This work was performed using the Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London startup funds to K.N.A.

NOTA: Os animais foram mantidos e tratados em conformidade com as diretrizes institucionais e de todos os procedimentos com animais foram aprovados pelo Bem-Estar Animal da Faculdade Imperial e Corpo Revisão Ética (AWERB) e do Office Home and Harvard University Animal Care Institucional e Comitê de Uso (IACUC), em conformidade com os regulamentos federais e estaduais. 1. Reagente e configuração de equipamento <ol><li> Thaw, alíquota e armazenar 1 mg / ml solução Laminin a -80 ºC. Dissolve-se 2 ul de 1 ml de DMEM / F12, resultando em uma concentração de revestimento de 1-2 ug / cm 2. NOTA: Thaw Laminin lentamente no gelo e dissolver em frio DMEM / F12 e imediatamente adicioná-lo às placas / lamelas. </li><li> Diluir 75 ml de 0,01% poli-L-ornitina em 425 ml PBS e armazenar a 4 ºC. NOTA: A vida útil da solução de trabalho é de até um mês. </li><li> Dissolve-se 25% (p / v) de BSA em PBS, pH 7,4, e armazenar a 4 ° C durante até uma YEar. </li><li> Preparar 50% de FBS (em HBSS) meios de desactivação. </li><li> Prepare meio completo por adição de 50 U / ml de penicilina e estreptomicina, 1x suplemento N2, 5% (vol / vol) de FBS, 0,36% de D - (+) - Glucose (peso / vol), BSA a 0,25% (p / vol) de DMEM / F12 e armazenar a 4 ºC. NOTA: O prazo de validade é de até 10 dias. </li><li> Coloque as lamelas em ebulição 70% (vol / vol) etanol durante pelo menos 30 minutos para remover quaisquer vestígios de gordura e autoclave. </li><li> Coloque as lamelas em placas de 24 poços e adicionar uma solução de 500 ul de poli-L-ornitina a cada poço. Incubar 1 h, sob o capuz de cultura de tecidos à temperatura ambiente e, em seguida, lavar 3 vezes com 500 ul de água. Adicionar solução de laminina de 500 uL a cada placa e incubar S / N na incubadora de cultura de tecidos humidificada a 37 ºC. NOTA: Enquanto não há lavagens são necessárias após o tratamento laminina, lavando os poli-L-ornitina menos de três vezes resulta em morte das células 24 h após a cultura. </li><li> Polonês as pontas de pipetas de vidro sobre o gás natural ou tocha fcoxo. NOTA: Após este passo, o diâmetro da ponta deve ser de cerca de metade do seu tamanho normal. </li><li> Corte as tampas de 1,5 ml microtubos, usando uma tesoura esterilizada e autoclave. </li></ol> 2. Dissecção da Embryonic Ventral Midbrain <ol><li> Narcotizar cronometrado-grávidas (E12.5) barragens por inalação de CO 2 e, em seguida, a eutanásia por deslocamento cervical. </li><li> Pulverizar o abdómen com etanol a 70% e fazer uma incisão abdominal até que os sacos uterinas são todos expostos. Utilizando uma pinça cortar o acessório vaginal e retirada do útero. Inserir o útero em gelo-HBSS frio, numa placa de Petri de 100 milímetros. </li><li> Remover os embriões do útero e do saco amniótico, usando uma pinça (Figura 1C). Coloque em embriões frescos HBSS gelada. NOTA: O retângulo na Figura 1D indica a localização do mesencéfalo ventral embrionário. </li><li> Coloque os embriões sob um microscópio de dissecção (10x) e dissecar o mesencephalicarco cortando o cérebro no istmo e região de fronteira mesencephalic-diencephalic, usando o bioscissor e fórceps (Figura 1E, por favor, consulte a Figura 1A para linhas de incisão). </li><li> Depois de tirar todo o mesencéfalo, faça um corte no mesencéfalo mediodorsal (Figura 1F). </li><li> Remover meninges, usando duas pinças (Figura 1H). NOTA: passo crítico: Este passo é essencial para o rendimento ideal neuronal e sobrevivência. Uma vez que as condições são óptimas para a cultura de células cerebrais, a maioria das células do tecido circundante morrer após o plaqueamento e o sinal apoptótico deste tecido pode prejudicar a integridade das culturas. </li><li> Nivelar o tecido do mesencéfalo na placa de Petri para observar a forma de borboleta e cortar aproximadamente metade de cada asa, utilizando uma lâmina de barbear esterilizada (Figura 1H, I). NOTA: Figura 1J retrata o mesencéfalo ventral isolado. </li><li> Transferir opedaço de mesencéfalo ventral em gelada HBSS em um tubo cônico de 15 ml e prosseguir com a próxima embrião. NOTA: As etapas 2,1-2,8 não deve demorar mais do que 1 hora. Mantendo-se os embriões para além deste período de tempo no gelo diminui significativamente a viabilidade celular. </li></ol> 3. A dissociação de mesencéfalo ventral Cells <ol><li> Transferem-se as peças de mesencéfalo ventral sob uma câmara de fluxo laminar. Remover o HBSS e adicionar 1 ml de pré-aquecido (37 ºC) de 0,05% de tripsina-EDTA para o tubo cónico (volumes suficientes para até 12 partes de mesencéfalo ventral). Incubar o tecido a 37 ºC durante 5-10 min. </li><li> Remover tripsina-EDTA sob o capô e adicionar 1 ml de meio de desactivação (o soro vai desactivar tripsina) para o tecido. </li><li> Remover o meio de desactivação e lavar o tecido em 1 ml de meio completo duas vezes. NOTA: Evitar a remoção de todo o meio a partir do tubo e a pipetagem do tecido, para impedir a descartar as células dissociadas. </li><li> Adicionar completa médio e trit 1mlurato o tecido com um vidro polido pipeta-fogo. Evitar a formação de bolhas e continuar triturando até a suspensão de célula única é alcançado. NOTA: Normalmente, 8-10 passa através da ponta restrito são necessários para a dissociação completa. </li><li> Centrifuga-se as células a 400 xg durante 5 min à temperatura ambiente e remover o meio. </li><li> Re-suspender o sedimento em 1 ml de meio completo por lentamente pipetando para cima e para baixo por até quatro vezes. </li></ol> 4. chapeamento Ventral mesencéfalo Cells <ol><li> Misturar 10 ul da suspensão celular com 90 ul solução de azul de tripano e contagem do número de células com um hemocitómetro. NOTA: A viabilidade das células também pode ser verificado, nesta fase. </li><li> Coloque tampas de tubos de microcentrífuga esterilizado em pratos de Petri 100 milímetros e transferir as lamelas / laminina revestidas com poli-L-ornitina, usando uma pinça, um de cada vez em cima das tampas. NOTA: Não lave as lamelas e evitar a secagem da laminina, uma vez que isso pode causar uneven culturas e diminuição da capacidade de sobrevivência das células. </li><li> Ajustar o volume a 1.500 células por 1 ml por adição de meio completo e adicione 100 mL (total de 150.000 células) da suspensão de células no topo de cada lamela (o volume é óptima para cobrir a superfície da lamela sem entornar). Feche os pratos de Petri e incubar durante 1 hora numa incubadora de cultura de tecidos humidificada (37 ° C, 5% CO 2). NOTA: PASSO CRÍTICO: Este passo é necessário para aumentar a fixação e a viabilidade das células e para aumentar o número de lamelas por embrião. Alternativamente, as células podem ser transferidos directamente para dentro dos poços contendo lamelas (), mas o número de células poderá ser aumentada para 350.000 por poço (em vez de 150.000). Em outras palavras, usando esse método, 8-10 lamelas podem ser adquiridos, enquanto a transferência direta produz cerca de 3-4 lamelas por causa das células, que ligam às placas (ao lado ou embaixo das lamelas). A viabili médiaty das culturas, utilizando este método era de cerca de 90%. </li></ol> 5. Crescimento e Manutenção de Cultura <ol><li> Após 1 hora de incubação, transferir cuidadosamente as lamelas incluindo a forma em placas de 24 poços, contendo 400 ul de pré-aquecido (a 37 ° C) de meio completo (volume total: 500 mL). Incubar as células O / N a 37 ºC. </li><li> Dentro de 24 horas após a incubação dos poços, adiciona cuidadosamente 500 ul de meio completo para cada poço. NOTA: As primeiras horas é a fase mais crítica para a sobrevivência dos neurônios dopaminérgicos eo número de células sobreviventes não muda significativamente para além deste ponto. </li><li> Não adicione o meio adicional para as culturas durante as duas primeiras semanas ou até que o meio torna-se amarelo. Se a cultura por mais de duas semanas ou alterações de cor média para amarelo, troca de metade dos meios de comunicação (500 mL), com frescos completos mídia pré-aquecido (normalmente a cada duas semanas). NOTA: neurónios dopaminérgicos no interior daculturas iria sobreviver por mais de 6 semanas sob estas condições. </li></ol>

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No conflict of interest declared.

Neurónios dopaminérgicos no mesencéfalo são a principal fonte de dopamina no sistema nervoso central. Eles são divididos em três grupos, substância negra compacta (SNPC), área tegmental ventral (VTA) eo campo retrorubral (RRF) 10, 11. Os neurônios no SNPC e VTA dar origem a grandes vias dopaminérgicas, mesocorticais, mesolímbica e Nigro-estriato, envolvidos em funções, como controle de emoção, motivação e comportamento motor. A decadência dos neurônios no SNPC e perturbação funcional do s...

A perda de neurónios dopaminérgicos da substância nigra pars compacta conduz aos sintomas motores cardinal de doença de Parkinson (PD), a segunda perturbação neurodegenerativa mais prevalente. A causa básica da morte dessa população neuronal mesencephalic não é conhecido. Para estudar os mecanismos bioquímicos responsáveis ​​pelo desenvolvimento e propriedades moduladoras neurofisiológicos e sobrevivência de neurónios MESDA, várias culturas de células e estudos em modelos animais têm sido utilizados. As linhas celulares imortalizadas, incluindo a linha celular de rato dopaminérgica 1RB 3 AN 27 (N27), o dopaminérgico linha celular de neuroblastoma humano SH-SY5Y, a linha celular híbrida ratinho dopaminérgicos do mesencéfalo e MN9D humano LUHMES células foram utilizadas para estudos bioquímicos e mecanísticos limitados 1 -5. Para o estudo da perda específica de neurónios MESDA, vários neurotoxina baseada em modelos genéticos e foram desenvolvidos 6-8. Culturas do mesencéfalo ventral primárias, Fornecer uma ferramenta indispensável para o estudo das propriedades neuronais e sinápticos dos neurônios dopaminérgicos e os caminhos envolvidos na patogênese desta doença comum. Aqui apresenta-se um protocolo detalhado para o isolamento de neurónios dopaminérgicos do mesencéfalo, que contém modificações resultando em maior capacidade de sobrevivência e o aumento de rendimento de lamelas por embrião. O uso de pré-madura mesencéfalo E12.5 rato (E14.5 no rato) aumenta a capacidade de sobrevivência. Nesta idade neurônios não desenvolveram axônios ainda, o que deixa as células intactas durante a dissecção e minimiza o estresse aumentando assim significativamente a viabilidade. Além disso, dissecção cuidadosa do mesencéfalo ventral, conforme descrito no capítulo 2 do presente protocolo, aumenta ainda mais a capacidade de sobrevivência. Para aumentar o número de lamelas por embrião, um método de plaqueamento alternativa é apresentada na seção 4 deste protocolo. Isto conduz a um rendimento de até 10 lamelas por embrião em comparação com 4 lamelas sobcondições de chapeamento padrão reduzindo assim a quantidade de animais por experimentação. Neurônios em cultura apresentam crescimento dos axônios e dendritos, formam conexões sinápticas e revelar a presença de marcadores neuronais e sinápticos fazendo essas culturas adequado para imagens de células vivas, imunocitoquímica e estudos eletrofisiológicos. Além disso, a utilização de culturas neuronais facilita a manipulação genética e farmacológica. Crescimento de neurites de dia 2 in vitro permite estudos de desenvolvimento. Além disso, a sobrevivência a longo prazo de culturas (até seis semanas) torna-os adequados para o estudo do processo de degeneração lenta e progressiva destes neurónios.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="721">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:364px;">Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Dulbecco&#39;s modified Eagle medium nutrient mixture F-12</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>11330</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Hanks&#39; Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) (1X), liquid</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>24020-117)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Fetal bovine serum, heat-inactivated (FBS)</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>16140</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">N2 Supplement (100X), liquid</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>17502-048)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">D-(+)-Glucose solution (45% (wt/vol) in water</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G8769</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Bovine serum albumin BSA</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A9430</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Laminin from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm murine sarcoma basement membrane</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>L2020</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Penicillin/streptomycin</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15070</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Trypsin (0.05% (wt/vol)</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>25300</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Bovine serum albumin (BSA) cell culture tested</td>
			<td>Sigma&#160;</td>
			<td>A9418</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P3813</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Anti-Tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) antibody</td>
			<td>Pel-Freez Biologicals</td>
			<td>P60101-0&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Poly-L-ornithine, 0.01% solution</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P4957</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Anti-Map2 (Microtubule associated protein-2A and -2B) antibody</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>MAB3418</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Anti-Synapsin-1 antibody</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>AB1543P</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Alexa Fluor 488 donkey anti-rabbit IgG&#160;&#160; antibody</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes</td>
			<td>A-21206</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Alexa Fluor 594 donkey anti-rabbit IgG&#160;&#160; antibody</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes</td>
			<td>A-21207</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Alexa Fluor 488 donkey anti-sheep IgG&#160;&#160; antibody</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes</td>
			<td>A-11015</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Alexa Fluor 594 donkey anti-sheep IgG&#160;&#160; antibody</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes</td>
			<td>A-11016</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Alexa Fluor 594 donkey anti-mouse IgG&#160;&#160; antibody</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes</td>
			<td>A-21203</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Trypan blue solution (0.4% (wt/vol)</td>
			<td>Biowhittaker</td>
			<td>17-942E</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Stereo Microscope</td>
			<td>Carl Zeiss</td>
			<td>Stemi 2000-C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Inverted phase contrast microscope</td>
			<td>Carl Zeiss</td>
			<td>Axiovert 40 C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Dumont Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Scientific Tools</td>
			<td>May-45</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Cover Slip Forceps &#8211; Dumoxel</td>
			<td>Fine Scientific Tools</td>
			<td>11251-33</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Two Dumont #45 Forceps &#8211; Dumoxel</td>
			<td>Fine Scientific Tools</td>
			<td>11245-30</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Blade Holder/Breaker Flat Grip - 11cm</td>
			<td>Fine Scientific Tools</td>
			<td>10052-11</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Student Iris Scissors - Straight 11.5cm</td>
			<td>Fine Scientific Tools</td>
			<td>91460-11</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Fiber optic halogen illuminator</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>MKII</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Disposable Borosilicate Glass Pasteur Pipettes</td>
			<td>Fisherbrand</td>
			<td>13-678-20C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Hemocytometer</td>
			<td>Proscitech</td>
			<td>SVZ2NIOU</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">0.2 &#181;m sterile filter units</td>
			<td>Nalgene</td>
			<td>NL-CE-156-4020</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">100x20mm Petri dishes</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>351005</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Round Cover Slip #1 Thickness German Glass 12mm</td>
			<td>Bellco Glass</td>
			<td>1943-10012&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

isolation, culture and long-term maintenance of primary mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons from embryonic rodent brains

Degeneration of mesencephalic dopaminergic (mesDA) neurons is the pathological hallmark of Parkinson&#8217;s diseae. Study of the biological processes involved in physiological functions and vulnerability and death of these neurons is imparative to understanding the underlying causes and unraveling the cure for this common neurodegenerative disorder. Primary cultures of mesDA neurons provide a tool for investigation of the molecular, biochemical and electrophysiological properties, in order to understand the development, long-term survival and degeneration of these neurons during the course of disease. Here we present a detailed method for the isolation, culturing and maintenance of midbrain dopaminergic neurons from E12.5 mouse (or E14.5 rat) embryos. Optimized cell culture conditions in this protocol result in presence of axonal and dendritic projections, synaptic connections and other neuronal morphological properties, which make the cultures suitable for study of the physiological, cell biological and molecular characteristics of this neuronal population.

A imuno-histoquímica contra a tirosina hidroxilase (TH) mostra que entre 0,5-1% de células em cultura são dopaminérgica. Projecções neuronais aparecer dentro de 2 horas após o plaqueamento e por o primeiro dia, axónios e dendritos são distinguíveis (Figura 2), utilizando-se para tirosina hidroxilase (TH) e Proteína 2 (Map2) anticorpos associada a microtúbulos (Figura 3). Os neurônios sobreviver por mais de seis semanas e mostrar grande conseqüência. A proporção neuróni...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation, Culture and Long-Term Maintenance of Primary Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons From Embryonic Rodent Brains at JoVE.com

Isolation, Culture and Long-Term Maintenance of Primary Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons From Embryonic Rodent Brains

The causes of degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons during Parkinson&#8217;s disease are not fully understood. Cellular culture systems provide an essential tool for study of the neurophysiological properties of these neurons. Here we present an optimized protocol, which can be utilized for in vitro modeling of neurodegeneration.

Isolamento, cultura e Long-Term Manutenção da Primária mesencefálico Dopaminergic neurônios dos cérebros de roedores Embryonic

Degeneration of mesencephalic dopaminergic (mesDA) neurons is the pathological hallmark of Parkinson&#8217;s diseae. Study of the biological processes ...

isolation-culture-long-term-maintenance-primary-mesencephalic

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

13.9K visualizações.  Imperial College London. The causes of degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons during Parkinson’s disease are not fully understood. Cellular culture systems provide an essential tool for study of the neurophysiological properties of these neurons. Here we present an optimized protocol, which can be utilized for in vitro modeling of neurodegeneration.

Vídeo: Isolation, Culture and Long-Term Maintenance of Primary Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons From Embryonic Rodent Brains

Dissection and Culture of Commissural Neurons from Embryonic Spinal Cord

Commissural neurons have been widely used to investigate the mechanisms underlying axon guidance during embryonic spinal cord development. The cell bodies of these neurons are located in the dorsal spinal cord and their axons follow stereotyped trajectories during embryonic development. Commissural axons initially project ventrally towards the floorplate. After crossing the midline, these axons turn anteriorly and project towards the brain. Each of these steps is regulated by the action of several guidance cues. Cultures highly enriched in commissural neurons are ideally suited for many experiments addressing the mechanisms of axon pathfinding, including turning assays, immunochemistry and biochemistry. Here, we describe a method to dissect and culture commissural neurons from E13 rat dorsal spinal cord. First, the spinal cord is isolated and dorsal strips are dissected out. The dorsal tissue is then dissociated into a cell suspension by trypsinization and mechanical disruption. Neurons are plated onto poly-L-lysine-coated glass coverslips or tissue-culture dishes. After 30 hours in vitro, most neurons have extended an axon. The purity of the culture (Yam et al. 2009), typically over 90%, can be assessed by immunolabeling with the commissural neuron markers DCC, LH2 and TAG1 (Helms and Johnson, 1998). This neuronal preparation is a useful tool for in vitro studies of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of commissural axon growth and guidance during spinal cord development.

This video demonstrates a method to dissect and culture commissural neurons from E13 rat dorsal spinal cord. Dissociated commissural neurons are useful to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of axon growth and guidance.

Dissecção e Cultura de Neurônios da Medula Espinhal comissural embrionárias

Commissural neurons have been widely used to investigate the mechanisms underlying axon guidance during embryonic spinal cord development. The cell bodies ...

Neurociência

Nucleofection and Primary Culture of Embryonic Mouse Hippocampal and Cortical Neurons

Hippocampal and cortical neurons have been used extensively to study central nervous system (CNS) neuronal polarization, axon/dendrite outgrowth, and synapse formation and function. An advantage of culturing these neurons is that they readily polarize, forming distinctive axons and dendrites, on a two dimensional substrate at very low densities. This property has made them extremely useful for determining many aspects of neuronal development. Furthermore, by providing glial conditioning for these neurons they will continue to develop, forming functional synaptic connections and surviving for several months in culture. In this protocol we outline a technique to dissect, culture and transfect embryonic mouse hippocampal and cortical neurons. Transfection is accomplished by electroporating DNA into the neurons before plating via nucleofection. This protocol has the advantage of expressing fluorescently-tagged fusion proteins early in development (~4-8hrs after plating) to study the dynamics and function of proteins during polarization, axon outgrowth and branching. We have also discovered that this single transfection before plating maintains fluorescently-tagged fusion protein expression at levels appropriate for imaging throughout the lifetime of the neuron (&gt; 2 months in culture). Thus, this methodology is useful for studying protein localization and function throughout CNS development with little or no disruption of neuronal function.

This protocol outlines the steps required to dissect, transfect via electroporation and culture mouse hippocampal and cortical neurons. Short-term cultures may be used for studies of axon outgrowth and guidance, while long-term cultures can be used for studies of synaptogenesis and dendritic spine analysis.

Nucleofection e Cultura Primária de Neurônios do hipocampo do rato embrionárias e Cortical

Hippocampal and cortical neurons have been used extensively to study central nervous system (CNS) neuronal polarization, axon/dendrite outgrowth, and ...

Isolation and Culture of Hippocampal Neurons from Prenatal Mice

Primary cultures of rat and murine hippocampal neurons are widely used to reveal cellular mechanisms in neurobiology. By isolating and growing individual neurons, researchers are able to analyze properties related to cellular trafficking, cellular structure and individual protein localization using a variety of biochemical techniques. Results from such experiments are critical for testing theories addressing the neural basis of memory and learning. However, unambiguous results from these forms of experiments are predicated on the ability to grow neuronal cultures with minimum contamination by other brain cell types. In this protocol, we use specific media designed for neuron growth and careful dissection of embryonic hippocampal tissue to optimize growth of healthy neurons while minimizing contaminating cell types (i.e. astrocytes). Embryonic mouse hippocampal tissue can be more difficult to isolate than similar rodent tissue due to the size of the sample for dissection. We show detailed dissection techniques of hippocampus from embryonic day 19 (E19) mouse pups. Once hippocampal tissue is isolated, gentle dissociation of neuronal cells is achieved with a dilute concentration of trypsin and mechanical disruption designed to separate cells from connective tissue while providing minimum damage to individual cells. A detailed description of how to prepare pipettes to be used in the disruption is included. Optimal plating densities are provided for immuno-fluorescence protocols to maximize successful cell culture. The protocol provides a fast (approximately 2 hr) and efficient technique for the culture of neuronal cells from mouse hippocampal tissue.

We provide a protocol for the culture of highly purified hippocampal neurons from prenatal mouse brains without the use of a feeder glial cell layer.

Isolamento e Cultura de neurônios do hipocampo de ratos pré-natal

Primary cultures of rat and murine hippocampal neurons are widely used to reveal cellular mechanisms in neurobiology. By isolating and growing individual ...

Isolation and Culture of Neural Crest Cells from Embryonic Murine Neural Tube

The embryonic neural crest (NC) is a multipotent progenitor population that originates at the dorsal aspect of the neural tube, undergoes an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migrates throughout the embryo, giving rise to diverse cell types 1-3. NC also has the unique ability to influence the differentiation and maturation of target organs4-6. When explanted in vitro, NC progenitors undergo self-renewal, migrate and differentiate into a variety of tissue types including neurons, glia, smooth muscle cells, cartilage and bone. 
NC multipotency was first described from explants of the avian neural tube7-9. In vitro isolation of NC cells facilitates the study of NC dynamics including proliferation, migration, and multipotency. Further work in the avian and rat systems demonstrated that explanted NC cells retain their NC potential when transplanted back into the embryo10-13. Because these inherent cellular properties are preserved in explanted NC progenitors, the neural tube explant assay provides an attractive option for studying the NC in vitro. 
To attain a better understanding of the mammalian NC, many methods have been employed to isolate NC populations. NC-derived progenitors can be cultured from post-migratory locations in both the embryo and adult to study the dynamics of post-migratory NC progenitors11,14-20, however isolation of NC progenitors as they emigrate from the neural tube provides optimal preservation of NC cell potential and migratory properties13,21,22. Some protocols employ fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) to isolate a NC population enriched for particular progenitors11,13,14,17. However, when starting with early stage embryos, cell numbers adequate for analyses are difficult to obtain with FACS, complicating the isolation of early NC populations from individual embryos. Here, we describe an approach that does not rely on FACS and results in an approximately 96% pure NC population based on a Wnt1-Cre activated lineage reporter23. 
The method presented here is adapted from protocols optimized for the culture of rat NC11,13. The advantages of this protocol compared to previous methods are that 1) the cells are not grown on a feeder layer, 2) FACS is not required to obtain a relatively pure NC population, 3) premigratory NC cells are isolated and 4) results are easily quantified. Furthermore, this protocol can be used for isolation of NC from any mutant mouse model, facilitating the study of NC characteristics with different genetic manipulations. The limitation of this approach is that the NC is removed from the context of the embryo, which is known to influence the survival, migration and differentiation of the NC2,24-28.

Isolation of embryonic neural crest from the neural tube facilitates the use of in vitro methods for studying migration, self-renewal, and multipotency of neural crest.

Isolamento e cultivo de células da crista neural do tubo neural embrionário murino

The embryonic neural crest (NC) is a multipotent progenitor population that originates at the dorsal aspect of the neural tube, undergoes an epithelial to ...

Isolation and Culture of Endothelial Cells from the Embryonic Forebrain

Embryonic brain endothelial cells can serve as an important tool in the study of angiogenesis and neurovascular development and interactions. The two vascular networks of the embryonic forebrain, pial and periventricular, are spatially distinctive and have different origins and growth patterns. Endothelial cells from the pial and periventricular vascular networks have unique gene expression profiles and functions. Here we present a step-by-step protocol for isolation, culture, and verification of pure populations of endothelial cells from the periventricular vascular network (PVECs) of the embryonic forebrain (telencephalon). In this approach, telencephalon devoid of pial membrane obtained from embryonic day 15 mice is minced, digested with collagenase/dispase, and dispersed mechanically into a single cell suspension. PVECs are purified from cell suspension using positive selection with anti-CD-31/PECAM-1 antibody conjugated to MicroBeads using a strong magnetic separation method. Purified cells are cultured on collagen 1&#160;coated culture dishes in endothelial cell culture medium until they become confluent and further subcultured. PVECs obtained with this protocol exhibit cobblestone and spindle shaped phenotypes, as visualized by phase-contrast light microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. Purity of PVEC cultures was established with endothelial cell markers. In our hands, this method reliably and consistently yields pure populations of PVECs. This protocol will benefit studies aimed at gaining mechanistic insights into forebrain angiogenesis, understanding PVEC interactions, and cross-talks with neuronal cell types and holds tremendous potential for therapeutic angiogenesis.

This video demonstrates an easy and reliable strategy for preparation of pure cultures of endothelial cells from the embryonic forebrain within 10-12 days and will be useful for research focused on many aspects of cerebral angiogenesis.

Isolamento e cultura de células endoteliais da Embryonic posencéfalo

Embryonic brain endothelial cells can serve as an important tool in the study of angiogenesis and neurovascular development and interactions. The two ...

Primary Culture of Mouse Dopaminergic Neurons

Dopaminergic neurons represent less than 1% of the total number of neurons in the brain. This low amount of neurons regulates important brain functions such as motor control, motivation, and working memory. Nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons selectively degenerate in Parkinson&#39;s disease (PD). This progressive neuronal loss is unequivocally associated with the motors symptoms of the pathology (bradykinesia, resting tremor, and muscular rigidity). The main agent responsible of dopaminergic neuron degeneration is still unknown. However, these neurons appear to be extremely vulnerable in diverse conditions. Primary cultures constitute one of the most relevant models to investigate properties and characteristics of dopaminergic neurons. These cultures can be submitted to various stress agents that mimic PD pathology and to neuroprotective compounds in order to stop or slow down neuronal degeneration. The numerous transgenic mouse models of PD that have been generated during the last decade further increased the interest of researchers for dopaminergic neuron cultures. Here, the video protocol focuses on the delicate dissection of embryonic mouse brains. Precise excision of ventral mesencephalon is crucial to obtain neuronal cultures sufficiently rich in dopaminergic cells to allow subsequent studies. This protocol can be realized with embryonic transgenic mice and is suitable for immunofluorescence staining, quantitative PCR, second messenger quantification, or neuronal death/survival assessment.

Dopaminergic neurons play a vital regulatory role in the brain. Their loss is associated with Parkinson's disease. In this video, we show how to generate primary cultures of central dopaminergic neurons from embryonic mouse mesencephalon. Such cultures are useful to study the extreme vulnerability of these neurons to various stresses.

Cultura primária de neurônios dopaminérgicos mouse

Dopaminergic neurons represent less than 1% of the total number of neurons in the brain. This low amount of neurons regulates important brain functions ...

Isolation and Culture of Dissociated Sensory Neurons From Chick Embryos

Neurons are multifaceted cells that carry information essential for a variety of functions including sensation, motor movement, learning, and memory. Studying neurons in vivo can be challenging due to their complexity, their varied and dynamic environments, and technical limitations. For these reasons, studying neurons in vitro can prove beneficial to unravel the complex mysteries of neurons. The well-defined nature of cell culture models provides detailed control over environmental conditions and variables. Here we describe how to isolate, dissociate, and culture primary neurons from chick embryos. This technique is rapid, inexpensive, and generates robustly growing sensory neurons. The procedure consistently produces cultures that are highly enriched for neurons and has very few non-neuronal cells (less than 5%). Primary neurons do not adhere well to untreated glass or tissue culture plastic, therefore detailed procedures to create two distinct, well-defined laminin-containing substrata for neuronal plating are described. Cultured neurons are highly amenable to multiple cellular and molecular techniques, including co-immunoprecipitation, live cell imagining, RNAi, and immunocytochemistry. Procedures for double immunocytochemistry on these cultured neurons have been optimized and described here.

Cell culture models provide detailed control over environmental conditions and thus provide a powerful platform to elucidate numerous aspects of neuronal cell biology. We describe a rapid, inexpensive, and reliable method to isolate, dissociate, and culture sensory neurons from chick embryos. Details of substrata preparation and immunocytochemistry are also provided.

Isolamento e Cultura de Dissociated neurônios sensoriais de Chick Embriões

Neurons are multifaceted cells that carry information essential for a variety of functions including sensation, motor movement, learning, and memory. ...

A Simplified Method for Ultra-Low Density, Long-Term Primary Hippocampal Neuron Culture

Culturing primary hippocampal neurons in vitro facilitates mechanistic interrogation of many aspects of neuronal development. Dissociated embryonic hippocampal neurons can often grow successfully on glass coverslips at high density under serum-free conditions, but low density cultures typically require a supply of trophic factors by co-culturing them with a glia feeder layer, preparation of which can be time-consuming and laborious. In addition, the presence of glia may confound interpretation of results and preclude studies on neuron-specific mechanisms. Here, a simplified method is presented for ultra-low density (~2,000 neurons/cm2), long-term (&#62;3 months) primary hippocampal neuron culture that is under serum free conditions and without glia cell support. Low density neurons are grown on poly-D-lysine coated coverslips, and flipped on high density neurons grown in a 24-well plate. Instead of using paraffin dots to create a space between the two neuronal layers, the experimenters can simply etch the plastic bottom of the well, on which the high density neurons reside, to create a microspace conducive to low density neuron growth. The co-culture can be easily maintained for &#62;3 months without significant loss of low density neurons, thus facilitating the morphological and physiological study of these neurons. To illustrate this successful culture condition, data are provided to show profuse synapse formation in low density cells after prolonged culture. This co-culture system also facilitates the survival of sparse individual neurons grown in islands of poly-D-lysine substrates and thus the formation of autaptic connections.

Low density cultures of primary hippocampal neurons usually require glia feeder layer to supply neurotrophic factors and sustain longevity. We describe here a simplified method to culture ultra-low density neurons on glass coverslips in the presence of a high density neuronal feeder layer, which facilitates investigation of specific neuronal-autonomous mechanisms.

Um método simplificado para Ultra-Baixa Densidade, Long-Term Primária do hipocampo Neuron Cultura

Culturing primary hippocampal neurons in vitro facilitates mechanistic interrogation of many aspects of neuronal development. Dissociated embryonic ...

Spinal Cord Neurons Isolation and Culture from Neonatal Mice

We present a protocol for the isolation and culture of spinal cord neurons. The neurons are obtained from neonatal C57BL/6 mice and are isolated on postnatal day 1-3. A mouse litter, usually 4-10 pups born from one breeding pair, is gathered for one experiment, and spinal cords are collected individually from each mouse after euthanasia with isoflurane. The spinal column is dissected out and then the spinal cord is released from the column. The spinal cords are then minced to increase the surface area of delivery for an enzymatic protease that allows for the neurons and other cells to be released from the tissue. Trituration is then used to release the cells into solution. This solution is subsequently fractionated in a density gradient to separate the various cells in solution, allowing for neurons to be isolated. Approximately 1-2.5 x 106 neurons can be isolated from one litter group. The neurons are then seeded onto wells coated with adhesive factors that allow for proper growth and maturation. The neurons take approximately 7 days to reach maturity in the growth and culture medium and can be used thereafter for treatment and analysis.

This study presents a technique for the isolation of neurons from WT neonatal mice. It requires the careful dissection of the spinal cord from the neonatal mouse, followed by the separation of neurons from the spinal cord tissue through mechanical and enzymatic cleavage.

Isolamento e cultura de neurônios da medula espinhal de ratos neonatais

We present a protocol for the isolation and culture of spinal cord neurons. The neurons are obtained from neonatal C57BL/6 mice and are isolated on ...

Generation and Long-term Maintenance of Nerve-free Hydra

The interstitial cell lineage of Hydra includes multipotent stem cells, and their derivatives: gland cells, nematocytes, germ cells, and nerve cells. The interstitial cells can be eliminated through two consecutive treatments with colchicine, a plant-derived toxin that kills dividing cells, thus erasing the potential for renewal of the differentiated cells that are derived from the interstitial stem cells. This allows for the generation of Hydra that lack nerve cells. A nerve-free polyp cannot open its mouth to feed, egest, or regulate osmotic pressure. Such animals, however, can survive and be cultured indefinitely in the laboratory if regularly force-fed and burped. The lack of nerve cells allows for studies of the role of the nervous system in regulating animal behavior and regeneration. Previously published protocols for nerve-free Hydra maintenance involve outdated techniques such as mouth-pipetting with hand-pulled micropipette tips to feed and clean the Hydra. Here, an improved protocol for maintenance of nerve-free Hydra is introduced. Fine-tipped forceps are used to force open the mouth and insert freshly killed Artemia. Following force-feeding, the body cavity of the animal is flushed with fresh medium using a syringe and hypodermic needle to remove undigested material, referred to here as "burping". This new method of force-feeding and burping nerve-free Hydra through the use of forceps and syringes eliminates the need for mouth-pipetting using hand-pulled micropipette tips. It thus makes the process safer and significantly more time efficient. To ensure that the nerve cells in the hypostome have been eliminated, immunohistochemistry using anti-tyrosine-tubulin is conducted.

Generation and Long-term Maintenance of Nerve-free Hydra

Through a double treatment with colchicine, a plant-derived toxin that kills dividing cells, nerve-free Hydra vulgaris can be generated. These Hydra cannot feed or egest on their own. This paper describes an improved method for long-term maintenance of nerve free Hydra vulgaris in the laboratory.

Geração e Manutenção a Longo Prazo de Nerve-free<em&gt; Hydra</em

The interstitial cell lineage of Hydra includes multipotent stem cells, and their derivatives: gland cells, nematocytes, germ cells, and nerve cells. The ...