This work was supported in part by National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grants R01 GM-41514 (to M.D.C.), R39 GM-048071 (to I.P.), and R01 NS-074987 (to T.E.L.) and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) Collaborative Center Research Award CA1058-A-8 (to C.M.W., T.E.L. and M.D.C.), NMSS Grant RG4925, NIH Training Grant T32-AI-060573 (to M.L.G.), NMSS Postdoctoral Fellowship FG 1960-A-1 (to J.G.W.), and funding from the George E. Hewitt Foundation for Medical Research (M.P.M.).

NOTE: Ethics Statement: The protocol for animal handling was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the University of California, Irvine, protocol #2010-2943.
1. Removal of Spinal Cord
<ol>
	<li>Place paper towels wetted with ~100% liquid isoflurane, USP in euthanizing chamber and place dry paper towels on top. Place mouse in chamber on top of dry paper towels so mouse is not touching the isoflurane and make sure the chamber is covered. Wait at least one minute after cessation of breathing to ensure that the mouse is euthanized.</li>
	<li>Perform a spinal transection of the neck to ensure the mouse is euthanized. Do not perform a cervical dislocation as this could damage the spinal cord.</li>
	<li>Spray the mouse with 70% ethanol to wet the hair.</li>
	<li>Use sharp Fine scissors to remove the hair and skin from the back of the mouse to expose the spinal column from approximately cervical lamina 1 (C1) to sacral lamina 4 (S4).</li>
	<li>Using a scalpel with a #10 blade, make incisions to the left and right of the spinal column to separate it from muscle and fat. This will make removal of the spinal cord much easier.</li>
	<li>optional: a curved Luer rongeurs can be used to scoop away additional flesh.</li>
	<li>While holding the top of the spinal vertebrae with serrated Graefe forceps, insert titanium curved Vannas scissors with the curved side up into the exposed spinal column at C1, being careful not to touch the spinal cord.</li>
	<li>Slide the titanium curved Vannas scissors all the way to the right and make one small cut. A small crunch sound should be heard and felt as the scissors cut the vertebrae. Repeat this cut on the far left side of the cord. Be careful not to go too quickly or make too large of a cut as this will risk damaging the cord with the scissors.</li>
	<li>The single lamina should be able to be lifted with the forceps once the sides of the vertebrae are cut. Repeat this step for each lamina until S4, continuing to hold and pull back the spinal cord vertebrae. 
	NOTE: the vertebrae above the transplant site will likely come off once it is cut down to the transplant site. Continue the procedure starting just below the transplant site.</li>
	<li>optional: lay the vertebrae down to see where the transplant site is and measure and cut ~20 mm rostral and caudal to the transplant site. 
	NOTE: When transplanting NPCs more will not be needed as the transplanted NPCs generally do not migrate farther than 15 mm. The amount of spinal cord needed will be dependent on experiment and migration characteristics of cell type transplanted. Making rostral and caudal cuts that are equidistant to the transplant site will enable the transplant site to be located more easily during imaging.</li>
	<li>Using a scalpel with a #11 blade carefully cut the ganglia on the right and left of the ventral side of the spinal cord starting at the rostral end. This will enable the spinal cord to be removed from the ventral vertebrae more easily. 
	NOTE: Done quickly (steps 1.7-1.11), the spinal cord will not dry out. However, 1x PBS can be administered to the cord to keep it moist.</li>
	<li>Invert the mouse and hold the mouse up so the spinal cord is facing down. Carefully peel out the spinal cord using closed serrated Graefe forceps. Without nicking the spinal cord, carefully cut any remaining ganglia to allow the spinal cord to be lifted out in a single intact piece.</li>
	<li>Make sure the spinal cord is in RPMI-1640 and place it on ice for transport to the 2P microscope.</li>
</ol>
2. Preparation of Spinal Cord for Imaging
<ol>
	<li>Embedding spinal cord in agarose
	<ol>
		<li>Keep the isolated spinal cord in chilled RPMI-1640 on ice prior to imaging.</li>
		<li>Weigh out agarose (low gelling temperature) and prepare a 5% solution in 5 ml of 1x PBS. Microwave the 5% agarose solution for 15 sec to dissolve the agarose and let the solution cool to 37 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Prepare the spinal cord by placing it on a sheet of Parafilm with the ventral side facing up.</li>
		<li>Pipet approximately 5 ml of 5% agarose solution over the ventral side of the spinal cord. Let the agarose solidify by cooling to room temperature. Full solidification takes approximately 5 min.</li>
		<li>Apply a light coat of tissue adhesive to a 22 mm square cover slip.</li>
		<li>Invert the embedded spinal cord, placing the ventral side on Parafilm. The dorsal side will now be facing up. Adhere the cover slip to the dorsal side, and submerge the agarose embedded spinal cord/cover slip preparation in RMPI to solidify the adhesive. Remove excess solidified agarose using a razor blade.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Mounting the spinal cord on the microscope stage
	<ol>
		<li>Apply petroleum jelly to the bottom of the cover slip. This will stabilize the preparation during perfusion.</li>
		<li>Place the spinal cord preparation in an imaging well on the microscope stage with the ventral side facing up toward the 25X dipping objective. The custom-built imaging well is approximately 20 mm deep, 50 mm long, and 50 mm across.</li>
		<li>Image while superfusing the preparation with warmed (37 &#176;C), oxygenated (95:5 oxygen:carbon dioxide-carbogen) RPMI-1640 medium without serum.
		<ol>
			<li>Pre-warm media to 37 &#176;C in the water bath and connect it to the tubing pump by inserting the tubing into the media bottle.</li>
			<li>Retain the media temperature at 37 &#176;C a heater device at the connection of the tubing to the chamber. Superfuse media through well at 3 ml/min using tubing connected to the tubing pump (Figure 1B).</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
3. 2P Imaging of Ventral Spinal Cord
<ol>
	<li>Microscope Setup
	<ol>
		<li>Acquire images from Thy1-eYFP spinal cords using a Chameleon Ultra Ti: Sapphire laser tuned to 900 nm. Attenuate laser power at the specimen to &#60;5% to ensure minimal phototoxicity16. Maintain temperature by perfusing oxygen-perfused RPMI-1640 at a constant 37 &#176;C using a single inline solution heater to ensure stable imaging, and to prevent tissue drift and cellular damage.</li>
		<li>To separate eGFP and eYFP fluorescent signal, place a 520 nm single-edge dichroic and a 560 nm single-edge dichroic beam splitter in series to separate 2P emission into three channels, purposely splitting the green emission to enhance visibility. 
		NOTE: These channel are referred to as blue-green (emission &#60;520 nm), green-yellow (520&#8211;560 nm), and red (emission &#62;560 nm). Photomultiplier tubes detect emitted light in each channel.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Locating imaging areas of interest
	<ol>
		<li>Using the eyepiece and a bright field light source, focus the dipping objective at the ventral edge of the spinal cord to set a reference point.</li>
		<li>Make sure ambient light source is off and switch to 2P excitation by opening the laser shutter.</li>
		<li>If available, when searching tissue for areas of interest, use a lower resolution setting, higher volume without digital zoom, and higher scan rate than when acquiring final images. Typical settings with this system when searching tissue for a region of interest are: resolution: 256 pixels; volume: x = 600 &#956;m, y = 600 &#956;m, z = 0-300 &#956;m.</li>
		<li>Observe the eYFP axons near the ventral edge of the spinal cord. Second harmonic signal from collagen (blue) will be brightest at the spinal cord tissue edge. Locate the eYFP axons just dorsal to the second harmonic signal from the collagen and eYFP signal is visualized in the green-yellow channel.</li>
		<li>Locate the transplant site in the longitudinal center of the spinal cord preparation14. For mice 1 day following eGFP-NPC transplantation, locate the transplant site by focusing the beam path in the z plane deep into the tissue. The transplant site will vary slightly between animals but is generally located ~200 &#956;m from the ventral edge. Observe the clusters of eGFP-NPCs in the white matter tracts, closer to the ventral and lateral edges in mice after day 1 post-transplantation.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Acquiring final images
	<ol>
		<li>Acquire image resolution of 512 pixels; volume: x = 270 &#956;m, y =212 &#956;m, and z = 100 &#956;m using Slidebook 6 software. Compile z-stacks by acquiring sequential focal planes in 2.5 &#956;m increments.</li>
		<li>Perform a bidirectional scan with proper interlace offset to ensure rapid quantification of any migrating objects in the spinal cord. Ensure that the ideal acquisition frame rate to determine cellular velocity within the spinal cord is approximately 1 frame/sec. 
		NOTE: Imaging settings can be changed to individual user preferences, such as acquisition frame rate, imaging resolution and imaging volumes. Larger imaging volumes will generally take longer to acquire at a given resolution.</li>
		<li>Analyze, crop, smooth, and pseudocolor Slidebook image files with image analysis software such as Bitplane Imaris 7.7. Produce final time-lapse videos by combing consecutive imaging volumes using an automated process in Slidebook and Imaris.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

<ol>
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S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endogenous+remyelination+is+induced+by+transplant+rejection+in+a+viral+model+of+multiple+sclerosis.">Endogenous remyelination is induced by transplant rejection in a viral model of multiple sclerosis.</a> J Neuroimmunol. 212 (1-2), 74-81 (2009).</li><li>Totoiu, M. O., Nistor, G. I., Lane, T. E., Keirstead, H. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Remyelination,+axonal+sparing,+and+locomotor+recovery+following+transplantation+of+glial-committed+progenitor+cells+into+the+MHV+model+of+multiple+sclerosis.">Remyelination, axonal sparing, and locomotor recovery following transplantation of glial-committed progenitor cells into the MHV model of multiple sclerosis.</a> Exp Neurol. 187 (2), 254-265 (2004).</li><li>Tirotta, E., Carbajal, K. 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The authors have no competing interests.

Real-time 2P imaging of intact tissue is required to investigate NPC kinetics and interactions following transplantation into the demyelinated mouse spinal cord. Intravital 2P imaging is commonly used to determine cellular dynamics on the dorsal side of the spinal cord in living mice, and has been used to study dorsal demyelination in demyelinating disease17-19. However, because transplanted NPCs migrate to the ventral white matter, which lies too deep to image in situ using 2P microscopy, an ex vivo ...

Mouse models of demyelination, including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and intracranial infection with neuroadapted mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), are excellent tools to study molecular pathways and cellular interactions associated with disease. They have led to and supported the effectiveness of FDA approved pharmaceutical therapies, mainly targeting cessation of autoimmunity and inflammation1. However, once endogenous remyelination has failed, the currently approved therapies do not effectively repair demyelinated lesions in the central nervous system. Therefore, repair-focused therapies at this stage of disease are critical for the alleviation of chronic symptoms and improvement of quality of life. Recently, neural precursor cells (NPCs) have come to the forefront as a potential regenerative therapeutic modality to target areas of inflammation and demyelination. Several studies have highlighted the ability of NPCs to induce endogenous remyelination and participate directly in remyelination2-8. Because NPCs are involved in direct remyelination, it is imperative to understand their kinetics and interactions with endogenous cells following transplantation. After transplantation, NPCs migrate ventrally to areas of white matter damage, then rostrally and caudally relative to the transplant site5,9. The kinetics of migration differ in response to environmental cues; NPCs transplanted into a non-damaged spinal cord have greater velocities than NPCs transplanted into a damaged spinal cord6. After a migratory period, transferred NPCs proliferate extensively, at a higher rate in a damaged spinal cord relative to an intact spinal cord6. Finally, the majority of NPCs differentiate into oligodendrocytes and initiate direct remyelination4,6,9.
The demyelinated lesion is complex and can include a diverse population of cells at various stages of activation. For example, an active multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion may include a significant population of activated T cells, M1 microglia and M1 macrophages, but a chronic silent MS lesion may be comprised primarily of reactive astrocytes with few inflammatory cells10-13. Because of the diversity of effector cells, two-photon (2P) imaging in mouse models of demyelination is an extremely useful tool to help understand local cellular interactions within the lesion. In MS and many extensively used MS research models, the majority of lesions are located on the ventral side of the spinal cord, a region inaccessible to intravital 2P imaging due to lesion depth and the high lipid content of the spinal cord. To circumvent these issues and study cell-cell interactions within lesions along the ventral spinal cord we have developed a simple ex vivo 2P imaging preparation6.
This study follows up a previous methods publication, which showed the procedure for transplanting enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-expressing NPCs into the spinal cord of mice following JHMV strain of MHV-induced demyelination14. Five week old mice are infected with JHMV and transplanted with eGFP-NPCs at thoracic level 9 on day 14 post-infection. The protocol presented here provides detailed steps on how to extract the spinal cord, make an ex vivo agarose preparation, and image transplanted eGFP-NPC interactions with enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP)-expressing axons. Mice expressing eYFP under the neuronal-specific Thy1 promoter were used in this procedure15. Only some of the axons express eYFP, making it useful for imaging individual axons. Here we show spinal cords removed at 7 days post-transplant; however, spinal cords can be extracted at any time point following transplantation. While we show interactions of NPCs with damaged axons, our protocol can be used in combination with genetic fluorescent markers of other cell types to investigate a multitude of cellular interactions occurring throughout the mouse spinal cord.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="858">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">Name of Reagent/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;width:381px;">Isoflurane, USP</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Piramal Critical Care, Inc</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">Fine scissors</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">14060-09</td>
			<td>sharp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">scalpel blade #10</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">10010-00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">scalpel handle</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">10003-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">Luer rongeurs</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">16001-15</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">Graefe forceps</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">11052-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">Vannas scissors</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">15615-08</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">scalpel blade #11</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">10011-00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">RPMI-1640</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">12-115F</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">agarose, low gelling temperature</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">A9414-25G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">Parafilm</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">13-374-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">Vetbond (tissue adhesive)</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">3M</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">1469SB</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">22 mm square cover slip</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">12-547</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">25x dipping objective, 1.1 NA</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Nikon</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">CFI Apo LWD 25XW</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">Single inline solution heater</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Warner Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">64-0102</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">520 nm single-edge dichroic beam splitter</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Semrock</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">FF520-Di02-25x36</td>
			<td>Brightline</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">560 nm single-edge dichroic beam splitter</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Semrock</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">FF560-FDi01-25x36</td>
			<td>Brightline</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">photomultiplier tubes</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Hamamatsu</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">R928</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">C/L variable-speed tubing pump</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Masterflex</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">77122-22</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">digital thermometer</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Comar Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">3501</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">Chameleon Ultra Ti:Sapphire laser&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Coherent</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">Slidebook 6 software</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">3i</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:381px;">Imaris 7.7 software</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Bitplane</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

two-photon imaging of cellular dynamics in the mouse spinal cord

Two-photon (2P) microscopy is utilized to reveal cellular dynamics and interactions deep within living, intact tissues. Here, we present a method for live-cell imaging in the murine spinal cord. This technique is uniquely suited to analyze neural precursor cell (NPC) dynamics following transplantation into spinal cords undergoing neuroinflammatory demyelinating disorders. NPCs migrate to sites of axonal damage, proliferate, differentiate into oligodendrocytes, and participate in direct remyelination. NPCs are thereby a promising therapeutic treatment to ameliorate chronic demyelinating diseases. Because transplanted NPCs migrate to the damaged areas on the ventral side of the spinal cord, traditional intravital 2P imaging is impossible, and only information on static interactions was previously available using histochemical staining approaches. Although this method was generated to image transplanted NPCs in the ventral spinal cord, it can be applied to numerous studies of transplanted and endogenous cells throughout the entire spinal cord. In this article, we demonstrate the preparation and imaging of a spinal cord with enhanced yellow fluorescent protein-expressing axons and enhanced green fluorescent protein-expressing transplanted NPCs.

While the explanted spinal cord imaging protocol can be used to visualize any fluorescence within the spinal cord, our representative results demonstrate eGFP-NPC interactions with eYFP-axons. First, we show the embedded ventral spinal cord preparation in Figure 1A. Next, we show the 2P microscope setup and key components in Figure 1B. Figure 2 demonstrates eGFP and eYFP fluorescence in a single z-stack within the ventral spinal cord. Acquisition of consecutive z-stacks ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Two-photon Imaging of Cellular Dynamics in the Mouse Spinal Cord at JoVE.com

Two-photon Imaging of Cellular Dynamics in the Mouse Spinal Cord

A new ex vivo preparation for imaging the mouse spinal cord. This protocol allows for two-photon imaging of live cellular interactions throughout the spinal cord.

Two-photon (2P) microscopy is utilized to reveal cellular dynamics and interactions deep within living, intact tissues. Here, we present a method for ...

two-photon-imaging-of-cellular-dynamics-in-the-mouse-spinal-cord

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

10.1K Views.  University of California, Irvine. A new ex vivo preparation for imaging the mouse spinal cord. This protocol allows for two-photon imaging of live cellular interactions throughout the spinal cord.

Video: Two-photon Imaging of Cellular Dynamics in the Mouse Spinal Cord

In vivo Imaging of the Mouse Spinal Cord Using Two-photon Microscopy

In vivo imaging using two-photon microscopy 1 in mice that have been genetically engineered to express fluorescent proteins in specific cell types 2-3 has significantly broadened our knowledge of physiological and pathological processes in numerous tissues in vivo 4-7. In studies of the central nervous system (CNS), there has been a broad application of in vivo imaging in the brain, which has produced a plethora of novel and often unexpected findings about the behavior of cells such as neurons, astrocytes, microglia, under physiological or pathological conditions 8-17. However, mostly technical complications have limited the implementation of in vivo imaging in studies of the living mouse spinal cord. In particular, the anatomical proximity of the spinal cord to the lungs and heart generates significant movement artifact that makes imaging the living spinal cord a challenging task.
We developed a novel method that overcomes the inherent limitations of spinal cord imaging by stabilizing the spinal column, reducing respiratory-induced movements and thereby facilitating the use of two-photon microscopy to image the mouse spinal cord in vivo. This is achieved by combining a customized spinal stabilization device with a method of deep anesthesia, resulting in a significant reduction of respiratory-induced movements. This video protocol shows how to expose a small area of the living spinal cord that can be maintained under stable physiological conditions over extended periods of time by keeping tissue injury and bleeding to a minimum. Representative raw images acquired in vivo detail in high resolution the close relationship between microglia and the vasculature. A timelapse sequence shows the dynamic behavior of microglial processes in the living mouse spinal cord. Moreover, a continuous scan of the same z-frame demonstrates the outstanding stability that this method can achieve to generate stacks of images and/or timelapse movies that do not require image alignment post-acquisition. Finally, we show how this method can be used to revisit and reimage the same area of the spinal cord at later timepoints, allowing for longitudinal studies of ongoing physiological or pathological processes in vivo.

In vivo Imaging of the Mouse Spinal Cord Using Two-photon Microscopy

A minimally invasive protocol to stabilize the mouse spinal column and perform repetitive in vivo spinal cord imaging using two-photon microscopy is described. This method combines a spinal stabilization device and an anesthetic regimen to minimize respiratory-induced movements and produce raw imaging data that require no alignment or other post-processing.

In vivo imaging using two-photon microscopy 1 in mice that have been genetically engineered to express fluorescent proteins in specific cell types 2-3 has ...

A Procedure for Implanting a Spinal Chamber for Longitudinal In Vivo Imaging of the Mouse Spinal Cord

Studies in the mammalian neocortex have enabled unprecedented resolution of cortical structure, activity, and response to neurodegenerative insults by repeated, time-lapse in vivo imaging in live rodents. These studies were made possible by straightforward surgical procedures, which enabled optical access for a prolonged period of time without repeat surgical procedures. In contrast, analogous studies of the spinal cord have been previously limited to only a few imaging sessions, each of which required an invasive surgery. As previously described, we have developed a spinal chamber that enables continuous optical access for upwards of 8 weeks, preserves mechanical stability of the spinal column, is easily stabilized externally during imaging, and requires only a single surgery. Here, the design of the spinal chamber with its associated surgical implements is reviewed and the surgical procedure is demonstrated in detail. Briefly, this video will demonstrate the preparation of the surgical area and mouse for surgery, exposure of the spinal vertebra and appropriate tissue debridement, the delivery of the implant and vertebral clamping, the completion of the chamber, the removal of the delivery system, sealing of the skin, and finally, post-operative care. The procedure for chronic in vivo imaging using nonlinear microscopy will also be demonstrated. Finally, outcomes, limitations, typical variability, and a guide for troubleshooting are discussed.

A Procedure for Implanting a Spinal Chamber for Longitudinal In Vivo Imaging of the Mouse Spinal Cord

In this video, we describe a procedure for implanting a chronic optical imaging chamber over the dorsal spinal cord of a live mouse. The chamber, surgical procedure, and chronic imaging are reviewed and demonstrated.

Studies in the mammalian neocortex have enabled unprecedented resolution of cortical structure, activity, and response to neurodegenerative insults by ...

Diffusion Imaging in the Rat Cervical Spinal Cord

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the state of the art approach for assessing the status of the spinal cord noninvasively, and can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in cases of disease or injury. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), is sensitive to the thermal motion of water molecules and allows for inferences of tissue microstructure. This report describes a protocol to acquire and analyze DWI of the rat cervical spinal cord on a small-bore animal system. It demonstrates an imaging setup for the live anesthetized animal and recommends a DWI acquisition protocol for high-quality imaging, which includes stabilization of the cord and control of respiratory motion. Measurements with diffusion weighting along different directions and magnitudes (b-values) are used. Finally, several mathematical models of the resulting signal are used to derive maps of the diffusion processes within the spinal cord tissue that provide insight into the normal cord and can be used to monitor injury or disease processes noninvasively.

The goal of this protocol is to obtain high-quality diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) of the rat spinal cord for noninvasive characterization of tissue microstructure. This protocol describes optimizations of the MRI sequence, radiofrequency coil, and analysis methods to enable DWI images free from artifacts.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the state of the art approach for assessing the status of the spinal cord noninvasively, and can be used as a ...

Imaging Ca2+ Dynamics in Cone Photoreceptor Axon Terminals of the Mouse Retina

Retinal cone photoreceptors (cones) serve daylight vision and are the basis of color discrimination. They are subject to degeneration, often leading to blindness in many retinal diseases. Calcium (Ca2+), a key second messenger in photoreceptor signaling and metabolism, has been proposed to be indirectly linked with photoreceptor degeneration in various animal models. Systematically studying these aspects of cone physiology and pathophysiology has been hampered by the difficulties of electrically recording from these small cells, in particular in the mouse where the retina is dominated by rod photoreceptors. To circumvent this issue, we established a two-photon Ca2+ imaging protocol using a transgenic mouse line that expresses the genetically encoded Ca2+ biosensor TN-XL exclusively in cones and can be crossbred with mouse models for photoreceptor degeneration. The protocol described here involves preparing vertical sections (&#8220;slices&#8221;) of retinas from mice and optical imaging of light stimulus-evoked changes in cone Ca2+ level. The protocol also allows &#8220;in-slice measurement&#8221; of absolute Ca2+ concentrations; as the recordings can be followed by calibration. This protocol enables studies into functional cone properties and is expected to contribute to the understanding of cone Ca2+ signaling as well as the potential involvement of Ca2+ in photoreceptor death and retinal degeneration.

Imaging Ca2+ Dynamics in Cone Photoreceptor Axon Terminals of the Mouse Retina

We describe a protocol to monitor Ca2+ dynamics in the axon terminals of cone photoreceptors using an ex-vivo&#160;slice preparation of the mouse retina. This protocol allows comprehensive studies of cone Ca2+ signaling in an important mammalian model system, the mouse.

Retinal cone photoreceptors (cones) serve daylight vision and are the basis of color discrimination. They are subject to degeneration, often leading to ...

Simultaneous Two-photon In Vivo Imaging of Synaptic Inputs and Postsynaptic Targets in the Mouse Retrosplenial Cortex

This video shows the craniotomy procedure that allows chronic imaging of neurons in the mouse retrosplenial cortex (RSC) using in vivo two-photon microscopy in Thy1-GFP transgenic mouse line. This approach creates a possibility to investigate the correlation of behavioural manipulations with changes in neuronal morphology in vivo.
The cranial window implantation procedure was considered to be limited only to the easily accessible cortex regions such as the barrel field. Our approach allows visualization of neurons in the highly vascularized RSC. RSC is an important element of the brain circuit responsible for spatial memory, previously deemed to be problematic for in vivo two-photon imaging.
The cranial window implantation over the RSC is combined with an injection of mCherry-expressing recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAVmCherry) into the dorsal hippocampus. The expressed mCherry spreads out to axonal projections from the hippocampus to RSC, enabling the visualization of changes in both presynaptic axonal boutons and postsynaptic dendritic spines in the cortex. 
This technique allows long-term monitoring of experience-dependent structural plasticity in RSC.

Simultaneous Two-photon In Vivo Imaging of Synaptic Inputs and Postsynaptic Targets in the Mouse Retrosplenial Cortex

This video shows the craniotomy procedure that allows chronic imaging of neurons in mouse retrosplenial cortex using in vivo two photon microscopy in Thy1-GFP transgenic line. This approach is combined with injection of mCherry-expressing adeno-associated virus into dorsal hippocampus. These techniques allow long-term monitoring of experience-dependent structural plasticity in RSC.

This video shows the craniotomy procedure that allows chronic imaging of neurons in the mouse retrosplenial cortex (RSC) using in vivo two-photon ...

Imaging Serotonergic Fibers in the Mouse Spinal Cord Using the CLARITY/CUBIC Technique

Long descending fibers to the spinal cord are essential for locomotion, pain perception, and other behaviors. The fiber termination pattern in the spinal cord of the majority of these fiber systems have not been thoroughly investigated in any species. Serotonergic fibers, which project to the spinal cord, have been studied in rats and opossums on histological sections and their functional significance has been deduced based on their fiber termination pattern in the spinal cord. With the development of CLARITY and CUBIC techniques, it is possible to investigate this fiber system and its distribution in the spinal cord, which is likely to reveal previously unknown features of serotonergic supraspinal pathways. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for imaging the serotonergic fibers in the mouse spinal cord using the combined CLARITY and CUBIC techniques. The method involves perfusion of a mouse with a hydrogel solution and clarification of the tissue with a combination of clearing reagents. Spinal cord tissue was cleared in just under two weeks, and the subsequent immunofluorescent staining against serotonin was completed in less than ten days. With a multi-photon fluorescent microscope, the tissue was scanned and a 3D image was reconstructed using Osirix software.

Supraspinal projections are important for pain perception and other behaviors, and serotonergic fibers are one of these fiber systems. The present study focused on the application of the combined CLARITY/CUBIC protocol to the mouse spinal cord in order to investigate the termination of these serotonergic fibers.

Long descending fibers to the spinal cord are essential for locomotion, pain perception, and other behaviors. The fiber termination pattern in the spinal ...

Imaging Neural Activity in the Primary Somatosensory Cortex Using Thy1-GCaMP6s Transgenic Mice

The mammalian brain exhibits marked symmetry across the sagittal plane. However, detailed description of neural dynamics in symmetric brain regions in adult mammalian animals remains elusive. In this study, we describe an experimental procedure for measuring calcium dynamics through dual optical windows above bilateral primary somatosensory corticies (S1) in Thy1-GCaMP6s transgenic mice using 2-photon (2P) microscopy. This method enables recordings and quantifications of neural activity in bilateral mouse brain regions one at a time in the same experiment for a prolonged period in vivo. Key aspects of this method, which can be completed within an hour, include minimally invasive surgery procedures for creating dual optical windows, and the use of 2P imaging. Although we only demonstrate the technique in the S1 area, the method can be applied to other regions of the living brain facilitating the elucidation of structural and functional complexities of brain neural networks.

Imaging Neural Activity in the Primary Somatosensory Cortex Using Thy1-GCaMP6s Transgenic Mice

We describe an experimental procedure for measuring neuronal activity through dual optical windows above bilateral primary somatosensory corticies (S1) in Thy1-GCaMP6s transgenic mice using 2-photon (2P) microscopy in vivo.

The mammalian brain exhibits marked symmetry across the sagittal plane. However, detailed description of neural dynamics in symmetric brain regions in ...

An In Vivo Duo-color Method for Imaging Vascular Dynamics Following Contusive Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes significant vascular disruption at the site of injury. Vascular pathology occurs immediately after SCI and continues throughout the acute injury phase. In fact, endothelial cells appear to be the first to die after a contusive SCI. The early vascular events, including increased permeability of the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB), induce vasogenic edema and contribute to detrimental secondary injury events caused by complex injury mechanisms. Targeting the vascular disruption, therefore, could be a key strategy to reduce secondary injury cascades that contribute to histological and functional impairments after SCI. Previous studies were mostly performed on postmortem samples and were unable to capture the dynamic changes of the vascular network. In this study, we have developed an in vivo duo-color two-photon imaging method to monitor acute vascular dynamic changes following contusive SCI. This approach allows detecting blood flow, vessel diameter, and other vascular pathologies at various sites of the same rat pre- and post-injury. Overall, this method provides an excellent venue for investigating vascular dynamics.

An In Vivo Duo-color Method for Imaging Vascular Dynamics Following Contusive Spinal Cord Injury

We introduce an in vivo imaging method using two different fluorescent dyes to track dynamic spinal vascular changes following a contusive spinal cord injury in adult Sprague-Dawley rats.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes significant vascular disruption at the site of injury. Vascular pathology occurs immediately after SCI and continues ...

Laminectomy and Spinal Cord Window Implantation in the Mouse

This protocol describes a method for spinal cord laminectomy and glass window implantation for in vivo imaging of the mouse spinal cord. An integrated digital vaporizer is utilized to achieve a stable plane of anesthesia at a low-flow rate of isoflurane. A single vertebral spine is removed, and a commercially available cover-glass is overlaid on a thin agarose bed. A 3D-printed plastic backplate is then affixed to the adjacent vertebral spines using tissue adhesive and dental cement. A stabilization platform is used to reduce motion artifact from respiration and heartbeat. This rapid and clamp-free method is well-suited for acute multi-photon fluorescence microscopy. Representative data are included for an application of this technique to two-photon microscopy of the spinal cord vasculature in transgenic mice expressing eGFP:Claudin-5 &#8212; a tight junction protein.

This protocol describes implantation of a glass window onto the spinal cord of a mouse to facilitate visualization by intravital microscopy.

This protocol describes a method for spinal cord laminectomy and glass window implantation for in vivo imaging of the mouse spinal cord. An integrated ...

In Vivo Two-photon Imaging of Cortical Neurons in Neonatal Mice

Two-photon imaging is a powerful tool for the in vivo analysis of neuronal circuits in the mammalian brain. However, a limited number of in vivo imaging methods exist for examining the brain tissue of live newborn mammals. Herein we summarize a protocol for imaging individual cortical neurons in living neonatal mice. This protocol includes the following two methodologies: (1) the Supernova system for sparse and bright labeling of cortical neurons in the developing brain, and (2) a surgical procedure for the fragile neonatal skull. This protocol allows the observation of temporal changes of individual cortical neurites during neonatal stages with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Labeled cell-specific gene silencing and knockout can also be achieved by combining the Supernova with RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing systems. This protocol can, thus, be used for analyzing the developmental dynamics of cortical neurons, molecular mechanisms that control the neuronal dynamics, and changes in neuronal dynamics in disease models.

In Vivo Two-photon Imaging of Cortical Neurons in Neonatal Mice

We present an in vivo two-photon imaging protocol for imaging the cerebral cortex of neonatal mice. This method is suitable for analyzing the developmental dynamics of cortical neurons, the molecular mechanisms that control the neuronal dynamics, and the changes in neuronal dynamics in disease models.

Two-photon imaging is a powerful tool for the in vivo analysis of neuronal circuits in the mammalian brain. However, a limited number of in vivo imaging ...