This work was supported by NIH grant EY 012031 (ET-A), an award from the F. M. Kirby Foundation (ET-A), Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. (MAZ), The New Jersey Lions Eye Research Foundation (MAZ), The Eye Institute of New Jersey (MAZ), the Joseph J. and Marguerite DiSepio Retina Research Fund (MAZ), and the Janice Mitchell Vassar and Ashby Mitchell Fellowship (AMK).

1. Making a custom-made stand for cell culture inserts 
The base of a 5 ml pipette tip (ISC BioExpress, #P-3250-19) has an inner diameter of 13 mm, which perfectly matches the bottom size (12.6 mm, outer diameter) of a 10 mm (inner diameter) NUNC cell culture insert (8 &mu;m, Polycarbonate membrane, Thermal, #137443). To make the stand, the pipette was cut off near the base to produce a 6 mm long hollow cylinder. Then, pieces were removed from the side of the cylinder using a flame-heated blade to create 3 legs (4 mm in height) under a ring (2 mm in height), which raised the height of the inserts by approximately 5 mm.
2. Preparation of sterile filter paper for attachment and culture of porcine retina
Whatman 4M Filter paper (Cat No. 1004) was cut into a circular shape (6.3 mm in diameter) with a small, triangular handle that was used for moving the filter paper into a glass tube for sterilization or once the retina was attached (as shown in the video). 
3. Preparation of retinal explants 
Eyes from 5- to 9-month old, 150-230 lbs, American Yorkshire pigs were obtained from a local abattoir within three hours of enucleation (transported on ice). Upon arrival, eyes were cleaned of extraneous tissue, dipped in betadine solution (10% Povidone-iodine, The Purdue Frederique Company, Stamford, CT) and washed twice in Dulbecco&#x2019;s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM with 1g/L glucose, L-glutamine, and sodium pyruvate, Cellgro-mediatech Inc., Manasses, VA) supplemented with 2.5 &mu;g/ml Amphotericin B (Gibco-Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). The anterior segment was removed, exposing the neural retina. Six-mm trephine blades (Storz Ophthalmic-Bausch and Lomb, Manchester, MO) were used to cut equatorial, full-thickness posterior segment explants. The retina was subsequently peeled off by gently applying a piece of dry sterile filter paper onto the ganglion cell layer, lifting off the neural retina, and placing the filter paper with attached retina onto the culture insert, photoreceptors facing up. The insert was then placed into culture medium, making sure to fully cover the retina, in a 12-well culture dish (Fisher). Multiple explants were obtained routinely and cultured from a single eye.
4. Tissue culture 
The retinal tissue was cultured in Eagle&#x2019;s Minimum Essential Medium (MEM, Invitrogen-Gibco-Life Technologies Inc., Rockville, MD), pH 7.4, supplemented with 0.2 mg/ml glutamine, 10 &mu;g/ml porcine insulin, 1 mM pyruvate, 0.1 mM L-ascorbic acid, 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 &mu;g/ml streptomycin, and 250 ng/ml amphotericin B (Antibiotic Antimycotic: Sigma, St. Louis, MO), and aerated with humidified 5% CO2, balance air, at 37 &deg;C. Medium was exchanged every two days.
Tissue can be used, treated with a variety of reagents or probes, or left untreated for subsequent biochemical or morphological analyses. The section below describes procedures to create consistent full-thickness retinal cross-sections.
5. Sectioning 
<ol>
<li>Using a Cryostat
<ol>
 <li>Fix retinal tissue in 4% parafomaldehyde overnight at 4&deg;C;</li>
 <li>Rinse tissue briefly with phosphate buffered saline (PBS);</li>
 <li>Carefully remove the tissue from the filter paper while it is in PBS in a 35 mm dish using a dissection microscope; </li>
 <li>Transfer tissue to 30% sucrose and keep overnight at 4&deg;C;</li>
 <li>Suction away the excess solution around the tissue, add sufficient Tissue-Tek medium (O.C.T. Compound 4583) to cover tissue, and let it soak at room temperature for 2 hours to permeate the tissue;</li>
 <li>Build a square frame (10 mm x 10mm, 5 mm height) with dental wax and place it around the tissue; add more Tissue-Tek medium to fill the frame (make sure the tissue sample is flat) and place in a freezer (-20&deg;C) for at least 1 hour;</li>
 <li>Transfer the frozen sample block to a sample platform (make sure the sample block is vertical to the platform); </li>
 <li>Mount the sample platform in a pre-cooled cryostat (-20&deg;C, Leica, CM1900) and make sure the block is vertical to the blade;</li>
 <li>Remove the wax and the frame block before sectioning the tissue at desired thickness;</li>
 <li>Place the sections on gelatin-treated slides.</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>Using a Vibratome
<ol>
 <li>Fix and rinse the tissue as described above for the Cryostat;</li>
 <li>Place the tissue into pre-heated, melted 4% agar in a small container and keep at 4&deg;C until the agar congeals completely;</li>
 <li>Use a sharp blade to trim the agar into a small block with the tissue sample inside;</li>
 <li>Glue the sample block on a vibratome sample holder with Krazy glue (make sure the piece of tissue sample is vertical to the platform of the sample holder, i.e., perpendicular to the blade) and mount the holder on a vibratome sectioning system (Leica, Series 1000) with the sample block completely submerged in icy water;</li>
 <li>Cut the sample block into 50 &mu;m sections and place them on gelatin-treated slides with a soft brush.</li> 
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
6. Immunohistochemistry
Use any standard protocol. Immunolabeled thick sections can be viewed with a confocal microscope.
7. Representative Results:
Morphology was preserved during the seven-day period of culture. Images of retina before and after culturing are available in the video.

<ol>
	<li>Johnson, T. V., Martin, K. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+and+characterization+of+an+adult+retinal+explant+organotypic+tissue+culture+system+as+an+in+vitro+intraocular+stem+cell+transplantation+model.">Development and characterization of an adult retinal explant organotypic tissue culture system as an in vitro intraocular stem cell transplantation model.</a> Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 49, 3503-3512 (2008).</li><li>Kretz, A., Marticke, J. K., Happold, C. J., Schmeer, C., Isenmann, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+primary+culture+technique+of+adult+retina+for+regeneration+studies+on+adult+CNS+neurons.">A primary culture technique of adult retina for regeneration studies on adult CNS neurons.</a> Nat Protoc. 2, 131-140 (2007).</li><li>Donovan, S. L., Dyer, 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=Preparation+and+square+wave+electroporation+of+retinal+explant+cultures.">Preparation and square wave electroporation of retinal explant cultures.</a> Nat Protoc. 1, 2710-2718 (2006).</li><li>Koizumi, A., Zeck, G., Ben, Y., Masland, R. H., Jakobs, T. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Organotypic+culture+of+physiologically+functional+adult+mammalian+retinas.">Organotypic culture of physiologically functional adult mammalian retinas.</a> PLoS One. 2, e221-e221 (2007).</li><li>Lye, M. H., Jakobs, T. C., Masland, R. H., Koizumi, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Organotypic+culture+of+adult+rabbit+retina.">Organotypic culture of adult rabbit retina.</a> J Vis Exp. , (2007).</li><li>Ames, A., Li, Y. Y., Heher, E. C., Kimble, C. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Energy+metabolism+of+rabbit+retina+as+related+to+function:+high+cost+of+Na++transport.">Energy metabolism of rabbit retina as related to function: high cost of Na+ transport.</a> J Neurosci. 12, 840-853 (1992).</li><li>Kobuch, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Maintenance+of+adult+porcine+retina+and+retinal+pigment+epithelium+in+perfusion+culture:+characterisation+of+an+organotypic+in+vitro+model.">Maintenance of adult porcine retina and retinal pigment epithelium in perfusion culture: characterisation of an organotypic in vitro model.</a> Exp Eye Res. 86, 661-668 (2008).</li><li>Kaempf, S., Walter, P., Salz, A. K., Thumann, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Novel+organotypic+culture+model+of+adult+mammalian+neurosensory+retina+in+co-culture+with+retinal+pigment+epithelium.">Novel organotypic culture model of adult mammalian neurosensory retina in co-culture with retinal pigment epithelium.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 173, 47-58 (2008).</li><li>Guduric-Fuchs, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immunohistochemical+study+of+pig+retinal+development.">Immunohistochemical study of pig retinal development.</a> Mol Vis. 15, 1915-1928 (2009).</li><li>Chandler, M. J., Smith, P. J., Samuelson, D. A., MacKay, E. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Photoreceptor+density+of+the+domestic+pig+retina.">Photoreceptor density of the domestic pig retina.</a> Vet Ophthalmol. 2, 179-184 (1999).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

Vision researchers have established a variety of retinal culture systems, including organotypic systems, to study a variety of issues, such as retinal stem cell transplantation1, retinal regeneration2, and exogenous gene expression3-5. However, adult mammalian retina is difficult to maintain in vitro, mainly due to the high-energy demands of the photoreceptors6. Koizumi et al. described a rabbit retinal organotypic culture system in which the oxygen supply for...

<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 	<tr>
 	<td>Name of the reagent</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue number</td>
 <td>Comments</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 	<td>MEM</td>
 <td>Invitrogen-Gibco</td>
 <td>10370-021</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>5 mL pipette tip</td>
 <td>ISC BioExpress</td>
 <td>P-3250-19</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>NUNC cell culture insert</td>
 <td>Thermal</td>
 <td>137443</td>
 <td>8&mu;m, Polycarbonate</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>Whatman 4M Filter paper</td>
 <td>Whatman</td>
 <td>1004</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>DMEM</td>
 <td>Cellgro-mediatech Inc</td>
 <td>10-013-CV</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>Agar</td>
 <td>Fluka</td>
 <td>05040</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>Fungizone Amphotericin B</td>
 <td>Invitrogen-Gibco</td>
 <td>15290018</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>Trephine blades</td>
 <td>Bausch and Lomb</td>
 <td>T3096</td>
 <td>6.00mm</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>O.C.T. Compound</td>
 <td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
 <td>62550-01</td>
 <td>4583</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>Sciences</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>Cryostat</td>
 <td>Leica</td>
 <td>CM1900</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>Vibratome</td>
 <td>Leica</td>
 <td>Series 1000</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>Confocal microscopy; </td>
 <td>Carl Zeiss</td>
 <td>LSM510</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>Anti-Synaptic Vesicle Protein 2 (SV2) mouse monoclonal antibody</td>
 <td>DSHB</td>
 <td>N/A</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	<td>Anti-Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) polyclonal rabbit antibody</td>
 <td>DAKO</td>
 <td>DAKO</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 	<tr>
 	
 <td>Propidium Iodide (PI)</td>
 <td>Sigma</td>
 <td>P4170</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

organotypic culture of full-thickness adult porcine retina

There is a recognized demand for in vitro models that can replace or reduce animal experiments. Porcine retina has a similar neuronal structure to human retina and is therefore a valuable species for studying mechanisms of human retinal injury and degenerative disease. Here we describe a cost-effective technique for organotypic culture of adult porcine retina isolated from eyes obtained from an abattoir. After removing the anterior segment, a trephine blade was used to create multiple neural retina-Bruch's membrane-RPE-choroid-sclera explants from the posterior segment of adult porcine eyes. A piece of sterile filter paper was used to lift the neural retina off from each explant. The filter paper-retina complex was cultured (photoreceptor side up) atop an insert, which was held away from the bottom of the culture dish by a custom-made stand. The stand allows for good circulation of the culture medium to both sides of the retina. Overall, this procedure is simple, reproducible, and permits preservation of native retinal structure for at least seven days, making it a useful model for a variety of morphological, pharmacological, and biochemical studies on mammalian retina.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Organotypic Culture of Full-thickness Adult Porcine Retina at JoVE.com

Organotypic Culture of Full-thickness Adult Porcine Retina

Here we describe a cost-effective technique for organotypic culture of adult porcine retina for seven days. Briefly, a sterile filter paper was used to lift the neural retina off from the RPE and place photoreceptor side up on an insert raised by a custom-made stand.

There is a recognized demand for in vitro models that can replace or reduce animal experiments. Porcine retina has a similar neuronal structure to human ...

organotypic-culture-of-full-thickness-adult-porcine-retina

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Neuroscience

14.9K Views.  University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - UMDNJ. Here we describe a cost-effective technique for organotypic culture of adult porcine retina for seven days. Briefly, a sterile filter paper was used to lift the neural retina off from the RPE and place photoreceptor side up on an insert raised by a custom-made stand.

Video: Organotypic Culture of Full-thickness Adult Porcine Retina

The Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Culture Model for Examining Neuronal Injury

Organotypic hippocampal slice culture is an in vitro method to examine mechanisms of neuronal injury in which the basic architecture and composition of the hippocampus is relatively preserved 1. The organotypic culture system allows for the examination of neuronal, astrocytic and microglial effects, but as an ex vivo preparation, does not address effects of blood flow, or recruitment of peripheral inflammatory cells. To that end, this culture method is frequently used to examine excitotoxic and hypoxic injury to pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus, but has also been used to examine the inflammatory response. Herein we describe the methods for generating hippocampal slice cultures from postnatal rodent brain, administering toxic stimuli to induce neuronal injury, and assaying and quantifying hippocampal neuronal death.

The organoptypic hippocampal slice culture model is an in vitro model used to examine neuronal injury in a variety of paradigms. In this article, we describe the methods for generating slice cultures and quantifying neuronal injury.

Organotypic hippocampal slice culture is an in vitro method to examine mechanisms of neuronal injury in which the basic architecture and composition of ...

Organotypic Slice Culture of GFP-expressing Mouse Embryos for Real-time Imaging of Peripheral Nerve Outgrowth

For many purposes, the cultivation of mouse embryos ex vivo as organotypic slices is desirable. For example, we employ a transgenic mouse line (tauGFP) in which the enhanced version of the green fluorescent protein (EGFP) is exclusively expressed in all neurons of the developing central and peripheral nervous system1, allowing the possibility to both film the innervation of the forelimb and to manipulate this process with pharmacological and genetic techniques2. The most critical parameter in the successful cultivation of such slice cultures is the method by which the slices are prepared. After extensive testing of a variety of methods, we have found that a vibratome is the best possible device to slice the embryos such that they routinely result in a culture that demonstrates viability over a period of several days, and most importantly, develops in an age-specific manner. For mid-gestation embryos, this includes the normal outgrowth of spinal nerves from the spinal cord and the dorsal root ganglia to their targets in the periphery and the proper determination of skeletal and muscle tissue. 
In this work, we present a method for processing whole embryos of embryonic day (E) E10 to E12 into 300 - 400 micrometer slices for cultivation in a standard tissue culture incubator, which can be studied for up to two days after slice preparation. Critical for the success of this approach is the use of a vibratome to slice each agarose-embedded embryo. This is followed by the cultivation of the slices upon Millicell culture membrane inserts placed upon a small volume of medium, resulting in an interface culture technique. One litter with an average of 7 embryos routinely produces at least 14 slices (2-3 slices of the forelimb region per embryo), which varies slightly due to the age of the embryos as well as to the thickness of the slices. About 80% of the cultured slices show nerve outgrowth, which can be measured througout the culturing period2. Representative results using the tauGFP mouse line are demonstrated.

We present a method to prepare organotypic slices of mid-gestation mouse embryos for the cultivation and time-lapse imaging of peripheral nerve outgrowth.

For many purposes, the cultivation of mouse embryos ex vivo as organotypic slices is desirable. For example, we employ a transgenic mouse line (tauGFP) in ...

Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures

The hippocampus, a component of the limbic system, plays important roles in long-term memory and spatial navigation 1. Hippocampal neurons can modify the strength of their connections after brief periods of strong activation. This phenomenon, known as long-term potentiation (LTP) can last for hours or days and has become the best candidate mechanism for learning and memory 2. In addition, the well defined anatomy and connectivity of the hippocampus 3 has made it a classical model system to study synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity4.
As our understanding of the physiology of hippocampal synapses grew and molecular players became identified, a need to manipulate synaptic proteins became imperative. Organotypic hippocampal cultures offer the possibility for easy gene manipulation and precise pharmacological intervention but maintain synaptic organization that is critical to understanding synapse function in a more naturalistic context than routine culture dissociated neurons methods.
Here we present a method to prepare and culture hippocampal slices that can be easily adapted to other brain regions. This method allows easy access to the slices for genetic manipulation using different approaches like viral infection 5,6 or biolistics 7. In addition, slices can be easily recovered for biochemical assays 8, or transferred to microscopes for imaging 9 or electrophysiological experiments 10.

We describe a method to prepare organotypic hippocampal slices that can be easily adapted to other brain regions. Brain slices are laid on porous membranes and culture media is allowed to form an interface. This method preserves the gross architecture of the hippocampus for up to 2 weeks in culture.

The hippocampus, a component of the limbic system, plays important roles in long-term memory and spatial navigation 1. Hippocampal neurons can modify the ...

In vivo Electroporation of Developing Mouse Retina

The functional characterization of genes expressed during mammalian retinal development remains a significant challenge. Gene targeting to generate constitutive or conditional loss of function knockouts remains cost and labor intensive, as well as time consuming. Adding to these challenges, retina expressed genes may have essential roles outside the retina leading to unintended confounds when using a knockout approach. Furthermore, the ability to ectopically express a gene in a gain of function experiment can be extremely valuable when attempting to identify a role in cell fate specification and/or terminal differentiation.
We present a method for the rapid and efficient incorporation of DNA plasmids into the neonatal mouse retina by electroporation. The application of short electrical impulses above a certain field strength results in a transient increase in plasma membrane permeability, facilitating the transfer of material across the membrane 1,2,3,4. Groundbreaking work demonstrated that electroporation could be utilized as a method of gene transfer into mammalian cells by inducing the formation of hydrophilic plasma membrane pores allowing the passage of highly charged DNA through the lipid bilayer 5. Continuous technical development has resulted in the viability of electroporation as a method for in vivo gene transfer in multiple mouse tissues including the retina, the method for which is described herein 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. 
DNA solution is injected into the subretinal space so that DNA is placed between the retinal pigmented epithelium and retina of the neonatal (P0) mouse and electrical pulses are applied using a tweezer electrode. The lateral placement of the eyes in the mouse allows for the easy orientation of the tweezer electrode to the necessary negative pole-DNA-retina-positive pole alignment. Extensive incorporation and expression of transferred genes can be identified by postnatal day 2 (P2). Due to the lack of significant lateral migration of cells in the retina, electroporated and non-electroporated regions are generated. Non-electroporated regions may serve as internal histological controls where appropriate. 
Retinal electroporation can be used to express a gene under a ubiquitous promoter, such as CAG, or to disrupt gene function using shRNA constructs or Cre-recombinase. More targeted expression can be achieved by designing constructs with cell specific gene promoters. Visualization of electroporated cells is achieved using bicistronic constructs expressing GFP or by co-electroporating a GFP expression construct. Furthermore, multiple constructs may be electroporated for the study of combinatorial gene effects or simultaneous gain and loss of function of different genes. Retinal electroporation may also be utilized for the analysis of genomic cis-regulatory elements by generating appropriate expression constructs and deletion mutants. Such experiments can be used to identify cis-regulatory regions sufficient or required for cell specific gene expression 11. Potential experiments are limited only by construct availability.

In vivo Electroporation of Developing Mouse Retina

A method for the incorporation of plasmid DNA into murine retinal cells for the purpose of performing either gain- or loss of function studies in vivo is presented. This method capitalizes on the transient increase in permeability of cell plasma membranes induced by the application of an external electrical field.

The functional characterization of genes expressed during mammalian retinal development remains a significant challenge.  Gene targeting to generate ...

Assessment of Vascular Regeneration in the CNS Using the Mouse Retina

The rodent retina is perhaps the most accessible mammalian system in which to investigate neurovascular interplay within the central nervous system (CNS). It is increasingly being recognized that several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer&#8217;s, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis present elements of vascular compromise. In addition, the most prominent causes of blindness in pediatric and working age populations (retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy, respectively) are characterized by vascular degeneration and failure of physiological vascular regrowth. The aim of this technical paper is to provide a detailed protocol to study CNS vascular regeneration in the retina. The method can be employed to elucidate molecular mechanisms that lead to failure of vascular growth after ischemic injury. In addition, potential therapeutic modalities to accelerate and restore healthy vascular plexuses can be explored. Findings obtained using the described approach may provide therapeutic avenues for ischemic retinopathies such as that of diabetes or prematurity and possibly benefit other vascular disorders of the CNS.

The rodent retina has long been recognized as an accessible window to the brain. In this technical paper we provide a protocol that employs the mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy to study the mechanisms that lead to failure of vascular regeneration within the central nervous system after ischemic injury. The described system can also be harnessed to explore strategies to promote regrowth of functional blood vessels within the retina and CNS.

The rodent retina is perhaps the most accessible mammalian system in which to investigate neurovascular interplay within the central nervous system (CNS). ...

Isolation and Culture of Adult Neural Stem Cells from the Mouse Subcallosal Zone

Adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) can be used for the regeneration of damaged brain tissue. NSCs have the potential for differentiation and proliferation into three types of cells: neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Identifying aNSC-derived regions and characterizing the aNSC properties are critical for the potential use of aNSCs and for the elucidation of their role in neural regeneration. The subcallosal zone (SCZ), located between white matter and the hippocampus, has recently been reported to contain aNSCs and continuously give rise to neuroblasts. A low percentage of aNSCs from the SCZ is differentiated into neurons; most cells are differentiated into glial cells, such as oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. These cells are suggested to have a therapeutic potential for traumatic cortical injury. This protocol describes in detail the process to generate SCZ-aNSCs from an adult mouse brain. A brain matrix with intervals of 1 mm is used to obtain the SCZ-containing coronal slices and to precisely dissect the SCZ from the whole brain. The SCZ sections are initially subjected to a neurosphere culture. A well-developed culture system allows for the verification of their characteristics and can increase research on NSCs. A neurosphere culture system provides a useful tool for determining proliferation and collecting the genuine NSCs. A monolayer culture is also an in vitro system to assay proliferation and differentiation. Significantly, this culture system provides a more homogenous environment for NSCs than the neurosphere culture system. Thus, using a discrete brain region, these culture systems will be helpful for expanding our knowledge about aNSCs and their applications for therapeutic uses.

Establishing culture systems for the expansion of adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) allows for the examination and application of aNSCs for therapy. The subcallosal zone (SCZ) has recently been recognized as a novel neuroblast-forming region in adult mice. Here, methods for the isolation, expansion, and differentiation of SCZ-aNSCs are described.

Adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) can be used for the regeneration of damaged brain tissue. NSCs have the potential for differentiation and proliferation ...

Preparation of Horizontal Slices of Adult Mouse Retina for Electrophysiological Studies

Vertical slice preparations are well established to study circuitry and signal transmission in the adult mammalian retina. The plane of sectioning in these preparations is perpendicular to the retinal surface, making it ideal for the study of radially oriented neurons like photoreceptors and bipolar cells. However, the large dendritic arbors of horizontal cells, wide-field amacrine cells, and ganglion cells are mostly truncated, leaving markedly reduced synaptic activity in these cells. Whereas ganglion cells and displaced amacrine cells can be studied in a whole-mounted preparation of the retina, horizontal cells and amacrine cells located in the inner nuclear layer are only poorly accessible for electrodes in whole retina tissue.
To achieve maximum accessibility and synaptic integrity, we developed a horizontal slice preparation of the mouse retina, and studied signal transmission at the synapse between photoreceptors and horizontal cells. Horizontal sectioning allows&#160;(1) easy and unambiguous visual identification of horizontal cell bodies for electrode targeting, and (2) preservation of the extended horizontal cell dendritic fields, as a prerequisite for intact and functional cone synaptic input to horizontal cell dendrites.
Horizontal cells from horizontal slices exhibited tonic synaptic activity in the dark, and they responded to brief flashes of light with a reduction of inward current and diminished synaptic activity. Immunocytochemical evidence indicates that almost all cones within the dendritic field of a horizontal cell establish synapses with its peripheral dendrites. The horizontal slice preparation is therefore well suited to study the physiological properties of horizontally extended retinal neurons as well as sensory signal transmission and integration across selected synapses.

We developed a horizontal slice preparation of the adult mammalian retina with the plane of sectioning parallel to the retinal surface. Dendritic fields of nonradially oriented retinal neurons were not truncated, allowing the study of signal processing with patch-clamp and imaging techniques.

Vertical slice preparations are well established to study circuitry and signal transmission in the adult mammalian retina. The plane of sectioning in ...

Time-lapse Confocal Imaging of Migrating Neurons in Organotypic Slice Culture of Embryonic Mouse Brain Using In Utero Electroporation

In utero electroporation is a rapid and powerful approach to study the process of radial migration in the cerebral cortex of developing mouse embryos. It has helped to describe the different steps of radial migration and characterize the molecular mechanisms controlling this process. To directly and dynamically analyze migrating neurons they have to be traced over time. This protocol describes a workflow that combines in utero electroporation with organotypic slice culture and time-lapse confocal imaging, which allows for a direct examination and dynamic analysis of radially migrating cortical neurons. Furthermore, detailed characterization of migrating neurons, such as migration speed, speed profiles, as well as radial orientation changes, is possible. The method can easily be adapted to perform functional analyses of genes of interest in radially migrating cortical neurons by loss and gain of function as well as rescue experiments. Time-lapse imaging of migrating neurons is a state-of-the-art technique that once established is a potent tool to study the development of the cerebral cortex in mouse models of neuronal migration disorders.

Time-lapse Confocal Imaging of Migrating Neurons in Organotypic Slice Culture of Embryonic Mouse Brain Using In Utero Electroporation

This protocol provides instructions for direct observation of radially migrating cortical neurons. In utero electroporation, organotypic slice culture, and time-lapse confocal imaging are combined to directly and dynamically study the effects of overexpression or downregulation of genes of interest in migrating neurons and to analyze their differentiation during development.

In utero electroporation is a rapid and powerful approach to study the process of radial migration in the cerebral cortex of developing mouse embryos. It ...

Isolation and Culture of Primary Neurons and Glia from Adult Rat Urinary Bladder

The lower urinary tract has two main functions, namely, periodic urine storage and micturition; these functions are mediated through central and peripheral neuroregulation. Although extensive research on the lower urinary tract nervous system has been conducted, most studies have focused on primary culture. This protocol introduces a method for the isolation and culture of bladder neurons and glia from Sprague&#8211;Dawley rats. In this method, the neurons and glia were incubated in a 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2 incubator for 5&#8211;7 days. As a result, they grew into mature shapes suitable for related subsequent immunofluorescence experiments. Cells were morphologically observed using an optical microscope. Neurons, synaptic vesicles, and glia were identified by &#946;-III-tubulin and MAP-2, Synapsin-1, and GFAP staining, respectively. Meanwhile, immunocytochemistry was performed on several neurotransmitter-related proteins, such as choline acetyltransferase, DYNLL2, and SLC17A9.

This protocol attempts to establish a repeatable protocol for primary neurons and glia isolation from rat bladder for further cellular experiments.

The lower urinary tract has two main functions, namely, periodic urine storage and micturition; these functions are mediated through central and ...

Culture of Neurospheres Derived from the Neurogenic Niches in Adult Prairie Voles

Neurospheres are primary cell aggregates that comprise neural stem cells and progenitor cells. These 3D structures are an excellent tool to determine the differentiation and proliferation potential of neural stem cells, as well as to generate cell lines than can be assayed over time. Also, neurospheres can create a niche (in vitro) that allows the modeling of the dynamic changing environment, such as varying growth factors, hormones, neurotransmitters, among others. Microtus ochrogaster (prairie vole) is a unique model for understanding the neurobiological basis of socio-sexual behaviors and social cognition. However, the cellular mechanisms involved in these behaviors are not well known. The protocol aims to obtain neural progenitor cells from the neurogenic niches of the adult prairie vole, which are cultured under non-adherent conditions, to generate neurospheres. The size and number of neurospheres depend on the region (subventricular zone or dentate gyrus) and sex of the prairie vole. This method is a remarkable tool to study sex-dependent differences in neurogenic niches in vitro and the neuroplasticity changes associated with social behaviors such as pair bonding and biparental care. Also, cognitive conditions that entail deficits in social interactions (autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia) could be examined.

We established the conditions to culture neural progenitor cells from the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus of the adult brain of prairie voles, as a complementary in vitro study, to analyze the sex-dependent differences between neurogenic niches that could be part of functional plastic changes associated with social behaviors.

Neurospheres are primary cell aggregates that comprise neural stem cells and progenitor cells. These 3D structures are an excellent tool to determine the ...