This study was supported by the NIH grant (R15DA029863), the Florida Atlantic University undergraduate research grant (M30014) and the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine research grant. We would like to thank the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Rockville, MD) for providing (&#177;)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (&#177;MDMA) for this work.

Animal use procedures described below were approved by The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Florida Atlantic University. Although sterile techniques and gloves are required, the RNase-free environment is not necessary while using this protocol.
1. Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Tissue preparation and sectioning
	<ol>
		<li>Assign rats randomly into three groups: fresh/saline (SAL; 0.9% NaCl), prefixed/SAL and prefixed/3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; see details in table 1).</li>
		<li>Administer three doses of 1 ml/kg SAL and 10 mg/kg MDMA intraperitoneally, respectively, to the SAL and MDMA groups at 2 hr interval. Allow animals to survive the treatment for 6 days.</li>
		<li>On day 7, administer 100 mg/kg ketamine in combination of 5 mg/kg xylazine intraperitoneally to the rats for a deep anesthesia (i.e., loss of corneal blink and tail pinch reflexes).</li>
		<li>For the fresh/SAL group, quickly decapitate rats and remove the brain for the fresh brain test (see details in the reference5).</li>
		<li>For the prefixed/SAL and prefixed/MDMA groups, make a cut along the sternum about 10 -12 cm and then expose the end of the sternum.</li>
		<li>Hold the end of the sternum with a hemostat and cut the diaphragm laterally on both sides with sharp scissors and then cut upward across the ribs and parallel to the lungs.</li>
		<li>With one hand, hold the ventral tip of the heart with small forceps. With the other hand, pierce the left ventricle with a 18 G&#160;syringe needle (note the adapter side of the needle is connected with a Y-shaped silicon hose to ice-cold SAL and paraformaldehyde containers and peristaltic pumps; see the reference9).</li>
		<li>Turn on the SAL pump at the medium level of the flow rate (~5 ml/min) and puncture the right atrium with the forceps to allow the escape of return circulation. Maintain SAL perfusion for 30 min.</li>
		<li>Turn on the paraformaldehyde pump at the medium level and allow the ice-cold 4% paraformaldehyde to perfuse the animal for 30 min.</li>
		<li>Remove perfusion instrument and decapitate the animal. Make a posteroanterior cut through the midline of the skull, and then flap the skull to expose the skull cavity 10.</li>
		<li>Remove the brain with a spatula from the skull cavity and place the brain in a 50&#160;ml centrifuge tube containing 25 ml of 4% paraformaldehyde. Keep the brain within the paraformaldehyde-containing tube at 4 &#186;C refrigerator for 24 hr.</li>
		<li>Move the brain into a 50&#160;ml centrifuge tube containing 25 ml of 30% sucrose solution at 4 &#186;C for 3 days. Finally, store the brain within plastic bags at -80 &#176;C till use.</li>
		<li>Mount the brain on a chuck with embedding media and freeze the embedding media containing brain in a cryostat at temperature of -26 &#186;C. Cut the fresh frozen brain into 20&#160;&#181;m sections and paraformaldehyde-prefixed brain into 10-&#181;m sections. Transfer the section to a RT microscope slide by touching the slide to the section.</li>
		<li>Air-dry at RT for 4 hr. Store the section slides in a tight sealed bag at -80 &#176;C till use.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Dehydration
	<ol>
		<li>Take slides from the -80 &#176;C freezer and assign sections into one of three tests: ht2a, ppiB (positive control) or dapB (negative control); mark and label sections with a ball pen (do not use a pencil). Submerge slides in 100% alcohol at RT for 5 min. Dry the slides for 5 min in a fume hood.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Pretreatment
	<ol>
		<li>Pipette 20 &#181;l of the Pretreatment-1 reagent (inactivation of alkaline phosphatase) to the sections on slides. Place the slides on a rack rail in a moisture tray (note that the tray is covered with a lid to maintain a high humidity for preventing evaporation from the reaction solution).</li>
		<li>Gently shake the moisture tray on a horizontal shaker at a low speed for 10 min. Wash the slides twice with double-distilled water (ddH2O) for 2 min. Submerge the slide in a 200 ml beaker containing 150 ml of the Pretreatment-2 reagent (breaking of the cross-linkages induced by paraformaldehyde fixation). Boil the slides for a total of 5 min at 100 &#186;C (heat-induced restoration of RNA structure11).</li>
		<li>Wash the slides twice with ddH2O for 2 min. Place the slides in 100% alcohol for 5 min. Dry the slides for 5 min in the fume hood. Use a hydrophobic pen to draw a circle around the selected area in the tissue section (e.g., non-cortical structures, including thalamus and hypothalamus as outlined in Figure 2).</li>
		<li>Pipette 10 &#181;l of the Pretreatment-3 reagent (increases in probe penetration) to each selected area, and cover the moisture tray with the lid. Place the tray in the hybridization oven equipped with the horizontal shaker and set the oven temperature at 40 &#186;C; gently shake the tray for 30 min. Wash the slides twice with ddH2O for 2 min.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Hybridization and Amplification
<ol>
	<li>Pipette 10 &#181;l of htr2a, ppiB and dapB probe reagents, respectively, on the selected areas. Cover the moisture tray with the lid to prevent evaporation of the reagent. Gently shake on the horizontal shaker set at a low speed. Incubate the slides at 40 &#186;C in the oven for 2 hr.</li>
	<li>Wash the slides twice with a washing buffer for 2 min. Pipette 10 &#181;l of the Amplification-1 reagent on each selected area, shake and incubate the slides at 40 &#186;C for 30 min.</li>
	<li>Wash the slides twice with a washing buffer for 2 min. Pipette 10 &#181;l of the Amplification-2 reagent on each selected area, shake and incubate the slides at 40 &#186;C for 15 min.</li>
	<li>Wash the slides twice with a washing buffer for 2 min. Pipette 10 &#181;l of the Amplification-3 reagent on each selected area, shake and incubate the slides at 40 &#186;C for 30 min.</li>
	<li>Wash the slides twice with a washing buffer for 2 min. Pipette 10 &#181;l of the Amplification-4 reagent on each selected area, shake and incubate the slides at 40 &#186;C for 15 min.</li>
	<li>Wash the slides twice with a washing buffer for 2 min. Pipette 10 &#181;l of the Amplification-5 reagent on each selected area, shake and incubate the slides at RT for 30 min.</li>
	<li>Wash the slides twice with a washing buffer for 2 min. Pipette 10 &#181;l of the Amplification-6 reagent on each selected area, shake and incubate the slides at RT for 15 min. Wash the slides twice with a washing buffer for 2 min.</li>
</ol>
3. Signal Detection
<ol>
	<li>Pipette 10 &#181;l of the Red reagent to each selected area (Note that the reagent is a mixture of Red-B and Red-A at a 1:60 ratio and should be used immediately). Place the slide in the moisture tray on the horizontal shaker at RT and shake gently at a low speed for 10 min.</li>
	<li>Wash the slides twice with (ddH2O) for 10 min. Dry the slides at 60 &#186;C in the oven for 15 min. Place the slides in xylene under the fume hood for 5 min. Pipette 20 &#181;l of xylene-based mounting media on each selected area and cover with a coverslip.</li>
</ol>
4. Image Capture
<ol>
	<li>Take digital microphotographs of the selected areas (e.g., hypothalamus, Figures 1 and 3) with a magnification of 4&#215; and 20&#215; objective lenses. Save the image file.</li>
</ol>
5. Image Particle Analysis
<ol>
	<li>Drag and drop the image file into the main ImageJ window. Go to the menu bar and select &#8216;Image&#8217;, next select &#8216;Type&#8217; from the drop-down menu, and select &#8216;8-bit&#8217;.</li>
	<li>Select &#8216;Adjust&#8217;, then select &#8216;Threshold&#8217; to open the dialog box. Adjust the lower bar value in the dialog box so that the unwanted background is removed. Go to the menu bar and select &#8216;Analyze&#8217;, then select &#8216;Analyze Particles&#8217; to open a second dialog box.</li>
	<li>Set particle size at 10, next select &#8216;Show outlines&#8217; and select &#8216;Display results&#8221; and &#8216;Summarize&#8217; boxes. Lastly, click &#8216;OK&#8217; to view particle data in the dialog boxes.</li>
</ol>
6. Spreadsheet Calculation
<ol>
	<li>Enter the data into the Excel sheet and average the numbers of particles in the SAL group as a baseline. Calculate the percentage level of each section and make a graph accordingly (Figure 4).</li>
</ol>

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The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

One of the major concerns of in situ hybridization test is to choose appropriate techniques used for RNA preservation because of RNase enzymes. It is well known that these enzymes are widely present in the cells and environment which can affect the results. However, enzyme activity can be quickly distinguished by placing the tissue in the dry ice/alcohol solution5,12. Although quick preservation is critical for hybridization using a riboprobe13, little is known about experimental conditions...

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) syndrome is an acute neurologic disorder caused by 5-HT-promoting drugs such as antidepressants1, while also occurring in situations of MDMA use for recreational purposes2. Molecular mechanisms responsible for mood swings, learning and memory deficits that occur in association with the acute syndrome are not well understood3,4. In situ hybridization is a powerful research tool allowing the detection and quantification of specific mRNAs expressed potentially at a single-cell level. The conventional way to perform in situ hybridization is to utilize a radioactive-labeled riboprobe that specifically hybridizes the gene of interest. However, a major drawback is that the method requires complicated and time-consuming probe preparation and hybridization steps, as well as access to fresh frozen tissues maintained in an RNase-free environment5,6. 
Oligonucleotide probes have been recently developed to hybridize shorter RNA fragments than those required for riboprobes7. Furthermore, the probes produce a low background signal without sacrificing specificity8. This newly-developed probe technology can be used in situ hybridization on paraformaldehyde-prefixed brain tissues commonly available in immunocytochemical laboratories.
Here, we describe a protocol for in situ hybridization using oligonucleotide probes on paraformaldehyde-prefixed rat brain and compare findings with those noted in a fresh frozen brain5,6. This protocol is used to test the hypothesis that MDMA substance abuse causes changes in 5-HT2A receptor gene htr2a mRNA in the brain. We began the procedure with MDMA treatment followed by paraformaldehyde tissue perfusion of the animal, in situ hybridization of the thr2a probe, and data analysis. Note that dapB (the bacterial gene coding for dihydrodipicolinate reductase) is used as a negative control, and ppiB (housekeeping gene coding for peptidylprolyl isomerase B) as a positive control.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="873">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>RNAscope Negative Control Probe-DapB</td>
			<td>Advanced cell diagnostic, INC</td>
			<td>310098</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RNAscope Pretreat 4</td>
			<td>Advanced cell diagnostic, INC</td>
			<td>320046</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RNAscope 2.0 HD Reagent Kit - Red</td>
			<td>Advanced cell diagnostic, INC</td>
			<td>310036</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RNAscope Probe - Rn-Ppib</td>
			<td>Advanced cell diagnostic, INC</td>
			<td>313921</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat Htr2a</td>
			<td>Advanced cell diagnostic, INC</td>
			<td>300031</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cryostat</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>CM 1850</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Horizontal shaker</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>88032-088</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hybridization oven</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>222000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Superfrost Plus microscope slide</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>12-550-15</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hydrophobic pen</td>
			<td>Vector</td>
			<td>H-4000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>Provis AX70</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

rapid in situ hybridization using oligonucleotide probes on paraformaldehyde-prefixed brain of rats with serotonin syndrome

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) toxicity may cause region-specific changes in serotonergic mRNA expression due to acute serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) syndrome. This hypothesis can be tested using in situ hybridization to detect the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor gene htr2a. In the past, such procedures, utilizing radioactive riboprobe, were difficult because of the complicated workflow that needs several days to perform and the added difficulty that the technique required the use of fresh frozen tissues maintained in an RNase-free environment. Recently, the development of short oligonucleotide probes has simplified in situ hybridization procedures and allowed the use of paraformaldehyde-prefixed brain sections, which are more widely available in laboratories. Here, we describe a detailed protocol using non-radioactive oligonucleotide probes on the prefixed brain tissues. Hybridization probes used for this study include dapB (a bacterial gene coding for dihydrodipicolinate reductase), ppiB (a housekeeping gene coding for peptidylprolyl isomerase B), and htr2a (a serotonin gene coding for 5-HT2A receptors). This method is relatively simply, cheap, reproducible and requires less than two days to complete.

Using the oligonucleotide RNA probes (&#60;25 nt), hybridization can be detected as red dots in hypothalamic cells prepared from the paraformaldehyde-prefixed and fresh frozen brains. The htr2a mRNA molecules are present in some cells (indicated by solid arrows), but not others (open arrows). We observed that there is no difference between the paraformaldehyde-prefixed and the fresh frozen tissues (Figure 1). A successful hybridization can be evaluated first by the naked eye (Figure 2</s...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Rapid In Situ Hybridization using Oligonucleotide Probes on Paraformaldehyde-prefixed Brain of Rats with Serotonin Syndrome at JoVE.com

Rapid In Situ Hybridization using Oligonucleotide Probes on Paraformaldehyde-prefixed Brain of Rats with Serotonin Syndrome

This protocol describes a rapid and simplified in situ hybridization method ideal forparaformaldehyde-prefixed brain, thus reducing the need for prolonged complex steps while using fresh frozen tissues. The method is validated using the identification of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor gene htr2a in rats.

Rapid In Situ Hybridization using Oligonucleotide Probes on Paraformaldehyde-prefixed Brain of Rats with Serotonin Syndrome

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) toxicity may cause region-specific changes in serotonergic mRNA expression due to acute serotonin ...

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8.8K Views.  Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. This protocol describes a rapid and simplified in situ hybridization method ideal forparaformaldehyde-prefixed brain, thus reducing the need for prolonged complex steps while using fresh frozen tissues. The method is validated using the identification of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor gene htr2a in rats.

Video: Rapid In Situ Hybridization using Oligonucleotide Probes on Paraformaldehyde-prefixed Brain of Rats with Serotonin Syndrome

Double Fluorescence in situ Hybridization in Fresh Brain Sections

Here we describe a modified version of a double fluorescence in situ hybridization (dFISH) method optimized for detecting two mRNAs of interest in fresh frozen brain sections. Our group has successfully used this approach to study gene co-regulation. More specifically, we have used this dFISH method to explore the anatomical organization, neurochemical properties, and the impact of sensory experience in central sensory circuits, at single cell resolution. This protocol has been validated in brain tissue from mice, rats and songbirds but is expected to be easily adaptable to other vertebrate species, as well as to an array of non-neural tissues. In this film we provide a detailed demonstration of the main steps of this procedure.

Double Fluorescence in situ Hybridization in Fresh Brain Sections

This protocol involves a non-radioactive in-situ hybridization procedure that enables the simultaneous identification of two transcript species, at a single cell resolution, in thin sections of the vertebrate brain.

Here we describe a modified version of a double fluorescence in situ hybridization (dFISH) method optimized for detecting two mRNAs of interest in fresh ...

TMS: Using the Theta-Burst Protocol to Explore Mechanism of Plasticity in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome and Autism

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), also known as Martin-Bell Syndrome, is a genetic abnormality found on the X chromosome.1,2 Individuals suffering from FXS display abnormalities in the expression of FMR1 - a protein required for typical, healthy neural development.3 Recent data has suggested that the loss of this protein can cause the cortex to be hyperexcitable thereby affecting overall patterns of neural plasticity.4,5
In addition, Fragile X shows a strong comorbidity with autism: in fact, 30% of children with FXS are diagnosed with autism, and 2 - 5% of autistic children suffer from FXS.6
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (a non-invasive neurostimulatory and neuromodulatory technique that can transiently or lastingly modulate cortical excitability via the application of localized magnetic field pulses 7,8) represents a unique method of exploring plasticity and the manifestations of FXS within affected individuals. More specifically, Theta-Burst Stimulation (TBS), a specific stimulatory protocol shown to modulate cortical plasticity for a duration up to 30 minutes after stimulation cessation in healthy populations, has already proven an efficacious tool in the exploration of abnormal plasticity.9,10 
Recent studies have shown the effects of TBS last considerably longer in individuals on the autistic spectrum - up to 90 minutes.11 This extended effect-duration suggests an underlying abnormality in the brain's natural plasticity state in autistic individuals - similar to the hyperexcitability induced by Fragile X Syndrome.
In this experiment, utilizing single-pulse motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) as our benchmark, we will explore the effects of both intermittent and continuous TBS on cortical plasticity in individuals suffering from FXS and individuals on the Autistic Spectrum.

In this article, we examine the effects of Theta-Burst TMS stimulation on cortical plasticity in individuals suffering from Fragile X syndrome and individuals on the autistic spectrum.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), also known as Martin-Bell Syndrome, is a genetic abnormality found on the X chromosome.1,2 Individuals suffering from FXS ...

Combining Lipophilic dye, in situ Hybridization, Immunohistochemistry, and Histology

Going beyond single gene function to cut deeper into gene regulatory networks requires multiple mutations combined in a single animal. Such analysis of two or more genes needs to be complemented with in situ hybridization of other genes, or immunohistochemistry of their proteins, both in whole mounted developing organs or sections for detailed resolution of the cellular and tissue expression alterations. Combining multiple gene alterations requires the use of cre or flipase to conditionally delete genes and avoid embryonic lethality. Required breeding schemes dramatically enhance effort and cost proportional to the number of genes mutated, with an outcome of very few animals with the full repertoire of genetic modifications desired. Amortizing the vast amount of effort and time to obtain these few precious specimens that are carrying multiple mutations necessitates tissue optimization. Moreover, investigating a single animal with multiple techniques makes it easier to correlate gene deletion defects with expression profiles. We have developed a technique to obtain a more thorough analysis of a given animal; with the ability to analyze several different histologically recognizable structures as well as gene and protein expression all from the same specimen in both whole mounted organs and sections. Although mice have been utilized to demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique it can be applied to a wide array of animals. To do this we combine lipophilic dye tracing, whole mount in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and histology to extract the maximal possible amount of data.

Combining Lipophilic dye, in situ Hybridization, Immunohistochemistry, and Histology

A combination of different techniques to maximize data collection from mouse tissue is presented.

Going beyond single gene function to cut deeper into gene regulatory networks requires multiple mutations combined in a single animal.  Such analysis of ...

Complete Spinal Cord Injury and Brain Dissection Protocol for Subsequent Wholemount In Situ Hybridization in Larval Sea Lamprey

After a complete spinal cord injury, sea lampreys at first are paralyzed below the level of transection. However, they recover locomotion after several weeks, and this is accompanied by short distance regeneration (a few mm) of propriospinal axons and spinal-projecting axons from the brainstem. Among the 36 large identifiable spinal-projecting neurons, some are good regenerators and others are bad regenerators. These neurons can most easily be identified in wholemount CNS preparations. In order to understand the neuron-intrinsic mechanisms that favor or inhibit axon regeneration after injury in the vertebrates CNS, we determine differences in gene expression between the good and bad regenerators, and how expression is influenced by spinal cord transection. This paper illustrates the techniques for housing larval and recently transformed adult sea lampreys in fresh water tanks, producing complete spinal cord transections under microscopic vision, and preparing brain and spinal cord wholemounts for in situ hybridization. Briefly, animals are kept at 16&#160;&#176;C and anesthetized in 1% Benzocaine in lamprey Ringer. The spinal cord is transected with iridectomy scissors via a dorsal approach and the animal is allowed to recover in fresh water tanks at 23 &#176;C. For in situ hybridization, animals are reanesthetized and the brain and cord removed via a dorsal approach.

Complete Spinal Cord Injury and Brain Dissection Protocol for Subsequent Wholemount In Situ Hybridization in Larval Sea Lamprey

Lampreys recover locomotion after a complete spinal cord injury. However, some spinal-projecting neurons are good regenerators and others are not. This paper illustrates the techniques for housing sea lamprey larvae (and recently transformed adults), producing complete spinal cord transections and preparing wholemount brains and spinal cords for in situ hybridization.

After a complete spinal cord injury, sea lampreys at first are paralyzed below the level of transection. However, they recover locomotion after several ...

Detection of Axonally Localized mRNAs in Brain Sections Using High-Resolution In Situ Hybridization

mRNAs are frequently localized to vertebrate axons and their local translation is required for axon pathfinding or branching during development and for maintenance, repair or neurodegeneration in postdevelopmental periods. High throughput analyses have recently revealed that axons have a more dynamic and complex transcriptome than previously expected. These analysis, however have been mostly done in cultured neurons where axons can be isolated from the somato-dendritic compartments. It is virtually impossible to achieve such isolation in whole tissues in vivo. Thus, in order to verify the recruitment of mRNAs and their functional relevance in a whole animal, transcriptome analyses should ideally be combined with techniques that allow the visualization of mRNAs in situ. Recently, novel ISH technologies that detect RNAs at a single-molecule level have been developed. This is especially important when analyzing the subcellular localization of mRNA, since localized RNAs are typically found at low levels. Here we describe two protocols for the detection of axonally-localized mRNAs using a novel ultrasensitive RNA ISH technology. We have combined RNAscope ISH with axonal counterstain using fluorescence immunohistochemistry or histological dyes to verify the recruitment of Atf4 mRNA to axons in vivo in the mature mouse and human brains.

Detection of Axonally Localized mRNAs in Brain Sections Using High-Resolution In Situ Hybridization

RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) enables the visualization of RNAs in cells and tissues. Here we show how combination of RNAscope ISH with immunohistochemistry or histological dyes can be successfully used to detect mRNAs localized to axons in sections of mouse and human brains.

mRNAs are frequently localized to vertebrate axons and their local translation is required for axon pathfinding or branching during development and for ...

Combining Double Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with Immunolabelling for Detection of the Expression of Three Genes in Mouse Brain Sections

Detection of gene expression in different types of brain cells e.g., neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursors and microglia, can be hampered by the lack of specific primary or secondary antibodies for immunostaining. Here we describe a protocol to detect the expression of three different genes in the same brain section using double fluorescence in situ hybridization with two gene-specific probes followed by immunostaining with an antibody of high specificity directed against the protein encoded by a third gene. The Aspartoacyclase (ASPA) gene, mutations of which can lead to a rare human white matter disease - Canavan disease - is thought to be expressed in oligodendrocytes and microglia but not in astrocytes and neurons. However, the precise expression pattern of ASPA in the brain has yet to be established. This protocol has allowed us to determine that ASPA is expressed in a subset of mature oligodendrocytes and it can be generally applied to a wide range of gene expression pattern studies.

Combining Double Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with Immunolabelling for Detection of the Expression of Three Genes in Mouse Brain Sections

Localizing gene expression to specific cell types can be challenging due to the lack of specific antibodies. Here we describe a protocol for simultaneous triple detection of gene expression by combining double fluorescence RNA in situ hybridization with immunostaining.

Detection of gene expression in different types of brain cells e.g., neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursors and microglia, can ...

Localization of Odorant Receptor Genes in Locust Antennae by RNA In Situ Hybridization

Insects have evolved sophisticated olfactory reception systems to sense exogenous chemical signals. These chemical signals are transduced by Olfactory Receptor Neurons (ORNs) housed in hair-like structures, called chemosensilla, of the antennae. On the ORNs&#39; membranes, Odorant Receptors (ORs) are believed to be involved in odor coding. Thus, being able to identify genes localized to the ORNs is necessary to recognize OR genes, and provides a fundamental basis for further functional in situ studies. The RNA expression levels of specific ORs in insect antennae are very low, and preserving insect tissue for histology is challenging. Thus, it is difficult to localize an OR to a specific type of sensilla using RNA in situ hybridization. In this paper, a detailed and highly effective RNA in situ hybridization protocol particularly for lowly expressed OR genes of insects, is introduced. In addition, a specific OR gene was identified by conducting double-color fluorescent in situ hybridization experiments using a co-expressing receptor gene, Orco, as a marker.

Localization of Odorant Receptor Genes in Locust Antennae by RNA In Situ Hybridization

This paper describes a detailed and highly effective RNA in situ hybridization protocol particularly for low-level expressed Odorant Receptor (OR) genes, as well as other genes, in insect antennae using digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled or biotin-labeled probes.

Insects have evolved sophisticated olfactory reception systems to sense exogenous chemical signals. These chemical signals are transduced by Olfactory ...

Two-photon Imaging of Microglial Processes' Attraction Toward ATP or Serotonin in Acute Brain Slices

Microglial cells are resident innate immune cells of the brain that constantly scan their environment with their long processes and, upon disruption of homeostasis, undergo rapid morphological changes. For example, a laser lesion induces in a few minutes an oriented growth of microglial processes, also called &#34;directional motility&#34;, toward the site of injury. A similar effect can be obtained by delivering locally ATP or serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]). In this article, we describe a protocol to induce a directional growth of microglial processes toward a local application of ATP or 5-HT in acute brain slices of young and adult mice and to image this attraction over time by multiphoton microscopy. A simple method of quantification with free and open-source image analysis software is proposed. A challenge that still characterizes acute brain slices is the limited time, decreasing with age, during which the cells remain in a physiological state. This protocol, thus, highlights some technical improvements (medium, air-liquid interface chamber, imaging chamber with a double perfusion) aimed at optimizing the viability of microglial cells over several hours, especially in slices from adult mice.

Two-photon Imaging of Microglial Processes&#039; Attraction Toward ATP or Serotonin in Acute Brain Slices

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, respond quickly with morphological changes to modifications of their environment. This protocol describes how to use two-photon microscopy to study the attraction of microglial processes toward serotonin or ATP in acute brain slices of mice.

Microglial cells are resident innate immune cells of the brain that constantly scan their environment with their long processes and, upon disruption of ...

Induction of Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury in Rats Based on Rotational Acceleration

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability. Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is the predominant mechanism of injury in a large percentage of TBI patients requiring hospitalization. DAI involves widespread axonal damage from shaking, rotation or blast injury, leading to rapid axonal stretch injury and secondary axonal changes that are associated with a long-lasting impact on functional recovery. Historically, experimental models of DAI without focal injury have been difficult to design. Here we validate a simple, reproducible and reliable rodent model of DAI that causes widespread white matter damage without skull fractures or contusions.

This protocol validates a reliable, easy-to-perform and reproducible rodent model of brain diffuse axonal injury (DAI) that induces widespread white matter damage without skull fractures or contusions.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability. Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is the predominant mechanism of injury in a large ...

Combining Multiplex Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry on Fresh Frozen or Fixed Mouse Brain Sections

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) is a molecular technique that identifies the presence and spatial distribution of specific RNA transcripts within cells. Neurochemical phenotyping of functionally identified neurons usually requires concurrent labelling with multiple antibodies (targeting protein) using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and optimization of in situ hybridization (targeting RNA), in tandem. A &#34;neurochemical signature&#34; to characterize particular neurons may be achieved however complicating factors include the need to verify FISH and IHC targets before combining the methods, and the limited number of RNAs and proteins that may be targeted simultaneously within the same tissue section.
Here we describe a protocol, using both fresh frozen and fixed mouse brain preparations, which detects multiple mRNAs and proteins in the same brain section using RNAscope FISH followed by fluorescence immunostaining, respectively. We use the combined method to describe the expression pattern of low abundance mRNAs (e.g., galanin receptor 1) and high abundance mRNAs (e.g., glycine transporter 2), in immunohistochemically identified brainstem nuclei.
Key considerations for protein labelling downstream of the FISH assay extend beyond tissue preparation and optimization of FISH probe labelling. For example, we found that antibody binding and labelling specificity can be detrimentally affected by the protease step within the FISH probe assay. Proteases catalyze hydrolytic cleavage of peptide bonds, facilitating FISH probe entry into cells, however they may also digest the protein targeted by the subsequent IHC assay, producing off target binding. The subcellular location of the targeted protein is another factor contributing to IHC success following FISH probe assay. We observed IHC specificity to be retained when the targeted protein is membrane bound, whereas IHC targeting cytoplasmic protein required extensive troubleshooting. Finally, we found handling of slide-mounted fixed frozen tissue more challenging than fresh frozen tissue, however IHC quality was overall better with fixed frozen tissue, when combined with RNAscope.

Combining Multiplex Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry on Fresh Frozen or Fixed Mouse Brain Sections

This protocol describes a method for combining fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and fluorescence immunohistochemistry (IHC) in both fresh frozen and fixed mouse brain sections, with the goal of achieving multilabel FISH and fluorescence IHC signal. IHC targeted cytoplasmic and membrane attached proteins.

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) is a molecular technique that identifies the presence and spatial distribution of specific RNA transcripts within ...