Preparation of Retinal Samples for Volume Electron Microscopy

Summary

This protocol describes the detailed steps for preparing retinal samples for volume electron microscopy, focusing on the structural features of retinal photoreceptor terminals.

Abstract

Volume electron microscopy (Volume EM) has emerged as a powerful tool for visualizing the 3D structure of cells and tissues with nanometer-level precision. Within the retina, various types of neurons establish synaptic connections in the inner and outer plexiform layers. While conventional EM techniques have yielded valuable insights into retinal subcellular organelles, their limitation lies in providing 2D image data, which can hinder accurate measurements. For instance, quantifying the size of three distinct synaptic vesicle pools, crucial for synaptic transmission, is challenging in 2D. Volume EM offers a solution by providing large-scale, high-resolution 3D data. It is worth noting that sample preparation is a critical step in Volume EM, significantly impacting image clarity and contrast. In this context, we outline a sample preparation protocol for the 3D reconstruction of photoreceptor axon terminals in the retina. This protocol includes three key steps: retina dissection and fixation, sample embedding processes, and selection of the area of interest.

Introduction

The retina is densely packed with intertwining neuronal axons and dendrites that form synapses between them¹. Microscopy is an indispensable tool for studying retinal anatomy as it has fine, intricate, and small structures. Although electron microscopy (EM) provides unparalleled power to investigate the ultrastructure of subcellular organelles and the accurate localization of specific proteins at the nanometer level², it produces images limited to the two-dimensional (2D) plane, leading to potential loss of key information.

The development of emerging high-resolution volume electron microscopy....

Protocol

Animal care and use protocols were approved by the Ethics Committee of Wenzhou Medical University and followed the guidelines established by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). All mice were maintained in a 12-h light and 12-h dark cycle and supplied with a standard chow diet.

1. Retina dissection and fixation

1. Anesthetize the mice (C57BL/6J, Male, 8-week-old, 20-25 g) by injecting 2,2,2-tribromoethanol (0.25 mg/g of body weight) intrape.......

Discussion

We implemented the OTO's Volume EM sample preparation protocol to analyze the photoreceptors' terminal structure in retinal tissue. The focus was on detailing the entire procedure, starting from the detachment and fixation of the retina to showcasing the results of 3D reconstruction of photoreceptor axon terminals.

The distinctive feature of retinal tissue, unlike brain tissue, lies in its lack of regional differences. Comprising three layers of neuronal cell bodies and two layers of s.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
2,2,2-Tribromoethanol	Sigma-Aldrich	T48402
Acetone	Electron Microscopy Science	10000
Amira 6.8	Thermo Fisher Scientific
CaCl2	Sigma	C-2661
Embedding mold	Beijing Zhongjingkeyi Technology	GP10590
Epon resin	Electron Microscopy Science	14900
Ethanol	Sigma	64-17-5
Glutaraldehyde	Electron Microscopy Science	16020
Helios NanoLab 600i dual-beam SEM	FEI
L-aspartic acid	Sigma	56-84-8
Lead nitrate	Sigma	10099-74-8
Na2HPO4.12H2O	Sigma	71650	A component of phosphate buffer
NaH2PO4.H2O	Sigma	71507	A component of phosphate buffer
OsO4	TED PELLA	4008-160501
Paraformaldehyde	Electron Microscopy Science	157-8
Potassium ferrocyanide	Sigma	14459-95-1
Sodium cacodylate	Sigma	6131-99-3
Sputter coater	Leica	ACE200
Thiocarbohydrazide	Sigma	2231-57-4
Uranyl acetate	TED PELLA	CA96049