M.S. and Y.Z. are supported by KCL and KCL-China PhD studentships. M.O. was funded by a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council PhD studentship. We thank Masaru Okabe and Jun-ichi Miyazaki for the pCX-EGFP plasmid and Alain Chedotal and Athena Ypsilanti for valuable advice on electroporation.

This procedure is in accordance with the UK Home Office Regulations (Animal Scientific Procedures Act, 1986). Scientists should follow the guidelines established and approved by their institutional and national animal regulatory organizations.
1. Postnatal Electroporation
1.1. Preparation of Glass Capillaries, DNA Solution and Electroporator
<ol>
	<li>Prepare pulled glass capillaries (O.D.: 1.5 mm, I.D.: 0.86 mm) for DNA injection. (Indicative settings for a Sutter P...

<ol>
	<li>Ming, G. L., Song, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adult+neurogenesis+in+the+mammalian+brain:+significant+answers+and+significant+questions.">Adult neurogenesis in the mammalian brain: significant answers and significant questions.</a> Neuron. 70, 687-702 (2011).</li><li>Deng, W., Aimone, J. B., Gage, F. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=New+neurons+and+new+memories:+how+does+adult+hippocampal+neurogenesis+affect+learning+and.">New neurons and new memories: how does adult hippocampal neurogenesis affect learning and.</a> 11, 339-350 (2010).</li><li>Lazarini, F., Lledo, P. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Is+adult+neurogenesis+essential+for+olfaction?.">Is adult neurogenesis essential for olfaction?.</a> Trends Neurosci. 34, 20-30 (2011).</li><li>Arvidsson, A., Collin, T., Kirik, D., Kokaia, Z., Lindvall, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neuronal+replacement+from+endogenous+precursors+in+the+adult+brain+after+stroke.">Neuronal replacement from endogenous precursors in the adult brain after stroke.</a> Nat. Med. 8, 963-970 (2002).</li><li>Emsley, J. 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F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanisms+of+subventricular+zone+expansion+after+focal+cortical+ischemic+injury.">Mechanisms of subventricular zone expansion after focal cortical ischemic injury.</a> J. Comp. Neurol. 488, 201-214 (2005).</li><li>Goings, G. E., Sahni, V., Szele, F. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Migration+patterns+of+subventricular+zone+cells+in+adult+mice+change+after+cerebral+cortex+injury.">Migration patterns of subventricular zone cells in adult mice change after cerebral cortex injury.</a> Brain Res. 996, 213-226 (2004).</li><li>Romanko, M. 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=Roles+of+the+mammalian+subventricular+zone+in+cell+replacement+after+brain+injury.">Roles of the mammalian subventricular zone in cell replacement after brain injury.</a> Prog. Neurobiol. 74, 77-99 (2004).</li><li>Saito, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+electroporation+in+the+embryonic+mouse+central+nervous+system.">In vivo electroporation in the embryonic mouse central nervous system.</a> Nat. Protoc. 1, 1552-1558 (2006).</li><li>Boutin, C., Diestel, S., Desoeuvre, A., Tiveron, M. 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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=NMDA+receptors+activated+by+subventricular+zone+astrocytic+glutamate+are+critical+for+neuroblast+survival+prior+to+entering+a+synaptic+network.">NMDA receptors activated by subventricular zone astrocytic glutamate are critical for neuroblast survival prior to entering a synaptic network.</a> Neuron. 65, 859-872 (2010).</li><li>Pathania, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=miR-132+enhances+dendritic+morphogenesis,+spine+density,+synaptic+integration,+and+survival+of+newborn+olfactory+bulb+neurons.">miR-132 enhances dendritic morphogenesis, spine density, synaptic integration, and survival of newborn olfactory bulb neurons.</a> PloS One. 7, e38174 (2012).</li><li>dal Maschio, M., M, , et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-performance+and+site-directed+in+utero+electroporation+by+a+triple-electrode+probe.">High-performance and site-directed in utero electroporation by a triple-electrode probe.</a> Nat. Commun. 3, 960 (2012).</li><li>Oudin, M. 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=Endocannabinoids+regulate+the+migration+of+subventricular+zone-derived+neuroblasts+in+the+postnatal+brain.">Endocannabinoids regulate the migration of subventricular zone-derived neuroblasts in the postnatal brain.</a> J. Neurosci. 31, 4000-4011 (2011).</li><li>Lacar, B., Young, S. Z., Platel, J. C., Bordey, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Imaging+and+recording+subventricular+zone+progenitor+cells+in+live+tissue+of+postnatal+mice.">Imaging and recording subventricular zone progenitor cells in live tissue of postnatal mice.</a> Front. Neurosci. 4, (2010).</li><li>Feliciano, D. M., Lafourcade, C. 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Efficient migration of neural progenitors along the RMS ensures their subsequent maturation into functional neurons10. Prominent streams of neural progenitors directed towards the OB are visible in human infancy and are likely to play an important role in early postnatal human brain development27. Moreover, these cells are able to target sites of the brain affected by injury and neurodegeneration4,28. Being able to monitor in real time the effect of gene manipulation on neuroblast dynamic...

In the mammalian brain, the generation of new neurons (neurogenesis) occurs after birth mainly in two regions, the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus1. Considerable evidence gathered in recent years supports a critical role for postnatal neurogenesis in hippocampal and olfactory bulb memory functions1-3. Importantly, postnatal neurogenesis also holds therapeutic potential because of its relationship with degenerative neurological disorders, and the ability of neuroblasts to migrate to injured sites in the brain4-6.
The subventricular zone (SVZ) has recently emerged as a crucial neurogenic niche. SVZ-derived neuroblasts migrate towards the olfactory bulb (OB) via the rostral migratory stream (RMS), making this the longest migration process in the postnatal brain1,7,8. The mammalian SVZ/RMS/OB system has become a useful model to study different steps in neurogenesis, such as proliferation, migration and differentiation1,8. Many growth factors and extracellular cues regulate SVZ neurogenesis and migration along the RMS, but the intracellular molecular mechanisms are far from being fully understood1,9. Proper migration along the RMS is crucial for the subsequent maturation of newborn neurons10. Additionally, some studies have shown that SVZ-derived neuroblasts can migrate out of the RMS to brain injury sites4-6,11-13. Thus, investigating the signalling mechanisms regulating neuroblast migration is fundamental not only to understand neurogenesis but also for potential therapeutic applications.
Here, we describe a detailed protocol to label SVZ neural progenitors by in vivo postnatal electroporation and monitor their migration along the RMS in acute brain slice cultures using time-lapse spinning disk confocal microscopy. Electroporation is widely used in developmental studies from embryonic to adult stages14-18. It is a powerful tool to target and manipulate SVZ neural progenitors and represents a cheaper and considerably faster alternative to stereotactic injection of viral vectors or generation of transgenic models1,15,19,20. It is a relatively simple procedure that does not need surgery and has high survival rates. Electroporation of shRNA or CRE recombinase-expressing plasmids in mouse genetic models employing the LoxP system can be used to target genes of interest or to achieve permanent labeling of SVZ progenitors, thus representing a useful tool for adult neurogenesis studies21,22.
Imaging RMS neuroblast migration in the intact brain is still challenging due to current technical limitations. However, this process can be monitored using confocal spinning disk time-lapse microscopy of acute brain slices, which provide a suitable system closely resembling the in vivo condition also amenable to pharmacological manipulation23,24. Coupling in vivo postnatal electroporation with time-lapse imaging will facilitate the understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling neuroblast motility and contribute to the development of novel approaches to promote brain repair.

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	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:344px;">Millicell</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Millipore</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">PICM0RG50</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">35 mm Glass bottom culture dish</td>
			<td>MatTek</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">P35G-0-14-C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Gey&#39;s Balanced media</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Sigma</td>
			<td>G9779-500ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Glucose, 45%</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Sigma</td>
			<td>G8769-100ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">HEPES</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Sigma</td>
			<td>H3375-25G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Pen/Strep</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">GIBCO</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">15140-122</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">FCS</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">GIBCO</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">10109-163</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="height:24px;">B27 supplement</td>
			<td style="width:195px;"><a>Invitrogen Life Technologies</a></td>
			<td>17504044</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="23">
			<td height="23" style="height:23px;">L-Glutamine</td>
			<td style="width:195px;"><a>Invitrogen Life Technologies</a></td>
			<td>25030-081</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">DMEM (phenol red-free)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">GIBCO</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">31053-028</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Fast Green</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Sigma</td>
			<td>F7252-5G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:344px;">Glass capillaries for injection</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">30-0057</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:344px;">Aspirator tube</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">A5177</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Sutter P-97 capillary puller</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Sutter Instrument</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">P-97</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:344px;">ECM830 Square Wave Electroporator</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">45-0052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:344px;">Platinum Tweezertrodes 7 mm</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">45-0488</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:344px;">Footswitch Model 1250F</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">45-0211</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Gel for electrodes</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Cefar Compex</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">6602048</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Isoflurane</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Merial</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">AP/DRUGS/220/96</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Vibratome</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Leica</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">VT1000S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Glue</td>
			<td>Roti coll</td>
			<td>Roti coll 1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">UltraViEW VoX spinning disk system</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Perkin Elmer</td>
			<td style="width:149px;"></td>
			<td>Customized setup (multiple laser sources can be used) equipped with Hamamatsu ORCA R2 C10600-10B CCD camera</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:344px;">Volocity software</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Perkin Elmer</td>
			<td style="width:149px;"></td>
			<td>Acquisition, Quantitation, Visualization Modules</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:344px;">Environmental chamber for microscopy</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Solent Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:149px;"></td>
			<td>Custom-made</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:344px;">Ti-E inverted microscope</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Nikon</td>
			<td style="width:149px;"></td>
			<td>CFI Super Plan Fluor ELWD 20X/0.45 NA objective is recommended for the application described in this paper</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

in vivo postnatal electroporation and time-lapse imaging of neuroblast migration in mouse acute brain slices

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is one of the main neurogenic niches in the postnatal brain. Here, neural progenitors proliferate and give rise to neuroblasts able to move along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) towards the olfactory bulb (OB). This long-distance migration is required for the subsequent maturation of newborn neurons in the OB, but the molecular mechanisms regulating this process are still unclear. Investigating the signaling pathways controlling neuroblast motility may not only help understand a fundamental step in neurogenesis, but also have therapeutic regenerative potential, given the ability of these neuroblasts to target brain sites affected by injury, stroke, or degeneration.
In this manuscript we describe a detailed protocol for in vivo postnatal electroporation and subsequent time-lapse imaging of neuroblast migration in the mouse RMS. Postnatal electroporation can efficiently transfect SVZ progenitor cells, which in turn generate neuroblasts migrating along the RMS. Using confocal spinning disk time-lapse microscopy on acute brain slice cultures, neuroblast migration can be monitored in an environment closely resembling the in vivo condition. Moreover, neuroblast motility can be tracked and quantitatively analyzed. As an example, we describe how to use in vivo postnatal electroporation of a GFP-expressing plasmid to label and visualize neuroblasts migrating along the RMS. Electroporation of shRNA or CRE recombinase-expressing plasmids in conditional knockout mice employing the LoxP system can also be used to target genes of interest. Pharmacological manipulation of acute brain slice cultures can be performed to investigate the role of different signaling molecules in neuroblast migration. By coupling in vivo electroporation with time-lapse imaging, we hope to understand the molecular mechanisms controlling neuroblast motility and contribute to the development of novel approaches to promote brain repair.

Labeling of SVZ-derived migratory neuroblasts can be observed along the RMS, usually 4-8 days after a successful electroporation (Figure 1B). Longer time points can also be chosen, but less cells will be found in the RMS since most of them will have entered the OB. Neuroblasts start acquiring typical morphology and features of mature granule cells in the OB around 2-3 weeks after electroporation (not shown). After culturing for ~1 hr, brain slices from electroporated mouse pups can be reliably imaged for...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about In vivo Postnatal Electroporation and Time-lapse Imaging of Neuroblast Migration in Mouse Acute Brain Slices at JoVE.com

In vivo Postnatal Electroporation and Time-lapse Imaging of Neuroblast Migration in Mouse Acute Brain Slices

Neuroblast migration is a fundamental event in postnatal neurogenesis. We describe a protocol for efficient labeling of neuroblasts by in vivo postnatal electroporation and subsequent visualization of their migration using time-lapse imaging of acute brain slices. We include a description for the quantitative analysis of neuroblast dynamics by video tracking.

In vivo Postnatal Electroporation and Time-lapse Imaging of Neuroblast Migration in Mouse Acute Brain Slices

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is one of the main neurogenic niches in the postnatal brain. Here, neural progenitors proliferate and give rise to ...

in-vivo-postnatal-electroporation-time-lapse-imaging-neuroblast

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

13.1K visualizações.  King's College London.  Migração neuroblastos é um evento fundamental para a neurogênese pós-natal. Nós descrevemos um protocolo para a rotulagem eficiente de neuroblastos por eletroporação in vivo pós-natal e visualização posterior de sua migração utilizando time-lapse de imagens de fatias cerebrais agudas. Nós incluímos uma descrição para a análise quantitativa da dinâmica neuroblastos por rastreamento de vídeo. 