Name: live imaging of nicotine induced calcium signaling and neurotransmitter release along ventral hippocampal axons
Uploaded: 2015-06-24T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Live Imaging of Nicotine Induced Calcium Signaling and Neurotransmitter Release Along Ventral Hippocampal Axons at JoVE.com

We thank Yehui Qin and Mallory Myers for technical support. We also thank Dr. Sigismund Huck for providing us the anti-&#945;4-ECD antibody. This work is supported by National Institutes of Health grant NS22061 to L. W. R.

All animal experiments were carried out in accordance with the National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NIH Publications No. 80-23, revised 2012) and studies were approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use for Research Committees at Stony Brook University (#1618 and #1792).
1. vHipp-nAcc Synaptic Co-cultures
<ol>
	<li>Sacrifice mice (postnatal day 0 - 3, from wild-type (WT) or &#945;7 nAChRs transgenic mouse line) with CO2. Decapitate each...

<ol>
	<li>Changeux, J. P., 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=Brain+nicotinic+receptors:+structure+and+regulation,+role+in+learning+and+reinforcement.">Brain nicotinic receptors: structure and regulation, role in learning and reinforcement.</a> Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 26 (2-3), 198-216 (1998).</li><li>Levin, E. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nicotinic+receptor+subtypes+and+cognitive+function.">Nicotinic receptor subtypes and cognitive function.</a> J Neurobiol. 53 (4), 633-640 (2002).</li><li>Dani, J. A., Bertrand, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nicotinic+acetylcholine+receptors+and+nicotinic+cholinergic+mechanisms+of+the+central+nervous+system.">Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and nicotinic cholinergic mechanisms of the central nervous system.</a> Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 47, 699-729 (2007).</li><li>Mineur, Y. S., Picciotto, 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=Nicotine+receptors+and+depression:+revisiting+and+revising+the+cholinergic+hypothesis.">Nicotine receptors and depression: revisiting and revising the cholinergic hypothesis.</a> Trends Pharmacol Sci. 31 (12), 580-586 (2010).</li><li>Zhong, C., Talmage, D. A., Role, L. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nicotine+elicits+prolonged+calcium+signaling+along+ventral+hippocampal+axons.">Nicotine elicits prolonged calcium signaling along ventral hippocampal axons.</a> PloS one. 8 (12), e82719 (2013).</li><li>McGehee, D. S., Heath, M. J., Gelber, S., Devay, P., Role, L. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nicotine+enhancement+of+fast+excitatory+synaptic+transmission+in+CNS+by+presynaptic+receptors.">Nicotine enhancement of fast excitatory synaptic transmission in CNS by presynaptic receptors.</a> Science. 269 (5231), 1692-1696 (1995).</li><li>Gray, R., Rajan, A. S., Radcliffe, K. A., Yakehiro, M., Dani, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hippocampal+synaptic+transmission+enhanced+by+low+concentrations+of+nicotine.">Hippocampal synaptic transmission enhanced by low concentrations of nicotine.</a> Nature. 383 (6602), 713-716 (1996).</li><li>Dickinson, J. A., Kew, J. N., Wonnacott, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Presynaptic+alpha+7-+and+beta+2-containing+nicotinic+acetylcholine+receptors+modulate+excitatory+amino+acid+release+from+rat+prefrontal+cortex+nerve+terminals+via+distinct+cellular+mechanisms.">Presynaptic alpha 7- and beta 2-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors modulate excitatory amino acid release from rat prefrontal cortex nerve terminals via distinct cellular mechanisms.</a> Mol Pharmacol. 74 (2), 348-359 (2008).</li><li>Zappettini, S., Grilli, M., Salamone, A., Fedele, E., Marchi, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pre-synaptic+nicotinic+receptors+evoke+endogenous+glutamate+and+aspartate+release+from+hippocampal+synaptosomes+by+way+of+distinct+coupling+mechanisms.">Pre-synaptic nicotinic receptors evoke endogenous glutamate and aspartate release from hippocampal synaptosomes by way of distinct coupling mechanisms.</a> Br J Pharmacol. 161 (5), 1161-1171 (2010).</li><li>Zappettini, 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=Presynaptic+nicotinic+alpha7+and+non-alpha7+receptors+stimulate+endogenous+GABA+release+from+rat+hippocampal+synaptosomes+through+two+mechanisms+of+action.">Presynaptic nicotinic alpha7 and non-alpha7 receptors stimulate endogenous GABA release from rat hippocampal synaptosomes through two mechanisms of action.</a> PloS one. 6 (2), e16911 (2011).</li><li>Fabian-Fine, R., 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=Ultrastructural+distribution+of+the+alpha7+nicotinic+acetylcholine+receptor+subunit+in+rat+hippocampus.">Ultrastructural distribution of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit in rat hippocampus.</a> J Neurosci. 21 (20), 7993-8003 (2001).</li><li>Jones, I. W., Barik, J., O'Neill, M. J., Wonnacott, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Alpha+bungarotoxin-1.4+nm+gold:+a+novel+conjugate+for+visualising+the+precise+subcellular+distribution+of+alpha+7*+nicotinic+acetylcholine+receptors.">Alpha bungarotoxin-1.4 nm gold: a novel conjugate for visualising the precise subcellular distribution of alpha 7* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 134 (1), 65-74 (2004).</li><li>Nashmi, R., 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=Assembly+of+alpha4beta2+nicotinic+acetylcholine+receptors+assessed+with+functional+fluorescently+labeled+subunits:+effects+of+localization,+trafficking,+and+nicotine-induced+upregulation+in+clonal+mammalian+cells+and+in+cultured+midbrain+neurons.">Assembly of alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors assessed with functional fluorescently labeled subunits: effects of localization, trafficking, and nicotine-induced upregulation in clonal mammalian cells and in cultured midbrain neurons.</a> J Neurosci. 23 (37), 11554-11567 (2003).</li><li>Drenan, R. 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=Subcellular+trafficking,+pentameric+assembly,+and+subunit+stoichiometry+of+neuronal+nicotinic+acetylcholine+receptors+containing+fluorescently+labeled+alpha6+and+beta3+subunits.">Subcellular trafficking, pentameric assembly, and subunit stoichiometry of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors containing fluorescently labeled alpha6 and beta3 subunits.</a> Mol Pharmacol. 73 (1), 27-41 (2008).</li><li>Wu, 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=Electrophysiological,+pharmacological,+and+molecular+evidence+for+alpha7-nicotinic+acetylcholine+receptors+in+rat+midbrain+dopamine+neurons.">Electrophysiological, pharmacological, and molecular evidence for alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rat midbrain dopamine neurons.</a> J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 311 (1), 80-91 (2004).</li><li>Parikh, V., Ji, J., Decker, M. W., Sarter, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prefrontal+beta2+subunit-containing+and+alpha7+nicotinic+acetylcholine+receptors+differentially+control+glutamatergic+and+cholinergic+signaling.">Prefrontal beta2 subunit-containing and alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors differentially control glutamatergic and cholinergic signaling.</a> J Neurosci. 30 (9), 3518-3530 (2010).</li><li>Nayak, S. V., Dougherty, J. J., McIntosh, J. M., Nichols, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ca(2+)+changes+induced+by+different+presynaptic+nicotinic+receptors+in+separate+populations+of+individual+striatal+nerve+terminals.">Ca(2+) changes induced by different presynaptic nicotinic receptors in separate populations of individual striatal nerve terminals.</a> J Neurochem. 76 (6), 1860-1870 (2001).</li><li>Richards, C. I., 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=Trafficking+of+alpha4*+nicotinic+receptors+revealed+by+superecliptic+phluorin:+effects+of+a+beta4+amyotrophic+lateral+sclerosis-associated+mutation+and+chronic+exposure+to+nicotine.">Trafficking of alpha4* nicotinic receptors revealed by superecliptic phluorin: effects of a beta4 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated mutation and chronic exposure to nicotine.</a> J Biol Chem. 286 (36), 31241-31249 (2011).</li><li>Colombo, S. F., Mazzo, F., Pistillo, F., Gotti, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biogenesis,+trafficking+and+up-regulation+of+nicotinic+ACh+receptors.">Biogenesis, trafficking and up-regulation of nicotinic ACh receptors.</a> Biochem Pharmacol. 86 (8), 1063-1073 (2013).</li><li>St John, P. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cellular+trafficking+of+nicotinic+acetylcholine+receptors.">Cellular trafficking of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.</a> Acta Pharmacol Sin. 30 (6), 656-662 (2009).</li><li>Zhong, 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=Presynaptic+type+III+neuregulin+1+is+required+for+sustained+enhancement+of+hippocampal+transmission+by+nicotine+and+for+axonal+targeting+of+alpha7+nicotinic+acetylcholine+receptors.">Presynaptic type III neuregulin 1 is required for sustained enhancement of hippocampal transmission by nicotine and for axonal targeting of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.</a> J Neurosci. 28 (37), 9111-9116 (2008).</li><li>Jacobowitz, D. M., Abbott, L. 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> Chemoarchitectonic Atlas of the Developing Mouse Brain. , (1998).</li><li>Betz, W. J., Mao, F., Bewick, G. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activity-dependent+fluorescent+staining+and+destaining+of+living+vertebrate+motor+nerve+terminals.">Activity-dependent fluorescent staining and destaining of living vertebrate motor nerve terminals.</a> J Neurosci. 12 (2), 363-375 (1992).</li><li>Amaral, E., Guatimosim, S., Guatimosim, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Using+the+fluorescent+styryl+dye+FM1-43+to+visualize+synaptic+vesicles+exocytosis+and+endocytosis+in+motor+nerve+terminals.">Using the fluorescent styryl dye FM1-43 to visualize synaptic vesicles exocytosis and endocytosis in motor nerve terminals.</a> Methods Mol Biol. 689, 137-148 (2011).</li><li>Garduno, 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=Presynaptic+alpha4beta2+nicotinic+acetylcholine+receptors+increase+glutamate+release+and+serotonin+neuron+excitability+in+the+dorsal+raphe+nucleus.">Presynaptic alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors increase glutamate release and serotonin neuron excitability in the dorsal raphe nucleus.</a> J Neurosci. 32 (43), 15148-15157 (2012).</li><li>Guo, J. Z., Liu, Y., Sorenson, E. M., Chiappinelli, V. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synaptically+released+and+exogenous+ACh+activates+different+nicotinic+receptors+to+enhance+evoked+glutamatergic+transmission+in+the+lateral+geniculate+nucleus.">Synaptically released and exogenous ACh activates different nicotinic receptors to enhance evoked glutamatergic transmission in the lateral geniculate nucleus.</a> J Neurophysiol. 94 (4), 2549-2560 (2005).</li><li>Szabo, S. I., Zelles, T., Vizi, E. S., Lendvai, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effect+of+nicotine+on+spiking+activity+and+Ca2++dynamics+of+dendritic+spines+in+rat+CA1+pyramidal+neurons.">The effect of nicotine on spiking activity and Ca2+ dynamics of dendritic spines in rat CA1 pyramidal neurons.</a> Hippocampus. 18 (4), 376-385 (2008).</li></ol>

The co-culture preparation described re-capitulates ventral hippocampal&#8211;accumbens circuits in vitro. This preparation permits relatively straightforward and reliable examination of the spatial and temporal profiles by which activation of pre-synaptic nAChRs elicit enhanced glutamatergic transmission5, 21.
Co-cultures are defined as the growth of different specific cell types in one dish which can provide physiological conditions in vitro to demonstrate in...

Cholinergic modulation of circuit excitability contributes to fundamental aspects of cognition, and altered cholinergic modulation is a feature of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders including Alzheimer&#8217;s disease, Parkinson&#8217;s disease, schizophrenia and addiction1-4. An established mechanism of cholinergic facilitation of synaptic transmission in the CNS is via direct activation of nAChRs localized at pre-synaptic sites. Activation of these pre-synaptic receptors leads to increased intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in pre-synaptic terminals &#8211; both directly, due to the relatively high calcium conductance of certain nAChR subtypes, and indirectly, via intracellular signaling cascades5, thereby enhancing neurotransmitter release. In fact, the activation of pre-synaptic nAChRs has been linked with changes in release of a wide variety of neurotransmitters including glutamate, GABA, ACh, and dopamine6-10. Although this process has been studied indirectly using electrophysiological methods at various synapses, optical reporters of [Ca2+]i and synaptic vesicle recycling allow more direct and temporally precise measurement of pre-synaptic phenomena.
Pre-synaptic localization of nAChRs has been demonstrated convincingly with direct immuno-gold labeling of nAChRs at the electron microscopic (EM) level11,12. Several other techniques have also been used to address the nAChR localization indirectly, including detecting locations of nAChRs subunit- fluorescent protein chimeras in cultured neurons13,14, electrophysiological recording of nAChR currents in synaptic terminals15,16, monitoring nicotine induced changes in [Ca2+]i in synaptic nerve terminals by live cell imaging17, and indirect monitoring of neurotransmitter release at the synaptic terminal by live cell imaging techniques with fluorescent indicators, including exocytosis of synaptic vesicles viewed by styryl amphipathic FM dyes (FM1-43 and FM4-64) and/or synapto-pHluorin and by specific fluorescent neurotransmitter reporters, such as CNiFERs for ACh and iGluSnFr for glutamate18-20. Overall, these current approaches for identifying pre-synaptic localization of nAChRs are complicated, and require special systems and techniques to allow reliable identification and physiological monitoring of pre-synaptic activity.
Here we describe protocols and equipment for an in vitro co-culture system of a ventral hippocampal (vHipp) &#8211; nucleus accumbens (nAcc) circuit that provides direct access to identify and analyze both pre- and post-synaptic components of synaptic transmission. We show examples of pre-synaptic localization of nAChRs and the live cell imaging of nAChR mediated Ca2+ signaling and neurotransmitter release along vHipp axons. A natural (and straightforward) extension of the protocol presented here is the preparation of pre- and post-synaptic contacts comprised of neurons from different genotypes. In this manner the contribution of a particular gene product to the pre- and/or post-synaptic mechanisms of modulation can be assessed directly.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>1, Culture Media (50 ml)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Neurobasal&#160;</td>
			<td>GIBCO</td>
			<td>10888022</td>
			<td>48 ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>B-27 Supplements</td>
			<td>GIBCO</td>
			<td>0080085-SA</td>
			<td>1 ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin-Streptomycin</td>
			<td>GIBCO</td>
			<td>10908-010</td>
			<td>0.5 ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GlutaMAX Supplement</td>
			<td>GIBCO</td>
			<td>35050-061</td>
			<td>0.5 ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)</td>
			<td>GIBCO</td>
			<td>15140-122</td>
			<td>20 ng/ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>2, washing media (HBSS, 100 ml)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HBSS, no calcium, no magnesium, no phenol red&#160;</td>
			<td>GIBCO</td>
			<td>14175-095</td>
			<td>99 ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES ( 1M)</td>
			<td>GIBCO</td>
			<td>15630-130</td>
			<td>1 ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>3, HEPES buffered saline&#160; (HBS)&#160;&#160; pH=7.3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S9888&#160;</td>
			<td>135 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P9333&#160;</td>
			<td>5 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MgCl2</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>M8266&#160;</td>
			<td>1 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CaCl2,</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C1016&#160;</td>
			<td>2 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>H3375&#160;</td>
			<td>10 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glucose</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G0350500&#160;</td>
			<td>10 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>4, HBS Cocktail for live imaging pH=7.3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S9888&#160;</td>
			<td>135 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P9333&#160;</td>
			<td>5 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MgCl2</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>M8266&#160;</td>
			<td>1 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CaCl2,</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C1016&#160;</td>
			<td>2 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>H3375&#160;</td>
			<td>10 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glucose</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G0350500&#160;</td>
			<td>10 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>tetrodotoxin&#160;</td>
			<td>Tocris</td>
			<td>1078</td>
			<td>2 &#181;M</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>bicuculline</td>
			<td>Tocris</td>
			<td>131</td>
			<td>10 &#181;M</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>D-AP-5</td>
			<td>Tocris</td>
			<td>105</td>
			<td>50 &#181;M</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CNQX</td>
			<td>Tocris</td>
			<td>1045</td>
			<td>20 &#181;M</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LY341495</td>
			<td>Tocris</td>
			<td>1209</td>
			<td>10 &#181;M</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>5, Calcium-free&#160; HBS&#160;&#160; pH=7.3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S9888&#160;</td>
			<td>135 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P9333&#160;</td>
			<td>5 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MgCl2</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>M8266&#160;</td>
			<td>1 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>H3375&#160;</td>
			<td>10 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glucose</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G0350500&#160;</td>
			<td>10 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>6, 56 mM Potassium ACSF pH=7.4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S9888</td>
			<td>119 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P9333</td>
			<td>56 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MgSO4.7H</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>M1880</td>
			<td>1.3 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CaCl2</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C1016</td>
			<td>2.5 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaH2PO4</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S8282</td>
			<td>1 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaHCO3</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S5761</td>
			<td>26.2 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glucose</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G0350500&#160;</td>
			<td>10 mM</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

live imaging of nicotine induced calcium signaling and neurotransmitter release along ventral hippocampal axons

Sustained enhancement of axonal signaling and increased neurotransmitter release by the activation of pre-synaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) is an important mechanism for neuromodulation by acetylcholine (ACh). The difficulty with access to probing the signaling mechanisms within intact axons and at nerve terminals both in vitro and in vivo has limited progress in the study of the pre-synaptic components of synaptic plasticity. Here we introduce a gene-chimeric preparation of ventral hippocampal (vHipp)&#8211;accumbens (nAcc) circuit in vitro that allows direct live imaging to analyze both the pre- and post-synaptic components of transmission while selectively varying the genetic profile of the pre- vs post-synaptic neurons. We demonstrate that projections from vHipp microslices, as pre-synaptic axonal input, form multiple, reliable glutamatergic synapses with post-synaptic targets, the dispersed neurons from nAcc. The pre-synaptic localization of various subtypes of nAChRs are detected and the pre-synaptic nicotinic signaling mediated synaptic transmission are monitored by concurrent electrophysiological recording and live cell imaging. This preparation also provides an informative approach to study the pre- and post-synaptic mechanisms of glutamatergic synaptic plasticity in vitro.

The preparation employed consists of gene chimeric co-cultures of vHipp&#8211;nAcc circuits in vitro. Projections emanating from vHipp microslices, as pre-synaptic axonal input, can make synaptic contacts with post-synaptic targets, the dispersed neurons from nAcc. Nicotine induced a sustained (&#8805; 30 min) facilitation of glutamatergic transmission from nAcc neurons innervated by vHipp axons21 and prolonged calcium signaling along vHipp axons5 via pre-synaptic &#945;7*nAChRs.
<p cla...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Live Imaging of Nicotine Induced Calcium Signaling and Neurotransmitter Release Along Ventral Hippocampal Axons at JoVE.com

Live Imaging of Nicotine Induced Calcium Signaling and Neurotransmitter Release Along Ventral Hippocampal Axons

We developed a gene-chimeric preparation of ventral hippocampal &#8211; accumbens circuit in vitro that allows direct live imaging to analyze presynaptic mechanisms of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) mediated synaptic transmission. This preparation also provides an informative approach to study the pre- and post-synaptic mechanisms of synaptic plasticity.

Sustained enhancement of axonal signaling and increased neurotransmitter release by the activation of pre-synaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors ...

Research

Education

JoVE Core

JoVE Journal

Pharmacology

Neuroscience

Unit 1

Drugs Acting on Autonomic Nervous System: Adrenergic Agonists and Antagonists Agents

SCIENTISTS IN ACTION

Neuromodulation and Mitochondrial Transport: Live Imaging in Hippocampal Neurons over Long Durations

To understand the relationship between mitochondrial transport and neuronal function, it is critical to observe mitochondrial behavior in live cultured ...

Live Imaging of Dorsal Root Axons after Rhizotomy

The primary sensory axons injured by spinal root injuries fail to regenerate into the spinal cord, leading to chronic pain and permanent sensory loss. ...

Preparation of Acute Subventricular Zone Slices for Calcium Imaging

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is one of the two neurogenic zones in the postnatal brain. The SVZ contains densely packed cells, including neural ...

Analyzing Murine Schwann Cell Development Along Growing Axons

The  development of peripheral nerves is an intriguing process. Neurons send out  axons to innervate specific targets, which in humans are often more than ...

Calcium Phosphate Transfection of Primary Hippocampal Neurons

Calcium phosphate precipitation is a convenient and economical method for transfection of cultured cells. With optimization, it is possible to use this ...

Live Imaging of Drosophila Larval Neuroblasts

Live Imaging of Drosophila Larval Neuroblasts

Stem cells divide asymmetrically to generate two progeny cells with unequal fate potential: a self-renewing stem cell and a differentiating cell. Given ...

Acute Dissociation of Lamprey Reticulospinal Axons to Enable Recording from the Release Face Membrane of Individual Functional Presynaptic Terminals

Synaptic transmission is an extremely rapid process. Action potential driven influx of Ca2+&#160;into the presynaptic terminal, through voltage-gated ...

Fluorescence and Bioluminescence Imaging of Subcellular Ca2+ in Aged Hippocampal Neurons

Fluorescence and Bioluminescence Imaging of Subcellular Ca2+ in Aged Hippocampal Neurons

Susceptibility to neuron cell death associated to neurodegeneration and ischemia are exceedingly increased in the aged brain but mechanisms responsible ...

Dorsal Root Ganglia Isolation and Primary Culture to Study Neurotransmitter Release

Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) contain cell bodies of sensory neurons. This type of neuron is pseudo-unipolar, with two axons that innervate peripheral ...

Ex Vivo Calcium Imaging for Visualizing Brain Responses to Endocrine Signaling in Drosophila

Ex Vivo Calcium Imaging for Visualizing Brain Responses to Endocrine Signaling in Drosophila

Organ-to-organ communication by endocrine signaling, for example, from the periphery to the brain, is essential for maintaining homeostasis. As a model ...