H., Kim, E., Park, M., Lee, E., Namkoong, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Organotypic+hippocampal+slice+culture+from+the+adult+mouse+brain:+a+versatile+tool+for+translational+neuropsychopharmacology.">Organotypic hippocampal slice culture from the adult mouse brain: a versatile tool for translational neuropsychopharmacology.</a> Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology &amp; Biological Psychiatry. 41, 36-43 (2013).</li><li>Legradi, A., Varszegi, S., Szigeti, C., Gulya, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adult+rat+hippocampal+slices+as+in+vitro+models+for+neurodegeneration:+Studies+on+cell+viability+and+apoptotic+processes.">Adult rat hippocampal slices as in vitro models for neurodegeneration: Studies on cell viability and apoptotic processes.</a> Brain Research Bulletin. 84 (1), 39-44 (2011).</li><li>Sadgrove, M. 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Following CldU (or BrdU) administration, the timeline of application of pharmacological agents can be chosen to target newborn DGCs during particular developmental windows. For example, a hypothetical agent can be applied during the second week post-CldU injection, which is proposed to coincide with the age of immature neurons that are at a developmental stage where GABA is depolarizing. Future studies using this protocol could adapt the pharmacological agent and the window of exposure to &#8220;tailor&#8221; the approac...

Adult neurogenesis in the mammalian hippocampus represents a remarkable example of the brain&#8217;s innate capacity for adaptability and plasticity. Dentate granule cells (DGCs) are generated from a renewable pool of neural progenitor cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, which is one of the two presently well-characterized neurogenic regions in the mammalian brain, and is thought to be particularly important for learning and memory. The hippocampus is part of the limbic system and has a deep location within the mammalian brain, which makes it a difficult target for precise pharmacological manipulation. Additionally, aberrant neurogenesis has been implicated in conditions, such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer&#8217;s disease, which has prompted interest in understanding the influence of various pharmacological agents during the maturation and survival of newborn neurons. The distinction between postnatal and adult neurogenesis is blurred and previous studies have shown that many features of in vivo neuronal development in the early postnatal period and adulthood are similar25. Here we emphasize postnatal neurogenesis and suggest possible applications to adult neurogenesis.
Organotypic slice cultures provide an efficient in vitro method for studying various physiological properties of the mammalian hippocampus. The value of slice cultures prepared from rodent brains can be summarized in three main qualities: 1) the protocol is straightforward and requires readily available materials; 2) slice cultures allow for pharmacological studies that eliminate complex variables such as the deep anatomic location of the hippocampus and circumvents the blood brain barrier1; and 3) the well characterized structure of the hippocampus and tri-synaptic circuit is preserved2. Previous investigators have used the organotypic hippocampal culture to study synaptic development and physiology3,4, gliogenesis5-7, ischemic brain damage8,9, neuroprotection and neurorepair10-12 as well as epilepsy13-15.The slice cultures could also provide a useful model system allowing for the monitoring of cell development in conjunction with labeling of cells with green fluorescent protein (GFP) or other vital markers.
Slice cultures have also been previously employed to study postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis16-19, but one important factor in the majority of these studies is the well-characterized degeneration that results from explanting tissue from adult animals after approximately 2 weeks in vitro20,21. For this reason, slice cultures are typically prepared from early post-natal (P5-P10) mice or rat pups, which utilizes the improved viability of early postnatal brain tissue for culturing22. While previous studies have shown that the early postnatal and adult hippocampus differ with regards to synaptic physiology and the expression of specific neuronal subtypes23,24, there is substantial conservation of the choreographed developmental program that newborn dentate granule cells proceed through during maturation25. Additionally, recent studies have suggested that the physiological characteristics of newborn DGCs in culture are very similar to immature neurons in the acute hippocampal slice preparation16.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="769">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="46" rowspan="2" style="height:47px;width:265px;">Name of Reagent/ Equipment</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:131px;">Company</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:135px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:239px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:265px;">5-chloro-2&#39;-deoxyuridine (CldU)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">MP Biomedicals</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:135px;">105478</td>
			<td style="width:239px;">Hazardous, Carcinogenic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="80">
			<td height="80" style="height:80px;width:265px;">Cell culture inserts, 30mm diameter, 0.4&#181;m pore size</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Thermo scientific&#160;</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:135px;">140660</td>
			<td style="width:239px;">Nuclon delta coating on these inserts provides better tissue adhesion and improves slice quality.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:265px;">Conical Centrifuge tubes (sterile)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">14-432-22</td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Dissector scissors (angled to side)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">14082-09</td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:265px;">Minimum essential medium (MEM)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">11095; liquid</td>
			<td style="width:239px;">Store at 4&#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:265px;">Eclipse Ni-U fluorescent microscope</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Nikon</td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="80">
			<td height="80" style="height:80px;width:265px;">Glue for tissue</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Krazy Glue</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">KG585</td>
			<td style="width:239px;">Use minimum amount of glue to achieve adhesion as any tissue exposed to glue will be unusable for IHC.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Hank&#8217;s Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) (500 mL)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">14025-092</td>
			<td style="width:239px;">Store at 4&#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Horse Serum Heat Inactivated (500 mL)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">16050-122</td>
			<td style="width:239px;">Make 50 mL aliquots and store at -20&#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:265px;">Kimwipes</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Kimberly-Clarke</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">TW 31KYPBX</td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="60">
			<td height="60" style="height:60px;width:265px;">Modified glass pipettes (bottom of Pasteur pipette removed and edge smoothed with Bunsen flame)</td>
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			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Petri Dish (100mm x 15mm) and (60mm x 15mm)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fisher Brand</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">FB0875712 and FB0875713A</td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
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			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Scalpel blades #11</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">10011-00</td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Scalpel handle #3</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">10003-12</td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
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			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Serological Pipettes</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sorfa Medical Plastic Co.</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">P8050</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Standard Pattern forceps</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">11000-12</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Sterile vacuum filter</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Thermo-Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">565-0020</td>
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			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Surgical Scissors</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">14054-13</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:265px;">Syringe driven filter unit</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Millipore-Millex</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">SLGP033RS</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Tissue chopper with moveable stage</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Stoelting&#160;</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:135px;">51425</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:265px;">Fine tip paintbrush</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
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organotypic slice cultures for studies of postnatal neurogenesis

Here we describe a technique for studying hippocampal postnatal neurogenesis in the rodent brain using the organotypic slice culture technique. This method maintains the characteristic topographical morphology of the hippocampus while allowing direct application of pharmacological agents to the developing hippocampal dentate gyrus. Additionally, slice cultures can be maintained for up to 4 weeks and thus, allow one to study the maturation process of newborn granule neurons. Slice cultures allow for efficient pharmacological manipulation of hippocampal slices while excluding complex variables such as uncertainties related to the deep anatomic location of the hippocampus as well as the blood brain barrier. For these reasons, we sought to optimize organotypic slice cultures specifically for postnatal neurogenesis research.

Determining if organotypic cultures would be suitable for adult neurogenesis research required that they satisfy two main criteria: 1) that slices maintain characteristic morphological features of hippocampal slices after 10-21 days in vitro (DIV), and 2) that newborn DGCs can be quantified using standard immunohistochemical techniques commonly employed in adult neurogenesis research. Regarding the first criterion, Figure 1A and 1B highlight the preserved hippocampal morphology....

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Organotypic Slice Cultures for Studies of Postnatal Neurogenesis at JoVE.com

Organotypic Slice Cultures for Studies of Postnatal Neurogenesis

Here we describe a technique for studying hippocampal postnatal neurogenesis using the organotypic slice culture technique. This method allows for in vitro manipulation of adult neurogenesis and allows for the direct application of pharmacological agents to the cultured hippocampus.

Here we describe a technique for studying hippocampal postnatal neurogenesis in the rodent brain using the organotypic slice culture technique. This ...

organotypic-slice-cultures-for-studies-of-postnatal-neurogenesis

Research

JoVE Journal

Developmental Biology

12.1K ビュー.  University of Toronto. ここでは、器官型スライス培養技術を用いて海馬の出生後の神経新生を研究するための技術が記載されている。この方法では、成人の神経新生のin vitro操作を可能にし、培養海馬への薬理学的薬剤の直接適用することができます。 

ビデオ: Organotypic Slice Cultures for Studies of Postnatal Neurogenesis

Here we describe a technique for studying hippocampal postnatal neurogenesis using the organotypic slice culture technique. This method allows for in vitro manipulation of adult neurogenesis and allows for the direct application of pharmacological agents to the cultured...

preparation of organotypic slice cultures from a rat pup&#39;s hippocampus

This video demonstrates a method for preparing organotypic hippocampal slice cultures from the brain of a rat pup. It outlines the steps involved in the dissection of the hippocampus, slicing, and culture conditions required to promote cell viability and growth in the hippocampal slices, ultimately generating organotypic slice...

Preparation of Organotypic Slice Cultures from a Rat Pup&#39;s Hippocampus

organotypic hippocampal slice cultures

Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures

We describe a method to prepare organotypic hippocampal slices that can be easily adapted to other brain regions.  Brain slices are laid on porous membranes and culture media is allowed to form an interface. This method preserves the gross architecture of the hippocampus for up to 2 weeks in...

purkinje cell survival in organotypic cerebellar slice cultures

Purkinje Cell Survival in Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

Organotypic slice cultures are a powerful tool to study neurodevelopmental or degenerative/regenerative processes. Here, we describe a protocol that models the neurodevelopmental death of Purkinje cells in mouse cerebellar slice cultures. This method may benefit research in neuroprotective drug...

preparation and applications of organotypic thymic slice cultures

Preparation and Applications of Organotypic Thymic Slice Cultures

We describe the preparation of thymic slices that, in combination with flow cytometry, can be used to model positive and negative selection of developing T cells. Thymic slices can also be adapted for the in situ analysis of thymocyte migration, localization, and signaling via immunofluorescence and two-photon...

organotypic slice cultures to study oligodendrocyte dynamics and myelination

Organotypic Slice Cultures to Study Oligodendrocyte Dynamics and Myelination

A technique to study NG2 cells and oligodendrocytes using a slice culture system of the forebrain and cerebellum is described.  This method allows examination of the dynamics of proliferation and differentiation of cells within the oligodendrocyte lineage where the extracellular environment can be easily manipulated while maintaining tissue...

preparation and immunostaining of myelinating organotypic cerebellar slice cultures

Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

Here we present a method to prepare organotypic slice cultures from mouse cerebellum and myelin sheath staining by immunohistochemistry suitable for investigating mechanisms of myelination and remyelination in the central nervous...

the analysis of purkinje cell dendritic morphology in organotypic slice cultures

The Analysis of Purkinje Cell Dendritic Morphology in Organotypic Slice Cultures

We present a protocol that permits to view and to quantitatively asses the morphology of the dendritic tree of individual Purkinje cells grown in organotypic cerebellar slice cultures. This protocol is intended to promote studies on the mechanisms of Purkinje cell dendritic...

analyzing purkinje cell survival in organotypic cerebellar slice cultures

This video illustrates a technique for obtaining cerebellar organotypic slices from a mouse pup&#39;s brain and culturing the slices in media supplemented with nutrients and growth factors to mimic cerebellar development in vitro. Additionally, specific cerebellar slices are treated with a test compound, and the compound&#39;s neuroprotective ability is analyzed using an immunofluorescence staining...

Analyzing Purkinje Cell Survival in Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

an organotypic slice assay for high-resolution time-lapse imaging of neuronal migration in the postnatal brain

An Organotypic Slice Assay for High-Resolution Time-Lapse Imaging of Neuronal Migration in the Postnatal Brain

This protocol describes an organotypic slice assay optimized for the postnatal brain and high-resolution time-lapse imaging of neuroblast migration in the rostral migratory...

the analysis of neurovascular remodeling in entorhino-hippocampal organotypic slice cultures

The Analysis of Neurovascular Remodeling in Entorhino-hippocampal Organotypic Slice Cultures

A protocol for entorhino-hippocampal organotypic slice cultures, which allows reproducing many aspects of ischemic brain injury, is presented. By studying changes of the neurovasculature in addition to changes in the neurons, this protocol is a versatile tool to study plastic changes in neural tissue after...

a model of epileptogenesis in rhinal cortex-hippocampus organotypic slice cultures

A Model of Epileptogenesis in Rhinal Cortex-Hippocampus Organotypic Slice Cultures

Here, we describe the preparation of rhinal cortex-hippocampus organotypic slices. Under a gradual and controlled deprivation of serum, these slices depict evolving epileptic-like events and can be considered an ex vivo model of epileptogenesis. This system represents an excellent tool for monitoring the dynamics of spontaneous activity, as well as for assessing the progression of neuroinflammatory features throughout the course of...

Use the straight dressing forceps to carefully dissect out the cerebellum, and use sterile curved fine forceps to place the tissue onto a plastic disk on the cutting table of a tissue chopper. Rotate the cutting table to orient the tissue to allow the acquisition of parasagittal sections, and pull the table release knob to the right to move the cutting table until the blade is positioned at the edge of the tissue. Then, adjust the slice thickness to 350 micrometers and the blade speed to medium...

View the medial face of the right hemisphere and identify the edge fornix, a prominent band of white matter along the medial edge of the hippocampus. Once identified, cut through the fornix using only about 0.5 centimeters of the scalpel blade. Using two micro-spatulas, remove the hippocampus by placing the right hand spatula on the brain stem and lifting the overlying cortex with a left hand...

organotypic hippocampal slice cultures as a model to study neuroprotection and invasiveness of tumor cells

Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures As a Model to Study Neuroprotection and Invasiveness of Tumor Cells

Organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSC) represent an in vitro model that simulates the in vivo situation very well. Here we describe a vibratome-based improved slicing protocol to obtain high quality slices for use in assessing the neuroprotective potential of novel substances or the biological behavior of tumor...

organotypic slice cultures as preclinical models of tumor microenvironment in primary pancreatic cancer and metastasis

Organotypic Slice Cultures as Preclinical Models of Tumor Microenvironment in Primary Pancreatic Cancer and Metastasis

This protocol describes the preparation of organotypic slice cultures (OTSCs). This technique facilitates the ex vivo cultivation of intact multicellular tissue. OTSCs can be used immediately to test for their respective response to drugs in a multicellular...

ex utero electroporation and organotypic slice cultures of embryonic mouse brains for live-imaging of migrating gabaergic interneurons

Ex Utero Electroporation and Organotypic Slice Cultures of Embryonic Mouse Brains for Live-Imaging of Migrating GABAergic Interneurons

Here, we provide a low-cost and reliable method to generate electroporated brain organotypic slice cultures from mouse embryos suitable for confocal microscopy and live-imaging...

Ex Utero Electroporation and Organotypic Slice Cultures of Embryonic Mouse Brains for Live-Imaging of Migrating GABAergic Interneurons

the organotypic hippocampal slice culture model for examining neuronal injury

The Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Culture Model for Examining Neuronal Injury

The organoptypic hippocampal slice culture model is an in vitro model used to examine neuronal injury in a variety of paradigms. In this article, we describe the methods for generating slice cultures and quantifying neuronal...

organotypic slice cultures of embryonic ventral midbrain: a system to study dopaminergic neuronal development in vitro

Organotypic Slice Cultures of Embryonic Ventral Midbrain: A System to Study Dopaminergic Neuronal Development in vitro

A method to generate organotypic slices from the E12.5 murine embryonic midbrain is described. The organotypic slice cultures can be used to observe the behavior of dopaminergic neurons or other ventral midbrain...

Organotypic Slice Cultures of Embryonic Ventral Midbrain: A System to Study Dopaminergic Neuronal Development in vitro

organotypic slice culture of e18 rat brains

Organotypic Slice Culture of E18 Rat Brains

Organotypic slice cultures from embryonic rodent brains are widely used to study brain development. While there are often advantages to an in-vivo system, ...

Ex Utero Electroporation and Organotypic Slice Culture of Mouse Hippocampal Tissue

Mouse genetics offers a powerful tool determining the role of specific genes during development. Analyzing the resulting phenotypes by immunohistochemical and molecular methods provides information of potential target genes and signaling pathways. To further elucidate specific regulatory mechanisms requires a system allowing the manipulation of only a small number of cells of a specific tissue by either overexpression, ablation or re-introduction of specific genes and follow their fate during development. To achieve this ex utero electroporation of hippocampal structures, especially the dentate gyrus, followed by organotypic slice culture provides such a tool. Using this system to generate mosaic deletions allows determining whether the gene of interest regulates cell-autonomously developmental processes like progenitor cell proliferation or neuronal differentiation. Furthermore it facilitates the rescue of phenotypes by re-introducing the deleted gene or its target genes. In contrast to in utero electroporation the ex utero approach improves the rate of successfully targeting deeper layers of the brain like the dentate gyrus. Overall ex utero electroporation and organotypic slice culture provide a potent tool to study regulatory mechanisms in a semi-native environment mirroring endogenous conditions.

Ex Utero Electroporation and Organotypic Slice Culture of Mouse Hippocampal Tissue

Here we present a protocol providing a tool to examine regulatory mechanisms of specific genes during hippocampal development. Employing ex utero electroporation and organotypic slice culture allows the up- and down-regulation of the expression of genes of interest in single cells and follow their fate during development.

Mouse genetics offers a powerful tool determining the role of specific genes during development. Analyzing the resulting phenotypes by immunohistochemical ...

Generation of Genetically Modified Organotypic Skin Cultures Using Devitalized Human Dermis

Organotypic cultures allow the reconstitution of a 3D environment critical for cell-cell contact and cell-matrix interactions which mimics the function and physiology of their in vivo tissue counterparts. This is exemplified by organotypic skin cultures which faithfully recapitulates the epidermal differentiation and stratification program. Primary human epidermal keratinocytes are genetically manipulable through retroviruses where genes can be easily overexpressed or knocked down. These genetically modified keratinocytes can then be used to regenerate human epidermis in organotypic skin cultures providing a powerful model to study genetic pathways impacting epidermal growth, differentiation, and disease progression. The protocols presented here describe methods to prepare devitalized human dermis as well as to genetically manipulate primary human keratinocytes in order to generate organotypic skin cultures. Regenerated human skin can be used in downstream applications such as gene expression profiling, immunostaining, and chromatin immunoprecipitations followed by high throughput sequencing. Thus, generation of these genetically modified organotypic skin cultures will allow the determination of genes that are critical for maintaining skin homeostasis.

The goal of this paper is to provide a comprehensive and detailed protocol on how to generate genetically modified human organotypic skin from epidermal keratinocytes and devitalized human dermis.

Organotypic cultures allow the reconstitution of a 3D environment critical for cell-cell contact and cell-matrix interactions which mimics the function ...

Generating Primary Fibroblast Cultures from Mouse Ear and Tail Tissues

Primary cells are derived directly from tissue and are thought to be more representative of the physiological state of cells in vivo than established cell lines. However, primary cell cultures usually have a finite life span and need to be frequently re-established. Fibroblasts are an easily accessible source of primary cells. Here, we discuss a simple and quick experimental procedure to establish primary fibroblast cultures from ears and tails of mice. The protocol can be used to establish primary fibroblast cultures from ears stored at RT for up to 10 days. When the protocol is carefully followed, contaminations are unlikely to occur despite the use of non-sterile tissue stored for extended time in some cases. Fibroblasts proliferate rapidly in culture and can be expanded to substantial numbers before undergoing replicative senescence.

We describe a simple and quick experimental procedure for generating primary fibroblasts from the ears and tails of mice. The procedure does not require special animal training and can be used for the generation of fibroblast cultures from ears stored at RT for up to 10 days.

Primary cells are derived directly from tissue and are thought to be more representative of the physiological state of cells in vivo than established cell ...

Imaging Cleared Embryonic and Postnatal Hearts at Single-cell Resolution

Single clonal tracing and analysis at the whole-heart level can determine cardiac progenitor cell behavior and differentiation during cardiac development, and allow for the study of the cellular and molecular basis of normal and abnormal cardiac morphogenesis. Recent emerging technologies of retrospective single clonal analyses make the study of cardiac morphogenesis at single cell resolution feasible. However, tissue opacity and light scattering of the heart as imaging depth is increased hinder whole-heart imaging at single cell resolution. To overcome these obstacles, a whole-embryo clearing system that can render the heart highly transparent for both illumination and detection must be developed. Fortunately, in the last several years, many methodologies for whole-organism clearing systems such as CLARITY, Scale, SeeDB, ClearT, 3DISCO, CUBIC, DBE, BABB and PACT have been reported. This lab is interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of cardiac morphogenesis. Recently, we established single cell lineage tracing via the ROSA26-CreERT2; ROSA26-Confetti system to sparsely label cells during cardiac development. We adapted several whole embryo-clearing methodologies including Scale and CUBIC (clear, unobstructed brain imaging cocktails and computational analysis) to clear the embryo in combination with whole mount staining to image single clones inside the heart. The heart was successfully imaged at single cell resolution. We found that Scale can clear the embryonic heart, but cannot effectively clear the postnatal heart, while CUBIC can clear the postnatal heart, but damages the embryonic heart by dissolving the tissue. The methods described here will permit the study of gene function at a single clone resolution during cardiac morphogenesis, which, in turn, can reveal the cellular and molecular basis of congenital heart defects.

We describe a protocol to volumetrically image fluorescent protein labeled cells deep inside intact embryonic and postnatal hearts. Utilizing tissue-clearing methods in combination with whole mount staining, single fluorescent protein-labeled cells inside an embryonic or postnatal heart can be imaged clearly and accurately.

Single clonal tracing and analysis at the whole-heart level can determine cardiac progenitor cell behavior and differentiation during cardiac development, ...

Visualization of Cell Cycle Variations and Determination of Nucleation in Postnatal Cardiomyocytes

Cardiomyocytes are prone to variations of the cell cycle, such as endoreduplication (continuing rounds of DNA synthesis without karyokinesis and cytokinesis) and acytokinetic mitosis (karyokinesis but no cytokinesis). Such atypical cell cycle variations result in polyploid and multinucleated cells rather than in cell division. Therefore, to determine cardiac turnover and regeneration, it is of crucial importance to correctly identify cardiomyocyte nuclei, the number of nuclei per cell, and their cell cycle status. This is especially true for the use of nuclear markers for identifying cell cycle activity, such as thymidine analogues Ki-67, PCNA, or pHH3. Here, we present methods for recognizing cardiomyocytes and their nuclearity and for determining their cell cycle activity. We use two published transgenic systems: the Myh6-H2B-mCh transgenic mouse line, for the unequivocal identification of cardiomyocyte nuclei, and the CAG-eGFP-anillin mouse line, for distinguishing cell division from cell cycle variations. Combined together, these two systems ease the study of cardiac regeneration and plasticity.

To distinguish cell division from cell cycle variations in cardiomyocytes, we present protocols using two transgenic mouse lines: Myh6-H2B-mCh transgenic mice, for the unequivocal identification of cardiomyocyte nuclei, and CAG-eGFP-anillin mice, for distinguishing cell division from cell cycle variations.

Cardiomyocytes are prone to variations of the cell cycle, such as endoreduplication (continuing rounds of DNA synthesis without karyokinesis and ...

Dissection and Coronal Slice Preparation of Developing Mouse Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland or hypophysis is an important endocrine organ secreting hormones essential for homeostasis. It consists of two glands with separate embryonic origins and functions &#8212; the neurohypophysis and the adenohypophysis. The developing mouse pituitary gland is tiny and delicate with an elongated oval shape. A coronal section is preferred to display both the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis in a single slice of the mouse pituitary.
The goal of this protocol is to achieve proper pituitary coronal sections with well-preserved tissue architectures from developing mice. In this protocol, we describe in detail how to dissect and process pituitary glands properly from developing mice. First, mice are fixed by transcardial perfusion of formaldehyde prior to dissection. Then three different dissecting techniques are applied to obtain intact pituitary glands depending on the age of mice. For fetal mice aged embryonic days (E) 17.5 - 18.5 and neonates up to 4 days, the entire sella regions including the sphenoid bone, gland, and trigeminal nerves are dissected. For pups aged postnatal days (P) 5 - 14, the pituitary glands connected with trigeminal nerves are dissected as a whole. For mice over 3 weeks old, the pituitary glands are carefully dissected free from the surrounding tissues. We also display how to embed the pituitary glands in a proper orientation by using the surrounding tissues as landmarks to obtain satisfying coronal sections. These methods are useful in analyzing histological and developmental features of pituitary glands in developing mice.

We present a protocol to dissect pituitary glands and prepare pituitary coronal sections from developing mice.

The pituitary gland or hypophysis is an important endocrine organ secreting hormones essential for homeostasis. It consists of two glands with separate ...

Three-dimensional Organotypic Cultures of Vestibular and Auditory Sensory Organs

The sensory organs of the inner ear are challenging to study in mammals due to their inaccessibility to experimental manipulation and optical observation. Moreover, although existing culture techniques allow biochemical perturbations, these methods do not provide a means to study the effects of mechanical force and tissue stiffness during development of the inner ear sensory organs. Here we describe a method for three-dimensional organotypic culture of the intact murine utricle and cochlea that overcomes these limitations. The technique for adjustment of a three-dimensional matrix stiffness described here permits manipulation of the elastic force opposing tissue growth. This method can therefore be used to study the role of mechanical forces during inner ear development. Additionally, the cultures permit virus-mediated gene delivery, which can be used for gain- and loss-of-function experiments. This culture method preserves innate hair cells and supporting cells and serves as a potentially superior alternative to the traditional two-dimensional culture of vestibular and auditory sensory organs.

Three-dimensional organotypic cultures of the murine utricle and cochlea in optically clear collagen I gels preserve innate tissue morphology, allow for mechanical stimulation through adjustment of matrix stiffness, and permit virus-mediated gene delivery.

The sensory organs of the inner ear are challenging to study in mammals due to their inaccessibility to experimental manipulation and optical observation. ...

Organotypic Culture Method to Study the Development Of Embryonic Chicken Tissues

The embryonic chicken is commonly used as a reliable model organism for vertebrate development. Its accessibility and short incubation period makes it ideal for experimentation. Currently, the study of these developmental pathways in the chicken embryo is conducted by applying inhibitors and drugs at localized sites and at low concentrations using a variety of methods. In vitro tissue&#160;culturing is a technique that enables the study of tissues separated from the host organism, while simultaneously bypassing many of the physical limitations present when working with whole embryos, such as the susceptibility of embryos to high doses of potentially lethal chemicals. Here, we present an organotypic culturing protocol for culturing the embryonic chicken half head in vitro, which presents new opportunities for the examination of developmental processes beyond the currently established methods.

Here, we present an organotypic culturing protocol to grow embryonic chicken organs in vitro. Using this method, the development of embryonic chicken tissue can be studied, while maintaining a high degree of control over the culture environment.

The embryonic chicken is commonly used as a reliable model organism for vertebrate development. Its accessibility and short incubation period makes it ...

Single-cell Transcriptomic Analyses of Mouse Pancreatic Endocrine Cells

Pancreatic endocrine cells, which are clustered in islets, regulate blood glucose stability and energy metabolism. The distinct cell types in islets, including insulin-secreting &#946; cells, are differentiated from common endocrine progenitors during the embryonic stage. Immature endocrine cells expand via cell proliferation and mature during a long postnatal developmental period. However, the mechanisms underlying these processes are not clearly defined. Single-cell RNA-sequencing is a promising approach for the characterization of distinct cell populations and tracing cell lineage differentiation pathways. Here, we describe a method for the single-cell RNA-sequencing of isolated pancreatic &#946; cells from embryonic, neonatal and postnatal pancreases.

We describe a method for the isolation of endocrine cells from embryonic, neonatal and postnatal pancreases followed by single-cell RNA sequencing. This method allows analyses of pancreatic endocrine lineage development, cell heterogeneity and transcriptomic dynamics.

Pancreatic endocrine cells, which are clustered in islets, regulate blood glucose stability and energy metabolism. The distinct cell types in islets, ...

Neurogenesis Using P19 Embryonal Carcinoma Cells

The P19 cell line derived from a mouse embryo-derived teratocarcinoma has the ability to differentiate into the three germ layers. In the presence of retinoic acid (RA), the suspension cultured P19 cell line is induced to differentiate into neurons. This phenomenon is extensively investigated as a neurogenesis model in vitro. Therefore, the P19 cell line is very useful for molecular and cellular studies associated with neurogenesis. However, protocols for neuronal differentiation of P19 cell line described in the literature are very complex. The method developed in this study are simple and will play a part in elucidating the molecular mechanisms in neurodevelopmental abnormalities and neurodegenerative diseases.

The P19 mouse embryonic carcinoma cell line (P19 cell line) is widely used for studying the molecular mechanism of neurogenesis with great simplification compared to in vivo analysis. Here, we present a protocol for retinoic acid-induced neurogenesis in the P19 cell line.

The P19 cell line derived from a mouse embryo-derived teratocarcinoma has the ability to differentiate into the three germ layers. In the presence of ...