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In This Article

  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Protocol
  • Representative Results
  • Discussion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Materials
  • References
  • Reprints and Permissions

Summary

This protocol describes the surgical exposure of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) followed by GCaMP3 (genetically-encoded Ca2+ indicator; Green Fluorescent Protein-Calmodulin-M13 Protein 3) Ca2+ imaging of the neuronal ensembles using Pirt-GCaMP3 mice while applying a variety of stimuli to the ipsilateral hind paw.

Abstract

Ca2+ imaging can be used as a proxy for cellular activity, including action potentials and various signaling mechanisms involving Ca2+ entry into the cytoplasm or the release of intracellular Ca2+ stores. Pirt-GCaMP3-based Ca2+ imaging of primary sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in mice offers the advantage of simultaneous measurement of a large number of cells. Up to 1,800 neurons can be monitored, allowing neuronal networks and somatosensory processes to be studied as an ensemble in their normal physiological context at a populational level in vivo. The large number of neurons monitored allows the detection of activity patterns that would be challenging to detect using other methods. Stimuli can be applied to the mouse hindpaw, allowing the direct effects of stimuli on the DRG neuron ensemble to be studied. The number of neurons producing Ca2+ transients as well as the amplitude of Ca2+ transients indicates sensitivity to specific sensory modalities. The diameter of neurons provides evidence of activated fiber types (non-noxious mechano vs. noxious pain fibers, Aβ, Aδ, and C fibers). Neurons expressing specific receptors can be genetically labeled with td-Tomato and specific Cre recombinases together with Pirt-GCaMP. Therefore, Pirt-GCaMP3 Ca2+ imaging of DRG provides a powerful tool and model for the analysis of specific sensory modalities and neuron subtypes acting as an ensemble at the populational level to study pain, itch, touch, and other somatosensory signals.

Introduction

Primary sensory neurons directly innervate the skin and carry somatosensory information back to the central nervous system1,2. Dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) are cell body clusters of 10,000-15,000 primary sensory neurons3,4. DRG neurons present diverse size, myelination levels, and gene and receptor expression patterns. Smaller diameter neurons include pain-sensing neurons and larger diameter neurons typically respond to non-painful mechanical stimuli5,6. Disorders in the primary sensory neurons s....

Protocol

All procedures described here were performed in accordance with a protocol approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

NOTE: Once started, animal surgery (step 1) and imaging (step 2) must be completed in a continuous manner. Data analysis (step 3) may be performed later.

1. Surgery and securing the animal for right side L5 DRG imaging

NOTE: Bo.......

Representative Results

figure-representative results-68
Figure 4: Representative images of L5 dorsal root ganglia of Pirt-GCaMP3 mice. (A,D) Single frame high resolution scans of L5 dorsal root ganglia of Pirt-GCaMP3 mice are shown. (B,E). Average intensity projections of 15 frames of Pirt-GCaMP3 L5 DRG ganglia from panel A and panel D, respectively.......

Discussion

Persistent pain is present in a wide range of disorders, debilitating and/or reducing the quality of life for about 8% of people29. Primary sensory neurons detect noxious stimuli on the skin, and their plasticity contributes to persistent pain8. While neurons can be studied in cell culture and explants, doing so removes them from their normal physiological context. Surgical exposure of the DRG, followed by Pirt-GCaMP3 Ca2+ imaging, permits the study of primary se.......

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants R01DE026677 and R01DE031477 (to Y.S.K.), UTHSCSA startup fund (Y.S.K.), a Rising STAR Award from University of Texas system (Y.S.K.), and Craniofacial Oral-biology Student Training in Academic Research (COSTAR) National Institute of Health Grant 5T32DE014318 (J.S.).

....

Materials

NameCompanyCatalog NumberComments
Anased Injection (Xylazine)Covetrus, Akorn33197
C Epiplan-Apochromat 10x/0.4 DICCal Zeiss422642-9900-000
Cotton Tipped ApplicatorsMcKesson24-106-1S
Curved HemostatFine Science Tools13007-12
DC Temperature ControllerFHC40-90-8D
DC Temperature Controller Heating PadFHC40-90-2-05
Dumont Ceramic Coated ForcepsFine Science Tools11252-50
FHC DC Temperature ControllerFHC40-90-8D
Fluriso (Isoflurane)MWI Animal Health, Piramal Group501017
Friedman-Pearson RongeursFine Science Tools16221-14
GelFoamPfizer09-0353-01
Ketaset (Ketamine)ZoetisKET-00002R2
Luminescent Green Stage TapeJSITON/ AmazonB803YW8ZWL
Matrx VIP 3000 Isoflurane VaporizerMidmark91305430
Micro dissecting scissorsRobozRS-5882
Micro dissecting spring scissorsFine Science Tools15023-10
Micro dissecting spring scissorsRobozRS-5677
Mini Rectal Thermistor ProbeFHC40-90-5D-02
Operating scissorsRobozRS-6812
Pirt-GCaMP3 C57BL/6J miceJohns Hopkins UniversityN/AEither sex can be imaged equally well. Mice should be at least 8 weeks old due to weak or intermittent Pirt promoter expression in younger mice.
SMALGO small animal algometerBioseb In vivo Research InstrumentsBIO-SMALGO
Stereotaxic frameKopf Model 923-B923-B
td-Tomato C57BL/6J miceJackson Laboratory7909
Top Plate, 6 in x 10 inNewport290-TP
TrpV1-Cre C57BL/6J miceJackson Laboratory17769
Zeiss LSM 800 confocal microscopeCal ZeissLSM800
Zeiss Zen 2.6 Blue Edition SoftwareCal ZeissZen (Blue Edition) 2.6

References

  1. Rivero-Melián, C., Grant, G. Distribution of lumbar dorsal root fibers in the lower thoracic and lumbosacral spinal cord of the rat studied with choleragenoid horseradish peroxidase conjugate. The Journal of Comparative Neurology. 299 (4), 470-481 (1990).
  2. Wessels, W. J., Marani, E.

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