We would like to acknowledge Sean Whelan for assistance with rescuing recombinant VSV variants, and Didem Goz and Ryan Chrenek for technical assistance. This work was supported by HHMI (CLC), and #NS068012-01 (KTB).

1. Making Virus from cDNA: Recovery of VSV from cDNA using Vaccinia-T7 System10
<ol>
	<li>One day prior to experiment, split BsrT7 cells into 60 mm dish containing DMEM + 10% FBS. Seed 2E6 cells per dish. BsrT7 cells are derived from BHK21, or baby hamster kidney, cells.</li>
	<li>Warm PBS with 1 mM magnesium and 1 mM calcium to 37 &deg;C.</li>
	<li>Obtain a small aliquot vTF7-3, a vaccinia virus expressing T7 polymerase, and thaw to room temperature. vTF7-3 is an infectious vaccinia virus expressing the T7 ...

<ol>
	<li>Wickersham, I. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Monosynaptic+restriction+of+transsynaptic+tracing+from+single,+genetically+targeted+neurons.">Monosynaptic restriction of transsynaptic tracing from single, genetically targeted neurons.</a> Neuron. 53, 639-647 (2007).</li><li>Marshel, J. H., Mori, T., Nielsen, K. J., Callaway, E. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Targeting+single+neuronal+networks+for+gene+expression+and+cell+labeling+in+vivo.">Targeting single neuronal networks for gene expression and cell labeling in vivo.</a> Neuron. 67, 562-574 (2010).</li><li>Wall, N. R., Wickersham, I. R., Cetin, A., De La Parra, M., Callaway, E. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Monosynaptic+circuit+tracing+in+vivo+through+Cre-dependent+targeting+and+complementation+of+modified+rabies+virus.">Monosynaptic circuit tracing in vivo through Cre-dependent targeting and complementation of modified rabies virus.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 107, 21848-21853 (2010).</li><li>Wickersham, I. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Monosynaptic+restriction+of+transsynaptic+tracing+from+single,+genetically+targeted+neurons.">Monosynaptic restriction of transsynaptic tracing from single, genetically targeted neurons.</a> Neuron. 53, 639-647 (2007).</li><li>Yonehara, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spatially+asymmetric+reorganization+of+inhibition+establishes+a+motion-sensitive+circuit.">Spatially asymmetric reorganization of inhibition establishes a motion-sensitive circuit.</a> Nature. 469, 407-410 (2011).</li><li>Stepien, A. E., Tripodi, M., Arber, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Monosynaptic+rabies+virus+reveals+premotor+network+organization+and+synaptic+specificity+of+cholinergic+partition+cells.">Monosynaptic rabies virus reveals premotor network organization and synaptic specificity of cholinergic partition cells.</a> Neuron. 68, 456-472 (2010).</li><li>Beier, K. T., Samson, M. E. S., Matsuda, T., Cepko, C. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Conditional+expression+of+the+TVA+receptor+allows+clonal+analysis+of+descendents+from+Cre-expressing+progenitor+cells.">Conditional expression of the TVA receptor allows clonal analysis of descendents from Cre-expressing progenitor cells.</a> Dev. Biol. 353, 309-320 (2011).</li><li>Seidler, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+Cre-loxP-based+mouse+model+for+conditional+somatic+gene+expression+and+knockdown+in+vivo+by+using+avian+retroviral+vectors.">A Cre-loxP-based mouse model for conditional somatic gene expression and knockdown in vivo by using avian retroviral vectors.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 105, 10137-10142 (2008).</li><li>Beier, K. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anterograde+or+retrograde+transsynaptic+labeling+of+CNS+neurons+with+vesicular+stomatitis+virus+vectors.">Anterograde or retrograde transsynaptic labeling of CNS neurons with vesicular stomatitis virus vectors.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 108, 15414-15419 (2011).</li><li>Whelan, S. P., Ball, L. A., Barr, J. N., Wertz, G. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficient+recovery+of+infectious+vesicular+stomatitis+virus+entirely+from+cDNA+clones.">Efficient recovery of infectious vesicular stomatitis virus entirely from cDNA clones.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92, 8388-8392 (1995).</li><li>Fuerst, T. R., Niles, E. G., Studier, F. W., Moss, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Eukaryotic+Transient-Expression+System+Based+on+Recombinant+Vaccinia+Virus+That+Synthesizes+Bacteriophage+T7+RNA+Polymerase.">Eukaryotic Transient-Expression System Based on Recombinant Vaccinia Virus That Synthesizes Bacteriophage T7 RNA Polymerase.</a> PNAS. 83, 8122-8126 (1986).</li><li>Young, J. A., Bates, P., Varmus, H. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+of+a+chicken+gene+that+confers+susceptibility+to+infection+by+subgroup+A+avian+leukosis+and+sarcoma+viruses.">Isolation of a chicken gene that confers susceptibility to infection by subgroup A avian leukosis and sarcoma viruses.</a> J. Virol. 67, 1811-1816 (1993).</li><li>Madisen, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+robust+and+high-throughput+Cre+reporting+and+characterization+system+for+the+whole+mouse+brain.">A robust and high-throughput Cre reporting and characterization system for the whole mouse brain.</a> Nat Neurosci. 13, 133-140 (2010).</li><li>Franklin, K., Paxinos, 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> The Mouse Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates. , (1997).</li><li>van den Pol, A. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Viral+strategies+for+studying+the+brain,+including+a+replication-restricted+self-amplifying+delta-G+vesicular+stomatis+virus+that+rapidly+expresses+transgenes+in+brain+and+can+generate+a+multicolor+golgi-like+expression.">Viral strategies for studying the brain, including a replication-restricted self-amplifying delta-G vesicular stomatis virus that rapidly expresses transgenes in brain and can generate a multicolor golgi-like expression.</a> J. Comp. Neurol. 516, 456-481 (2009).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

Using viruses to study neural circuits is a relatively high throughput method of analyzing connected neurons. However, generating both VSV and RABV virions is not trivial. Although the protocol listed above for rescuing virus from cDNA is provided, it is still a low-probability event. The levels of each of the N, P, and L plasmids need to be finely adjusted, and many trials and replicates need to be done to ensure viral rescue. The formation of the ribonucleotide particle incorporating a full VSV genome RNA is a low-prob...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Reagent</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalogue number</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Tissue Culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Baby Hamster Kidney (BSRT7) cells</td>
			<td>available upon request</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>vaccinia (vTF7-3)</td>
			<td>available upon request</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pN, pP, pl plasmids</td>
			<td>available upon request</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Calcium Chloride</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C1016</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Magnesium Chloride</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>M8266</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEK 293T cells</td>
			<td>Open Biosystems</td>
			<td>HCL4517</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>60 mm TC-Treated Culture Dish</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430166</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>75 cm2 Rectangular Canted Neck Cell Culture Flask with Vent Cap</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430641</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Media : DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium)</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>12491-015</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1 M HEPES pH 7.4</td>
			<td>Gibo</td>
			<td>15630-080</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FBS: Fetal Bovine Serum</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>10437-028</td>
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		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PKS</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15140-163</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lipofectamine 2,000 Transfection Reagent</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>11668-019</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe: 5 ml Luer-Lock syringe</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>Z248010-1PAK</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe Filters</td>
			<td>Nalgene</td>
			<td>190-2520</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PEI: High Potency Linear PEI</td>
			<td>Polysciences</td>
			<td>23966</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Viral Centrifugation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corning 150 ml Tube Top Vacuum Filter System, 0.45 &mu;m Pore</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430314</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thinwall, Ultra-Clear, 38.5 ml, 25 x 89 mm ultracentrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>Beckman-Coulter</td>
			<td>344058</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultracentrifuge</td>
			<td>Beckman-Coulter</td>
			<td>optima XL-80K</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SW28 Ultracentrifuge rotor</td>
			<td>Beckman-Coulter</td>
			<td>342207</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Mouse Injection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Capillary micropipets</td>
			<td>Drummond</td>
			<td>5-000-2005</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stereotax</td>
			<td>Narishige</td>
			<td>SR-5M</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micromanipulator</td>
			<td>Narishige</td>
			<td>SM-15</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ump injector</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>Sys-Micro4</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Four channel microcontroller</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>UMP3</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>M.TXB Bench Motor with C.EMX-1 Dial Control, 115 Volt</td>
			<td>Foredom</td>
			<td>M.TXB-EM</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>H.10 Handpiece, Quick Change</td>
			<td>Foredom</td>
			<td>H.10</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Step Drill, 0.5 mm</td>
			<td>Foredom</td>
			<td>A-58005P</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microelectrode holder</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>MEH2S</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ketamine</td>
			<td>Henry Schein</td>
			<td>995-2949</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Xylazine</td>
			<td>Henry Schein</td>
			<td>4015809TV</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Buprenorphine</td>
			<td>Henry Schein</td>
			<td>1118217</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1 ml syringe</td>
			<td>Becton-Dickinson</td>
			<td>309628</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>30 gauge injection needle</td>
			<td>Becton-Dickinson</td>
			<td>305106</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Protective Ophthalmic Ointment</td>
			<td>Doctors Foster and Smith</td>
			<td>9N-014748</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethanol</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>493511</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Iodine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>PVP1</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Surgery and Dissection tools</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scissors</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>91402-12</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Standard Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>11000-12</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fine Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>11255-20</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vannas spring scissors</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>15000-00</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scalpel handle</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>10003-12</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scalpel blades</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>10015-00</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sutures</td>
			<td>Robbins Instruments</td>
			<td>20.SK640</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Dissection and antibody staining</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P6148</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate Buffered Saline</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P4417</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T9284</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey Serum</td>
			<td>Jackson Immunoresearch</td>
			<td>017-000-121</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Antibodies</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibodies</td>
			<td>millipore</td>
			<td>AB144P</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-gfp</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab13970</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey anti-chicken Dylight 488</td>
			<td>Jackson immunoresearch</td>
			<td>703-545-155</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey anti-chicken Alexa Fluor 647</td>
			<td>Jackson immunoresearch</td>
			<td>705-605-147</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DAPI</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>D1306</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Tissue mounting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Superfrost plus microscope slides</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>12-550-100</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cover glass 22 x 22, 0 thickness</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>72198-10</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silicone elastomer</td>
			<td>Rogers Corp</td>
			<td>HT-6220</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Clear nail polish</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>72180</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Prolong Gold antifade reagent</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>P36930</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

viral tracing of genetically defined neural circuitry

Classical methods for studying neuronal circuits are fairly low throughput. Transsynaptic viruses, particularly the pseudorabies (PRV) and rabies virus (RABV), and more recently vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), for studying circuitry, is becoming increasingly popular. These higher throughput methods use viruses that transmit between neurons in either the anterograde or retrograde direction.
Recently, a modified RABV for monosynaptic retrograde tracing was developed. (Figure 1A). In this method, the glycoprotein (G) gene is deleted from the viral genome, and resupplied only in targeted neurons. Infection specificity is achieved by substituting a chimeric G, composed of the extracellular domain of the ASLV-A glycoprotein and the cytoplasmic domain of the RABV-G (A/RG), for the normal RABV-G1. This chimeric G specifically infects cells expressing the TVA receptor1. The gene encoding TVA can been delivered by various methods2-8. Following RABV-G infection of a TVA-expressing neuron, the RABV can transmit to other, synaptically connected neurons in a retrograde direction by nature of its own G which was co-delivered with the TVA receptor. This technique labels a relatively large number of inputs (5-10%)2 onto a defined cell type, providing a sampling of all of the inputs onto a defined starter cell type.
We recently modified this technique to use VSV as a transsynaptic tracer9. VSV has several advantages, including the rapidity of gene expression. Here we detail a new viral tracing system using VSV useful for probing microcircuitry with increased resolution. While the original published strategies by Wickersham et al.4 and Beier et al.9 permit labeling of any neurons that project onto initially-infected TVA-expressing-cells, here VSV was engineered to transmit only to TVA-expressing cells (Figure 1B). The virus is first pseudotyped with RABV-G to permit infection of neurons downstream of TVA-expressing neurons. After infecting this first population of cells, the virus released can only infect TVA-expressing cells. Because the transsynaptic viral spread is limited to TVA-expressing cells, presence of absence of connectivity from defined cell types can be explored with high resolution. An experimental flow chart of these experiments is shown in Figure 2. Here we show a model circuit, that of direction-selectivity in the mouse retina. We examine the connectivity of starburst amacrine cells (SACs) to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Viral Tracing of Genetically Defined Neural Circuitry at JoVE.com

Viral Tracing of Genetically Defined Neural Circuitry

A method of tracing synaptically connected neurons is described. We use TVA specificity of an upstream cell to probe whether a cell population of interest receives synaptic input from genetically defined cell types.

Classical methods for studying neuronal circuits are fairly low throughput. Transsynaptic viruses, particularly the pseudorabies (PRV) and rabies virus ...

viral-tracing-of-genetically-defined-neural-circuitry

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Neuroscience

18.3K Views.  Harvard Medical School. A method of tracing synaptically connected neurons is described. We use TVA specificity of an upstream cell to probe whether a cell population of interest receives synaptic input from genetically defined cell types.