Name: bilaminar co-culture of primary rat cortical neurons and glia
Uploaded: 2011-11-12T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Bilaminar Co-culture of Primary Rat Cortical Neurons and Glia at JoVE.com

Gli autori ringraziano i membri di laboratorio precedenti che hanno contribuito al perfezionamento di questo protocollo e l&#39;NIH per il supporto nel corso degli anni (DA19808 e DA15014 a OM). Anna Abt 1 è un collega della &quot;formazione mediante la ricerca interdisciplinare e traslazionale in neuroAIDS&quot; (T32-MH078795): così, questo lavoro è stato sostenuto in parte dal National Institutes of Health Research sotto Ruth L. Kirschstein Premio Nazionale Servizio 5T32MH079785.

1. Glia Dissection (~ 2 settimane prima neuroni placcatura) <ol><li> Per preparare gli strumenti per collocare la dissezione sterile in etanolo al 70%, aggiungere 4 ml di media dissezione a freddo a 60 piatti mm (un piatto per ogni cervello), e il luogo del 2,5% tripsina e DNasi sul ghiaccio per scongelare (vedi i dettagli sugli strumenti chirurgici nella tabella VI ). </li><li> Usare le forbici grandi di decapitare 2-4 cuccioli giorno di vita e le teste posto in un piatto da 100 millimetri sterile. </li><li> Usare le...

<ol>
	<li>Cook, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Interactions+between+chemokines:+regulation+of+fractalkine/CX3CL1+homeostasis+by+SDF/CXCL12+in+cortical+neurons.">Interactions between chemokines: regulation of fractalkine/CX3CL1 homeostasis by SDF/CXCL12 in cortical neurons.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 285, 10563-10563 (2010).</li><li>Nicolai, J., Burbassi, S., Rubin, J., Meucci, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=CXCL12+inhibits+expression+of+the+NMDA+receptor's+NR2B+subunit+through+a+histone+deacetylase-dependent+pathway+contributing+to+neuronal+survival.">CXCL12 inhibits expression of the NMDA receptor's NR2B subunit through a histone deacetylase-dependent pathway contributing to neuronal survival.</a> Cell. Death. Dis. 1, e33-e33 (2010).</li><li>Sengupta, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Morphine+increases+brain+levels+of+ferritin+heavy+chain+leading+to+inhibition+of+CXCR4-mediated+survival+signaling+in+neurons.">Morphine increases brain levels of ferritin heavy chain leading to inhibition of CXCR4-mediated survival signaling in neurons.</a> J. Neurosci. 29, 2534-2544 (2009).</li><li>Meucci, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chemokines+regulate+hippocampal+neuronal+signaling+and+gp120+neurotoxicity.">Chemokines regulate hippocampal neuronal signaling and gp120 neurotoxicity.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 95, 14500-14500 (1998).</li><li>Khan, M. Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regulation+of+neuronal+P53+activity+by+CXCR+4.">Regulation of neuronal P53 activity by CXCR 4.</a> Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 30, 58-66 (2005).</li><li>Patel, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modulation+of+neuronal+CXCR4+by+the+micro-opioid+agonist+DAMGO.">Modulation of neuronal CXCR4 by the micro-opioid agonist DAMGO.</a> J. Neurovirol. 12, 492-500 (2006).</li><li>Shimizu, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Role+of+the+transcription+factor+E2F1+in+CXCR4-mediated+neurotoxicity+and+HIV+neuropathology.">Role of the transcription factor E2F1 in CXCR4-mediated neurotoxicity and HIV neuropathology.</a> Neurobiol. Dis. 25, 17-26 (2007).</li><li>Khan, M. Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+chemokine+receptor+CXCR4+regulates+cell-cycle+proteins+in+neurons.">The chemokine receptor CXCR4 regulates cell-cycle proteins in neurons.</a> J. Neurovirol. 9, 300-314 (2003).</li><li>Khan, M. Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+chemokine+CXCL12+promotes+survival+of+postmitotic+neurons+by+regulating+Rb+protein.">The chemokine CXCL12 promotes survival of postmitotic neurons by regulating Rb protein.</a> Cell. Death. Differ. 15, 1663-1672 (2008).</li><li>Khan, M. Z., Vaidya, A., Meucci, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=CXCL12-mediated+regulation+of+ANP32A/Lanp,+a+component+of+the+inhibitor+of+histone+acetyl+transferase+(INHAT)+complex,+in+cortical+neurons.">CXCL12-mediated regulation of ANP32A/Lanp, a component of the inhibitor of histone acetyl transferase (INHAT) complex, in cortical neurons.</a> J. Neuroimmune. Pharmacol. 6, 163-170 (2011).</li><li>Dotti, C. G., Sullivan, C. A., Banker, G. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+establishment+of+polarity+by+hippocampal+neurons+in+culture.">The establishment of polarity by hippocampal neurons in culture.</a> J. Neurosci. 8, 1454-1468 (1988).</li><li>Kaech, S., Banker, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Culturing+hippocampal+neurons.">Culturing hippocampal neurons.</a> Nat. Protoc. 1, 2406-2415 (2006).</li><li>Goslin, K., Banker, G., Goslin, K., Banker, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Culturing Nerve Cells. , 339-370 (1998).</li><li>D'Ambrosio, J., Fatatis, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Osteoblasts+modulate+Ca2++signaling+in+bone-metastatic+prostate+and+breast+cancer+cells.">Osteoblasts modulate Ca2+ signaling in bone-metastatic prostate and breast cancer cells.</a> Clin. Exp. Metastasis. 26, 955-964 (2009).</li></ol>

Questo protocollo fornisce un metodo per la coltura topo neuroni corticali primarie in presenza di cellule gliali, mentre i neuroni permettendo di essere facilmente isolate per l&#39;analisi sperimentale. Lo sviluppo di supporto gliali di un fenotipo sano neuronale, mentre le risposte neuronali modulando anche a trattamenti sperimentali in un modo fisiologicamente rilevanti. Inoltre, per passaging la glia primaria prima coltura con neuroni questa popolazione cellulare diventa selettivo arricchito in astrociti, impedendo...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<th>
				Reagent</th>
			<th>
				Concentration</th>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glucose</td>
			<td>16 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sucrose</td>
			<td>22 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>135 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KCl</td>
			<td>5 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Na2HPO4</td>
			<td>1 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KH2PO4</td>
			<td>0.22 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES</td>
			<td>10 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pH</td>
			<td>7.4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Osmolarity</td>
			<td>310&plusmn;10 mOsm</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Table 1. Dissection Medium.
<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<th>
				Reagent</th>
			<th>
				Concentration</th>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>90%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FBS</td>
			<td>10%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gentamicin</td>
			<td>50 &mu;g/mL</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Tabe 2. Glia Plating Medium.
<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<th>
				Reagent</th>
			<th>
				Concentration</th>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>90%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Horse Serum</td>
			<td>10%</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Table 3. Neuron Plating Medium.
<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<th>
				Reagent</th>
			<th>
				Concentration</th>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>98%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N2 Supplement</td>
			<td>1%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1M HEPES</td>
			<td>1%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ovalbumin</td>
			<td>50 mg/100mL</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Table 4. N2 Medium.
<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<th>
				Reagent</th>
			<th>
				Concentration</th>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Boric Acid</td>
			<td>50 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Borate</td>
			<td>12.5 mM</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Table 5. Borate Buffer (for poly-lysine).
<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<th>
				Reagent</th>
			<th>
				Company</th>
			<th>
				Catalogue number</th>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>High glucose Dulbecco's Modified Eagle 
			Medium (DMEM)</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>11995-073</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS), Heat-inactivated</td>
			<td>Hyclone</td>
			<td>26400-044</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Horse Serum, Heat-inactivated</td>
			<td>Hyclone</td>
			<td>H1138</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gentamicin (50mg/mL)</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15750-060</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N2 Supplement (100x)</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>17502-048</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES buffer solution</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15630-080</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Albumin from chicken egg white, Grade VI 
			(Ovalbumin)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A2512</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2.5% Trypsin</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15090-046</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.5% Trypsin-EDTA (10X)</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15400-054</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Deoxyribonuclease I from bovine pancreas 
			(DNase)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>D-5025</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraplast</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>12-646-106</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly-L-lysine</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P1274</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cytosine-&beta;-D-arabinofuranoside hydrochloride</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>C6645</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stereomicroscope</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>Leica ZOOM 2000</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cover glasses, Circles, 15 mm, Thickness 
			0.13-0.17 mm</td>
			<td>Carolina</td>
			<td>633031</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thermanox sheets</td>
			<td>Grace BioLabs</td>
			<td>HS4550</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Large forceps</td>
			<td>Biomedical 
			Research 
			Instruments</td>
			<td>70-4000</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fine-tipped No.5 forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Science 
			Tools</td>
			<td>91150-20</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pattern No.1 forceps</td>
			<td>Biomedical 
			Research</td>
			<td>10-1400</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Instruments</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scissors, straight, sharp-blunt</td>
			<td>Biomedical 
			Research 
			Instruments</td>
			<td>28-1435</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro Dissecting scissors</td>
			<td>Biomedical 
			Research 
			Instruments</td>
			<td>11-2070</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro Dissecting Curved scissors</td>
			<td>Biomedical 
			Research 
			Instruments</td>
			<td>11-1395</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

bilaminar co-culture of primary rat cortical neurons and glia

Questo video vi guiderà attraverso il processo di neuroni corticali di ratto coltura in presenza di uno strato alimentatore gliali, un sistema noto come bilaminar o co-coltura modello. Questo sistema è adatto per una varietà di esigenze sperimentali che richiedono sia un substrato di vetro o di plastica e la crescita può essere utilizzato anche per la cultura di altri tipi di neuroni. Neuroni corticali di ratto ottenuto dalla fase tardo embrionale (E17) sono placcati in coprioggetto di vetro o piatti coltura di tessuti di fronte a un alimentatore strato di cellule gliali cresciuti su piatti o lamelle di plastica (noto come Thermanox), rispettivamente. La scelta tra le due configurazioni dipende dalla specifica tecnica sperimentale utilizzata, che può richiedere, o meno, che i neuroni sono cresciuti su vetro (es. calcio di imaging contro Western Blot). Lo strato alimentatore gliali, un astroglia arricchito la cultura secondaria di cellule gliali misti, è separata preparata dalla corteccia di cuccioli di ratto appena nati (P2-4) prima della neuronaledissezione. Uno dei principali vantaggi di questo sistema di coltura rispetto ad una cultura di neuroni è solo il sostegno della crescita neuronale, la sopravvivenza e la differenziazione forniti da fattori trofici secreto dallo strato alimentatore gliali, che assomiglia più accuratamente l&#39;ambiente cervello in vivo. Inoltre, il co-cultura può essere utilizzato per studiare le interazioni neuroni-glia 1. Allo stesso tempo, la contaminazione glia nello strato neuronale è impedita da diversi mezzi (cultura bassa densità, l&#39;aggiunta di inibitori della mitosi, la mancanza di siero e di uso di mezzo di coltura ottimizzato) che porta a un livello praticamente puro neuronale, paragonabile ad altre modalità stabilite 1 -3. I neuroni possono essere facilmente separato dallo strato gliale in qualsiasi momento durante cultura e utilizzati per diverse applicazioni sperimentali che vanno dal 4 elettrofisiologia, biologia cellulare e molecolare 5-8, biochimica 5, imaging e microfonoroscopy 4,6,7,9,10. I neuroni primari estendere assoni e dendriti di formare sinapsi funzionali 11, un processo che non si osserva in linee cellulari neuronali, anche se alcune linee cellulari si estendono i processi. Un protocollo dettagliato dei neuroni dell&#39;ippocampo di ratto coltura utilizzando questo sistema di co-coltura è stato descritto in precedenza 4,12,13. Qui dettaglio un protocollo modificato adatto per i neuroni corticali. Come circa 20x10 6 celle vengono recuperati da ogni embrione di ratto, questo metodo è particolarmente utile per gli esperimenti che richiedono un gran numero di neuroni (ma non preoccupati per una popolazione altamente omogenea neuronale). La preparazione dei neuroni e glia deve essere pianificato in un tempo specifico modo. Vi forniremo il passo-passo protocollo per la coltura di neuroni corticali di ratto e coltura delle cellule gliali di supporto ai neuroni.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Bilaminar Co-culture of Primary Rat Cortical Neurons and Glia at JoVE.com

Bilaminar Co-culture of Primary Rat Cortical Neurons and Glia

Qui forniamo un protocollo per la coltura di neuroni corticali di ratto in presenza di uno strato alimentatore gliali. I neuroni coltivati ​​stabilire la polarità e di creare le sinapsi, e può essere separato dalla glia per l&#39;utilizzo in diverse applicazioni, quali elettrofisiologia, imaging del calcio, saggi di sopravvivenza cellulare, immunocitochimica, e RNA / DNA / isolamento delle proteine.

Bilaminar co-coltura di neuroni corticali primari di ratto e Glia

This video will guide you through the process of culturing rat cortical neurons in the presence of a glial feeder layer, a system known as a bilaminar or ...

bilaminar-co-culture-of-primary-rat-cortical-neurons-and-glia

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

In utero Electroporation followed by Primary Neuronal Culture for Studying Gene Function in Subset of Cortical Neurons

In vitro study of primary neuronal cultures allows for quantitative analyses of neurite outgrowth. In order to study how genetic alterations affect neuronal process outgrowth, shRNA or cDNA constructs can be introduced into primary neurons via chemical transfection or viral transduction. However, with primary cortical cells, a heterogeneous pool of cell types (glutamatergic neurons from different layers, inhibitory neurons, glial cells) are transfected using these methods. The use of in utero electroporation to introduce DNA constructs in the embryonic rodent cortex allows for certain subsets of cells to be targeted: while electroporation of early embryonic cortex targets deep layers of the cortex, electroporation at late embryonic timepoints targets more superficial layers. Further, differential placement of electrodes across the heads of individual embryos results in the targeting of dorsal-medial versus ventral-lateral regions of the cortex. Following electroporation, transfected cells can be dissected out, dissociated, and plated in vitro for quantitative analysis of neurite outgrowth. Here, we provide a step-by-step method to quantitatively measure neuronal process outgrowth in subsets of cortical cells.
The basic protocol for in utero electroporation has been described in detail in two other JoVE articles from the Kriegstein lab 1, 2. We will provide an overview of our protocol for in utero electroporation, focusing on the most important details, followed by a description of our protocol that applies in utero electroporation to the study of gene function in neuronal process outgrowth.

In utero Electroporation followed by Primary Neuronal Culture for Studying Gene Function in Subset of Cortical Neurons

In utero electroporation is a valuable method for transfecting neuronal progenitor cells in vivo. Depending upon the placement of the electrodes and the developmental timepoint of electroporation, certain subsets of cortical cells can be targeted. Targeted cells can then be analyzed in vivo or in vitro for effects of genetic alteration.

In utero Elettroporazione seguita da primaria Cultura neuronale per studiare la funzione dei geni in sottoinsieme di neuroni corticali

In vitro study of primary neuronal cultures allows for quantitative analyses of neurite outgrowth. In order to study how genetic alterations affect ...

Ricerca

Neuroscienze

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 primaria di neuroni embrionali di topo ippocampale e corticale

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

Determination of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and Reactive Oxygen Species in Live Rat Cortical Neurons

Mitochondrial membrane potential (&Delta;&Psi;m) is critical for maintaining the physiological function of the respiratory chain to generate ATP. A significant loss of &Delta;&Psi;m renders cells depleted of energy with subsequent death. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important signaling molecules, but their accumulation in pathological conditions leads to oxidative stress. The two major sources of ROS in cells are environmental toxins and the process of oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have been implicated in the pathophysiology of many diseases; therefore, the ability to determine &Delta;&Psi;m and ROS can provide important clues about the physiological status of the cell and the function of the mitochondria. 
Several fluorescent probes (Rhodamine 123, TMRM, TMRE, JC-1) can be used to determine &Delta;&psi;m in a variety of cell types, and many fluorescence indicators (Dihydroethidium, Dihydrorhodamine 123, H2DCF-DA) can be used to determine ROS. Nearly all of the available fluorescence probes used to assess &Delta;&Psi;m or ROS are single-wavelength indicators, which increase or decrease their fluorescence intensity proportional to a stimulus that increases or decreases the levels of &Delta;&Psi;m or ROS. Thus, it is imperative to measure the fluorescence intensity of these probes at the baseline level and after the application of a specific stimulus. This allows one to determine the percentage of change in fluorescence intensity between the baseline level and a stimulus. This change in fluorescence intensity reflects the change in relative levels of &Delta;&Psi;m or ROS. In this video, we demonstrate how to apply the fluorescence indicator, TMRM, in rat cortical neurons to determine the percentage change in TMRM fluorescence intensity between the baseline level and after applying FCCP, a mitochondrial uncoupler. The lower levels of TMRM fluorescence resulting from FCCP treatment reflect the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential. We also show how to apply the fluorescence probe H2DCF-DA to assess the level of ROS in cortical neurons, first at baseline and then after application of H2O2. This protocol (with minor modifications) can be also used to determine changes in &#x2206;&#x03A8;m and ROS in different cell types and in neurons isolated from other brain regions.

We demonstrate application of the fluorescence indicator, TMRM, in cortical neurons to determine the relative changes in TMRM fluorescence intensity before and after application of a specific stimulus. We also show application of the fluorescence probe H2DCF-DA to assess the relative level of reactive oxygen species in cortical neurons.

Determinazione della mitocondriale Oxygen Species potenziale di membrana e reattiva in neuroni corticali di ratto dal vivo

Mitochondrial membrane potential (&Delta;&Psi;m) is critical for maintaining the physiological function of the respiratory chain to generate ATP.  A ...

Imaging Analysis of Neuron to Glia Interaction in Microfluidic Culture Platform (MCP)-based Neuronal Axon and Glia Co-culture System

Proper neuron to glia interaction is critical to physiological function of the central nervous system (CNS). This bidirectional communication is sophisticatedly mediated by specific signaling pathways between neuron and glia1,2 . Identification and characterization of these signaling pathways is essential to the understanding of how neuron to glia interaction shapes CNS physiology. Previously, neuron and glia mixed cultures have been widely utilized for testing and characterizing signaling pathways between neuron and glia. What we have learned from these preparations and other in vivo tools, however, has suggested that mutual signaling between neuron and glia often occurred in specific compartments within neurons (i.e., axon, dendrite, or soma)3. This makes it important to develop a new culture system that allows separation of neuronal compartments and specifically examines the interaction between glia and neuronal axons/dendrites. In addition, the conventional mixed culture system is not capable of differentiating the soluble factors and direct membrane contact signals between neuron and glia. Furthermore, the large quantity of neurons and glial cells in the conventional co-culture system lacks the resolution necessary to observe the interaction between a single axon and a glial cell.
	In this study, we describe a novel axon and glia co-culture system with the use of a microfluidic culture platform (MCP). In this co-culture system, neurons and glial cells are cultured in two separate chambers that are connected through multiple central channels. In this microfluidic culture platform, only neuronal processes (especially axons) can enter the glial side through the central channels. In combination with powerful fluorescent protein labeling, this system allows direct examination of signaling pathways between axonal/dendritic and glial interactions, such as axon-mediated transcriptional regulation in glia, glia-mediated receptor trafficking in neuronal terminals, and glia-mediated axon growth. The narrow diameter of the chamber also significantly prohibits the flow of the neuron-enriched medium into the glial chamber, facilitating probing of the direct membrane-protein interaction between axons/dendrites and glial surfaces.

Imaging Analysis of Neuron to Glia Interaction in Microfluidic Culture Platform MCP-based Neuronal Axon and Glia Co-culture System

This study describes the procedures of setting up a novel neuronal axon and (astro)glia co-culture platform. In this co-culture system, manipulation of direct interaction between a single axon (and single glial cell) becomes feasible, allowing mechanistic analysis of the mutual neuron to glial signaling.

Analisi Imaging di Neuron Interaction Glia in Platform Cultura Microfluidic (MCP) a base di Axon neurone e glia co-cultura di sistema

Proper  neuron to glia interaction is critical to physiological function of the central  nervous system (CNS). This bidirectional communication is ...

Imaging Dendritic Spines of Rat Primary Hippocampal Neurons using Structured Illumination Microscopy

Dendritic spines are protrusions emerging from the dendrite of a neuron and represent the primary postsynaptic targets of excitatory inputs in the brain. Technological advances have identified these structures as key elements in neuron connectivity and synaptic plasticity. The quantitative analysis of spine morphology using light microscopy remains an essential problem due to technical limitations associated with light's intrinsic refraction limit. Dendritic spines can be readily identified by confocal laser-scanning fluorescence microscopy. However, measuring subtle changes in the shape and size of spines is difficult because spine dimensions other than length are usually smaller than conventional optical resolution fixed by light microscopy's theoretical resolution limit of 200 nm.
Several recently developed super resolution techniques have been used to image cellular structures smaller than the 200 nm, including dendritic spines. These techniques are based on classical far-field operations and therefore allow the use of existing sample preparation methods and to image beyond the surface of a specimen. Described here is a working protocol to apply super resolution structured illumination microscopy (SIM) to the imaging of dendritic spines in primary hippocampal neuron cultures. Possible applications of SIM overlap with those of confocal microscopy. However, the two techniques present different applicability. SIM offers higher effective lateral resolution, while confocal microscopy, due to the usage of a physical pinhole, achieves resolution improvement at the expense of removal of out of focus light. In this protocol, primary neurons are cultured on glass coverslips using a standard protocol, transfected with DNA plasmids encoding fluorescent proteins and imaged using SIM. The whole protocol described herein takes approximately 2 weeks, because dendritic spines are imaged after 16-17 days in vitro, when dendritic development is optimal. After completion of the protocol, dendritic spines can be reconstructed in 3D from series of SIM image stacks using specialized software.

This article describes a working protocol to image dendritic spines from hippocampal neurons in vitro using Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM). Super-resolution microscopy using SIM provides image resolution significantly beyond the light diffraction limit in all three spatial dimensions, allowing the imaging of individual dendritic spines with improved detail.

Imaging spine dendritiche di Rat Primaria neuroni dell&#39;ippocampo utilizzando Structured Illumination Microscopy

Dendritic spines are protrusions emerging from the dendrite of a neuron and represent the primary postsynaptic targets of excitatory inputs in the brain. ...

Quantification of Filamentous Actin (F-actin) Puncta in Rat Cortical Neurons

Filamentous actin protein (F-actin) plays a major role in spinogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and synaptic stability. Changes in dendritic F-actin rich structures suggest alterations in synaptic integrity and connectivity. Here we provide a detailed protocol for culturing primary rat cortical neurons, Phalloidin staining for F-actin puncta, and subsequent quantification techniques. First, the frontal cortex of E18 rat embryos are dissociated into low-density cell culture, then the neurons grown in vitro for at least 12-14 days. Following experimental treatment, the cortical neurons are stained with AlexaFluor 488 Phalloidin (to label the dendritic F-actin puncta) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2; to validate the neuronal cells and dendritic integrity). Finally, specialized software is used to analyze and quantify randomly selected neuronal dendrites. F-actin rich structures are identified on second order dendritic branches (length range 25-75 &#181;m) with continuous MAP2 immunofluorescence. The protocol presented here will be a useful method for investigating changes in dendritic synapse structures subsequent to experimental treatments.

Quantification of Filamentous Actin F-actin Puncta in Rat Cortical Neurons

Filamentous actin (F-actin) plays an important role in spinogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and synaptic stability. Quantification of F-actin puncta is therefore a useful tool to study the integrity of synaptic structures. This protocol describes the procedures of quantifying F-actin puncta labeled with Phalloidin in low-density primary cortical neuronal cultures.

La quantificazione di filamentosa Actina (F-actina) Puncta nel ratto neuroni corticali

Filamentous actin protein (F-actin) plays a major role in spinogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and synaptic stability. Changes in dendritic F-actin rich ...

Generation of Neurospheres from Mixed Primary Hippocampal and Cortical Neurons Isolated from E14-E16 Sprague Dawley Rat Embryo

Primary neuron culture is an essential technique in the field of neuroscience. To gain deeper mechanistic insights into the brain, it is essential to have a robust in vitro model that can be exploited for various neurobiology studies. Though primary neuron cultures (i.e., long-term hippocampal cultures) have provided scientists with models, it does not yet represent the complexity of brain network completely. In the wake of these limitations, a new model has emerged using neurospheres, which bears a closer resemblance to the brain tissue. The present protocol describes the plating of high and low densities of mixed cortical and hippocampal neurons isolated from the embryo of embryonic day 14-16 Sprague Dawley rats. This allows for the generation of neurospheres and long-term primary neuron culture as two independent platforms to conduct further studies. This process is extremely simple and cost-effective, as it minimizes several steps and reagents previously deemed essential for neuron culture. This is a robust protocol with minimal requirements that can be performed with achievable results and further used for a diversity of studies related to neuroscience.

Presented here is a protocol for the spontaneous generation of neurospheres enriched in neural progenitor cells from high density plated neurons. During the same experiment, when neurons are plated at a lower density, the protocol also results in prolonged primary rat neuron cultures.

Generazione di neurosfere da neuroni ippocampali primari misti e corticali isolati da E14-E16 Sprague Dawley Rat Embryo

Primary neuron culture is an essential technique in the field of neuroscience. To gain deeper mechanistic insights into the brain, it is essential to have ...

Migration, Chemo-Attraction, and Co-Culture Assays for Human Stem Cell-Derived Endothelial Cells and GABAergic Neurons

Role of brain vasculature in nervous system development and etiology of brain disorders is increasingly gaining attention. Our recent studies have identified a special population of vascular cells, the periventricular endothelial cells, that play a critical role in the migration and distribution of forebrain GABAergic interneurons during embryonic development. This, coupled with their cell-autonomous functions, alludes to novel roles of periventricular endothelial cells in the pathology of neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, epilepsy, and autism. Here, we have described three different in vitro assays that collectively evaluate the functions of periventricular endothelial cells and their interaction with GABAergic interneurons. Use of these assays, particularly in a human context, will allow us to identify the link between periventricular endothelial cells and brain disorders. These assays are simple, low cost, and reproducible, and can be easily adapted to any adherent cell type.

We present three simple in vitro assays-the long-distance migration assay, the co-culture migration assay, and chemo-attraction assay-that collectively evaluate the functions of human stem cell derived periventricular endothelial cells and their interaction with GABAergic interneurons.

Migrazione, chemio-attrazione, e analisi co-cultura per le cellule endoteliali derivate da cellule staminali umane e neuroni GABAergic

Role of brain vasculature in nervous system development and etiology of brain disorders is increasingly gaining attention. Our recent studies have ...

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.

Isolamento e cultura dei neuroni primari e degli glia dalla vescica urinaria del ratto adulto

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

Coculture of Axotomized Rat Retinal Ganglion Neurons with Olfactory Ensheathing Glia, as an In Vitro Model of Adult Axonal Regeneration

Olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) cells are localized all the way from the olfactory mucosa to and into the olfactory nerve layer (ONL) of the olfactory bulb. Throughout adult life, they are key for axonal growing of newly generated olfactory neurons, from the lamina propria to the ONL. Due to their pro-regenerative properties, these cells have been used to foster axonal regeneration in spinal cord or optic nerve injury models.
We present an in vitro model to assay and measure OEG neuroregenerative capacity after neural injury. In this model, reversibly immortalized human OEG (ihOEG) is cultured as a monolayer, retinas are extracted from adult rats and retinal ganglion neurons (RGN) are cocultured onto the OEG monolayer. After 96 h, axonal and somatodendritic markers in RGNs are analyzed by immunofluorescence and the number of RGNs with axon and the mean axonal length/neuron are quantified.
This protocol has the advantage over other in vitro assays that rely on embryonic or postnatal neurons, that it evaluates OEG neuroregenerative properties in adult tissue. Also, it is not only useful for assessing the neuroregenerative potential of ihOEG but can be extended to different sources of OEG or other glial cells.

We present an in vitro model to assess olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) neuroregenerative capacity, after neural injury. It is based on a coculture of axotomized adult retinal ganglion neurons (RGN) on OEG monolayers and subsequent study of axonal regeneration, by analyzing RGN axonal and somatodendritic markers.

Cocultura di neuroni ganglionali retini di ratto axotomizzati con glia ensheathing olfattiva, come modello in vitro di rigenerazione assionale adulta

Olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) cells are localized all the way from the olfactory mucosa to and into the olfactory nerve layer (ONL) of the olfactory ...