Name: monitoring astrocyte reactivity and proliferation in vitro under ischemic-like conditions
Uploaded: 2017-10-21T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Monitoring Astrocyte Reactivity and Proliferation in Vitro Under Ischemic-Like Conditions at JoVE.com

The authors want to thank Paola L&#243;pez Pieraldi for the technical assistance. A.H.M. is grateful for the grants 8G12MD007600 and U54-NS083924 that supported this publication. We thank NIH-NIMHD-G12-MD007583 grant for the facility support. D.E.R.A. is grateful for the fellowship provided by NIHNIGMS-R25GM110513.We are grateful for the use of the Common Instrumentation Area and the aid of Dr. Priscila Sanabria for the use of the Optical Imaging Facility of the RCMI program by grant G12MD007583. In addition, we want to thank Jose Padilla for his outstanding role in filming and editing the visual protocol.

Postnatal rats (Sprague Dawley) 1-4 days old are used to isolate cortices. The method of euthanasia is decapitation, as approved by NIH guidelines.
1. Preparation of Instruments and Materials for Surgery
<ol>
	<li>Sterilize instruments in an autoclave (temperature: 121 &#186;C, pressure: 15 psi, time: 30 mins) using a steel box or an instant sealing sterilization pouch. See materials in Table of Materials.</li>
</ol>
2. Complete DMEM Preparation
<ol...

<ol>
	<li>Goldstein, L. B., Bertels, C., Davis, J. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Interrater+reliability+of+the+NIH+stroke+scale.">Interrater reliability of the NIH stroke scale.</a> Arch Neurol. 46 (6), 660-662 (1989).</li><li>Hinkle, J. L., Guanci, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acute+ischemic+stroke+review.">Acute ischemic stroke review.</a> J Neurosci Nurs. 39 (5), 285-293 (2007).</li><li>Kassner, A., Merali, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assessment+of+Blood-Brain+Barrier+Disruption+in+Stroke.">Assessment of Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in Stroke.</a> Stroke. 46 (11), 3310-3315 (2015).</li><li>Moskowitz, M. A., Lo, E. H., Iadecola, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+science+of+stroke:+mechanisms+in+search+of+treatments.">The science of stroke: mechanisms in search of treatments.</a> Neuron. 67 (2), 181-198 (2010).</li><li>Ben Haim, L., Carrillo-de Sauvage, M. A., Ceyzeriat, K., Escartin, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Elusive+roles+for+reactive+astrocytes+in+neurodegenerative+diseases.">Elusive roles for reactive astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases.</a> Front Cell Neurosci. 9, 278 (2015).</li><li>Broderick, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Guidelines+for+the+Management+of+Spontaneous+Intracerebral+Hemorrhage+in+Adults+2007+Update:+A+Guideline+From+the+American+Heart+Association/American+Stroke+Association+Stroke+Council,+High+Blood+Pressure+Research+Council,+and+the+Quality+of+Care+and+Outcomes+in+Research+Interdisciplinary+Working+Group:+The+American+Academy+of+Neurology+affirms+the+value+of+this+guideline+as+an+educational+tool+for+neurologists.">Guidelines for the Management of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Adults 2007 Update: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council, High Blood Pressure Research Council, and the Quality of Care and Outcomes in Research Interdisciplinary Working Group: The American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of this guideline as an educational tool for neurologists.</a> Stroke. 38 (6), 2001-2023 (2007).</li><li>Wang, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oxygen-glucose+deprivation+induced+glial+scar-like+change+in+astrocytes.">Oxygen-glucose deprivation induced glial scar-like change in astrocytes.</a> PLoS One. 7 (5), e37574 (2012).</li><li>Sofroniew, M. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reactive+astrocytes+in+neural+repair+and+protection.">Reactive astrocytes in neural repair and protection.</a> The Neuroscientist. 11 (5), 400-407 (2005).</li><li>Sofroniew, M. V., Vinters, H. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Astrocytes:+biology+and+pathology.">Astrocytes: biology and pathology.</a> Acta neuropathologica. 119 (1), 7-35 (2010).</li><li>Souza, D. G., Bellaver, B., Souza, D. O., Quincozes-Santos, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+adult+rat+astrocyte+cultures.">Characterization of adult rat astrocyte cultures.</a> PLoS One. 8 (3), e60282 (2013).</li><li>Puschmann, T. B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=HB-EGF+affects+astrocyte+morphology,+proliferation,+differentiation,+and+the+expression+of+intermediate+filament+proteins.">HB-EGF affects astrocyte morphology, proliferation, differentiation, and the expression of intermediate filament proteins.</a> J Neurochem. 128 (6), 878-889 (2014).</li><li>Robinson, C., Apgar, C., Shapiro, L. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Astrocyte+Hypertrophy+Contributes+to+Aberrant+Neurogenesis+after+Traumatic+Brain+Injury.">Astrocyte Hypertrophy Contributes to Aberrant Neurogenesis after Traumatic Brain Injury.</a> Neural Plast. , 1347987 (2016).</li><li>Brekke, E., Berger, H. R., Wideroe, M., Sonnewald, U., Morken, T. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Glucose+and+Intermediary+Metabolism+and+Astrocyte-Neuron+Interactions+Following+Neonatal+Hypoxia-Ischemia+in+Rat.">Glucose and Intermediary Metabolism and Astrocyte-Neuron Interactions Following Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia in Rat.</a> Neurochem Res. , (2016).</li><li>Cekanaviciute, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Astrocytic+transforming+growth+factor-beta+signaling+reduces+subacute+neuroinflammation+after+stroke+in+mice.">Astrocytic transforming growth factor-beta signaling reduces subacute neuroinflammation after stroke in mice.</a> Glia. 62 (8), 1227-1240 (2014).</li><li>Zhu, Z., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inhibiting+cell+cycle+progression+reduces+reactive+astrogliosis+initiated+by+scratch+injury+in+vitro+and+by+cerebral+ischemia+in+vivo.">Inhibiting cell cycle progression reduces reactive astrogliosis initiated by scratch injury in vitro and by cerebral ischemia in vivo.</a> Glia. 55 (5), 546-558 (2007).</li><li>Bovolenta, P., Wandosell, F., Nieto-Sampedro, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neurite+outgrowth+over+resting+and+reactive+astrocytes.">Neurite outgrowth over resting and reactive astrocytes.</a> Restor Neurol Neurosci. 2 (4), 221-228 (1991).</li><li>Anderson, M. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Astrocyte+scar+formation+aids+central+nervous+system+axon+regeneration.">Astrocyte scar formation aids central nervous system axon regeneration.</a> Nature. 532 (7598), 195-200 (2016).</li><li>Hao, C., Richardson, A., Fedoroff, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Macrophage-like+cells+originate+from+neuroepithelium+in+culture:+characterization+and+properties+of+the+macrophage-like+cells.">Macrophage-like cells originate from neuroepithelium in culture: characterization and properties of the macrophage-like cells.</a> Int J Dev Neurosci. 9 (1), 1-14 (1991).</li><li>Saura, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microglial+cells+in+astroglial+cultures:+a+cautionary+note.">Microglial cells in astroglial cultures: a cautionary note.</a> J Neuroinflammation. 4, 26 (2007).</li><li>Giulian, D., Baker, T. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+ameboid+microglia+isolated+from+developing+mammalian+brain.">Characterization of ameboid microglia isolated from developing mammalian brain.</a> J Neurosci. 6 (8), 2163-2178 (1986).</li><li>Schildge, S., Bohrer, C., Beck, K., Schachtrup, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+and+culture+of+mouse+cortical+astrocytes.">Isolation and culture of mouse cortical astrocytes.</a> J Vis Exp. (71), (2013).</li><li>Armstrong, R. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+and+characterization+of+immature+oligodendrocyte+lineage+cells.">Isolation and characterization of immature oligodendrocyte lineage cells.</a> Methods. 16 (3), 282-292 (1998).</li><li>McCarthy, K. D., de Vellis, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+of+separate+astroglial+and+oligodendroglial+cell+cultures+from+rat+cerebral+tissue.">Preparation of separate astroglial and oligodendroglial cell cultures from rat cerebral tissue.</a> J Cell Biol. 85 (3), 890-902 (1980).</li><li>Pont-Lezica, L., Colasse, S., Bessis, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Depletion+of+microglia+from+primary+cellular+cultures.">Depletion of microglia from primary cellular cultures.</a> Methods Mol Biol. 1041, 55-61 (2013).</li><li>Svensson, M., Aldskogius, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synaptic+density+of+axotomized+hypoglossal+motorneurons+following+pharmacological+blockade+of+the+microglial+cell+proliferation.">Synaptic density of axotomized hypoglossal motorneurons following pharmacological blockade of the microglial cell proliferation.</a> Exp Neurol. 120 (1), 123-131 (1993).</li><li>Wong, V. K., Shapourifar-Tehrani, S., Kitada, S., Choo, P. H., Lee, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inhibition+of+rabbit+ocular+fibroblast+proliferation+by+5-fluorouracil+and+cytosine+arabinoside.">Inhibition of rabbit ocular fibroblast proliferation by 5-fluorouracil and cytosine arabinoside.</a> J Ocul Pharmacol. 7 (1), 27-39 (1991).</li><li>Nakatsuji, Y., Miller, R. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Density+dependent+modulation+of+cell+cycle+protein+expression+in+astrocytes.">Density dependent modulation of cell cycle protein expression in astrocytes.</a> J Neurosci Res. 66 (3), 487-496 (2001).</li><li>Reeves, 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=Accumulation+of+amino+acids+by+lysosomes+incubated+with+amino+acid+methyl+esters.">Accumulation of amino acids by lysosomes incubated with amino acid methyl esters.</a> J Biol Chem. 254 (18), 8914-8921 (1979).</li><li>Thiele, D. L., Kurosaka, M., Lipsky, P. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phenotype+of+the+accessory+cell+necessary+for+mitogen-stimulated+T+and+B+cell+responses+in+human+peripheral+blood:+delineation+by+its+sensitivity+to+the+lysosomotropic+agent,+L-leucine+methyl+ester.">Phenotype of the accessory cell necessary for mitogen-stimulated T and B cell responses in human peripheral blood: delineation by its sensitivity to the lysosomotropic agent, L-leucine methyl ester.</a> J Immunol. 131 (5), 2282-2290 (1983).</li><li>Hamby, M. E., Uliasz, T. F., Hewett, S. J., Hewett, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+an+improved+procedure+for+the+removal+of+microglia+from+confluent+monolayers+of+primary+astrocytes.">Characterization of an improved procedure for the removal of microglia from confluent monolayers of primary astrocytes.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 150 (1), 128-137 (2006).</li><li>Corvalan, V., Cole, R., de Vellis, J., Hagiwara, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neuronal+modulation+of+calcium+channel+activity+in+cultured+rat+astrocytes.">Neuronal modulation of calcium channel activity in cultured rat astrocytes.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 87 (11), 4345-4348 (1990).</li><li>Butler, I. B., Schoonen, M. A., Rickard, D. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Removal+of+dissolved+oxygen+from+water:+A+comparison+of+four+common+techniques.">Removal of dissolved oxygen from water: A comparison of four common techniques.</a> Talanta. 41 (2), 211-215 (1994).</li><li>Tasca, C. I., Dal-Cim, T., Cimarosti, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+oxygen-glucose+deprivation+to+study+ischemic+cell+death.">In vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation to study ischemic cell death.</a> Methods Mol Biol. 1254, 197-210 (2015).</li><li>Wu, D., Yotnda, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Induction+and+testing+of+hypoxia+in+cell+culture.">Induction and testing of hypoxia in cell culture.</a> J Vis Exp. (54), (2011).</li><li>Rivera-Aponte, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hyperglycemia+reduces+functional+expression+of+astrocytic+Kir4.+1+channels+and+glial+glutamate+uptake.">Hyperglycemia reduces functional expression of astrocytic Kir4. 1 channels and glial glutamate uptake.</a> Neuroscience. 310, 216-223 (2015).</li><li>Berger, R., Garnier, Y., Pfeiffer, D., Jensen, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lipopolysaccharides+do+not+alter+metabolic+disturbances+in+hippocampal+slices+of+fetal+guinea+pigs+after+oxygen-glucose+deprivation.">Lipopolysaccharides do not alter metabolic disturbances in hippocampal slices of fetal guinea pigs after oxygen-glucose deprivation.</a> Pediatric research. 48 (4), 531-535 (2000).</li><li>Anderson, T. R., Jarvis, C. R., Biedermann, A. J., Molnar, C., Andrew, R. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Blocking+the+anoxic+depolarization+protects+without+functional+compromise+following+simulated+stroke+in+cortical+brain+slices.">Blocking the anoxic depolarization protects without functional compromise following simulated stroke in cortical brain slices.</a> Journal of neurophysiology. 93 (2), 963-979 (2005).</li><li>Jarvis, C. R., Anderson, T. R., Andrew, R. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anoxic+depolarization+mediates+acute+damage+independent+of+glutamate+in+neocortical+brain+slices.">Anoxic depolarization mediates acute damage independent of glutamate in neocortical brain slices.</a> Cerebral Cortex. 11 (3), 249-259 (2001).</li></ol>

This protocol describes the isolation of astrocytes from rat cortices. In this method, it is critical to decrease contamination with other cellular types such as microglia, oligodendrocytes, and fibroblasts. To reduce the number of microglia, several steps can be taken: changing the media, orbital shaking, and chemical treatments. Once culture purity is confirmed by immunofluorescence using selective cellular markers or for the most prominent cell contaminants, experiments can be performed. For instance, antibody against...

Stroke is defined as &#34;an acute neurological dysfunction of vascular origin with either sudden or rapid development of symptoms and signs, corresponding to the involvement of focal areas in the brain&#34;1,2. There are two types of stroke: hemorrhagic and ischemic. When vascular dysfunction is caused either by an aneurysm or an arteriovenous malfunction, accompanied by weakening with posterior rupture of an artery,&#160;this is termed hemorrhagic stroke3 which, in most cases, leads to death. When a thrombus or an embolus obstructs blood flow, causing a temporary deprivation of oxygen and glucose to a brain region, it is called ischemic stroke4. Failure to nourish cells around the affected area or ischemic core leads to a homeostatic and metabolic imbalance, energetic dysfunction, neuronal death, and inflammation5, which can induce a life-long disability for patients6.
Ischemic stroke is a multifactorial injury involving several types of cells that react and exert their effects at different time points. Many interactions create a difficult environment to study the behavior of individual cells. So, how do we study the contribution of a specific cell type under such a complex environment? An accepted in vitro model of ischemia consists of exposing cells to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), for a certain period, followed by the restoration of cells to a normoxic environment. This system simulates an ischemic stroke followed by blood reperfusion. In this method, cells or tissues are exposed to a glucose-free media in an environment purged of oxygen, using a specialized hypoxic chamber. The OGD incubation time can vary from a few minutes up to 24 h, depending on the hypothesis that wants to be tested. Studies have shown that depending on the times of OGD and normoxic environment, specific phenotypes of stroke (i.e., acute or subchronic) can be achieved. Primary isolated astrocytes, exposed to OGD with posterior restoration to normoxic conditions, is a well-studied cellular model to mimic stroke in vitro7. Using OGD is possible to reveal the independent molecular mechanisms of isolated cells under a stroke-like environment.
As our knowledge of astrocyte biology increases, it has become evident that they are crucial for maintaining synapses and sustaining neural repair, development, and plasticity8. Under normal conditions, astrocytes release and respond to cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and gliotransmitters, keeping metabolic balance and homeostasis within synapses5,9. In acute neuroinflammation, such as ischemic stroke, these cells can become reactive, show a long-term overexpression of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), and show hypertrophy in their morphology5,10,11,12. As the ischemic infarct develops, the homeostasis provided by astrocytes becomes affected, regarding normal glutamate uptake, energy metabolism, exchange of active molecules, and antioxidant activity13.
Reactivated astrocytes proliferate around the infarct tissue while leukocytes migrate towards the lesioned area14. Astrocytic proliferation can be measured using markers such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Ki67, and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)15. This proliferative response is generated in a time-dependent manner and it helps forming the glial scar, an array of irreversibly reactive astrocytes along the parenchyma of the damaged site after an injury9. One of the initial functions of this scar is to limit the immune cell extravasation from this area. However, studies have shown that the scar becomes a physical impediment for axons to extend, as they release molecules inhibiting axonal growth, and create a physical barrier preventing axons from extending around the injured area16. Nevertheless, there is scientific evidence showing that after a spinal cord injury, completely preventing glial scar formation can impair the regeneration of axons17. Thus, the context in which the specific astrocytic response is measured, must be considered upon the framework of the injury studied.
The presented methodology can be applied to study the individualized function of astrocytes after oxygen glucose deprivation and it can be modified depending on the questions that the investigator wants to answer. For example, besides the morphological change and the markers expressed at different OGD times, the supernatants from astrocytes exposed to OGD can be further analyzed to identify soluble factors released by these cells, or used as a conditioned media to assess its effect in other brain cells. This approach enables studies on astrocyte reactivity that could lead to the elucidation of the factors that govern and modulate their response in an ischemic-stroke scenario.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="933">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="34">
			<td height="34" style="height:34px;width:395px;">Instruments for Surgery - Step 1</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:253px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Operating scissor 5.5&#8221;</td>
			<td>Roboz Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">RS-6812</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Tools used to decapitate the rats.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Curved forceps 7&#8221;&#160;</td>
			<td>Roboz Company</td>
			<td>RS-5271</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Holds the skin of the rat while the skull is removed.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Micro-dissecting scissors 4&#8221;&#160;</td>
			<td>Roboz Company</td>
			<td>RS-5882</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Cuts both the skin and skull of the rat.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Micro-dissecting forceps 4&#8221; angled, fine sharp&#160;</td>
			<td>Roboz Company</td>
			<td>RS-5095</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Holds the skin of the rat while the skull is removed.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Micro-dissecting forceps 4&#8221; slightly curved 0.8</td>
			<td>Roboz Company</td>
			<td>RS-5135</td>
			<td>Tool used to separate cortices.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Micro-dissecting tweezers</td>
			<td>Roboz Company</td>
			<td>RS-4972</td>
			<td>Peels brain meninges.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Dissection microscope</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Olympus</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">SZX16</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Important for removing the meninge from the cortices.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">DMEM Preparation - step 2</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:253px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Dulbecco&#8217;s Modified Eagle&#8217;s Medium (DMEM)</td>
			<td>GibCo. Company</td>
			<td>11995-065</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Supports the growth of cells.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Sodium bicarbonate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td>S7277</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Supplement for the cell culture media.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Fetal bovine serum (FBS)</td>
			<td>GibCo. Company</td>
			<td>10437-010</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Serum-supplement for the cell culture.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Penicillin-Streptomycin&#160;</td>
			<td>GibCo. Company</td>
			<td>15140-148</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Inhibits the growth of bacterias in the cell culture.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Filter System 1L with 0.22um pore</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>431098</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="34">
			<td height="34" style="height:34px;">Astrocyte culture - step 3</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:253px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Serological pipets 5mL</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">89130-896</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">To pipette DMEM to containers with cells.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Serological pipets 10mL</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">89130-898</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">To pipette DMEM to containers with cells.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Serological pipets 25mL</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">89130-900</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">To pipette DMEM to containers with cells.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Centrifuge conical tube 15mL</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Santa Cruz Biotechnology</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">sc-200250</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Safe-lock tube 1.5mL</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Eppendorf</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">022363204</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Barrier Tips 200 uL</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Santa Cruz Biotechnology</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">sc-201725</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Barrier Tips 1 mL</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Santa Cruz Biotechnology</td>
			<td>sc-201727</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Biohazard Orange Bag 14 x 19&#34;</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>14220-048</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">60mm petri dishes</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>351007</td>
			<td style="width:253px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Sterile gauze pads</td>
			<td>Honeywell Safety</td>
			<td>89133-086</td>
			<td style="width:253px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Stomacher 80 Biomaster</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sewar Lab System</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">030010019</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Triturate the brain tissue.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Stomacher 80 Blender Sterile Bags</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sewar Lab System</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">BA6040</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Sterile bag for the stomacher cell homogenizer.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Beaker 400mL</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Pyrex</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Sterile cell dissociation sieve, mesh #60&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td>S1020</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">To obtain a uniform single cell suspension.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Sterile cell dissociation sieve, mesh #100</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td>S3895</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">To obtain a uniform single cell suspension.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Invert phase microscope</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Nikon</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Eclypse Ti-S</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Verify cells for contamination or abnormal cell growth.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">75cm2 sterile flasks</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>353136</td>
			<td style="width:253px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Multi-well plate</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>353046</td>
			<td style="width:253px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Micro cover glasses (coverslips), 18mm, round</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>48380-046</td>
			<td style="width:253px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Bright-Line hemacytometer</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Z359629</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Pasteur pipettes</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">13-678-20D</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Ethyl alcohol&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">E7023</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;">L-leucine methyl ester hydrochloride 98% (LME)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td>L1002</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Promotes the elimination of microglia cells in the primary cortical astrocyte cultutre.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Cytosine &#946;-D-arabinofuranoside (Ara-C)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td>C1768</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Poly-D-Lysine Hydrobromide, mol wt 70,000-150,000</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td>P0899</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Trypsin/EDTA</td>
			<td>GibCo. Company</td>
			<td>15400-054</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Trypan Blue</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td>T8154</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Phosphate buffer saline (PBS) tablets</td>
			<td>Calbiochem</td>
			<td>524650</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Sterile Water</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">W3500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">&#160;OGD Medium Preparation - step 5</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:253px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Centrifuge conical tube 50 mL</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">89039-658</td>
			<td style="width:253px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Dulbecco&#8217;s modified Eagle&#8217;s medium-free glucose</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td>D5030</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Supports the growth of cells.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Sodium bicarbonate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td>S7277</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Supplement for the cell culture media.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Penicillin-Streptomycin&#160;</td>
			<td>GibCo. Company</td>
			<td>15140-148</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Inhibits the growth of bacterias in the cell culture.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">200mM&#160; L-glutamine&#160;</td>
			<td>GibCo. Company</td>
			<td>25030-081</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Amino acid that supplements the growth of cells.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Phospahet buffer saline (PBS) tablets</td>
			<td>Calbiochem</td>
			<td>524650</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Filter System 50mL with 0.22um pore</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430320</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Centrifuge conical tube 50 mL</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">89039-658</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Single Flow Meter&#160;</td>
			<td>Billups-Rothenberg</td>
			<td>SMF3001</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Measure gas flow in oxygen purge.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Hypoxia Incubator Chamber&#160;</td>
			<td>StemCell</td>
			<td>27310</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Generates a hypoxic environment for the cell culture.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Traceable Dissolved Oxygen Meter</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>21800-022</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">95% N2/ 5% CO2 Gas Mixture</td>
			<td>Linde</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Purges the environment of oxygen.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="32">
			<td height="32" style="height:32px;width:395px;">primary astrocyte immunofluorescence - step 6</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:253px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Phosphate buffer saline (PBS) tablets</td>
			<td>Calbiochem</td>
			<td>524650</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Formaline Solution Neutral Buffer 10%</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">HT501128</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Solution used to fix cells.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Methanol&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Fisher</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A4544</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Solution used to fix cells.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-100)</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">T8787</td>
			<td style="width:253px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Fetal bovine serum (FBS)</td>
			<td>GibCo. Company</td>
			<td>10437-010</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Serum-supplement for the cell culture.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Anti-NeuN</td>
			<td>Cell Signaling</td>
			<td>24307</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Detects mature neurons, serves to validate the astrocytic culture.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Anti-PCNA</td>
			<td>Cell Signaling</td>
			<td>2586</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Detects proliferating cells.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Propidium Iodide (PI)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td>P4170</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Apoptosis staining.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Anti-Olig1</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>AB68105</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Detects mature oligodendrocytes.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Anti-Iba1+</td>
			<td>Wako</td>
			<td>016-20001</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Detects microglial cells.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Anti-GFAP Conjugated with Cy3&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td>C9205</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Detects reactive astrocytes in the treated cells.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Alexa Fluor 488</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Molecular Probe Life Technology</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A1101</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Anti-Mouse Secondary Antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:395px;">Alexa Fluor 555</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Molecular Probe Life Technology</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A21428</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Anti-Rabbit Secondary Antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">4&#8217;,6&#8217;-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma-Aldrich Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">D9542</td>
			<td style="width:253px;">Nuclear staining</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:395px;">Confocal microscope</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Olympus</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

monitoring astrocyte reactivity and proliferation in vitro under ischemic-like conditions

Ischemic stroke is a complex brain injury caused by a thrombus or embolus obstructing blood flow to parts of the brain. This leads to deprivation of oxygen and glucose, which causes energy failure and neuronal death. After an ischemic stroke insult, astrocytes become reactive and proliferate around the injury site as it develops. Under this scenario, it is difficult to study the specific contribution of astrocytes to the brain region exposed to ischemia. Therefore, this article introduces a methodology to study primary astrocyte reactivity and proliferation under an in vitro model of an ischemia-like environment, called oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). Astrocytes were isolated from 1-4 day-old neonatal rats and the number of non-specific astrocytic cells was assessed using astrocyte selective marker Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and nuclear staining. The period in which astrocytes are subjected to the OGD condition can be customized, as well as the percentage of oxygen they are exposed to. This flexibility allows scientists to characterize the duration of the ischemic-like condition in different groups of cells in vitro. This article discusses the timeframes of OGD that induce astrocyte reactivity, hypertrophic morphology, and proliferation as measured by immunofluorescence using Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA). Besides proliferation, astrocytes undergo energy and oxidative stress, and respond to OGD by releasing soluble factors into the cell medium. This medium can be collected and used to analyze the effects of molecules released by astrocytes in primary neuronal cultures without cell-to-cell interaction. In summary, this primary cell culture model can be efficiently used to understand the role of isolated astrocytes upon injury.

One of the main concerns of primary astrocytic culture is the presence of other cells such as neurons, oligodendrocytes, fibroblasts, and microglia. In Figure 1, isolated cells from rat cortices had media changes every 3 days and were either untreated or treated with added LME for 1 h. 24 h later, cells were immunostained for GFAP and counterstained with DAPI. Untreated cells showed an average of 39% non-GFAP positive cells, while LME-treated cells showed 8%....

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Monitoring Astrocyte Reactivity and Proliferation in Vitro Under Ischemic-Like Conditions at JoVE.com

Monitoring Astrocyte Reactivity and Proliferation in Vitro Under Ischemic-Like Conditions

Ischemic stroke is a complex event in which the specific contribution of astrocytes to the affected brain region exposed to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) is difficult to study. This article introduces a methodology to obtain isolated astrocytes and study their reactivity and proliferation under OGD conditions.

Monitoring Astrocyte Reactivity and Proliferation in Vitro Under Ischemic-Like Conditions

Ischemic stroke is a complex brain injury caused by a thrombus or embolus obstructing blood flow to parts of the brain. This leads to deprivation of ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Screening Assay for Oxidative Stress in a Feline Astrocyte Cell Line, G355-5

An often-suggested mechanism of virus induced neuronal damage is oxidative stress. Astrocytes have an important role in controlling oxidative stress of ...

Conditions Affecting Social Space in Drosophila melanogaster

Conditions Affecting Social Space in Drosophila melanogaster

The social space assay described here can be used to quantify social interactions of Drosophila melanogaster &#8212; or other small insects &#8212; in a ...

The Indirect Neuron-astrocyte Coculture Assay: An In Vitro Set-up for the Detailed Investigation of Neuron-glia Interactions

The Indirect Neuron-astrocyte Coculture Assay: An In Vitro Set-up for the Detailed Investigation of Neuron-glia Interactions

Proper neuronal development and function is the prerequisite of the developing and the adult brain. However, the mechanisms underlying the highly ...

A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder

Cocaine use disorder (CUD) follows a trajectory of repetitive self-administration during which previously neutral stimuli gain incentive value. Cue ...

Determining Cell-surface Expression and Endocytic Rate of Proteins in Primary Astrocyte Cultures Using Biotinylation

Cell-surface proteins mediate a wide array of functions. In many cases, their activity is regulated by endocytic processes that modulate their levels at ...

A Novel In Vitro Live-imaging Assay of Astrocyte-mediated Phagocytosis Using pH Indicator-conjugated Synaptosomes

A Novel In Vitro Live-imaging Assay of Astrocyte-mediated Phagocytosis Using pH Indicator-conjugated Synaptosomes

Astrocytes are the major cell type in the brain and directly contact synapses and blood vessels. Although microglial cells have been considered the major ...

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy: Getting the Capillary Refill Test Under One's Thumb

The capillary refill test was introduced in 1947 to help estimate circulatory status in critically ill patients. Guidelines commonly state that refill ...

Levator Auris Longus Preparation for Examination of Mammalian Neuromuscular Transmission Under Voltage Clamp Conditions

Levator Auris Longus Preparation for Examination of Mammalian Neuromuscular Transmission Under Voltage Clamp Conditions

This protocol describes a technique to record synaptic transmission from the neuromuscular junction under current-clamp and voltage-clamp conditions. An ...

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase

Olfactory perception begins with the interaction of odorants with odorant receptors (OR) expressed by olfactory sensory neurons (OSN). Odor recognition ...

Visualizing Astrocyte Morphology Using Lucifer Yellow Iontophoresis

Astrocytes are essential components of neural circuits. They tile the entire central nervous system (CNS) and are involved in a variety of functions, ...