We would like to thank Erica Lorenzetti for technical assistance on the injections and Irene Costantini for making figure 1. The research leading to these results has received funding from LASERLABEUROPE (Grant 284464, European Commission&#8217;s Seventh Framework Programme). This research project has also been supported by the Italian Ministry for Education, University and Research in the framework of the Flagship Project NANOMAX and by Italian Ministry of Health in the framework of the &#8220;Stem Cells Call for Proposals.&#8221; This work is part of the research activities of the European Flagship Human Brain Project and has been carried out in the framework of the International Center of Computational Neurophotonics foundation supported by &#8220;Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze&#8221;.

1. Axonal Labeling
<ol>
	<li>Climbing fibers can be labeled by injecting either organic dyes conjugated to high molecular weight dextrans or plasmid/viruses that induce the expression of fluorescent proteins26-29. In this protocol, the organic dye Alexa Fluor Dextran 488 is injected into the inferior olive to label climbing fibers and visualize them in the cerebellar cortex (Figure 1). All the procedures described here have been approved by the Italian Ministry of Health.</li>
	<li>Prepare t...

<ol>
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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=In+vivo+single+branch+axotomy+induces+GAP-43-dependent+sprouting+and+synaptic+remodeling+in+cerebellar+cortex.">In vivo single branch axotomy induces GAP-43-dependent sprouting and synaptic remodeling in cerebellar cortex.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 110, 10824-10829 (2013).</li><li>Ylera, B., 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=Chronically+CNS-injured+adult+sensory+neurons+gain+regenerative+competence+upon+a+lesion+of+their+peripheral+axon.">Chronically CNS-injured adult sensory neurons gain regenerative competence upon a lesion of their peripheral axon.</a> Curr Biol. 19, 930-936 (2009).</li><li>Canty, A. 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=In-vivo+single+neuron+axotomy+triggers+axon+regeneration+to+restore+synaptic+density+in+specific+cortical+circuits.">In-vivo single neuron axotomy triggers axon regeneration to restore synaptic density in specific cortical circuits.</a> Nat Commun. 4, 2038 (2013).</li><li>Canty, A. 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=Synaptic+elimination+and+protection+after+minimal+injury+depend+on+cell+type+and+their+prelesion+structural+dynamics+in+the+adult+cerebral+cortex.">Synaptic elimination and protection after minimal injury depend on cell type and their prelesion structural dynamics in the adult cerebral cortex.</a> J Neurosci. 33, 10374-10383 (2013).</li><li>Waller, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Experiments+on+the+Section+of+the+Glossopharyngeal+and+Hypoglossal+Nerves+of+the+Frog,+and+Observations+of+the+Alterations+Produced+Thereby+in+the+Structure+of+Their+Primitive+Fibres.">Experiments on the Section of the Glossopharyngeal and Hypoglossal Nerves of the Frog, and Observations of the Alterations Produced Thereby in the Structure of Their Primitive Fibres.</a> Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. 140, 423-429 .</li><li>Hilliard, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Axonal+degeneration+and+regeneration+a+mechanistic+tug+of+war.">Axonal degeneration and regeneration a mechanistic tug of war.</a> J Neurochem. 108, 23-32 (2009).</li><li>Kerschensteiner, M., Schwab, M. E., Lichtman, J. W., Misgeld, 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+imaging+of+axonal+degeneration+and+regeneration+in+the+injured+spinal+cord.">In vivo imaging of axonal degeneration and regeneration in the injured spinal cord.</a> Nat Med. 11, 572-577 (2005).</li><li>Luo, L., O'Leary, D. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Axon+retraction+and+degeneration+in+development+and+disease.">Axon retraction and degeneration in development and disease.</a> Annu Rev Neurosci. 28, 127-156 (2005).</li><li>Chauvet, N., Prieto, M., Alonso, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tanycytes+present+in+the+adult+rat+mediobasal+hypothalamus+support+the+regeneration+of+monoaminergic+axons.">Tanycytes present in the adult rat mediobasal hypothalamus support the regeneration of monoaminergic axons.</a> Exp Neurol. 151, 1-13 (1998).</li><li>Morrison, E. E., Costanzo, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regeneration+of+olfactory+sensory+neurons+and+reconnection+in+the+aging+hamster+central+nervous+system.">Regeneration of olfactory sensory neurons and reconnection in the aging hamster central nervous system.</a> Neurosci Lett. 198, 213-217 (1995).</li><li>Cafferty, W. B., McGee, A. W., Strittmatter, S. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Axonal+growth+therapeutics+regeneration+or+sprouting+or+plasticity.">Axonal growth therapeutics regeneration or sprouting or plasticity.</a> Trends Neurosci. 31, 215-220 (2008).</li><li>Svoboda, K., Yasuda, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Principles+of+Two-Photon+Excitation+Microscopy+and+Its+Applications+to+Neuroscience.">Principles of Two-Photon Excitation Microscopy and Its Applications to Neuroscience.</a> Neuron. 50, 823-839 (2006).</li><li>Feng, G., 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=Imaging+neuronal+subsets+in+transgenic+mice+expressing+multiple+spectral+variants+of+GFP.">Imaging neuronal subsets in transgenic mice expressing multiple spectral variants of GFP.</a> Neuron. 28, 41-51 (2000).</li><li>Tomomura, M., Rice, D. S., Morgan, J. I., Yuzaki, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Purification+of+Purkinje+cells+by+fluorescence-activated+cell+sorting+from+transgenic+mice+that+express+green+fluorescent+protein.">Purification of Purkinje cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting from transgenic mice that express green fluorescent protein.</a> Eur J Neurosci. 14, 57-63 (2001).</li><li>De Paola, V., Arber, S., Caroni, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=AMPA+receptors+regulate+dynamic+equilibrium+of+presynaptic+terminals+in+mature+hippocampal+networks.">AMPA receptors regulate dynamic equilibrium of presynaptic terminals in mature hippocampal networks.</a> Nat Neurosci. 6, 491-500 (2003).</li><li>Holtmaat, A., Svoboda, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Experience-dependent+structural+synaptic+plasticity+in+the+mammalian+brain.">Experience-dependent structural synaptic plasticity in the mammalian brain.</a> Nature reviews. Neuroscience. 10, 647-658 (2009).</li><li>De Paola, 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=Cell+type-specific+structural+plasticity+of+axonal+branches+and+boutons+in+the+adult+neocortex.">Cell type-specific structural plasticity of axonal branches and boutons in the adult neocortex.</a> Neuron. 49, 861-875 (2006).</li><li>Allegra Mascaro, A., Sacconi, L., Pavone, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multi-photon+nanosurgery+in+live+brain.">Multi-photon nanosurgery in live brain.</a> Frontiers in neuroenergetics. 2, 21 (2010).</li><li>Rossi, F., van der Want, J., Wiklund, L., Strata, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reinnervation+of+cerebellar+Purkinje+cells+by+climbing+fibres+surviving+a+subtotal+lesion+of+the+inferior+olive+in+the+adult+rat.+II.+Synaptic+organization+on+reinnervated+Purkinje+cells.">Reinnervation of cerebellar Purkinje cells by climbing fibres surviving a subtotal lesion of the inferior olive in the adult rat. II. Synaptic organization on reinnervated Purkinje cells.</a> The Journal of comparative neurology. 308, 536-554 (1991).</li><li>Carulli, D., Buffo, A., Strata, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reparative+mechanisms+in+the+cerebellar+cortex.">Reparative mechanisms in the cerebellar cortex.</a> Progress in neurobiology. 72, 373-398 (2004).</li><li>Grasselli, G., Mandolesi, G., Strata, P., Cesare, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impaired+sprouting+and+axonal+atrophy+in+cerebellar+climbing+fibres+following+in+vivo+silencing+of+the+growth-associated+protein+GAP-43.">Impaired sprouting and axonal atrophy in cerebellar climbing fibres following in vivo silencing of the growth-associated protein GAP-43.</a> PLoS One. 6, e20791 (2011).</li><li>Nishiyama, H., Fukaya, M., Watanabe, M., Linden, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Axonal+motility+and+its+modulation+by+activity+are+branch-type+specific+in+the+intact+adult+cerebellum.">Axonal motility and its modulation by activity are branch-type specific in the intact adult cerebellum.</a> Neuron. 56, 472-487 (2007).</li><li>Shinoda, Y., Sugihara, I., Wu, H. S., Sugiuchi, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+entire+trajectory+of+single+climbing+and+mossy+fibers+in+the+cerebellar+nuclei+and+cortex.">The entire trajectory of single climbing and mossy fibers in the cerebellar nuclei and cortex.</a> Prog Brain Res. 124, 173-186 (2000).</li><li>Strata, P., Tempia, F., Zagrebelsky, M., Rossi, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reciprocal+trophic+interactions+between+climbing+fibres+and+Purkinje+cells+in+the+rat+cerebellum.">Reciprocal trophic interactions between climbing fibres and Purkinje cells in the rat cerebellum.</a> Prog Brain Res. 114, 263-282 (1997).</li><li>Mostany, R., Portera-Cailliau, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+craniotomy+surgery+procedure+for+chronic+brain+imaging.">A craniotomy surgery procedure for chronic brain imaging.</a> J Vis Exp. (12), (2008).</li></ol>

We have nothing to disclose.

This protocol shows how to label neurons of the inferior olive with a fluorescent dye. Subsequently, the method to perform a cranial window on the cerebellar cortex is described. This technique provides optical access to the terminal portion of olivocerebellar neurons, the climbing fibers. Unfortunately, the outcome of both labeling and craniotomy surgery is quite low even in the hands of skilled operators (usually 1 out of 3 mice is labeled, and 1 out of 3 cranial windows remains clear after 1-2 weeks).
<p class="jo...

Axonal transection resulting from mechanical injury, toxic insult or neurodegenerative diseases is usually followed by degeneration of the distal part of the axon that is detached from the cell body10-13. With a few exceptions2,7,14,15, severed axons in the CNS of adult animals are usually unable to activate a regrowth program16.
Little is known about the real-time dynamics of degenerative events at the cellular and subcellular level. The development of new strategies for limiting neuronal damage and promoting neuronal regrowth requires, as a first step, clarifying the mechanism by which singularly injured neuronal cells degenerate and regenerate. This study is most directly addressed by monitoring the dynamics of a single neuron in vivo. While one-photon fluorescence imaging techniques are limited by intense scattering of visible light, two-photon excitation reaches deep cortical layers in live mice with subcellular resolution3,4,17. Taking advantage of transgenic mice in which fluorescent proteins are selectively expressed in subpopulations of neurons18-20, TPF microscopy has been applied to the exploration of synaptic plasticity and axonal elongation during development in vivo21,22.The capability of singularly damaged neurons to regrow after injury can be investigated by coupling in vivo monitoring by two-photon imaging with a model of injury specifically targeted to the axon of interest. Multi-photon absorption of femtosecond pulses has been used to disrupt single dendrites or even single spines5,23. Moreover, this injury paradigm allows cutting single axonal branches without disrupting the contacting dendrite6. Within the context of dissecting the features that allow specific neuronal population to regenerate their axons once damaged, cerebellar climbing fibers (CFs) are a useful model since they retain remarkable plastic properties after injury even in adult animals24,25. Recently, long-term imaging of CFs showed that these axons are capable of regrowing in the days that follow laser axotomy6.
This protocol describes how to label olivocerebellar neurons and their axonal elongation through anterograde tracing. Once the neurons of interest are fluorescently labeled, they can be monitored repeatedly at arbitrary time points for weeks or months under a cranial window. The procedure to dissect single axonal branches by laser axotomy in vivo will then be illustrated.
The techniques presented here provide new insights into the mechanism of axonal remodeling in vivo and may help the development of therapeutic strategies to limit neuronal degeneration and promote axonal regrowth.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Lab standard stereotaxic, rat and mouse</td>
			<td>Stoelting&#160;</td>
			<td>51670</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Borosilicate glass with filament</td>
			<td>Sutter Instrument Inc</td>
			<td>BF100-50-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Germinator 500 (Glass bead sterilizer)</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microinjection dispense system</td>
			<td>Picospritzer</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Small diameter round cover glass, #1 thickness, 3 mm, 100 pack (CS-3R)</td>
			<td>Warner Instruments&#160;</td>
			<td>64-0720</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ti:Sapphire laser, 120 fs width pulses,&#160; 90 MHz repetition rate</td>
			<td>Coherent</td>
			<td>Chameleon&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spongostan, haemostatic sponge&#160;</td>
			<td>Ferrosan</td>
			<td>MS0005</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Galvanometric mirrors&#160;</td>
			<td>GSI Lumonics</td>
			<td>VM500+</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Objective&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;Olympus</td>
			<td>XLUMPLFLN 20XW</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Piezoelectric stage&#160;</td>
			<td>Physik Instrumente</td>
			<td>P-721</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Photomultiplier modules&#160;</td>
			<td>Hamamatsu Photonics</td>
			<td>H7710-13</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LabVIEW System Design Software</td>
			<td>National Instruments</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Voren, 1 mg/ml (dexamethasone-21- isonicotinate)</td>
			<td>Boheringer Ingelheim</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rymadil (carprofen)&#160;</td>
			<td>Pfizer</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lidocaine clorohydrate 2%</td>
			<td>ATI</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa488 dextran</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>D22910</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

laser nanosurgery of cerebellar axons in vivo

Only a few neuronal populations in the central nervous system (CNS) of adult mammals show local regrowth upon dissection of their axon. In order to understand the mechanism that promotes neuronal regeneration, an in-depth analysis of the neuronal types that can remodel after injury is needed. Several studies showed that damaged climbing fibers are capable of regrowing also in adult animals1,2. The investigation of the time-lapse dynamics of degeneration and regeneration of these axons within their complex environment can be performed by time-lapse two-photon fluorescence (TPF) imaging in vivo3,4. This technique is here combined with laser surgery, which proved to be a highly selective tool to disrupt fluorescent structures in the intact mouse cortex5-9.
This protocol describes how to perform TPF time-lapse imaging and laser nanosurgery of single axonal branches in the cerebellum in vivo. Olivocerebellar neurons are labeled by anterograde tracing with a dextran-conjugated dye and then monitored by TPF imaging through a cranial window. The terminal portion of their axons are then dissected by irradiation with a Ti:Sapphire laser at high power. The degeneration and potential regrowth of the damaged neuron are monitored by TPF in vivo imaging during the days following the injury.

This protocol described how to perform axonal labeling, in vivo imaging and laser axotomy on single neurons. The timeline of the experiment is shown in Figure 1.
An example of CFs labeled with Alexa Fluor 488 Dextran and visualized under the cranial window by in vivo two-photon microscopy is reported in Figure 2. As previously reported6,27, the ascending branches display a high stability throughout the observation period of several...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Laser Nanosurgery of Cerebellar Axons In Vivo at JoVE.com

Laser Nanosurgery of Cerebellar Axons In Vivo

Two-photon imaging, coupled to laser nanodissection, are useful tools to study degenerative and regenerative processes in the central nervous system with subcellular resolution. This protocol shows how to label, image, and dissect single climbing fibers in the cerebellar cortex in vivo.

Laser Nanosurgery of Cerebellar Axons In Vivo

Only a few neuronal populations in the central nervous system (CNS) of adult mammals show local regrowth upon dissection of their axon. In order to ...

laser-nanosurgery-of-cerebellar-axons-in-vivo

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Neuroscience

8.1K visualizações.  University of Florence.  Imagem de dois fótons, acoplado a nanodissection laser, são ferramentas úteis para estudar processos degenerativos e regenerativos no sistema nervoso central, com resolução subcelular. Este protocolo mostra como rotular, imagem e dissecar fibras escalada individuais no córtex cerebelar in vivo. 