Work was supported by National Institutes of Health, (NIH/NINDS) Grants: R37-NS094804, R01-NS105556, R21-NS107894 to M.G.C.; (NIH/NINDS) Grants R01-NS076991, R01-NS096756, R01-NS082311 to P.R.L.; (NIH/NIBI): R01-EB022563; (NIH/NCI) U01CA224160; the Department of Neurosurgery, Rogel Cancer Center at The University of Michigan, ChadTough Foundation, and Leah&#39;s Happy Hearts Foundation to M.G.C. and P.R.L. RNA Biomedicine Grant F046166 to M.G.C. National Institutes of Health, UL1 TR002240 for Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR), Postdoctoral Translational Scholars Program (PTSP) grant, Project F049768 to A.C. University of Michigan Forbes Cancer Research Institute, a Physician-Scientist Award from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. (RPB), grant R01 EY022633 from the NEI of the NIH (AK), and an unrestricted grant from RPB to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. This research utilized the Vision Research Core (P30 EY007003), and the Cancer Center Research Core (P30 CA046592). AK is supported by the Mrs. William Davidson Emerging Scholar Award from the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute.

<ol>
	<li>Reifenberger, G., Wirsching, H. G., Knobbe-Thomsen, C. B., Weller, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Advances+in+the+molecular+genetics+of+gliomas+-+implications+for+classification+and+therapy.">Advances in the molecular genetics of gliomas - implications for classification and therapy.</a> Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology. 14 (7), 434-452 (2017).</li><li>Espina, V., 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=Laser-capture+microdissection.">Laser-capture microdissection.</a> Nature Protocols. 1 (2), 586-603 (2006).</li><li>Rabien, A., Kristiansen, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tissue+Microdissection.">Tissue Microdissection.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 1381, 39-52 (2016).</li><li>Lovatt, D., Bell, T., Eberwine, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single-neuron+isolation+for+RNA+analysis+using+pipette+capture+and+laser+capture+microdissection.">Single-neuron isolation for RNA analysis using pipette capture and laser capture microdissection.</a> Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. 2015 (1), (2015).</li><li>Erickson, H. S., 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=Quantitative+RT-PCR+gene+expression+analysis+of+laser+microdissected+tissue+samples.">Quantitative RT-PCR gene expression analysis of laser microdissected tissue samples.</a> Nature Protocols. 4 (6), 902-922 (2009).</li><li>Cheng, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Laser-assisted+microdissection+in+translational+research:+theory,+technical+considerations,+and+future+applications.">Laser-assisted microdissection in translational research: theory, technical considerations, and future applications.</a> Applied Immunohistochemistry &amp; Molecular Morphology. 21 (1), 31-47 (2013).</li><li>Butler, A. 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=Recovery+of+high-quality+RNA+from+laser+capture+microdissected+human+and+rodent+pancreas.">Recovery of high-quality RNA from laser capture microdissected human and rodent pancreas.</a> Journal of Histotechnology. 39 (2), 59-65 (2016).</li><li>Clement-Ziza, M., Munnich, A., Lyonnet, S., Jaubert, F., Besmond, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stabilization+of+RNA+during+laser+capture+microdissection+by+performing+experiments+under+argon+atmosphere+or+using+ethanol+as+a+solvent+in+staining+solutions.">Stabilization of RNA during laser capture microdissection by performing experiments under argon atmosphere or using ethanol as a solvent in staining solutions.</a> RNA. 14 (12), 2698-2704 (2008).</li><li>van Dijk, M. C., Rombout, P. D., Dijkman, H. B., Ruiter, D. J., Bernsen, M. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Improved+resolution+by+mounting+of+tissue+sections+for+laser+microdissection.">Improved resolution by mounting of tissue sections for laser microdissection.</a> Molecular Pathology. 56 (4), 240-243 (2003).</li><li>N&#250;&#241;ez, F. J., 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=IDH1-R132H+acts+as+a+tumor+suppressor+in+glioma+via+epigenetic+up-regulation+of+the+DNA+damage+response.">IDH1-R132H acts as a tumor suppressor in glioma via epigenetic up-regulation of the DNA damage response.</a> Science Translational Medicine. 11 (479), (2019).</li><li>Calinescu, A. A., 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=Transposon+mediated+integration+of+plasmid+DNA+into+the+subventricular+zone+of+neonatal+mice+to+generate+novel+models+of+glioblastoma.">Transposon mediated integration of plasmid DNA into the subventricular zone of neonatal mice to generate novel models of glioblastoma.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (96), (2015).</li><li>Koschmann, C., 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=ATRX+loss+promotes+tumor+growth+and+impairs+nonhomologous+end+joining+DNA+repair+in+glioma.">ATRX loss promotes tumor growth and impairs nonhomologous end joining DNA repair in glioma.</a> Science Translational Medicine. 8 (328), (2016).</li><li>Brat, D. J., 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=Comprehensive,+Integrative+Genomic+Analysis+of+Diffuse+Lower-Grade+Gliomas.">Comprehensive, Integrative Genomic Analysis of Diffuse Lower-Grade Gliomas.</a> The New England Journal of Medicine. 372 (26), 2481-2498 (2015).</li><li>Datta, S., 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=Laser+capture+microdissection:+Big+data+from+small+samples.">Laser capture microdissection: Big data from small samples.</a> Histology and Histopathology. 30 (11), 1255-1269 (2015).</li><li>Lein, E., Borm, L. E., Linnarsson, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+promise+of+spatial+transcriptomics+for+neuroscience+in+the+era+of+molecular+cell+typing.">The promise of spatial transcriptomics for neuroscience in the era of molecular cell typing.</a> Science. 358 (6359), 64-69 (2017).</li><li>Gagner, J. P., Zagzag, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Probing+Glioblastoma+Tissue+Heterogeneity+with+Laser+Capture+Microdissection.">Probing Glioblastoma Tissue Heterogeneity with Laser Capture Microdissection.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 1741, 209-220 (2018).</li></ol>

All authors of this paper declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying glioma heterogeneity and invasion are of critical importance to uncover novel therapeutic targets13. In this manuscript, we describe a detailed and optimized method to analyze the molecular landscape of glioma heterogeneity and invasion using laser capture microdissection (LMD) followed by transcriptomic analysis.
Laser capture microdissection (LMD) can be used to identify different areas or single cells within the tumor...

Gliomas are the most aggressive primary tumors of the central nervous system. They are highly invasive and heterogeneous1. Analysis of cellular and molecular components of the tumor will reveal novel therapeutic targets.
Among different methods currently available, laser capture microdissection (LMD) of frozen brain tumor tissue is a cost-effective, reliable technique that allows the isolation of discrete anatomical areas or specific cell populations from tumor tissues to study their molecular profile2,3. LMD allows the analysis of mRNA gene expression profiles of selected single cells or multicellular structures4,5. LMD can be utilized to gain in-depth mechanistic knowledge about the molecular events that take place during tumor progression. Improvement in processing of tumor tissues is necessary to obtain optimal optical resolution of tissue morphology and RNA-quality6. Although paraformaldehyde fixation is the best option for morphological analysis, RNA quality is affected and degraded under these conditions, resulting in poor RNA quality for RNA-seq analysis. The use of frozen tissue sections avoids ice crystal formation, which could break cell membranes and produce holes within cells, and remains the best option for RNA-Seq analysis7.
Here, we describe an optimized section fixation and staining method to process frozen mouse brain tumor tissues for LMD. To prevent ice crystals from forming in the tissue, we perfused mice with a solution of 30% sucrose. This solution disrupts interactions between polar water molecules and prevents the formation of ice crystals, preserving the tissue morphology. Tissue staining is necessary to differentiate and obtain specific population of cells or anatomically distinct areas within the tumor. It is essential to fix and stain the tissue with innocuous dyes to maintain RNA integrity. It has been previously shown that staining tissue with hematoxylin/eosin (H&#38;E) deteriorates RNA integrity8. We fixed and stained the tissue of interest with ethanol, Cresyl violet 4% and eosin Y 0.5% solutions. Cresyl violet is an acidophilic dye that stains the cell nucleus with a dark blue color. Eosin Y is a basophilic dye that stains basic components of the cells, providing a distinction between cytoplasm and other cellular structures8. Both dyes are soluble in ethanol and do not deteriorate RNA quality. To avoid tissue damage and maintain high optical resolution of the cellular structures, we mounted the tissue sections prior to LMD9.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Accutase Cell Detachment Solution</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>423201</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Animal-Free Recombinant Human EGF</td>
			<td>Peprotech</td>
			<td>AF-100-15</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibiotic-Antimycotic (100X)</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15240062</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>B-27 Supplement (50X), serum free</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>17504044</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Buffer RLT</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>79216</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corning PCR Tubes</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>CLS6530</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cresyl Violet Acetate</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>C5042</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM/F12 - Dulbecco&#39;s Modified Eagle Medium: Nutrient Mixture F-12</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>11330057</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Eosin Y</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>E4009</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HiSeq 4000</td>
			<td>Illumina</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laser Microdissection (LMD) System</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>LMD7000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N-2 Supplement (100X)</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>17502048</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Normocin - Antimicrobial Reagent</td>
			<td>Invivogen</td>
			<td>ant-nr-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Peel Away Disposable Embedding Molds</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>70182</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PEN Membrane Glass Slide (2 &#181;m)</td>
			<td>Lieca</td>
			<td>1150518</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pinpoint Solution</td>
			<td>Zymo Research</td>
			<td>D3001-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Recombinant Human FGF-basic</td>
			<td>Peprotech</td>
			<td>100-18B-1MG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Research Cryostat</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>CM3050s</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RNaseZap RNase Decontamination Solution</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AM9780</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RNeasy Plus Micro Kit</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>74034</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SMARTer Stranded Total RNA-Seq Kit v2 - Pico Input Mammalian</td>
			<td>Takara Bio</td>
			<td>634411</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue-Plus O.C.T. Compound</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>23-730-571</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

laser capture microdissection of glioma subregions for spatial and molecular characterization of intratumoral heterogeneity, oncostreams, and invasion

Gliomas are primary brain tumors characterized by their invasiveness and heterogeneity. Specific histological patterns such as pseudopalisades, microvascular proliferation, mesenchymal transformation and necrosis characterize the histological heterogeneity of high-grade gliomas. Our laboratory has demonstrated that the presence of high densities of mesenchymal cells, named oncostreams, correlate with tumor malignancy. We have developed a unique approach to understand the mechanisms that underlie glioma&#39;s growth and invasion. Here, we describe a comprehensive protocol that utilizes laser capture microdissection (LMD) and RNA sequencing to analyze differential mRNA expression of intra-tumoral heterogeneous multicellular structures (i.e., mesenchymal areas or areas of tumor invasion). This method maintains good tissue histology and RNA integrity. Perfusion, freezing, embedding, sectioning, and staining were optimized to preserve morphology and obtain high-quality laser microdissection samples. The results indicate that perfusion of glioma bearing mice using 30% sucrose provides good morphology and RNA quality. In addition, staining tumor sections with 4% Cresyl violet and 0.5% eosin results in good nuclear and cellular staining, while preserving RNA integrity. The method described is sensitive and highly reproducible and it can be utilized to study tumor morphology in various tumor models. In summary, we describe a complete method to perform LMD that preserves morphology and RNA quality for sequencing to study the molecular features of heterogeneous multicellular structures within solid tumors.

Our laboratory has generated a genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) using the sleeping beauty transposase system (Figure 1A). This system incorporates specific genetic alterations into the genome of neural progenitor cells in neonatal mice. These altered progenitor cells form endogenous glioma tumors. Plasmid sequences used to generate the tumors were: (1) pT2C-LucPGK-SB100X for Sleeping Beauty transposon &#38; luciferase expression, (2) pT2-NRASSV12 for NRAS express...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Laser Capture Microdissection of Glioma Subregions for Spatial and Molecular Characterization of Intratumoral Heterogeneity, Oncostreams, and Invasion at JoVE

Laser Capture Microdissection of Glioma Subregions for Spatial and Molecular Characterization of Intratumoral Heterogeneity, Oncostreams, and Invasion

Laser microdissection (LMD) is a sensitive and highly reproducible technique that can be used to uncover pathways that mediate glioma heterogeneity and invasion. Here, we describe an optimized protocol to isolate discrete areas from glioma tissue using laser LMD followed by transcriptomic analysis.

Gliomas are primary brain tumors characterized by their invasiveness and heterogeneity. Specific histological patterns such as pseudopalisades, ...

laser-capture-microdissection-glioma-subregions-for-spatial-molecular

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

6.8K Views.  University of Michigan Medical School. Laser microdissection (LMD) is a sensitive and highly reproducible technique that can be used to uncover pathways that mediate glioma heterogeneity and invasion. Here, we describe an optimized protocol to isolate discrete areas from glioma tissue using laser LMD followed by transcriptomic analysis.

Video: Laser Capture Microdissection of Glioma Subregions for Spatial and Molecular Characterization of Intratumoral Heterogeneity, Oncostreams, and Invasion

Laser Capture Microdissection of Drosophila Peripheral Neurons

The dendritic arborization (da) neurons of the Drosophila peripheral nervous system (PNS) provide an excellent model system in which to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying class-specific dendrite morphogenesis1,2. To facilitate molecular analyses of class-specific da neuron development, it is vital to obtain these cells in a pure population. Although a range of different cell, and tissue-specific RNA isolation techniques exist for Drosophila cells, including magnetic bead based cell purification3,4, Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorting (FACS)5-8, and RNA binding protein based strategies9, none of these methods can be readily utilized for isolating single or multiple class-specific Drosophila da neurons with a high degree of spatial precision. Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) has emerged as an extremely powerful tool that can be used to isolate specific cell types from tissue sections with a high degree of spatial resolution and accuracy. RNA obtained from isolated cells can then be used for analyses including qRT-PCR and microarray expression profiling within a given cell type10-16. To date, LCM has not been widely applied in the analysis of Drosophila tissues and cells17,18, including da neurons at the third instar larval stage of development. 
Here we present our optimized protocol for isolation of Drosophila da neurons using the infrared (IR) class of LCM. This method allows for the capture of single, class-specific or multiple da neurons with high specificity and spatial resolution. Age-matched third instar larvae expressing a UAS-mCD8::GFP19 transgene under the control of either the class IV da neuron specific ppk-GAL420 driver or the pan-da neuron specific 21-7-GAL421 driver were used for these experiments. RNA obtained from the isolated da neurons is of very high quality and can be directly used for downstream applications, including qRT-PCR or microarray analyses. Furthermore, this LCM protocol can be readily adapted to capture other Drosophila cell types a various stages of development dependent upon the cell type specific, GAL4-driven expression pattern of GFP.

Laser Capture Microdissection of Drosophila Peripheral Neurons

In this video-article we present a method for isolating single or multiple Drosophila da neurons from third instar larvae using the infrared capture (IR) class of Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM). RNA obtained from the isolated neurons can be readily used for downstream applications including qRT-PCR or microarray analyses.

The dendritic arborization (da) neurons of the Drosophila peripheral nervous system (PNS) provide an excellent model system in which to investigate the ...

Non-Laser Capture Microscopy Approach for the Microdissection of Discrete Mouse Brain Regions for Total RNA Isolation and Downstream Next-Generation Sequencing and Gene Expression Profiling

As technological platforms, approaches such as next-generation sequencing, microarray, and qRT-PCR have great promise for expanding our understanding of the breadth of molecular regulation. Newer approaches such as high-resolution RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq)1 provides new and expansive information about tissue- or state-specific expression such as relative transcript levels, alternative splicing, and micro RNAs2-4. Prospects for employing the RNA-Seq method in comparative whole transcriptome profiling5 within discrete tissues or between phenotypically distinct groups of individuals affords new avenues for elucidating molecular mechanisms involved in both normal and abnormal physiological states. Recently, whole transcriptome profiling has been performed on human brain tissue, identifying gene expression differences associated with disease progression6. However, the use of next-generation sequencing has yet to be more widely integrated into mammalian studies.
Gene expression studies in mouse models have reported distinct profiles within various brain nuclei using laser capture microscopy (LCM) for sample excision7,8. While LCM affords sample collection with single-cell and discrete brain region precision, the relatively low total RNA yields from the LCM approach can be prohibitive to RNA-Seq and other profiling approaches in mouse brain tissues and may require sub-optimal sample amplification steps. Here, a protocol is presented for microdissection and total RNA extraction from discrete mouse brain regions. Set-diameter tissue corers are used to isolate 13 tissues from 750-&mu;m serial coronal sections of an individual mouse brain. Tissue micropunch samples are immediately frozen and archived. Total RNA is obtained from the samples using magnetic bead-enabled total RNA isolation technology. Resulting RNA samples have adequate yield and quality for use in downstream expression profiling. This microdissection strategy provides a viable option to existing sample collection strategies for obtaining total RNA from discrete brain regions, opening possibilities for new gene expression discoveries.

Non-Laser Capture Microscopy Approach for the Microdissection of Discrete Mouse Brain Regions for Total RNA Isolation and Downstream Next-Generation Sequencing and Gene Expression Profiling  |

RNA expression profiling of discrete mouse brain regions requires a precise and repeatable tissue collection strategy. A protocol that uses both coronal brain sectioning and tissue corer-assisted microdissection is described here. The yield and quality of total RNA obtained from the resulting samples confirms the utility of the outlined method.

As technological platforms, approaches such as next-generation sequencing, microarray, and qRT-PCR have great promise for expanding our understanding of ...

Laser Capture Microdissection of Enriched Populations of Neurons or Single Neurons for Gene Expression Analysis After Traumatic Brain Injury

Long-term cognitive disability after TBI is associated with injury-induced neurodegeneration in the hippocampus-a region in the medial temporal lobe that is critical for learning, memory and executive function.1,2 Hence our studies focus on gene expression analysis of specific neuronal populations in distinct subregions of the hippocampus. The technique of laser capture microdissection (LCM), introduced in 1996 by Emmert-Buck, et al.,3 has allowed for significant advances in gene expression analysis of single cells and enriched populations of cells from heterogeneous tissues such as the mammalian brain that contains thousands of functional cell types.4 We use LCM and a well established rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to investigate the molecular mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of TBI. Following fluid-percussion TBI, brains are removed at pre-determined times post-injury, immediately frozen on dry ice, and prepared for sectioning in a cryostat. The rat brains can be embedded in OCT and sectioned immediately, or stored several months at -80 &deg;C before sectioning for laser capture microdissection. Additionally, we use LCM to study the effects of TBI on circadian rhythms. For this, we capture neurons from the suprachiasmatic nuclei that contain the master clock of the mammalian brain. Here, we demonstrate the use of LCM to obtain single identified neurons (injured and degenerating, Fluoro-Jade-positive, or uninjured, Fluoro-Jade-negative) and enriched populations of hippocampal neurons for subsequent gene expression analysis by real time PCR and/or whole-genome microarrays. These LCM-enabled studies have revealed that the selective vulnerability of anatomically distinct regions of the rat hippocampus are reflected in the different gene expression profiles of different populations of neurons obtained by LCM from these distinct regions. The results from our single-cell studies, where we compare the transcriptional profiles of dying and adjacent surviving hippocampal neurons, suggest the existence of a cell survival rheostat that regulates cell death and survival after TBI.

We describe how to use laser capture microdissection (LCM) to obtain enriched populations of hippocampal neurons or single neurons from frozen sections of the injured rat brain for subsequent gene expression analysis using quantitative real time PCR and/or whole-genome microarrays.

Long-term cognitive disability after TBI is associated with injury-induced neurodegeneration in the hippocampus-a region in the medial temporal lobe that ...

Laser Capture Microdissection of Neurons from Differentiated Human Neuroprogenitor Cells in Culture

Neuroprogenitor cells (NPCs) isolated from the human fetal brain were expanded under proliferative conditions in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to provide an abundant supply of cells. NPCs were differentiated in the presence of a new combination of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dibutyryl cAMP (DBC) and retinoic acid on dishes coated with poly-L-lysine and mouse laminin to obtain neuron-rich cultures. NPCs were also differentiated in the absence of neurotrophins, DBC and retinoic acid and in the presence of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) to yield astrocyte-rich cultures. Differentiated NPCs were characterized by immunofluorescence staining for a panel of neuronal markers including NeuN, synapsin, acetylcholinesterase, synaptophysin and GAP43. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and STAT3, astrocyte markers, were detected in 10-15% of differentiated NPCs. To facilitate cell-type specific molecular characterization, laser capture microdissection was performed to isolate neurons cultured on polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) membrane slides. The methods described in this study provide valuable tools to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanism of neurodegeneration.

Human neuroprogenitor cells (NPCs) were expanded under proliferating conditions. NPCs were differentiated into neuron-rich cultures in the presence of a combination of neurotrophins. Neuronal markers were detected by immunofluorescence staining. To isolate a pure population of neurons, NPCs were differentiated on PEN membrane slides and laser capture microdissection was performed.

Neuroprogenitor cells (NPCs) isolated from the human fetal brain were expanded under proliferative conditions in the presence of epidermal growth factor ...

Production of RNA for Transcriptomic Analysis from Mouse Spinal Cord Motor Neuron Cell Bodies by Laser Capture Microdissection

Preparation of high-quality RNA from cells of interest is critical to precise and meaningful analysis of transcriptional differences among cell types or between the same cell type in health and disease or following pharmacologic treatments.&#160;In the spinal cord, such preparation from motor neurons, the target of interest in many neurologic and neurodegenerative diseases, is complicated by the fact that motor neurons represent &#60;10% of the total cell population.&#160;Laser capture microdissection (LMD) has been developed to address this problem.&#160;Here, we describe a protocol to quickly recover, freeze, and section mouse spinal cord to avoid RNA damage by endogenous and exogenous RNases, followed by staining with Azure B in 70% ethanol to identify the motor neurons while keeping endogenous RNase inhibited.&#160;LMD is then used to capture the stained neurons directly into guanidine thiocyanate lysis buffer, maintaining RNA integrity.&#160;Standard techniques are used to recover the total RNA and measure its integrity.&#160;This material can then be used for downstream analysis of the transcripts by RNA-seq and qRT-PCR.

High-quality total RNA has been prepared from cell bodies of mouse spinal cord motor neurons by laser capture microdissection after staining spinal cord sections with Azure B in 70% ethanol.&#160;Sufficient RNA (~40-60 ng) is recovered from 3,000-4,000 motor neurons to allow downstream RNA analysis by RNA-seq and qRT-PCR.

Preparation of high-quality RNA from cells of interest is critical to precise and meaningful analysis of transcriptional differences among cell types or ...

Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder with poorly understood pathophysiology and typically treated with the mood stabilizer, lithium carbonate. Animal studies as well as human genetic studies indicate that lithium affects molecular targets that are involved in neuronal growth, survival and maturation, and notably molecules involved in Wnt signaling. Given the ethical challenge to obtaining brain biopsies for investigating dynamic molecular changes associated with lithium-response in the central nervous system (CNS), one may consider the use of neurons obtained from olfactory tissues to achieve this goal.The olfactory epithelium contains olfactory receptor neurons at different stages of development and glial-like supporting cells. This provides a unique opportunity to study dynamic changes in the CNS of patients with neuropsychiatric diseases, using olfactory tissue safely obtained from nasal biopsies. To overcome the drawback posed by substantial contamination of biopsied olfactory tissue with non-neuronal cells, a novel approach to obtain enriched neuronal cell populations was developed by combining nasal biopsies with laser-capture microdissection. In this study, a system for investigating treatment-associated dynamic molecular changes in neuronal tissue was developed and validated, using a small pilot sample of BD patients recruited for the study of the molecular mechanisms of lithium treatment response.

In this study, a novel platform to investigate intraneuronal molecular signatures of treatment response in bipolar disorder (BD) was developed and validated. Olfactory epithelium from BD patients was obtained through nasal biopsies. Then laser-capture microdissection was combined with Real Time RT PCR to investigate the molecular signature of lithium response in BD.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder with poorly understood pathophysiology and typically treated with the mood stabilizer, lithium ...

Laser Capture Microdissection - A Demonstration of the Isolation of Individual Dopamine Neurons and the Entire Ventral Tegmental Area

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is used to isolate a concentrated population of individual cells or precise anatomical regions of tissue from tissue sections on a microscope slide. When combined with immunohistochemistry, LCM can be used to isolate individual cells types based on a specific protein marker. Here, the LCM technique is described for collecting a specific population of dopamine neurons directly labeled with&#160;tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry and for isolation of the dopamine neuron containing region of the ventral tegmental area using indirect tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry on a section adjacent to those used for LCM. An infrared (IR) capture laser is used to both dissect individual neurons as well as the ventral tegmental area off glass slides and onto an LCM cap for analysis. Complete dehydration of the tissue with 100% ethanol and xylene is critical. The combination of the IR capture laser and the ultraviolet (UV) cutting laser is used to isolate individual dopamine neurons or the ventral tegmental area when using PEN membrane slides. A PEN membrane slide has significant advantages over a glass slide as it offers better consistency in capturing and collecting cells, is faster collecting large pieces of tissue, is less reliant on dehydration and results in complete removal of the tissue from the slide. Although removal of large areas of tissue from a glass slide is feasible, it is considerably more time consuming and frequently leaves some residual tissue behind. Data shown here demonstrate that RNA of sufficient quantity and quality can be obtained using these procedures for quantitative PCR measurements. Although RNA and DNA are the most commonly isolated molecules from tissue and cells collected with LCM, isolation and measurement of microRNA, protein and epigenetic changes in DNA can also benefit from the enhanced anatomical and cellular resolution obtained using LCM.

The isolation of individual dopamine neurons or the ventral tegmental area with direct or indirect immunohistochemistry is demonstrated using laser capture microdissection. Parameters for isolation of tissue from a glass slide using an infrared laser and from membrane slides using the combination of an infrared and ultraviolet laser are discussed.

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is used to isolate a concentrated population of individual cells or precise anatomical regions of tissue from tissue ...

Stereotactic Atlas-Guided Laser Capture Microdissection of Brain Regions Affected by Traumatic Injury

The ability to isolate specific brain regions of interest can be impeded in tissue disassociation techniques that do not preserve their spatial distribution. Such techniques also potentially skew gene expression analysis because the process itself can alter expression patterns in individual cells. Here we describe a laser capture microdissection (LCM) method to selectively collect specific brain regions affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) by using a modified Nissl (cresyl violet) staining protocol and the guidance of a rat brain atlas. LCM provides access to brain regions in their native positions and the ability to use anatomical landmarks for identification of each specific region. To this end, LCM has been used previously to examine brain region specific gene expression in TBI. This protocol allows examination of TBI-induced alterations in gene and microRNA expression in distinct brain areas within the same animal. The principles of this protocol can be amended and applied to a wide range of studies examining genomic expression in other disease and/or animal models.

We describe the use of laser capture microdissection to obtain samples of distinct cell populations from different brain regions for gene and microRNA analysis. This technique allows the study of differential effects of traumatic brain injury in specific regions of the rat brain.

The ability to isolate specific brain regions of interest can be impeded in tissue disassociation techniques that do not preserve their spatial ...

Optimization of Laser-Capture Microdissection for the Isolation of Enteric Ganglia from Fresh-Frozen Human Tissue

The purpose of this method is to obtain high-integrity RNA samples from enteric ganglia collected from unfixed, freshly-resected human intestinal tissue using laser capture microdissection (LCM). We have identified five steps in the workflow that are crucial for obtaining RNA isolates from enteric ganglia with sufficiently high quality and quantity for RNA-seq. First, when preparing intestinal tissue, each sample must have all excess liquid removed by blotting prior to flattening the serosa as much as possible across the bottom of large base molds. Samples are then quickly frozen atop a slurry of dry ice and 2-methylbutane. Second, when sectioning the tissue, it is important to position cryomolds so that intestinal sections parallel the full plane of the myenteric plexus, thereby yielding the greatest surface area of enteric ganglia per slide. Third, during LCM, polyethylene napthalate (PEN)-membrane slides offer the greatest speed and flexibility in outlining the non-uniform shapes of enteric ganglia when collecting enteric ganglia. Fourth, for distinct visualization of enteric ganglia within sections, ethanol-compatible dyes, like Cresyl Violet, offer excellent preservation of RNA integrity relative to aqueous dyes. Finally, for the extraction of RNA from captured ganglia, we observed differences between commercial RNA extraction kits that yielded superior RNA quantity and quality, while eliminating DNA contamination. Optimization of these factors in the current protocol greatly accelerates the workflow and yields enteric ganglia samples with exceptional RNA quality and quantity.

The goal of this protocol is to obtain high-integrity RNA samples from enteric ganglia isolated from unfixed, freshly-resected human intestinal tissue using laser capture microdissection (LCM). This protocol involves preparing flash-frozen samples of human intestinal tissue, cryosectioning, ethanolic staining and dehydration, LCM, and RNA extraction.

The purpose of this method is to obtain high-integrity RNA samples from enteric ganglia collected from unfixed, freshly-resected human intestinal tissue ...

A Stainless Protocol for High Quality RNA Isolation from Laser Capture Microdissected Purkinje Cells in the Human Post-Mortem Cerebellum

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is an advantageous tool that allows for the collection of cytologically and/or phenotypically relevant cells or regions from heterogenous tissues. Captured product can be used in a variety of molecular methods for protein, DNA or RNA isolation. However, preservation of RNA from postmortem human brain tissue is especially challenging. Standard visualization techniques for LCM require histologic or immunohistochemical staining procedures that can further degrade RNA. Therefore, we designed a stainless protocol for visualization in LCM with the intended purpose of preserving RNA integrity in post-mortem human brain tissue. The Purkinje cell of the cerebellum is a good candidate for stainless visualization, due to its size and characteristic location. The cerebellar cortex has distinct layers that differ in cell density, making them a good archetype to identify under high magnification microscopy. Purkinje cells are large neurons situated between the granule cell layer, which is a densely cellular network of small neurons, and the molecular layer, which is sparse in cell bodies. Because of this architecture, the use of stainless visualization is feasible. Other organ or cell systems that mimic this phenotype would also be suitable. The stainless protocol is designed to fix fresh-frozen tissue with ethanol and remove lipids with xylene for improved morphological visualization under high magnification light microscopy. This protocol does not account for other fixation methods and is specifically designed for fresh-frozen tissue samples captured using an ultraviolet (UV)-LCM system. Here, we present a full protocol for sectioning and fixing fresh frozen post-mortem human cerebellar tissue and purification of RNA from Purkinje cells isolated by UV-LCM, while preserving RNA quality for subsequent RNA-sequencing. In our hands, this protocol produces exceptional levels of cellular visualization without the need for staining reagents and yields RNA with high RNA integrity numbers (&#8805;8) as needed for transcriptional profiling experiments.

This protocol uses a stain-free approach to visualize and isolate Purkinje cells in fresh-frozen tissue from human post-mortem cerebellum via laser capture microdissection. The purpose of this protocol is to generate sufficient amounts of high-quality RNA for RNA-sequencing.

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is an advantageous tool that allows for the collection of cytologically and/or phenotypically relevant cells or ...