Name: improving the application of high molecular weight biotinylated dextran amine for thalamocortical projection tracing in the rat
Uploaded: 2018-04-12T12:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Improving the Application of High Molecular Weight Biotinylated Dextran Amine for Thalamocortical Projection Tracing in the Rat at JoVE.com

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project Code no. 81373557; no. 81403327).

This study was approved by the ethics committee at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (reference number 20160014). All procedures were conducted in accordance with the National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1996). Four adult male rats (weight 250-280 g) were used in this study. All animals were housed in a 12 h light/dark cycle with controlled temperature and humidity, and allowed free access to food and water. The instruments a...

<ol>
	<li>Veenman, C. L., Reiner, A., Honig, M. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biotinylated+dextran+amine+as+an+anterograde+tracer+for+single-+and+double-labeling+studies.">Biotinylated dextran amine as an anterograde tracer for single- and double-labeling studies.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 41, 239-254 (1992).</li><li>Reiner, A., Veenman, C. L., Medina, L., Jiao, Y., Del Mar, N., Honig, M. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pathway+tracing+using+biotinylated+dextran+amines.">Pathway tracing using biotinylated dextran amines.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 103, 23-37 (2000).</li><li>Ling, C., Hendrickson, M. L., Kalil, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Resolving+the+detailed+structure+of+cortical+and+thalamic+neurons+in+the+adult+rat+brain+with+refined+biotinylated+dextran+amine+labeling.">Resolving the detailed structure of cortical and thalamic neurons in the adult rat brain with refined biotinylated dextran amine labeling.</a> PLoS One. 7, e45886 (2012).</li><li>Zhang, W. 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=Anterograde+and+retrograde+tracing+with+high+molecular+weight+biotinylated+dextran+amine+through+thalamocortical+and+corticothalamic+pathways.">Anterograde and retrograde tracing with high molecular weight biotinylated dextran amine through thalamocortical and corticothalamic pathways.</a> Microsc Res Tech. 80, 260-266 (2017).</li><li>Han, X., 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=Biotinylated+dextran+amine+anterograde+tracing+of+the+canine+corticospinal+tract.">Biotinylated dextran amine anterograde tracing of the canine corticospinal tract.</a> Neural Regen Res. 7, 805-809 (2012).</li><li>Armstrong-James, M., Callahan, C. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Thalamo-cortical+processing+of+vibrissal+information+in+the+rat.+II.+spatiotemporal+convergence+in+the+thalamic+ventroposterior+medial+nucleus+(VPm)+and+its+relevance+to+generation+of+receptive+fields+of+S1+cortical+&amp;#34;barrel&amp;#34;+neurones.">Thalamo-cortical processing of vibrissal information in the rat. II. spatiotemporal convergence in the thalamic ventroposterior medial nucleus (VPm) and its relevance to generation of receptive fields of S1 cortical &amp;#34;barrel&amp;#34; neurones.</a> J Comp Neurol. 303, 211-224 (1991).</li><li>Armstrong-James, M., Callahan, C. A., Friedman, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Thalamo-cortical+processing+of+vibrissal+information+in+the+rat.+I.+Intracortical+origins+of+surround+but+not+centre-receptive+fields+of+layer+IV+neurones+in+the+rat+S1+barrel+field+cortex.">Thalamo-cortical processing of vibrissal information in the rat. I. Intracortical origins of surround but not centre-receptive fields of layer IV neurones in the rat S1 barrel field cortex.</a> J Comp Neurol. 303, 193-210 (1991).</li><li>Agmon, A., Yang, L. T., Jones, E. G., O'Dowd, D. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Topological+precision+in+the+thalamic+projection+to+neonatal+mouse+barrel+cortex.">Topological precision in the thalamic projection to neonatal mouse barrel cortex.</a> J Neurosci. 15, 549-561 (1995).</li><li>Paxinos, G., Watson, C. <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 rat brain in stereotaxic coordinates. , (1998).</li><li>Davidoff, M., Schulze, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Standard+avidin-biotin-peroxidase+complex+(ABC)+staining+combination+of+the+peroxidase+anti-peroxidase+(PAP)-and+avidin-biotin-peroxidase+complex+(ABC)-techniques:+an+amplification+alternative+in+immunocytochemical+staining.">Standard avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) staining combination of the peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP)-and avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC)-techniques: an amplification alternative in immunocytochemical staining.</a> Histochemistry. 93, 531-536 (1990).</li><li>Fritzsch, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fast+axonal+diffusion+of+3000+molecular+weight+dextran+amines.">Fast axonal diffusion of 3000 molecular weight dextran amines.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 50, 95-103 (1993).</li><li>Kaneko, T., Saeki, K., Lee, T., Mizuno, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Improved+retrograde+axonal+transport+and+subsequent+visualization+of+tetramethylrhodamine+(TMR)+-dextran+amine+by+means+of+an+acidic+injection+vehicle+and+antibodies+against+TMR.">Improved retrograde axonal transport and subsequent visualization of tetramethylrhodamine (TMR) -dextran amine by means of an acidic injection vehicle and antibodies against TMR.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 65, 157-165 (1996).</li><li>Medina, L., Reiner, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+efferent+projections+of+the+dorsal+and+ventral+pallidal+parts+of+the+pigeon+basal+ganglia,+studied+with+biotinylated+dextran+amine.">The efferent projections of the dorsal and ventral pallidal parts of the pigeon basal ganglia, studied with biotinylated dextran amine.</a> Neuroscience. 81, 773-802 (1997).</li><li>DE Venecia, R. K., Smelser, C. B., McMullen, N. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Parvalbumin+is+expressed+in+a+reciprocal+circuit+linking+the+medial+geniculate+body+and+auditory+neocortex+in+the+rabbit.">Parvalbumin is expressed in a reciprocal circuit linking the medial geniculate body and auditory neocortex in the rabbit.</a> J Comp Neurol. 400, 349-362 (1998).</li><li>Ojima, H., Takayanagi, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+two+anterograde+axon+tracers+to+label+distinct+cortical+neuronal+populations+located+in+close+proximity.">Use of two anterograde axon tracers to label distinct cortical neuronal populations located in close proximity.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 104, 177-182 (2001).</li><li>Kobbert, C., Apps, R., Bechmann, I., Lanciego, J. L., Mey, J., Thanos, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Current+concepts+in+neuroanatomical+tracing.">Current concepts in neuroanatomical tracing.</a> Prog Neurobiol. 62, 327-351 (2000).</li><li>Vercelli, A., Repici, M., Garbossa, D., Grimaldi, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recent+techniques+for+tracing+pathways+in+the+central+nervous+system+of+developing+and+adult+mammals.">Recent techniques for tracing pathways in the central nervous system of developing and adult mammals.</a> Brain Res Bull. 51, 11-28 (2000).</li><li>Liao, C. C., Reed, J. L., Kaas, J. H., Qi, H. X. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intracortical+connections+are+altered+after+long-standing+deprivation+of+dorsal+column+inputs+in+the+hand+region+of+area+3b+in+squirrel+monkeys.">Intracortical connections are altered after long-standing deprivation of dorsal column inputs in the hand region of area 3b in squirrel monkeys.</a> J Comp Neurol. 524, 1494-1526 (2016).</li></ol>

Selecting a proper tracer is a critical step for a successful neural tracing experiment. In the family of BDA, high molecular weight BDA (10,000 molecular weight) was recommended to be preferentially transported through the anterograde neural pathway in contrast to low molecular weight BDA (3,000 molecular weight)2,3,11,12,13. However, many studies also sugges...

High molecular weight BDA (10,000 molecular weight), a highly sensitive tracer, has been used for tracing neural pathways in the central nervous system for over 20 years1. Although the use of the BDA is a common neural tract tracing technique, the quality of BDA labeling can be affected in animals by various factors1,2,3. Our recent study indicated that the optimal structure of BDA labeling is not only associated with a proper post-injection survival time, but also correlated with the staining method4. Until now, conventional avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC), streptavidin-fluorescein isothiocyanate, and streptavidin-AF594 staining methods were used for revealing the BDA labeling in previous studies2,3,4,5. In comparison, fluorescent staining for BDA can be easily performed.
In order to extend the application of high molecular weight BDA, a refined protocol was introduced in the present study. Following the injection of BDA into the VPM of the thalamus in the rat brain, BDA labeling was revealed by the regular method of standard ABC staining as well as by double fluorescent staining, which was carried out for observing the correlation of BDA labeling and basic neural elements or interneurons in the cortical target with streptavidin-AF594 and fluorescent Nissl histochemistry or PV-immunochemistry, respectively. Through the reciprocal neural pathways between VPM and the primary somatosensory cortex (S1)6,7,8, we focused our observation on BDA labeling in the thalamocortical projected axons and corticothalamic projected cell somas in the S1. By this process, we expected to provide not only a detailed protocol for obtaining the high quality of neural labeling with high molecular weight BDA, but also a refined protocol on the combination of fluorescent BDA labeling and other fluorescent neural markers with histochemistry or immunochemistry. This approach is preferable to study the local neural circuits and their chemical characteristics under a confocal laser scanning microscopy.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Biotinylated dextran amine (BDA)</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes</td>
			<td>D1956</td>
			<td>10,000 molecular weight</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Streptavidin-Alexa Fluor 594</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes</td>
			<td>S32356</td>
			<td>Protect from light</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>500/525 green fluorescent Nissl stain</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes</td>
			<td>N21480</td>
			<td>Protect from light</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Brain stereotaxis instrument</td>
			<td>Narishige</td>
			<td>SR-50</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Freezing microtome</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>Microm International GmbH</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Confocal imaging</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>FV1200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>system</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro Drill</td>
			<td>Saeyang Microtech</td>
			<td>Marathon-N7</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sprague Dawley</td>
			<td>Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences</td>
			<td>SCKX (JUN) 2012-004</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vectastain ABC Kit</td>
			<td>Vector Laboratories</td>
			<td>PK-4000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>superfrost plus microscope slides</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>#4951PLUS-001</td>
			<td>25x75x1mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Photoshop and Illustration</td>
			<td>Adobe</td>
			<td>CS5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

improving the application of high molecular weight biotinylated dextran amine for thalamocortical projection tracing in the rat

High molecular weight biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) has been used as a highly sensitive neuroanatomical tracer for many decades. Since the quality of its labeling was affected by various factors, here, we provide a refined protocol for the application of high molecular weight BDA for studying optimal neural labeling in the central nervous system. After stereotactic injection of BDA into the ventral posteromedial nucleus (VPM) of the thalamus in the rat through a delicate glass pipette, BDA was stained with fluorescent streptavidin-Alexa (AF) 594 and counterstained with fluorescent Nissl stain AF500/525. On the background of green Nissl staining, the red BDA labeling, including neuronal cell bodies and axonal terminals, was more distinctly demonstrated in the somatosensory cortex. Furthermore, double fluorescent staining for BDA and the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) was carried out to observe the correlation of BDA labeling and PV-positive interneurons in the cortical target, providing the opportunity to study the local neural circuits and their chemical characteristics. Thus, this refined method is not only suitable for visualizing high quality neural labeling with the high molecular weight BDA through reciprocal neural pathways between the thalamus and cerebral cortex, but also will permit the simultaneous demonstration of other neural markers with fluorescent histochemistry or immunochemistry.

Survival of 10 days post injection of BDA into the VPM was sufficient for producing intense neural labeling on the corresponding cortical areas ipsilateral to the injection side (Figure 2). Both conventional ABC and fluorescent staining procedures for BDA revealed the similar pattern of neural labeling on the S1, including anterogradely labeled thalamocortical axons and retrogradely labeled corticothalamic neurons (Figure 2C<stro...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Improving the Application of High Molecular Weight Biotinylated Dextran Amine for Thalamocortical Projection Tracing in the Rat at JoVE.com

Improving the Application of High Molecular Weight Biotinylated Dextran Amine for Thalamocortical Projection Tracing in the Rat

Here, we present a refined protocol to effectively reveal biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) labeling with a fluorescent staining method through a reciprocal neural pathway. It is suitable for analyzing the fine structure of BDA labeling and distinguishing it from other neural elements under a confocal laser scanning microscope.

High molecular weight biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) has been used as a highly sensitive neuroanatomical tracer for many decades. Since the quality of ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Application of a NMDA Receptor Conductance in Rat Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Using the Dynamic Clamp Technique

Neuroscientists study the function of the brain by investigating how neurons in the brain communicate. Many investigators look at changes in the ...

Progressive-ratio Responding for Palatable High-fat and High-sugar Food in Mice

Foods that are rich in fat and sugar significantly contribute to over-eating and escalating rates of obesity. The consumption of palatable foods can ...

Selective Tracing of Auditory Fibers in the Avian Embryonic Vestibulocochlear Nerve

The embryonic chick is a widely used model for the study of peripheral and central ganglion cell projections. In the auditory system, selective labeling ...

Transsynaptic Tracing from Peripheral Targets with Pseudorabies Virus Followed by Cholera Toxin and Biotinylated Dextran Amines Double Labeling

Transsynaptic tracing has become a powerful tool used to analyze central efferents that regulate peripheral targets through multi-synaptic circuits. This ...

Design and Fabrication of Ultralight Weight, Adjustable Multi-electrode Probes for Electrophysiological Recordings in Mice

The number of physiological investigations in the mouse, mus musculus, has experienced a recent surge, paralleling the growth in methods of genetic ...

Conditional Genetic Transsynaptic Tracing in the Embryonic Mouse Brain

Anatomical path tracing is of pivotal importance to decipher the relationship between brain and behavior. Unraveling the formation of neural circuits ...

A Simple One-step Dissection Protocol for Whole-mount Preparation of Adult Drosophila Brains

A Simple One-step Dissection Protocol for Whole-mount Preparation of Adult Drosophila Brains

There is an increasing interest in using Drosophila to model human brain degenerative diseases, map neuronal circuitries in adult brains, and study the ...

Sublimation of DAN Matrix for the Detection and Visualization of Gangliosides in Rat Brain Tissue for MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Sample preparation is key for optimal detection and visualization of analytes in Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) Imaging Mass ...

Simultaneous Evaluation of Cerebral Hemodynamics and Light Scattering Properties of the In Vivo Rat Brain Using Multispectral Diffuse Reflectance Imaging

Simultaneous Evaluation of Cerebral Hemodynamics and Light Scattering Properties of the In Vivo Rat Brain Using Multispectral Diffuse Reflectance Imaging

The simultaneous evaluation of cerebral hemodynamics and the light scattering properties of in vivo rat brain tissue is demonstrated using a conventional ...

Visualization of the Axonal Projection Pattern of Embryonic Motor Neurons in Drosophila

Visualization of the Axonal Projection Pattern of Embryonic Motor Neurons in Drosophila

The establishment of functional neuromuscular circuits relies on precise connections between developing motor axons and target muscles. Motor neurons ...