This work was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia grants (#568969 and 1004152).

In accordance with New South Wales, Australia law, post mortem brain tissue was acquired from adult dogs euthanized for reasons unrelated to the study.
1. Preparation of Culture Medium
<ol>
	<li>Prepare a 0.1% gelatin solution by adding 0.1 g of gelatin powder to 100 ml of distilled water and agitating at 37 &#176;C until dissolved. Sterilize the solution by UV irradiation for 15 min. This media can then be stored at 4 &#176;C for up to 1 month.</li>
	<li>Prepare a 3:1 ratio of Dulbecco&#39;s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) and nutrient mixture F12 by adding 167 ml of F-12 to 500 ml of DMEM (4.5 g/L D-glucose). Add 6.7 ml of Penicillin/Streptomycin solution (for a 1% final concentration). This media can be stored in the dark at 4 &#176;C for up to 1 month.</li>
	<li>Prepare 500 ml of serum media by combining 440 ml of DMEM (4.5 g/L D-glucose), 5 ml of L-alanyl-L-glutamine dipeptide (200 mM), 5 ml of Penicillin/Streptomycin and 50 ml of fetal bovine serum (FBS). This media can be stored in the dark at 4 &#176;C for up to 1 month.</li>
	<li>Complete growth medium consists of Neural Stem Cell (NSC) Basal Medium and Proliferation Neural Supplement-A (NS-A), 2% FBS, 2 &#181;g/ml heparin, 20 ng/ml epidermal growth factor (EGF) and 10 ng/ml basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Make this media fresh, immediately prior to brain dissection, and warm to 37 &#176;C in a water bath.</li>
</ol>
2. Brain Extraction
<ol>
	<li>Begin extraction within 6 hr post mortem by sterilizing the dorsal surface of the dog&#39;s head using povidone-iodine.</li>
	<li>Using a scalpel, make a longitudinal incision along the sagittal midline, across the entire dorsal surface of the cranium, to expose the underlying masseter muscles. The length of this cut will depend on the species and age of the dog.</li>
	<li>At the rostral and caudal borders of the cranium, make additional 5 - 10 cm perpendicular cuts on both sides, passing behind the eyes and ears respectively, to allow the skin to be fully reflected.</li>
	<li>Using a scalpel, separate the masseter muscles from their attachment to the sagittal crest of the skull and scrape any remaining connective tissue from the cranium.</li>
	<li>Using an oscillating bone saw cut the cap of the skull in a circumferential line. Using a probe or scalpel sever any remaining attachments with the dura, and then carefully remove the skull cap to expose the dorsal surface of the brain. 
	Caution: The thickness of the bone varies at different regions in the skull, so caution must be exercised to not penetrate too deep and damage the underlying brain.</li>
	<li>Sever the spinal cord by inserting a scalpel between the upper cervical vertebrae.</li>
	<li>With one hand to gently lift the brain, use a scalpel to carefully free the brain from the cranial fossae and sever the connecting nerves and blood vessels located on its ventral side. Gently lift the brain out of the skull and into a container of DPBS. 
	Caution: The large olfactory bulbs of the canine brain may extend deep into the anterior cranial fossa. Care must be taken when removing the brain so as to preserve these structures.</li>
</ol>
3. Hippocampal Dissection
<ol>
	<li>Rinse the brain in Dulbecco&#39;s phosphate buffered saline (DPBS) to remove any blood and place it dorsal side down onto a 150 mm Petri dish.</li>
	<li>Slowly bisect the brain longitudinally through the mid-sagittal plane using a wet brain knife and a single slice that utilizes the full length of the blade. Do not apply additional downward pressure, or use a sawing motion, as this may damage the tissue.</li>
	<li>Placing each hemisphere medial surface up, dissect out the hippocampus using a scalpel and fine forceps, and transfer it to a 35 mm tissue culture dish.</li>
</ol>
4. Isolation of Neural Precursor Cells
<ol>
	<li>Mince the tissue samples using a scalpel blade into approximately 1 mm3 pieces.</li>
	<li>Transfer the tissue into a 15 ml tube, add 2 ml of 0.1% Trypsin EDTA, and incubate for 7 min in a water bath at 37 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Halt the enzyme reaction by adding 4 ml of serum media to the tube. Pellet the suspension by centrifugation at 100 x g for 7 min and remove the supernatant.</li>
	<li>Resuspended the pellet in 300 &#181;l of DPBS, and mechanically dissociated by gently pipetting up and down, using a 1,000 &#181;l pipette tip, until a smooth homogenate forms.</li>
	<li>Add 14 ml of serum media to the tube and pass the cell suspension through a 40 &#181;m cell strainer. Pellet the suspension by centrifugation at 100 x g for 7 min, remove the supernatant, and resuspend in complete growth medium.</li>
</ol>
5. Neurosphere Culture
<ol>
	<li>From the cell suspension obtained at isolation, count the number of viable cells using Trypan blue dye exclusion and a hemocytometer.</li>
	<li>Dilute the cell suspension in complete growth medium and seed at 1 x 105 cells/cm2 into uncoated wells of a 6 well plate.</li>
	<li>Incubate at 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2 and &#62; 95% humidity for 14 - 28 days, replace 50% of the growth media every 7 days. Measure the diameter of the neurospheres regularly. If allowed to grow beyond 100 &#181;m in diameter, cell death and spontaneous differentiation can occur within the neurospheres.</li>
</ol>
6. Neurosphere Passage
<ol>
	<li>To passage as a floating culture, when the neurospheres reach approximately 100 &#181;m in diameter, combine all the neurosphere containing media into a single tube. Pellet by centrifugation at 100 x g for 7 min and remove the supernatant.</li>
	<li>Resuspend the pellet in 1 ml of 0.1% Trypsin EDTA and incubate for 7 min in a water bath at 37 &#176;C. Gently pipette up and down 100 times, using a 200 &#181;l pipette tip, to ensure dissociation of the neurospheres.</li>
	<li>Halt the enzyme reaction by adding 5 ml of serum media to the tube and centrifuge at 100 x g for 7 min.</li>
	<li>Remove the supernatant, resuspend the cell pellet in 1 ml complete growth medium and count the number of viable cells using Trypan blue dye exclusion and a hemocytometer.</li>
	<li>Dilute the cell suspension in complete growth medium and seed at 1 x 105 cells/cm2 into uncoated wells of a 6 well plate. Incubate at 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2 and &#62;95% humidity for 14 - 28 days, replacing 50% of the growth media every 7 days.</li>
</ol>
7. Adherent Culture of Neural Precursor Cells
<ol>
	<li>Add a sufficient volume of 0.1% gelatin solution to cover the surface of a tissue culture dish and cure in an incubator at 37 &#176;C for 1 hr prior to processing the neurospheres for adherent culture.</li>
	<li>From the floating neurosphere culture, combine all media into a single tube. Pellet the neurospheres by centrifugation at 100 x g for 7 min and remove the supernatant.</li>
	<li>Resuspend the pellet in 1 ml of 0.1% Trypsin EDTA and incubate for 7 min in a water bath at 37 &#176;C. Gently pipette up and down 100 times, using a 200 &#181;l pipette tip.</li>
	<li>Add 5 ml of serum media to halt the enzyme reaction and centrifuge at 100 x g for 7 min. Discard the supernatant and resuspend the cell pellet in 1 ml complete growth medium and count the number of viable cells using Trypan blue dye exclusion and a hemocytometer.</li>
	<li>Dilute the cell suspension in complete growth medium, remove the gelatin from the tissue culture flasks and seed the cells at 1 x 104 cells/cm2.</li>
	<li>Incubate the cells at 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2 and &#62; 95% humidity. Replace the media with fresh, warmed, complete growth media every three days until the culture reaches approximately 80% confluence (after approximately 7 days).</li>
</ol>
8. Neural Colony Forming Assay
<ol>
	<li>Combine Neural Colony Forming Cell (NCFC) Assay media components: NCFC serum free medium, Proliferation NS-A, and collagen solution (3 mg/ml). Supplement this media with 2 &#181;g/ml heparin, 20 ng/ml EGF, and 10 ng/ml bFGF.</li>
	<li>Following hippocampal tissue dissociation resuspend the cells in neural colony forming assay medium, pre-warmed to 37 &#176;C in a water bath. Seed the cells at a clonal density of 1.1 x 105 cells/ml into a 35 mm culture dish.</li>
	<li>Incubate the cells in this semi-solid collagen matrix at 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2 and &#62; 95% humidity. Culture for 28 days, replacing 50% of the growth media every 7 days.</li>
</ol>
9. Differentiation of Neural Precursor Cells
<ol>
	<li>Add a sufficient volume of 5 &#181;g/cm2 laminin solution to cover the surface of a tissue culture dish and cure in an incubator at 37 &#176;C for 24 hr before processing the cells for differentiation. 
	Note: Remove the laminin solution and rinse the coated surface twice in DPBS immediately prior to seeding.</li>
	<li>When passaging, seed the cell suspension at 1 x 104 cells/cm2 in DMEM-F12 (3:1) media (pre-warmed to 37 &#176;C) supplemented with 20 ng/ml EGF and 40 ng/ml bFGF onto the laminin coated culture dish.</li>
	<li>Incubate the cells at 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2 and &#62; 95% humidity and allow cells to proliferate for 3 days.</li>
	<li>To differentiate the adherent neural precursor cells, after 3 days replace the media with differentiation media containing DMEM-F12 (3:1) media pre-warmed to 37 &#176;C, supplemented with 10 ng/ml brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).</li>
	<li>During differentiation replace 50% of the media every 3 days. Differentiation occurs gradually over approximately 21 - 28 days. 
	Caution: Once the cells have begun to differentiate, only replace 50% of the media at one time as exposure to air can have a detrimental effect on the health of the cells.</li>
</ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

The protocols described here are optimized to maintain favorable culture conditions for maximizing cell viability. The speed and care taken during extraction, isolation and expansion is of critical importance. A critical step for establishing adherent monolayer expansion is the effective dissociation of the primary neurospheres. Following passage, insufficiently dissociated neurospheres may generate secondary floating neurospheres. During media change, these neurospheres may be removed, dissociated and reseeded for adher...

Regional variations in the rate of neurogenesis have been observed along the dorsoventral axis of the rodent hippocampus1,2. Furthermore, the rates of hippocampal neurogenesis also show distinct inter-species variation, with precursor cell turnover in the subgranular zone shown to be significantly lower in adult humans than in rodents3-5. Inter-species differences in hippocampal structural anatomy may be relevant here, as it has been postulated that neural stem cell distribution along the murine ventricular neuraxis may be influenced by cephalic flexures during embryological development6. To date, the rodent brain remains the most popular system in which to study adult neurogenesis. However, the brain of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris), with a size and structural organization intermediate between that of humans and rodents7, represents a valuable yet highly underused animal model. The canine hippocampus in particular embodies this structurally intermediate nature8-10 and can provide a unique perspective on intrinsic variations in neural precursor cell populations. With many closer parallels to the human brain, the canine model may also offer insight into the biology of adult human neurogenesis.
In vitro culture assays have become a key tool for the study of neural precursors and the cellular and biomolecular processes of adult neurogenesis. The neurosphere assay and adherent monolayer culture represent the two predominant systems for expanding neural precursor cells in vitro11-13. Protocols for brain extraction, hippocampal microdissection or neural precursor culture assays have been well documented for the rodent model14-16. However, for the adult canine brain they remain comparatively few17,18, focused instead on fetal or neonatal tissue19-21.
In our published study7 we investigated regional variations in neurogenesis and neural precursor cell populations across the dorsoventral axis of the adult canine hippocampus. Although highly dependent on breed, adulthood in canines is reached between 1 and 3 years of age. Here, we present detailed methods for the extraction, isolation and culture of neural precursor cells from the canine hippocampus. We provide systematic protocols for the expansion of neural precursor cells as both floating neurospheres and as an adherent monolayer culture, and for their subsequent differentiation into mature neural cell types.

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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:337px;">1000 &#956;L filtered pipette tip</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Axygen</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">TF1000</td>
			<td style="width:915px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">150 mm petri dish</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">351058</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">15mL centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Greiner Bio One</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">188271</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">200 &#956;L filtered pipette tip</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Axygen</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">TF200</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">24 well culture plate</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Greiner Bio One</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">662160</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">35 mm tissue culture dish</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">353001</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">40 &#181;m cell strainer</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">352340</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">6 well culture plate</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">351146</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:337px;">B-27 Supplement (50X) serum free</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Life Technologies&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">17504044</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">13256029</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Millipore</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">GF029</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Collagen solution</td>
			<td>Stem Cell Technologies</td>
			<td>04902</td>
			<td>Also available in the Neurocult NCFC Assay Kit from Stem Cell Technologies. Cat: 05740&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">DMEM (4.5g/L, D-glucose) 500mL</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Life Technologies&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">11960044&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:337px;">DPBS</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">14190250</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Epidermal growth factor (EGF)</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">354001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">F-12 nutrient mixture (Ham) (1X) Liquid</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">31765035</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Fetal bovine serum (FBS)</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">16141079</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Gelatin from Porcine Skin Type A</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">G1890</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">L-alanyl-L-glutamine dipeptide (GlutaMAX)</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">35050061</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Heparin sodium salt from (porcine)</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">H314950KU</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Laminin (mouse)</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">23017015</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">NCFC serum free medium (NeuroCult)</td>
			<td>Stem Cell Technologies</td>
			<td>5720</td>
			<td>Also available in the Neurocult NCFC Assay Kit from Stem Cell Technologies. Cat: 05740&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Proliferation NS-A (NeuroCult)</td>
			<td>Stem Cell Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">05773</td>
			<td>Also available in the Neurocult NCFC Assay Kit Cat: 05740, and NS-A Prolieration Kit (Rat) Cat: 05771&#160; from Stem Cell Technologies.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">NSC basal medium (Rat; NeuroCult)</td>
			<td>Stem Cell Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">5770</td>
			<td>Also available in the Neurocult NS-A Prolieration Kit (Rat) from Stem Cell Technologies. Cat: 05771&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:337px;">Penicillin/Streptomycin (5000 U/mL)</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">15070063</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Povidone-iodine</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Munipharma</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">Betadine</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:337px;">Trypan blue (0.4%)</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">15250061</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Trypsin EDTA</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">25200056</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:337px;">Class II biological safety cabinet</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">Safe 2020 1.2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Brain knife (disposable)</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Macroknife</td>
			<td style="width:252px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:337px;">Cell culture incubator</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">HERAcell 150i</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:337px;">Centrifuge</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Hettich</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">Universal 320R</td>
			<td style="width:915px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Dumont #5 Forceps</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Dumont</td>
			<td style="width:252px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:337px;">Easypet Electric pipette</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Eppindorf&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Hemocytometer</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Boeco</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">Bright-Line Improved Neubauer</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:337px;">Manual pipettes</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Eppindorf research</td>
			<td style="width:252px;"></td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Oscillating bone saw&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:196px;"></td>
			<td style="width:252px;"></td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Scalpel blades (No.21)</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Paramount</td>
			<td style="width:252px;"></td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:337px;">Scissors&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Delta</td>
			<td style="width:252px;"></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Water bath</td>
			<td style="width:196px;">Grant</td>
			<td style="width:252px;">JB Aqua 18 plus</td>
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</table>

isolation and expansion of adult canine hippocampal neural precursors

The rate of neurogenesis within the adult hippocampus has been shown to vary across mammalian species. The canine hippocampus, demonstrating a structural intermediacy between the rodent and human hippocampi, is therefore a valuable model in which to study adult neurogenesis. In vitro culture assays are an essential component of characterizing neurogenesis and adult neural precursor cells, allowing for precise control over the cellular environment. To date however, culture protocols for canine cells remain under-represented in the literature. Detailed here are systematic protocols for the isolation and culture of hippocampal neural precursor cells from the adult canine brain. We demonstrate the expansion of canine neural precursor cells as floating neurospheres and as an adherent monolayer culture, producing stable cell lines that are able to differentiation into mature neural cell types in vitro. Adult canine neural precursors are an underused resource that may provide a more faithful analogue for the study of human neural precursors and the cellular mechanisms of adult neurogenesis.

Through the use of in vitro neural precursor assays, neurogenesis and neural precursor cell populations were characterized and compared across the dorsoventral axis of the adult canine hippocampus. Neural precursor cells derived from isolated hippocampal tissue formed floating neurospheres within 14 days of isolation, reaching a diameter of 100 &#181;m by 28 days of culture. Neurospheres derived from dorsal and ventral isolates showed no difference in mean size, and following enz...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation and Expansion of Adult Canine Hippocampal Neural Precursors at JoVE.com

Isolation and Expansion of Adult Canine Hippocampal Neural Precursors

The canine brain is a valuable model in which to study adult neurogenesis. Presented here are protocols for isolating and expanding adult canine hippocampal neural precursor cells from primary brain tissue.

The rate of neurogenesis within the adult hippocampus has been shown to vary across mammalian species. The canine hippocampus, demonstrating a structural ...

isolation-and-expansion-of-adult-canine-hippocampal-neural-precursors

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JoVE Journal

Developmental Biology

7.0K Views.  University of Sydney. The canine brain is a valuable model in which to study adult neurogenesis. Presented here are protocols for isolating and expanding adult canine hippocampal neural precursor cells from primary brain tissue.

Video: Isolation and Expansion of Adult Canine Hippocampal Neural Precursors

Isolation of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells from the Periventricular Region of the Adult Rat and Human Spinal Cord

Adult rat and human spinal cord neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) cultured in growth factor-enriched medium allows for the proliferation of multipotent, self-renewing, and expandable neural stem cells. In serum conditions, these multipotent NSPCs will differentiate, generating neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The harvested tissue is enzymatically dissociated in a papain-EDTA solution and then mechanically dissociated and separated through a discontinuous density gradient to yield a single cell suspension which is plated in neurobasal medium supplemented with epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and heparin. Adult rat spinal cord NSPCs are cultured as free-floating neurospheres and adult human spinal cord NSPCs are grown as adherent cultures. Under these conditions, adult spinal cord NSPCs proliferate, express markers of precursor cells, and can be continuously expanded upon passage. These cells can be studied in vitro in response to various stimuli, and exogenous factors may be used to promote lineage restriction to examine neural stem cell differentiation. Multipotent NSPCs or their progeny can also be transplanted into various animal models to assess regenerative repair.

The adult mammalian spinal cord contains neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) that can be isolated and expanded in culture. This protocol describes the harvesting, isolation, culture, and passaging of NSPCs generated from the periventricular region of the adult spinal cord from the rat and from human organ transplant donors.

Adult rat and human spinal cord neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) cultured in growth factor-enriched medium allows for the proliferation of ...

Stable and Efficient Genetic Modification of Cells in the Adult Mouse V-SVZ for the Analysis of Neural Stem Cell Autonomous and Non-autonomous Effects

Relatively quiescent somatic stem cells support life-long cell renewal in most adult tissues. Neural stem cells in the adult mammalian brain are restricted to two specific neurogenic niches: the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus and the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ; also called subependymal zone or SEZ) in the walls of the lateral ventricles. The development of in vivo gene transfer strategies for adult stem cell populations (i.e. those of the mammalian brain) resulting in long-term expression of desired transgenes in the stem cells and their derived progeny is a crucial tool in current biomedical and biotechnological research. Here, a direct in vivo method is presented for the stable genetic modification of adult mouse V-SVZ cells that takes advantage of the cell cycle-independent infection by LVs and the highly specialized cytoarchitecture of the V-SVZ niche. Specifically, the current protocol involves the injection of empty LVs (control) or LVs encoding specific transgene expression cassettes into either the V-SVZ itself, for the in vivo targeting of all types of cells in the niche, or into the lateral ventricle lumen, for the targeting of ependymal cells only. Expression cassettes are then integrated into the genome of the transduced cells and fluorescent proteins, also encoded by the LVs, allow the detection of the transduced cells for the analysis of cell autonomous and non-autonomous, niche-dependent effects in the labeled cells and their progeny.

Here we describe a procedure based on the use of lentiviral particles for the long-term genetic modification of neural stem cells and/or their adjacent ependymal cells in the adult ventricular-subventricular neurogenic niche which allows the separate analysis of cell autonomous and non-autonomous, niche-dependent effects on neural stem cells.

Relatively quiescent somatic stem cells support life-long cell renewal in most adult tissues. Neural stem cells in the adult mammalian brain are ...

Ex Vivo Culture of Chick Cerebellar Slices and Spatially Targeted Electroporation of Granule Cell Precursors

The cerebellar external granule layer (EGL) is the site of the largest transit amplification in the developing brain, and an excellent model for studying neuronal proliferation and differentiation. In addition, evolutionary modifications of its proliferative capability have been responsible for the dramatic expansion of cerebellar size in the amniotes, making the cerebellum an excellent model for evo-devo studies of the vertebrate brain. The constituent cells of the EGL, cerebellar granule progenitors, also represent a significant cell of origin for medulloblastoma, the most prevalent paediatric neuronal tumour. Following transit amplification, granule precursors migrate radially into the internal granular layer of the cerebellum where they represent the largest neuronal population in the mature mammalian brain. In chick, the peak of EGL proliferation occurs towards the end of the second week of gestation. In order to target genetic modification to this layer at the peak of proliferation, we have developed a method for genetic manipulation through ex vivo electroporation of cerebellum slices from embryonic Day 14 chick embryos. This method recapitulates several important aspects of in vivo granule neuron development and will be useful in generating a thorough understanding of cerebellar granule cell proliferation and differentiation, and thus of cerebellum development, evolution and disease.

Ex Vivo Culture of Chick Cerebellar Slices and Spatially Targeted Electroporation of Granule Cell Precursors

The cerebellar external granule layer is the site of the largest transit amplification in the developing brain. Here, we present a protocol to target genetic modification to this layer at the peak of proliferation using ex vivo electroporation and culture of cerebellar slices from embryonic Day 14 chick embryos.

The cerebellar external granule layer (EGL) is the site of the largest transit amplification in the developing brain, and an excellent model for studying ...

Isolation and Culture of Adult Zebrafish Brain-derived Neurospheres

The zebrafish is a highly relevant model organism for understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in neurogenesis and brain regeneration in vertebrates. However, an in-depth analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying zebrafish adult neurogenesis has been limited due to the lack of a reliable protocol for isolating and culturing neural adult stem/progenitor cells. Here we provide a reproducible method to examine adult neurogenesis using a neurosphere assay derived from zebrafish whole brain or from the telencephalon, tectum and cerebellum regions of the adult zebrafish brain. The protocol involves, first the microdissection of zebrafish adult brain, then single cell dissociation and isolation of self-renewing multipotent neural stem/progenitor cells. The entire procedure takes eight days. Additionally, we describe how to manipulate gene expression in zebrafish neurospheres, which will be particularly useful to test the role of specific signaling pathways during adult neural stem/progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation in zebrafish.

Here we provide a reproducible method to examine adult neurogenesis using a neurosphere assay derived from the whole brain or from either the telencephalic, tectal or cerebellar regions of the adult zebrafish brain. Additionally, we describe the procedure to manipulate gene expression in zebrafish neurospheres.

The zebrafish is a highly relevant model organism for understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in neurogenesis and brain regeneration ...

Culturing Human Pluripotent and Neural Stem Cells in an Enclosed Cell Culture System for Basic and Preclinical Research

This paper describes how to use a custom manufactured, commercially available enclosed cell culture system for basic and preclinical research. Biosafety cabinets (BSCs) and incubators have long been the standard for culturing and expanding cell lines for basic and preclinical research. However, as the focus of many stem cell laboratories shifts from basic research to clinical translation, additional requirements are needed of the cell culturing system. All processes must be well documented and have exceptional requirements for sterility and reproducibility. In traditional incubators, gas concentrations and temperatures widely fluctuate anytime the cells are removed for feeding, passaging, or other manipulations. Such interruptions contribute to an environment that is not the standard for cGMP and GLP guidelines. These interruptions must be minimized especially when cells are utilized for therapeutic purposes. The motivation to move from the standard BSC and incubator system to a closed system is that such interruptions can be made negligible. Closed systems provide a work space to feed and manipulate cell cultures and maintain them in a controlled environment where temperature and gas concentrations are consistent. This way, pluripotent and multipotent stem cells can be maintained at optimum health from the moment of their derivation all the way to their eventual use in therapy.

Here is a protocol to grow pluripotent stem cells (PSC) and neural stem cells (NSC) in an enclosed cell culture system that permits maximum sterility and reproducibility, replacing the traditional biosafety cabinet and incubator. This equipment meets clinical good manufacturing practice (cGMP) and clinical good lab practice (cGLP) guidelines.

This paper describes how to use a custom manufactured, commercially available enclosed cell culture system for basic and preclinical research. Biosafety ...

Isolation and Expansion of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Derived from Human Placenta Tissue

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) are promising candidates for use in cell-based therapies. In most cases, therapeutic response appears to be cell-dose dependent. Human term placenta is rich in MSC and is a physically large tissue that is generally discarded following birth. Placenta is an ideal starting material for the large-scale manufacture of multiple cell doses of allogeneic MSC. The placenta is a fetomaternal organ from which either fetal or maternal tissue can be isolated. This article describes the placental anatomy and procedure to dissect apart the decidua (maternal), chorionic villi (fetal), and chorionic plate (fetal) tissue. The protocol then outlines how to isolate MSC from each dissected tissue region, and provides representative analysis of expanded MSC derived from the respective tissue types. These methods are intended for pre-clinical MSC isolation, but have also been adapted for clinical manufacture of placental MSC for human therapeutic use.

Herein we describe methods for the dissection of fetal and maternal tissues from human term placenta, followed by isolation and expansion of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) from these tissues.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) are promising candidates for use in cell-based therapies. In most cases, therapeutic response appears to be cell-dose ...

Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors

Notch signaling is a key component of multiple physiological and pathological processes. The nature of Notch signaling, however, makes in vitro investigation of its varying and sometimes contradictory roles a challenge. As a component of direct cell-cell communication with both receptors and ligands bound to the plasma membrane, Notch signaling cannot be activated in vitro by simple addition of ligands to culture media, as is possible with many other signaling pathways. Instead, Notch ligands must be presented to cells in an immobilized state. 
Variations in methods of Notch signaling activation can lead to different outcomes in cultured cells. In osteoclast precursors, in particular, differences in methods of Notch stimulation and osteoclast precursor culture and differentiation have led to disagreement over whether Notch signaling is a positive or negative regulator of osteoclast differentiation. While closer comparisons of osteoclast differentiation under different Notch stimulation conditions in vitro and genetic models have largely resolved the controversy regarding Notch signaling and osteoclasts, standardized methods of continuous and temporary stimulation of Notch signaling in cultured cells could prevent such discrepancies in the future.
This protocol describes two methods for stimulating Notch signaling specifically in cultured mouse osteoclast precursors, though these methods should be applicable to any adherent cell type with minor adjustments. The first method produces continuous stimulation of Notch signaling and involves immobilizing Notch ligand to a tissue culture surface prior to the seeding of cells. The second, which uses Notch ligand bound to agarose beads allows for temporary stimulation of Notch signaling in cells that are already adhered to a culture surface. This protocol also includes methods for detecting Notch activation in osteoclast precursors as well as representative transcriptional markers of Notch signaling activation.

Notch signaling is a form of cellular communication that relies upon direct contact between cells. To properly induce Notch signaling in vitro, Notch ligands must be presented to cells in an immobilized state. This protocol describes methods for in vitro stimulation of Notch signaling in mouse osteoclast precursors.

Notch signaling is a key component of multiple physiological and pathological processes. The nature of Notch signaling, however, makes in vitro ...

The Isolation and Culture of Primary Epicardial Cells Derived from Human Adult and Fetal Heart Specimens

The epicardium, an epithelial cell layer covering the myocardium, has an essential role during cardiac development, as well as in the repair response of the heart after ischemic injury. When activated, epicardial cells undergo a process known as epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) to provide cells to the regenerating myocardium. Furthermore, the epicardium contributes via secretion of essential paracrine factors. To fully appreciate the regenerative potential of the epicardium, a human cell model is required. Here we outline a novel cell culture model to derive primary epicardial derived cells (EPDCs) from human adult and fetal cardiac tissue. To isolate EPDCs, the epicardium is dissected from the outside of the heart specimen and processed into a single cell suspension. Next, EPDCs are plated and cultured in EPDC medium containing the ALK 5-kinase inhibitor SB431542 to maintain their epithelial phenotype. EMT is induced by stimulation with TGF&#946;. This method enables, for the first time, the study of the process of human epicardial EMT in a controlled setting, and facilitates gaining more insight in the secretome of EPDCs that may aid heart regeneration. Furthermore, this uniform approach allows for direct comparison of human adult and fetal epicardial behavior.

The epicardium plays a crucial role in the development and repair of the heart by providing cells and growth factors to the myocardial wall. Here, we describe a method to culture human primary epicardial cells that enables the study and comparison of their developmental and adult characteristics.

The epicardium, an epithelial cell layer covering the myocardium, has an essential role during cardiac development, as well as in the repair response of ...

Derivation and Differentiation of Canine Ovarian Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Interest in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has increased over the past decade due to their ease of isolation, expansion, and culture. Recently, studies have demonstrated the wide differentiation capacity that these cells possess. The ovary represents a promising candidate for cell-based therapies due to the fact that it is rich in MSCs and that it is frequently discarded after ovariectomy surgeries as biological waste. This article describes procedures for the isolation, expansion, and differentiation of MSCs derived from the canine ovary, without the necessity of cell-sorting techniques. This protocol represents an important tool for regenerative medicine because of the broad applicability of these highly differentiable cells in clinical trials and therapeutic uses.

Herein, we describe a method for the isolation, expansion, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from canine ovarian tissue.

Interest in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has increased over the past decade due to their ease of isolation, expansion, and culture. Recently, studies ...

Real-time Live-cell Flow Cytometry to Investigate Calcium Influx, Pore Formation, and Phagocytosis by P2X7 Receptors in Adult Neural Progenitor Cells

Live-cell flow cytometry is increasingly used among cell biologists to quantify biological processes in a living cell culture. This protocol describes a method whereby live-cell flow cytometry is extended upon to analyze the multiple functions of P2X7 receptor activation in real-time. Using a time module installed on a flow cytometer, live-cell functionality can be assessed and plotted over a given time period to explore the kinetics of calcium influx, transmembrane pore formation, and phagocytosis. This simple method is advantageous as all three canonical functions of the P2X7 receptor can be assessed using one machine, and the gathered data plotted over time provides information on the entire live-cell population rather than single-cell recordings often obtained using technically challenging patch-clamp methods. Calcium influx experiments use a calcium indicator dye, while P2X7 pore formation assays rely on ethidium bromide being allowed to pass through the transmembrane pore formed upon high agonist concentrations. Yellow-green (YG) latex beads are utilized to measure phagocytosis. Specific agonists and antagonists are applied to investigate the effects of P2X7 receptor activity. Individually, these methods can be modified to provide quantitative data on any number of calcium channels and purinergic and scavenger receptors. Taken together, they highlight how the use of real-time live-cell flow cytometry is a rapid, cost-effective, reproducible, and quantifiable method to investigate P2X7 receptor function.

Providing single-cell sensitivity, real-time flow cytometry is uniquely suited to quantify multimodal receptor functions of live cultures. Using adult neural progenitor cells, the P2X7 receptor function was assessed via calcium influx detected by calcium indicator dye, transmembrane pore formation by ethidium bromide uptake, and phagocytosis using fluorescent latex beads.

Live-cell flow cytometry is increasingly used among cell biologists to quantify biological processes in a living cell culture. This protocol describes a ...