This work was partially supported by the NIH RO1-EY019951 (AAF), Illinois Society for Prevention of Blindness (JCC, AAF), unrestricted funds to the Department of Ophthalmology from Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB), NY and RPB Medical Student Fellowship Grant (JCC).

1. Retinal Preparation
<ol>
 <li>Enucleate the mouse eye. Using one hand, open the eye lids so that the eye is visible. With the other hand, using a curved forceps (curved facing upwards), apply pressure on superior and inferior aspects of the orbit until the globe protrudes. Gently close forceps at the posterior aspect of the eye and lift in a continuous motion to enucleate the eye.</li>
 <li>Fix eye with 10% neutral buffered formalin for at least 24 hr.</li>
 <li>Place eye in PBS solution in a small Petri dish.</li>
 <li>Dissect out retina carefully under a microscope, taking care to avoid inducing large tears. Make an initial cut in the cornea with dissection scissors. Then, while holding the cut area with straight forceps, use scissors to cut along the border of the cornea and sclera removing the cornea. Using fine curved and straight forceps, carefully peel the sclera and choroid away from the retina towards the optic nerve. This step requires patience as quickly freeing the retina can lead to tears. Remove the lens and any excess iris and debris from the retina 16.</li>
</ol>
2. Water Washes
<ol>
 <li>Place retina in a 24-well dish and cover with water (approximately 500 &mu;l, filtered with at least a 45 &mu;m filter).</li>
 <li>Change water every 30 min-1 hr, at least 4-5 times.</li>
 <li>Leave overnight in water with gentle shaking at room temperature.</li>
</ol>
Note: The washing steps are very important as they help separate the neural retinal layers from the blood vessels.
3. Trypsin Digest
<ol>
 <li>Remove water and incubate retina in a solution of 3% trypsin (Difco 1:250) in 0.1 M Tris buffer (pH 7.8) at 37 &deg;C with gentle to no shaking. Trypsin digest is completed when the tissue begins showing signs of disintegration (approximately 1.5 hr). Note: Avoid rapid shaking as this can damage the vasculature. </li>
 <li>Carefully, pipette out trypsin into a separate well using a microscope to avoid touching the retina. This excess trypsin can be used later, when manipulating the vessels under the microscope, in step 4.3.</li>
</ol>
4. Separating the Vasculature
<ol>
 <li>Add filtered water to the retina. Then, attempt to peel off the internal limiting membrane with forceps, using scissors if necessary. Shake with mild agitation for 5 min. Carefully, pipette out the water under the microscope to avoid damaging the retina.</li>
 <li>Repeat water washes (for 5 min each) to help free the network of vessels from the adherent retinal tissue. Water washes are completed when there is little to no debris remaining in the water after wash.</li>
 <li>Careful manipulations under a dissection microscope are now needed to further free up the network of vessels. Below are several useful techniques, which may be used in sequence or individually to achieve the desired outcome based on technical preference:
 <ol class="lalpha">
 <li>Using a 200 &mu;l pipette, carefully pipette water up and down adjacent to vessels, blowing water at vessels, causing gentle agitation.</li>
 <li>Using 200 &mu;l pipette, pipette the trypsin up and down to help coat walls of the pipette. Then, CAREFULLY pipette the entire vessel network up and down once to help break down non-vascular tissue. Note: Centering the pipette tip at the optic nerve rather than the edges of the vascular network can also prevent the vasculature from sticking to the tip. </li>
 <li>Gently lift vasculature with fine forceps out of water to dislodge non-vascular components.</li>
 <li>If the above steps do not work, add trypsin to the retina to help break down the tissue, and incubate at 37 &deg;C for several minutes. Then, remove trypsin and repeat steps 4.1-4.3.</li>
 </ol>
 </li>
</ol>
Note: Make sure to coat all instruments that will come into contact with the vessels in trypsin (e.g. pipette tip, forceps). This will help avoid adhesion of vasculature to the equipment.
5. Visualizing the Vasculature
<ol>
 <li>Place a drop of water onto a clean slide. Using a 200 &mu;l pipette or forceps, transfer the digested vessels into the water. Make sure the vascular flat-mount is unfolded. The surface tension of the water helps to unfold the now diaphanous vascular network. If the tissue does not unfold, add additional water and gently shake the slide to facilitate unfolding.</li>
 <li>Remove excess water very slowly by pipetting or using a paper towel.</li>
 <li>Allow slides to dry completely.</li>
 <li>Stain slides via appropriate protocol with either PAS/hematoxylin or H&amp;E stain. Note: PAS/hematoxylin is useful for identifying vessel wall and cellular nuclei; H&amp;E is useful for demonstration of RBC as well. </li>
 <li>Dehydrate and mount (Permount mounting medium).</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Kuwabara, T., Cogan, D. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Studies+of+retinal+vascular+patterns.+I.+Normal+architecture.">Studies of retinal vascular patterns. I. Normal architecture.</a> Arch. Ophthalmol. 64, 904-911 (1960).</li><li>Kuwabara, T., Cogan, D. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Retinal+vascular+patterns.+VII.+Acellular+change.">Retinal vascular patterns. VII. Acellular change.</a> Invest. Ophthalmol. 4, 1049-1064 (1965).</li><li>Bell, W. R., Green, W. R., Goldberg, M. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Histopathologic+and+trypsin+digestion+studies+of+the+retina+in+incontinentia+pigmenti.">Histopathologic and trypsin digestion studies of the retina in incontinentia pigmenti.</a> Ophthalmology. 115, 893-897 (2008).</li><li>Danis, R. P., Wallow, I. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=HRP/trypsin+technique+for+studies+of+the+retinal+vasculature.">HRP/trypsin technique for studies of the retinal vasculature.</a> Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 27, 434-437 (1986).</li><li>Kim, S. H., Chu, Y. K., Kwon, O. W., McCune, S. A., Davidorf, F. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Morphologic+studies+of+the+retina+in+a+new+diabetic+model;+SHR/N:Mcc-cp+rat.">Morphologic studies of the retina in a new diabetic model; SHR/N:Mcc-cp rat.</a> Yonsei Med. J. 39, 453-462 (1998).</li><li>Cuthbertson, R. A., Mandel, T. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anatomy+of+the+mouse+retina.+Endothelial+cell-pericyte+ratio+and+capillary+distribution.">Anatomy of the mouse retina. Endothelial cell-pericyte ratio and capillary distribution.</a> Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 27, 1659-1664 (1986).</li><li>Laver, N. M., Robison, W. G., Pfeffer, B. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Novel+procedures+for+isolating+intact+retinal+vascular+beds+from+diabetic+humans+and+animal+models.">Novel procedures for isolating intact retinal vascular beds from diabetic humans and animal models.</a> Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 34, 2097-2104 (1993).</li><li>Midena, E., 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=Studies+on+the+retina+of+the+diabetic+db/db+mouse.+I.+Endothelial+cell-pericyte+ratio.">Studies on the retina of the diabetic db/db mouse. I. Endothelial cell-pericyte ratio.</a> Ophthalmic Res. 21, 106-111 (1989).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chapter+30.">Chapter 30.</a> Diabetic Retinopathy. , (2005).</li><li>Rosenblatt, B., Benson, W. E., Yannoff, M., Duker, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chapter+6.19+Diabetic+Retinopathy.">Chapter 6.19 Diabetic Retinopathy.</a> Ophthalmology. , (2008).</li><li>Friedenwald, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+new+approach+to+some+problems+of+retinal+vascular+disease.">A new approach to some problems of retinal vascular disease.</a> Am. J. Ophthalmol. 32, 487-498 (1949).</li><li>Podesta, F., 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=Bax+is+increased+in+the+retina+of+diabetic+subjects+and+is+associated+with+pericyte+apoptosis+in+vivo+and+in+vitro.">Bax is increased in the retina of diabetic subjects and is associated with pericyte apoptosis in vivo and in vitro.</a> Am. J. Pathol. 156 (10), 1025-1032 (2000).</li><li>Dagher, Z., 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=Studies+of+rat+and+human+retinas+predict+a+role+for+the+polyol+pathway+in+human+diabetic+retinopathy.">Studies of rat and human retinas predict a role for the polyol pathway in human diabetic retinopathy.</a> Diabetes. 53, 2404-2411 (2004).</li><li>Puro, D. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Retinovascular+physiology+and+pathophysiology:+new+experimental+approach/new+insights.">Retinovascular physiology and pathophysiology: new experimental approach/new insights.</a> Prog. Retin. Eye Res. 31, 258-270 (2012).</li><li>Roy, S., Nasser, S., Yee, M., Graves, D. T., Roy, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+long-term+siRNA+strategy+regulates+fibronectin+overexpression+and+improves+vascular+lesions+in+retinas+of+diabetic+rats.">A long-term siRNA strategy regulates fibronectin overexpression and improves vascular lesions in retinas of diabetic rats.</a> Mol. Vis. 17, 3166-3174 (2011).</li><li>Li, Q., 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=Diabetic+eNOS-knockout+mice+develop+accelerated+retinopathy.">Diabetic eNOS-knockout mice develop accelerated retinopathy.</a> Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 51, 5240-5246 (2010).</li><li>Connor, K. 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=Quantification+of+oxygen-induced+retinopathy+in+the+mouse:+a+model+of+vessel+loss,+vessel+regrowth+and+pathological+angiogenesis.">Quantification of oxygen-induced retinopathy in the mouse: a model of vessel loss, vessel regrowth and pathological angiogenesis.</a> Nature Protocols. 4, 1565-1573 (2009).</li></ol>

The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

Trypsin digest is a standard method to assess the vasculature of the retina. Unfortunately, it is technically challenging and can result in high rate of specimen loss if not performed correctly. Furthermore, the procedure is especially difficult in mice, which can limit the application of this technique in the commonly used genetic animal models of eye diseases. This paper provides guidance on how to perform the procedure effectively and consistently in mouse eyes.
There are several critical s...

Visualizing the vasculature of the retina is an extremely important approach to dissect the mechanisms of various eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. It allows one to assess the earliest vascular abnormalities, including microaneurysms, capillary degeneration, and pericyte loss 8,9 . To date, there have been several techniques developed to analyze the retinal vasculature. Perfusion of various dyes has been used to highlight the vessels, but all have shared similar limitations. Injection rarely highlights the entire retinal vasculature unless given at a high pressure, which risks rupturing and damaging the vessels 1. Immunostaining of vascular endothelium with fluorophore-labeled G isolectin B4 (Alexa Fluor 594 conjugated; I21413; Invitrogen; 1:100 dilution) and retinal flat mounts can highlight the overall architecture of the vessels, but without detailed visualization of capillaries, basement membranes and pericytes. It was noted by Friedenwald that vessels can be highlighted by staining flat-mounts of retina with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) or hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) staining 10. However, staining was non-specific to the vessels and highlighted the non-vascular tissue as well, making it difficult to differentiate the vessels. In the 1960s, Cogan and Kuwabara developed the trypsin digest technique that made it easier to visualize the retinal vasculature by digesting the nonvascular components of the retina 1. Since that time, the trypsin digest has become the gold standard method in analyzing the vasculature of the retina 2-5. However, it is important to note that other alternative techniques to isolate the vasculature have been described. The use of osmotic lysis has been used to isolate the vasculature and allow biochemical studies of the tissue 11,12, but the procedure has not been used as a primary method for anatomical study. The tissue print method has been used to isolate large segments of microvasculature and allows the ability to study the electrotonic architecture of the vasculature 13. In theory, this technique could also be used to study anatomical changes, as the quality of the vessels is high. However, it is only able to isolate segments of the entire vasculature network. Although these methods cannot replace trypsin digest, it is important to note that they have different advantages and shortcomings and are complementary in this regard.
The trypsin digest method is technically challenging and is difficult to perform consistently 6,7. Furthermore, it has been noted that trypsin digest is especially difficult on a mouse model, particularly if one desires to preserve the overall vascular architecture of the retina 6,7. Challenges include (1) over-digestion of the retina that causes loss of both the vasculature as well as non-vascular tissue, (2) under-digestion, requiring extensive mechanical dissection which could in turn lead to damage of the vessel bed, (3) poor separation of the non-vascular tissue from the vasculature leading to non-specific staining. Several manuscripts have highlighted these challenges, but none have provided a detailed and consistent protocol to overcome them 14,15. This manuscript will introduce a step-by-step methodology detailing the technique to perform the trypsin digest on mouse and rat retinas with specific tips on handling the particularly difficult steps. A schematic overview is shown in Figure 1.

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>REAGENTS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10% neutral buffered formalin</td>
			<td>Fischer Scientific</td>
			<td>SF100-4</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin (1:250)</td>
			<td>Amresco</td>
			<td>0458-50G</td>
			<td>Make 3% trypsin in 0.1 M Tris</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TRIZMA base</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T1503-1KG</td>
			<td>Create 0.1 M Tris Buffer (pH 7.8 @ 37 &deg;C)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TRIZMA</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T3253-500G</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Steritop sterile vacuum bottle</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>SCGPS05RE</td>
			<td>Create filtered water</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>EQUIPMENT</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissecting microscope</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Any microscope that allows good visualization of the retina is adequate. (10x is sufficient with working distance of 24 mm)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Straight scissors</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>15024-10</td>
			<td>Cutting edge: 8 mm; Tip diameter: 0.2 mm; 10 cm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Straight Forceps (Inox)</td>
			<td>Dumont #5</td>
			<td>11252-20</td>
			<td>Biologie tip; 0.05 x 0.02 mm; 11 cm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Curved Forcepts (Dumostar)</td>
			<td>Dumont #7</td>
			<td>11297-10</td>
			<td>Biologie tip; 0.07 x 0.04 mm; 11.5 cm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dubnoff Metabolic Shaker Incubator</td>
			<td>Precision Scientific</td>
			<td>BDG59442</td>
			<td>Shaker optional</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24-well dish</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>353047</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope Slides</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>82027-132</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

trypsin digest protocol to analyze the retinal vasculature of a mouse model

Trypsin digest is the gold standard method to analyze the retinal vasculature 1-5. It allows visualization of the entire network of complex three-dimensional retinal blood vessels and capillaries by creating a two-dimensional flat-mount of the interconnected vascular channels after digestion of the non-vascular components of the retina. This allows one to study various pathologic vascular changes, such as microaneurysms, capillary degeneration, and abnormal endothelial to pericyte ratios. However, the method is technically challenging, especially in mice, which have become the most widely available animal model to study the retina because of the ease of genetic manipulations 6,7. In the mouse eye, it is particularly difficult to completely remove the non-vascular components while maintaining the overall architecture of the retinal blood vessels. To date, there is a dearth of literature that describes the trypsin digest technique in detail in the mouse. This manuscript provides a detailed step-by-step methodology of the trypsin digest in mouse retina, while also providing tips on troubleshooting difficult steps.

The final product of a successful procedure is a flat-mount of the entire network of the mouse retinal vasculature, with the architecture maintained, stained with either PAS/hematoxylin or H&amp;E, as shown in Figures 2-4. Clear differentiation of endothelial cells and pericytes can be seen as shown in Figure 3. In the retina, the nuclei of endothelial cells are oval or elongated and lie entirely within the vessel wall. Pericyte nuclei are small, spherical, stain densely and generally ha...

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Trypsin Digest Protocol to Analyze the Retinal Vasculature of a Mouse Model

Trypsin digest is one of the most commonly used methods to analyze retinal vasculature. This manuscript describes the method in detail, including key alterations to optimize the technique and remove the non-vascular tissue while preserving the overall architecture of the vessels.

Trypsin digest is the gold standard method to analyze the retinal vasculature 1-5. It allows visualization of the entire network of complex ...

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18.3K Views.  Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Trypsin digest is one of the most commonly used methods to analyze retinal vasculature. This manuscript describes the method in detail, including key alterations to optimize the technique and remove the non-vascular tissue while preserving the overall architecture of the vessels.

Video: Trypsin Digest Protocol to Analyze the Retinal Vasculature of a Mouse Model

Patch Clamp Recordings from Mouse Retinal Neurons in a Dark-adapted Slice Preparation

Our visual experience is initiated when the visual pigment in our retinal photoreceptors absorbs photons of light energy and initiates a cascade of intracellular events that lead to closure of cyclic-nucleotide-gated channels in the cell membrane. The resulting change in membrane potential leads in turn to reductions in the amount of neurotransmitter release from both rod and cone synaptic terminals. To measure how the light-evoked change in photoreceptor membrane potential leads to downstream activity in the retina, scientists have made electrophysiological recordings from retinal slice preparations for decades1,2. In the past these slices have been cut manually with a razor blade on retinal tissue that is attached to filter paper; in recent years another method of slicing has been developed whereby retinal tissue is embedded in low gelling temperature agar and sliced in cool solution with a vibrating microtome3,4. This preparation produces retinal slices with less surface damage and very robust light-evoked responses. Here we document how this procedure can be done under infrared light to avoid bleaching the visual pigment.

Here we describe a procedure for generating dark-adapted slices of the mouse retina for electrophysiological recordings.

Our visual experience is initiated when the visual pigment in our retinal photoreceptors absorbs photons of light energy and initiates a cascade of ...

Dissection of a Mouse Eye for a Whole Mount of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) lies at the back of the mammalian eye, just under the neural retina, which contains the photoreceptors (rods and cones). The RPE is a monolayer of pigmented cuboidal cells and associates closely with the neural retina just above it. This association makes the RPE of great interest to researchers studying retinal diseases. The RPE is also the site of an in vivo assay of homology-directed DNA repair, the pun assay. The mouse eye is particularly difficult to dissect due to its small size (about 3.5mm in diameter) and its spherical shape. This article demonstrates in detail a procedure for dissection of the eye resulting in a whole mount of the RPE. In this procedure, we show how to work with, rather than against, the spherical structure of the eye. Briefly, the connective tissue, muscle, and optic nerve are removed from the back of the eye. Then, the cornea and lens are removed. Next, strategic cuts are made that result in significant flattening of the remaining tissue. Finally, the neural retina is gently lifted off, revealing an intact RPE, which is still attached to the underlying choroid and sclera. This whole mount can be used to perform the pun assay or for immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescent assessment of the RPE tissue.

A formal demonstration of the dissection of a mouse eye, resulting in a whole mount of the retinal pigment epithelium.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) lies at the back of the mammalian eye, just under the neural retina, which contains the photoreceptors (rods and ...

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.

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

Morphometric Analyses of Retinal Sections

Morphometric analyses of retinal sections have been used in examining retinal diseases. For examples, neuronal cells were significantly lost in the retinal ganglion cell layer (RGCL) in rat models with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)&#x2013;induced excitotoxicity1, retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury2 and glaucoma3. Reduction of INL and inner plexiform layer (IPL) thicknesses were reversed with citicoline treatment in rats' eyes subjected to kainic acid-mediated glutamate excitotoxicity4. Alteration of RGC density and soma sizes were observed with different drug treatments in eyes with elevated intraocular pressure3,5,6. Therefore, having objective methods of analyzing the retinal morphometries may be of great significance in evaluating retinal pathologies and the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies.
The retinal structure is multi-layers and several different kinds of neurons exist in the retina. The morphometric parameters of retina such as cell number, cell size and thickness of different layers are more complex than the cell culture system. Early on, these parameters can be detected using other commercial imaging software. The values are normally of relative value, and changing to the precise value may need further accurate calculation. Also, the tracing of the cell size and morphology may not be accurate and sensitive enough for statistic analysis, especially in the chronic glaucoma model. The measurements used in this protocol provided a more precise and easy way. And the absolute length of the line and size of the cell can be reported directly and easy to be copied to other files. For example, we traced the margin of the inner and outer most nuclei in the INL and formed a line then using the software to draw a 90 degree angle to measure the thickness. While without the help of the software, the line maybe oblique and the changing of retinal thickness may not be repeatable among individual observers. In addition, the number and density of RGCs can also be quantified. This protocol successfully decreases the variability in quantitating features of the retina, increases the sensitivity in detecting minimal changes.
 	This video will demonstrate three types of morphometric analyses of the retinal sections. They include measuring the INL thickness, quantifying the number of RGCs and measuring the sizes of RGCs in absolute value. These three analyses are carried out with Stereo Investigator (MBF Bioscience &mdash; MicroBrightField, Inc.). The technique can offer a simple but scientific platform for morphometric analyses.

This video demonstrates three types of morphometric analyses of the retina, which include measuring the inner nuclear layer thickness, quantifying the number of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and measuring the sizes of RGCs. The technique can offer a simple but scientific platform for morphometric analyses.

Morphometric analyses of retinal sections have been used in examining retinal diseases. For examples, neuronal cells were significantly lost in the ...

A Visual Description of the Dissection of the Cerebral Surface Vasculature and Associated Meninges and the Choroid Plexus from Rat Brain

This video presentation was created to show a method of harvesting the two most important highly vascular structures, not residing within the brain proper, that support forebrain function. They are the cerebral surface (superficial) vasculature along with associated meninges (MAV) and the choroid plexus which are necessary for cerebral blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) homeostasis. The tissue harvested is suitable for biochemical and physiological analysis, and the MAV has been shown to be sensitive to damage produced by amphetamine and hyperthermia 1,2. As well, the major and minor cerebral vasculatures harvested in MAV are of potentially high interest when investigating concussive types of head trauma. The MAV dissected in this presentation consists of the pial and some of the arachnoid membrane (less dura) of the meninges and the major and minor cerebral surface vasculature. The choroid plexus dissected is the structure that resides in the lateral ventricles as described by Oldfield and McKinley3,4,5,6. The methods used for harvesting these two tissues also facilitate the harvesting of regional cortical tissue devoid of meninges and larger cerebral surface vasculature, and is compatible with harvesting other brain tissues such as striatum, hypothalamus, hippocampus, etc. The dissection of the two tissues takes from 5 to 10 min total. The gene expression levels for the dissected MAV and choroid plexus, as shown and described in this presentation can be found at GSE23093 (MAV) and GSE29733 (choroid plexus) at the NCBI GEO repository. This data has been, and is being, used to help further understand the functioning of the MAV and choroid plexus and how neurotoxic events such as severe hyperthermia and AMPH adversely affect their function.

This video presentation shows a method of harvesting the two most important highly vascular structures that support forebrain function. They are the cerebral surface (superficial) vasculature along with associated meninges (MAV) and the choroid plexus which are necessary for cerebral blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) homeostasis.

This video presentation was created to show a method of harvesting the two most important highly vascular structures, not residing within the brain ...

Implementing Dynamic Clamp with Synaptic and Artificial Conductances in Mouse Retinal Ganglion Cells

Ganglion cells are the output neurons of the retina and their activity reflects the integration of multiple synaptic inputs arising from specific neural circuits. Patch clamp techniques, in voltage clamp and current clamp configurations, are commonly used to study the physiological properties of neurons and to characterize their synaptic inputs. Although the application of these techniques is highly informative, they pose various limitations. For example, it is difficult to quantify how the precise interactions of excitatory and inhibitory inputs determine response output. To address this issue, we used a modified current clamp technique, dynamic clamp, also called conductance clamp 1, 2, 3 and examined the impact of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs on neuronal excitability. This technique requires the injection of current into the cell and is dependent on the real-time feedback of its membrane potential at that time. The injected current is calculated from predetermined excitatory and inhibitory synaptic conductances, their reversal potentials and the cell's instantaneous membrane potential. Details on the experimental procedures, patch clamping cells to achieve a whole-cell configuration and employment of the dynamic clamp technique are illustrated in this video article. Here, we show the responses of mouse retinal ganglion cells to various conductance waveforms obtained from physiological experiments in control conditions or in the presence of drugs. Furthermore, we show the use of artificial excitatory and inhibitory conductances generated using alpha functions to investigate the responses of the cells.

This video article illustrates the set-up, the procedures to patch cell bodies and how to implement dynamic clamp recordings from ganglion cells in whole-mount mouse retinae. This technique allows the investigation of the precise contribution of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs, and their relative magnitude and timing to neuronal spiking.

Ganglion cells are the output neurons of the  retina and their activity reflects the integration of multiple synaptic inputs  arising from specific neural ...

The Corneal Micropocket Assay: A Model of Angiogenesis in the Mouse Eye

The mouse corneal micropocket assay is a robust and quantitative in vivo assay for evaluating angiogenesis. By using standardized slow-release pellets containing specific growth factors that trigger blood vessel growth throughout the naturally avascular cornea, angiogenesis can be measured and quantified. In this assay the angiogenic response is generated over the course of several days, depending on the type and dose of growth factor used. The induction of neovascularization is commonly triggered by either basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). By combining these growth factors with sucralfate and hydron (poly-HEMA (poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate))) and casting the mixture into pellets, they can be surgically implanted in the mouse eye. These uniform pellets slowly-release the growth factors over five or six days (bFGF or VEGF respectively) enabling sufficient angiogenic response required for vessel area quantification using a slit lamp. This assay can be used for different applications, including the evaluation of angiogenic modulator drugs or treatments as well as comparison between different genetic backgrounds affecting angiogenesis. A skilled investigator after practicing this assay can implant a pellet in less than 5 min per eye.

The protocol describes the corneal micropocket assay as developed in mice.

The mouse corneal micropocket assay is a robust and quantitative in vivo assay for evaluating angiogenesis. By using standardized slow-release pellets ...

Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) Assay

Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein, is responsible for maintaining the telomere length and therefore promoting genomic integrity, proliferation, and lifespan. In addition, telomerase protects the mitochondria from oxidative stress and confers resistance to apoptosis, suggesting its possible importance for the surviving of non-mitotic, highly active cells such as neurons. We previously demonstrated the ability of novel telomerase activators to increase telomerase activity and expression in the various mouse brain regions and to protect motor neurons cells from oxidative stress. These results strengthen the notion that telomerase is involved in the protection of neurons from various lesions. To underline the role of telomerase in the brain, we here compare the activity of telomerase in male and female mouse brain and its dependence on age. TRAP assay is a standard method for detecting telomerase activity in various tissues or cell lines. Here we demonstrate the analysis of telomerase activity in three regions of the mouse brain by non-denaturing protein extraction using CHAPS lysis buffer followed by modification of the standard TRAP assay.
In this 2-step assay, endogenous telomerase elongates a specific telomerase substrate (TS primer) by adding TTAGGG 6 bp repeats (telomerase reaction). The telomerase reaction products are amplified by PCR reaction creating a DNA ladder of 6 bp increments. The analysis of the DNA ladder is made by 4.5% high resolution agarose gel electrophoresis followed by staining with highly sensitive nucleic acid stain.
Compared to the traditional TRAP assay that utilize 32P labeled radioactive dCTP&#39;s for DNA detection and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for resolving the DNA ladder, this protocol offers a non-toxic time saving TRAP assay for evaluating telomerase activity in the mouse brain, demonstrating the ability to detect differences in telomerase activity in the various female and male mouse brain region.

Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol TRAP Assay

Telomerase is expressed in the neonatal brain and also in distinct regions of the adult brain. We present a non-toxic time saving TRAP assay for the analysis of telomerase activity in various regions of the mouse brain and detection of differences in telomerase activity between male and female mouse brains.

Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein, is responsible for maintaining the telomere length and therefore promoting genomic integrity, proliferation, and ...

Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice

The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays an important role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility and can function independently of the central nervous system. Changes in ENS function are a major cause of GI symptoms and disease and may contribute to GI symptoms reported in neuropsychiatric disorders including autism. It is well established that isolated colon segments generate spontaneous, rhythmic contractions known as Colonic Migrating Motor Complexes (CMMCs). A procedure to analyze the enteric neural regulation of CMMCs in ex vivo preparations of mouse colon is described. The colon is dissected from the animal and flushed to remove fecal content prior to being cannulated in an organ bath. Data is acquired via a video camera positioned above the organ bath and converted to high-resolution spatiotemporal maps via an in-house software package. Using this technique, baseline contractile patterns and pharmacological effects on ENS function in colon segments can be compared over 3-4 hr. In addition, propagation length and speed of CMMCs can be recorded as well as changes in gut diameter and contraction frequency. This technique is useful for characterizing gastrointestinal motility patterns in transgenic mouse models (and in other species including rat and guinea pig). In this way, pharmacologically induced changes in CMMCs are recorded in wild type mice and in the Neuroligin-3R451C mouse model of autism. Furthermore, this technique can be applied to other regions of the GI tract including the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and at different developmental ages in mice.

This article describes a video imaging technique and high-resolution spatiotemporal mapping to identify changes in the neural regulation of colonic motility in adult mice. Subtle effects on gastrointestinal (GI) function can be detected using this approach in isolated tissue preparations to advance our understanding of GI disease.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays an important role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility and can function independently of the central ...

Protocol for Isolating the Mouse Circle of Willis

The cerebral arterial circle (circulus arteriosus cerebri) or circle of Willis (CoW) is a circulatory anastomosis surrounding the optic chiasma and hypothalamus that supplies blood to the brain and surrounding structures. It has been implicated in several cerebrovascular disorders, including cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)-associated vasculopathies, intracranial atherosclerosis and intracranial aneurysms. Studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases for the identification of novel drug targets for their prevention require animal models. Some of these models may be transgenic, whereas others will involve isolation of the cerebro-vasculature, including the CoW.The method described here is suitable for CoW isolation in any mouse lineage and has considerable potential for screening (expression of genes, protein production, posttranslational protein modifications, secretome analysis, etc.) studies on the large vessels of the mouse cerebro-vasculature. It can also be used for ex vivo studies, by adapting the organ bath system developed for isolated mouse olfactory arteries.

We describe here a reproducible protocol for isolating the mouse circle of Willis.

The cerebral arterial circle (circulus arteriosus cerebri) or circle of Willis (CoW) is a circulatory anastomosis surrounding the optic chiasma and ...