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This neural cell dissociation protocol is intended for samples with a low amount of starting material and yields a highly viable single-cell suspension for downstream analysis, with optional fixation and staining steps.
This neural dissociation protocol (an adaptation of the protocol accompanying a commercial adult brain dissociation kit) optimizes tissue processing in preparation for detailed downstream analysis such as flow cytometry or single-cell sequencing. Neural dissociation can be conducted via mechanical dissociation (such as using filters, chopping techniques, or pipette trituration), enzymatic digestion, or a combination thereof. The delicate nature of neuronal cells can complicate efforts to obtain the highly viable, true single-cell suspension with minimal cellular debris that is required for single-cell analysis. The data demonstrate that this combination of automated mechanical dissociation and enzymatic digestion consistently yields a highly viable (>90%) single-cell suspension, overcoming the aforementioned difficulties. While a few of the steps require manual dexterity, these steps lessen sample handling and potential cell loss. This manuscript details each step of the process to equip other laboratories to successfully dissociate small quantities of neural tissue in preparation for downstream analysis.
The hippocampus was first described by a Bolognese anatomist, Giulio Cesare Aranzio, in the 1500's1. In naming this newfound structure, Aranzio was likely inspired by its uncanny resemblance to the seahorse of the genus Hippocampus1. The hippocampus is involved in stress responses but is widely known for its role in learning and memory. More specifically, the hippocampus is responsible for the encoding and retrieval of declarative and spatial memory1.
The hippocampus, or hippocampus proper, is divided into the CA1 (cornu ammonis), CA2, and CA3 subfields
Experiments were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at UAMS. 6-month-old female C57Bl6/J wild-type mice were purchased and group-housed (4 mice per cage) under a constant 12 h light/dark cycle.
1. Preparation of reagents
Samples were processed with a flow cytometer at a core facility, and the resulting data were evaluated with a software package for flow analysis. Previously, compensation controls were analyzed-the live/dead stain and negative control. If multiple fluorochromes are used, fluorescence minus one (FMO) controls and single-stain controls should be prepared for each antibody. Compensation for spectral overlap for the experimental samples was calculated based on the analyzed controls. For cell population identification, a hier.......
Several steps in this neural dissociation protocol require proficient technique and dexterity–perfusion, supernatant aspiration, and myelin removal. Throughout the perfusion process, the internal organs must remain intact (aside from removing the diaphragm and clipping the heart); this includes avoiding the upper chambers of the heart with the butterfly needle. While the amount of saline with heparin needed varies, transparent fluid flowing from the heart indicates the process is complete. The brain must be complet.......
We thank Aimee Rogers for providing hands-on training and continued product support. We thank Dr. Amanda Burke for ongoing troubleshooting and clarifying discussions. We thank Meredith Joheim and the UAMS Science Communication Group for the grammatical editing and formatting of this manuscript. This study was supported by NIH R25GM083247 and NIH 1R01CA258673 (A.R.A).
....Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
1.5 mL Microcentrifuge Tubes | Fisher Scientific | 02-682-003 | Basix, assorted color |
15 mL Falcon Tubes | Becton Dickinson Labware Europe | 352009 | Polystyrene |
25 mL Serological Pipets | Fisher Scientific | 14-955-235 | |
5 mL Round Bottom Polystyrene Test Tube | Falcon | 352052 | |
500 mL Vacuum Filter/ Storage Bottle System | Corning | 431097 | |
70 μm cell strainer | Fisher Scientific | 08-771-2 | |
Adult Brain Dissociation Kit | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-107-677 | Contains Enzyme P, Buffer Z, Buffer Y, Enzyme A, Buffer A, Debris Removal Solution |
Aluminum Foil | Fisher Scientific | 01-213-105 | |
Anti-ACSA-2-PE-Vio770, mouse, clone REA969 | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-116-246 | |
Anti-Myelin Basic Protein | Sigma-Aldrich | M3821-100UG | |
Anti-PSA-NCAM-PE, human, mouse and rat, Clone 2-2B | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-117-394 | |
BD LSRFortessa | BD | ||
BSA | Sigma-Aldrich | A7906-50G | |
CD11b-VioBlue, mouse, Clone REA592 | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-113-810 | |
CD31 Antibody | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-111-541 | |
Ceramic Hot Plate Stirrer | Fisher Scientific | 11-100-100SH | |
Dimethyl Sulfoxide | Fisher Scientific | BP231-100 | |
Ethanol | Pharmco by Greenfield Global | 111000200 | |
Falcon 50 mL Conical Centrifuge Tubes | Fisher Scientific | 14-432-22 | |
Fine Scissors - Sharp | Fine Science Tools | 14060-09 | Perfusion |
FlowJo | BD | (v10.7.0) | |
gentleMACS C Tubes | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-093-237 | |
gentleMACS Octo Dissociator with Heaters | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-096-427 | |
Gibco DPBS (1X) | ThermoFisher Scientific | 14190144 | |
Glass Beaker | Fisher Scientific | 02-555-25A | |
Heparin sodium | Fresenius Kabi | 504011 | |
LIVE/DEAD Fixable Aqua Dead Cell Stain Kit | ThermoFisher | L34965 | |
Magnetic Stir Bar | Fisher Scientific | 14-513-51 | |
Noyes Spring Scissors | Fine Science Tools | 15012-12 | Dissection |
Paraformaldehyde | Sigma-Aldrich | 441244-3KG | Prilled, 95% |
Pipette tips GP LTS 20 µL 960A/10 | Rainin | 30389270 | |
Pipette Tips GP LTS 250 µL 960A/10 | Rainin | 30389277 | |
Pipette tips RT LTS 1000 µL FL 768A/8 | Rainin | 30389213 | |
Rainin Pipet-Lite XLS (2, 20, 200, 1000 μL) | Rainin | 30386597 | |
RBXMO FITC XADS | Fisher Scientific | A16167 | |
Round Ice Bucket with Lid | Fisher Scientific | 07-210-129 | |
Round-Bottom Tubes with Cell Strainer Cap | Falcon | 100-0087 | |
S1 Pipet Fillers | ThermoFisher Scientific | 9541 | |
Spatula & Probe | Fine Science Tools | 10090-13 | Dissection & Perfusion |
Surflo Winged Infusion Set 23 G x 3/4" | Termuno | SV-23BLK | Butterfly needle |
Test Tube Rack | Fisher Scientific | 14-809-37 | |
Thermo Scientific Legend XTR Centrifuge | ThermoFisher | discontinued | Or other standard table top centrifuge |
Variable-Flow Peristaltic Pump | Fisher Scientific | 13-876-2 | Low-flow model |
VetFlo Starter Kit for Mice | Kent Scientific | VetFlo-MSEKIT | Anesthesia mask, tubing, induction chamber, charcoal canisters |
VetFlo Vaporizer Single Channel Anesthesia System | Kent Scientific | VetFlo-1210S | 0.2–4 LPM |
Vi-CELL XR Cell Viability Analyzer | Beckman Coulter Life Sciences | 731196 | Cell Counting |
Vi-CELL XR 4 Bags of Sample Vials | Beckman Coulter Life Sciences | 383721 | Cell Counting |
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