Name: preparation of acute spinal cord slices for whole-cell patch-clamp recording in substantia gelatinosa neurons
Uploaded: 2019-01-18T12:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Preparation of Acute Spinal Cord Slices for Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recording in Substantia Gelatinosa Neurons at JoVE.com

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81560198, 31660289).

All experimental protocols described were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Nanchang University (Nanchang, PR China, Ethical No.2017-010). All efforts were made to minimize the stress and pain of the experimental animals. The electrophysiological recordings performed here were carried out at room temperature (RT, 22&#8211;25 &#176;C).
1. Animals
<ol>
	<li>Use Sprague-Dawley rats (3&#8211;5 weeks old) of either sex. House the animals under a 12 h light-dark cycle and give them ad...

<ol>
	<li>Todd, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neuronal+circuitry+for+pain+processing+in+the+dorsal+horn.">Neuronal circuitry for pain processing in the dorsal horn.</a> Nature Reviews Neuroscience. 11 (12), 823-836 (2010).</li><li>Yoshimura, M., Nishi, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Blind+patch-clamp+recordings+from+substantia+gelatinosa+neurons+in+adult+rat+spinal+cord+slices:+pharmacological+properties+of+synaptic+currents.">Blind patch-clamp recordings from substantia gelatinosa neurons in adult rat spinal cord slices: pharmacological properties of synaptic currents.</a> Neuroscience. 53 (2), 519-526 (1993).</li><li>Maxwell, D. J., Belle, M. D., Cheunsuang, O., Stewart, A., Morris, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Morphology+of+inhibitory+and+excitatory+interneurons+in+superficial+laminae+of+the+rat+dorsal+horn.">Morphology of inhibitory and excitatory interneurons in superficial laminae of the rat dorsal horn.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 584 (Pt. 2, 521-533 (2007).</li><li>Grudt, T. J., Perl, E. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Correlations+between+neuronal+morphology+and+electrophysiological+features+in+the+rodent+superficial+dorsal+horn.">Correlations between neuronal morphology and electrophysiological features in the rodent superficial dorsal horn.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 540 (Pt 1), 189-207 (2002).</li><li>Lu, Y., 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=A+feed-forward+spinal+cord+glycinergic+neural+circuit+gates+mechanical+allodynia.">A feed-forward spinal cord glycinergic neural circuit gates mechanical allodynia.</a> Journal of Clinical Investigation. 123 (9), 4050-4062 (2013).</li><li>Zheng, J., Lu, Y., Perl, E. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inhibitory+neurones+of+the+spinal+substantia+gelatinosa+mediate+interaction+of+signals+from+primary+afferents.">Inhibitory neurones of the spinal substantia gelatinosa mediate interaction of signals from primary afferents.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 588 (Pt 12), 2065-2075 (2010).</li><li>Balasubramanyan, S., Stemkowski, P. L., Stebbing, M. J., Smith, P. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sciatic+chronic+constriction+injury+produces+cell-type-specific+changes+in+the+electrophysiological+properties+of+rat+substantia+gelatinosa+neurons.">Sciatic chronic constriction injury produces cell-type-specific changes in the electrophysiological properties of rat substantia gelatinosa neurons.</a> Journal of Neurophysiology. 96 (2), 579-590 (2006).</li><li>Zhang, L., 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=Extracellular+signal-regulated+kinase+(ERK)+activation+is+required+for+itch+sensation+in+the+spinal+cord.">Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation is required for itch sensation in the spinal cord.</a> Molecular Brain. 7, 25 (2014).</li><li>Kopach, O., 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=Inflammation+alters+trafficking+of+extrasynaptic+AMPA+receptors+in+tonically+firing+lamina+II+neurons+of+the+rat+spinal+dorsal+horn.">Inflammation alters trafficking of extrasynaptic AMPA receptors in tonically firing lamina II neurons of the rat spinal dorsal horn.</a> Pain. 152 (4), 912-923 (2011).</li><li>Takasu, K., Ono, H., Tanabe, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spinal+hyperpolarization-activated+cyclic+nucleotide-gated+cation+channels+at+primary+afferent+terminals+contribute+to+chronic+pain.">Spinal hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels at primary afferent terminals contribute to chronic pain.</a> Pain. 151 (1), 87-96 (2010).</li><li>Iura, A., Takahashi, A., Hakata, S., Mashimo, T., Fujino, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reductions+in+tonic+GABAergic+current+in+substantia+gelatinosa+neurons+and+GABAA+receptor+delta+subunit+expression+after+chronic+constriction+injury+of+the+sciatic+nerve+in+mice.">Reductions in tonic GABAergic current in substantia gelatinosa neurons and GABAA receptor delta subunit expression after chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve in mice.</a> European Journal of Pain. 20 (10), 1678-1688 (2016).</li><li>Alles, S. 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=Peripheral+nerve+injury+increases+contribution+of+L-type+calcium+channels+to+synaptic+transmission+in+spinal+lamina+II:+Role+of+alpha2delta-1+subunits.">Peripheral nerve injury increases contribution of L-type calcium channels to synaptic transmission in spinal lamina II: Role of alpha2delta-1 subunits.</a> Molecular Pain. 14, 1-12 (2018).</li><li>Santos, S. F., Rebelo, S., Derkach, V. A., Safronov, B. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Excitatory+interneurons+dominate+sensory+processing+in+the+spinal+substantia+gelatinosa+of+rat.">Excitatory interneurons dominate sensory processing in the spinal substantia gelatinosa of rat.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 581 (Pt 1), 241-254 (2007).</li><li>Lu, Y., Perl, E. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modular+organization+of+excitatory+circuits+between+neurons+of+the+spinal+superficial+dorsal+horn+(laminae+I+and+II).">Modular organization of excitatory circuits between neurons of the spinal superficial dorsal horn (laminae I and II).</a> The Journal of Neuroscience. 25 (15), 3900-3907 (2005).</li><li>Hantman, A. W., van den Pol, A. N., Perl, E. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Morphological+and+physiological+features+of+a+set+of+spinal+substantia+gelatinosa+neurons+defined+by+green+fluorescent+protein+expression.">Morphological and physiological features of a set of spinal substantia gelatinosa neurons defined by green fluorescent protein expression.</a> The Journal of Neuroscience. 24 (4), 836-842 (2004).</li><li>Yasaka, T., Tiong, S. Y., Hughes, D. I., Riddell, J. S., Todd, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Populations+of+inhibitory+and+excitatory+interneurons+in+lamina+II+of+the+adult+rat+spinal+dorsal+horn+revealed+by+a+combined+electrophysiological+and+anatomical+approach.">Populations of inhibitory and excitatory interneurons in lamina II of the adult rat spinal dorsal horn revealed by a combined electrophysiological and anatomical approach.</a> Pain. 151 (2), 475-488 (2010).</li><li>Yin, H., Park, S. A., Han, S. K., Park, S. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+5-hydroxytryptamine+on+substantia+gelatinosa+neurons+of+the+trigeminal+subnucleus+caudalis+in+immature+mice.">Effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine on substantia gelatinosa neurons of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis in immature mice.</a> Brain Research. 1368, 91-101 (2011).</li><li>Hu, T., 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=Lidocaine+Inhibits+HCN+Currents+in+Rat+Spinal+Substantia+Gelatinosa+Neurons.">Lidocaine Inhibits HCN Currents in Rat Spinal Substantia Gelatinosa Neurons.</a> Anesthesia and Analgesia. 122 (4), 1048-1059 (2016).</li><li>Peng, H. Z., Ma, L. X., Lv, M. H., Hu, T., Liu, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Minocycline+enhances+inhibitory+transmission+to+substantia+gelatinosa+neurons+of+the+rat+spinal+dorsal+horn.">Minocycline enhances inhibitory transmission to substantia gelatinosa neurons of the rat spinal dorsal horn.</a> Neuroscience. 319, 183-193 (2016).</li><li>Peng, S. C., 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=Contribution+of+presynaptic+HCN+channels+to+excitatory+inputs+of+spinal+substantia+gelatinosa+neurons.">Contribution of presynaptic HCN channels to excitatory inputs of spinal substantia gelatinosa neurons.</a> Neuroscience. 358, 146-157 (2017).</li><li>Liu, N., Zhang, D., Zhu, M., Luo, S., Liu, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Minocycline+inhibits+hyperpolarization-activated+currents+in+rat+substantia+gelatinosa+neurons.">Minocycline inhibits hyperpolarization-activated currents in rat substantia gelatinosa neurons.</a> Neuropharmacology. 95, 110-120 (2015).</li><li>Brown, T. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Methods+for+whole-cell+recording+from+visually+preselected+neurons+of+perirhinal+cortex+in+brain+slices+from+young+and+aging+rats.">Methods for whole-cell recording from visually preselected neurons of perirhinal cortex in brain slices from young and aging rats.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 86 (1), 35-54 (1998).</li><li>Rothman, S. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+neurotoxicity+of+excitatory+amino+acids+is+produced+by+passive+chloride+influx.">The neurotoxicity of excitatory amino acids is produced by passive chloride influx.</a> The Journal of Neuroscience. 5 (6), 1483-1489 (1985).</li><li>Rice, M. E. <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+ascorbate+in+the+preparation+and+maintenance+of+brain+slices.">Use of ascorbate in the preparation and maintenance of brain slices.</a> Methods. 18 (2), 144-149 (1999).</li><li>Takasu, K., Ogawa, K., Minami, K., Shinohara, S., Kato, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Injury-specific+functional+alteration+of+N-type+voltage-gated+calcium+channels+in+synaptic+transmission+of+primary+afferent+C-fibers+in+the+rat+spinal+superficial+dorsal+horn.">Injury-specific functional alteration of N-type voltage-gated calcium channels in synaptic transmission of primary afferent C-fibers in the rat spinal superficial dorsal horn.</a> European Journal of Pharmacology. 772, 11-21 (2016).</li><li>Tian, L., 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=Excitatory+synaptic+transmission+in+the+spinal+substantia+gelatinosa+is+under+an+inhibitory+tone+of+endogenous+adenosine.">Excitatory synaptic transmission in the spinal substantia gelatinosa is under an inhibitory tone of endogenous adenosine.</a> Neuroscience Letters. 477 (1), 28-32 (2010).</li><li>Funai, Y., 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=Systemic+dexmedetomidine+augments+inhibitory+synaptic+transmission+in+the+superficial+dorsal+horn+through+activation+of+descending+noradrenergic+control:+an+in+vivo+patch-clamp+analysis+of+analgesic+mechanisms.">Systemic dexmedetomidine augments inhibitory synaptic transmission in the superficial dorsal horn through activation of descending noradrenergic control: an in vivo patch-clamp analysis of analgesic mechanisms.</a> Pain. 155 (3), 617-628 (2014).</li><li>Yamasaki, H., Funai, Y., Funao, T., Mori, T., Nishikawa, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+tramadol+on+substantia+gelatinosa+neurons+in+the+rat+spinal+cord:+an+in+vivo+patch-clamp+analysis.">Effects of tramadol on substantia gelatinosa neurons in the rat spinal cord: an in vivo patch-clamp analysis.</a> PLoS One. 10 (5), e0125147 (2015).</li><li>Furue, H., Narikawa, K., Kumamoto, E., Yoshimura, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Responsiveness+of+rat+substantia+gelatinosa+neurones+to+mechanical+but+not+thermal+stimuli+revealed+by+in+vivo+patch-clamp+recording.">Responsiveness of rat substantia gelatinosa neurones to mechanical but not thermal stimuli revealed by in vivo patch-clamp recording.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 521 (Pt 2), 529-535 (1999).</li><li>Ting, J. T., Daigle, T. L., Chen, Q., Feng, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acute+brain+slice+methods+for+adult+and+aging+animals:+application+of+targeted+patch+clamp+analysis+and+optogenetics.">Acute brain slice methods for adult and aging animals: application of targeted patch clamp analysis and optogenetics.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 1183, 221-242 (2014).</li><li>Ting, J. T., 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=Preparation+of+Acute+Brain+Slices+Using+an+Optimized+N-Methyl-D-glucamine+Protective+Recovery+Method.">Preparation of Acute Brain Slices Using an Optimized N-Methyl-D-glucamine Protective Recovery Method.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (132), e53825 (2018).</li><li>Li, J., Baccei, M. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neonatal+Tissue+Damage+Promotes+Spike+Timing-Dependent+Synaptic+Long-Term+Potentiation+in+Adult+Spinal+Projection+Neurons.">Neonatal Tissue Damage Promotes Spike Timing-Dependent Synaptic Long-Term Potentiation in Adult Spinal Projection Neurons.</a> The Journal of Neuroscience. 36 (19), 5405-5416 (2016).</li><li>Ford, N. C., Ren, D., Baccei, M. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=NALCN+channels+enhance+the+intrinsic+excitability+of+spinal+projection+neurons.">NALCN channels enhance the intrinsic excitability of spinal projection neurons.</a> Pain. , (2018).</li><li>Cui, L., 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=Modulation+of+synaptic+transmission+from+primary+afferents+to+spinal+substantia+gelatinosa+neurons+by+group+III+mGluRs+in+GAD65-EGFP+transgenic+mice.">Modulation of synaptic transmission from primary afferents to spinal substantia gelatinosa neurons by group III mGluRs in GAD65-EGFP transgenic mice.</a> Journal of Neurophysiology. 105 (3), 1102-1111 (2011).</li><li>Yang, K., Ma, R., Wang, Q., Jiang, P., Li, Y. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Optoactivation+of+parvalbumin+neurons+in+the+spinal+dorsal+horn+evokes+GABA+release+that+is+regulated+by+presynaptic+GABAB+receptors.">Optoactivation of parvalbumin neurons in the spinal dorsal horn evokes GABA release that is regulated by presynaptic GABAB receptors.</a> Neuroscience Letters. , 55-59 (2015).</li></ol>

This protocol details the steps for preparing spinal cord slices, which we have used successfully when performing whole-cell patch-clamp experiments on SG neurons18,19,20,21. By implementing this method, we recently reported that minocycline, a second generation of tetracycline, could markedly enhance inhibitory synaptic transmission through a presynaptic mechanism in SG neurons<sup class="xref...

The substantia gelatinosa (SG, lamina II of the spinal dorsal horn) is an indisputably important relay center for transmitting and regulating sensory information. It is composed of excitatory and inhibitory interneurons, which receive inputs from the primary afferent fibers, local interneurons, and the endogenous descending inhibitory system1. In recent decades, the development of acute spinal cord slice preparation and the advent of whole-cell patch-clamp recording have enabled various studies on the intrinsic electrophysiological and morphological properties of SG neurons2,3,4 as well as studies of the local circuitry in SG5,6. In addition, by using the in vitro spinal cord slice preparation, researchers can interpret the changes in neuronal excitabilities7,8, the function of ion channels9,10, and synaptic activities11,12 under various pathological conditions. These studies have deepened our understanding of the role that SG neurons play in the development and maintenance of chronic pain and neuropathic itch.
Essentially, the key prerequisite to achieve a clear visualization of neuronal soma and ideal whole-cell patching using acute spinal cord slices is to ensure the excellent quality of slices so healthy and patchable neurons can be obtained. However, preparing spinal cord slices involves several steps, such as performing a ventral laminectomy and removing the pia-arachnoid membrane, which may be obstacles in obtaining healthy slices. Although it is not easy to prepare spinal cord slices, performing recordings in vitro on spinal cord slices has several advantages. Compared to cell culture preparations, spinal cord slices can partially preserve inherent synaptic connections that are in a physiologically relevant condition. In addition, whole-cell patch-clamp recording using spinal cord slices could be combined with other techniques, such as double patch clamp13,14, morphological studies15,16 and single-cell RT-PCR17. Therefore, this technique provides more information on characterizing the anatomical and genetic diversities within a specific region and allows for investigation of the composition of local circuitry.
Here, we provide a basic and detailed description of our method for preparing acute spinal cord slices and acquiring whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from SG neurons.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S7653</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of ACSF and PBS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>60130</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of ACSF, sucrose-ACSF, and K+-based intracellular solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaH2PO4&#183;2H2O</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>71500</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of ACSF, sucrose-ACSF and PBS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CaCl2&#183;2H2O</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C5080</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of ACSF and sucrose-ACSF</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MgCl2&#183;6H2O</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>M2670</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of ACSF and sucrose-ACSF</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaHCO3</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S5761</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of ACSF and sucrose-ACSF</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>D-Glucose</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G7021</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of ACSF</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ascorbic acid</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P5280</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of ACSF and sucrose-ACSF</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium pyruvate</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A7631</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of ACSF and sucrose-ACSF</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sucrose</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S7903</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of sucrose-ACSF</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>K-gluconate</td>
			<td>Wako</td>
			<td>169-11835</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of K+-based intracellular solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Na2-Phosphocreatine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P1937</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of intracellular solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EGTA</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>E3889</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of intracellular solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>H4034</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of intracellular solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mg-ATP</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A9187</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of intracellular solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Li-GTP</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G5884</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of intracellular solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CsMeSO4</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C1426</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of Cs+-based intracellular solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CsCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C3011</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of Cs+-based intracellular solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TEA-Cl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T2265</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of Cs+-based intracellular solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Neurobiotin 488</td>
			<td>Vector</td>
			<td>SP-1145</td>
			<td>0.05% neurobiotin 488 could be used for morphological studies</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Agar</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A7002</td>
			<td>3% agar block was used in our protocol</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P6148</td>
			<td>4% paraformaldehyde was used for immunohistochemical processing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Na2HPO4</td>
			<td>Hengxing Chemical Reagents</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of PBS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mount Coverslipping Medium</td>
			<td>Polyscience</td>
			<td>18606</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Urethan</td>
			<td>National Institute for Food and Drug Control</td>
			<td>30191228</td>
			<td>1.5 g/kg, i.p.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Borosilicate glass capillaries</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>TW150F-4</td>
			<td>1.5 mm OD, 1.12 mm ID</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micropipette puller</td>
			<td>Sutter Instrument</td>
			<td>P-97</td>
			<td>Used for the preparation of micropipettes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vibratome</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>VT1000S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vibration isolation table</td>
			<td>Technical Manufacturing Corporation</td>
			<td>63544</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Infrared CCD camera</td>
			<td>Dage-MIT</td>
			<td>IR-1000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Patch-clamp amplifier</td>
			<td>HEKA</td>
			<td>EPC-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micromanipulator</td>
			<td>Sutter Instrument</td>
			<td>MP-285</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>X-Y stage</td>
			<td>Burleigh</td>
			<td>GIBRALTAR X-Y</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Upright microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>BX51WI</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Osmometer</td>
			<td>Advanced</td>
			<td>FISKE 210</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PH meter</td>
			<td>Mettler Toledo</td>
			<td>FE20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Confocol microscope</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>LSM 700</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

preparation of acute spinal cord slices for whole-cell patch-clamp recording in substantia gelatinosa neurons

Recent whole-cell patch-clamp studies from substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons have provided a large body of information about the spinal mechanisms underlying sensory transmission, nociceptive regulation, and chronic pain or itch development. Implementations of electrophysiological recordings together with morphological studies based on the utility of acute spinal cord slices have further improved our understanding of neuronal properties and the composition of local circuitry in SG. Here, we present a detailed and practical guide for the preparation of spinal cord slices and show representative whole-cell recording and morphological results. This protocol permits ideal neuronal preservation and can mimic in vivo conditions to a certain extent. In summary, the ability to obtain an in vitro preparation of spinal cord slices enables stable current- and voltage-clamp recordings and could thus facilitate detailed investigations into the intrinsic membrane properties, local circuitry and neuronal structure using diverse experimental approaches.

Acute spinal cord slices were prepared according to the diagram shown in Figure 1. After slicing and recovery, a spinal cord slice was transferred to the recording chamber. Healthy neurons were identified based on soma appearance using IR-DIC microscopy. Next, the action potentials of SG neurons were elicited by a series of depolarizing current pulses (1 s duration) when neurons were held at RMP. As shown in Figure 2, the firing ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Preparation of Acute Spinal Cord Slices for Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recording in Substantia Gelatinosa Neurons at JoVE.com

Preparation of Acute Spinal Cord Slices for Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recording in Substantia Gelatinosa Neurons

Here, we describe the essential steps for whole-cell patch-clamp recordings made from substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons in the in vitro spinal cord slice. This method allows the intrinsic membrane properties, synaptic transmission and morphological characterization of SG neurons to be studied.

Recent whole-cell patch-clamp studies from substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons have provided a large body of information about the spinal mechanisms ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Electrophysiological and Morphological Characterization of Neuronal Microcircuits in Acute Brain Slices Using Paired Patch-Clamp Recordings

The combination of patch clamp recordings from two (or more) synaptically coupled neurons (paired recordings) in acute brain slice preparations with ...

Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings in Brain Slices

Whole-cell patch-clamp recording is an electrophysiological technique that allows the study of the&#160;electrical properties of a substantial part of the ...

The Preparation of Oblique Spinal Cord Slices for Ventral Root Stimulation

Electrophysiological recordings from spinal cord slices have proven to be a valuable technique to investigate a wide range of questions, from cellular to ...

Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings for Electrophysiological Determination of Ion Selectivity in Channelrhodopsins

Over the past decade, channelrhodopsins became indispensable in neuroscientific research where they are used as tools to non-invasively manipulate ...

Application of Automated Image-guided Patch Clamp for the Study of Neurons in Brain Slices

Whole-cell patch clamp is the gold-standard method to measure the electrical properties of single cells. However, the in vitro patch clamp remains a ...

Auditory Brainstem Response and Outer Hair Cell Whole-cell Patch Clamp Recording in Postnatal Rats

The outer hair cell is one of the two types of sensory hair cells in the mammalian cochlea. They alter their cell length with the receptor potential to ...

Preparations and Protocols for Whole Cell Patch Clamp Recording of Xenopus laevis Tectal Neurons

Preparations and Protocols for Whole Cell Patch Clamp Recording of Xenopus laevis Tectal Neurons

The Xenopus tadpole retinotectal circuit, comprised of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the eye which form synapses directly onto neurons in the optic ...

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

In the central nervous system, a pair of neurons often form&#160;multiple synaptic contacts and/or functional neurotransmitter release sites (synaptic ...

Preparation of Acute Slices from Dorsal Hippocampus for Whole-Cell Recording and Neuronal Reconstruction in the Dentate Gyrus of Adult Mice

Although the general architecture of the hippocampus is similar along its longitudinal axis, recent studies have revealed prominent differences in ...

Hypothalamic Kisspeptin Neurons as a Target for Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Recordings

Kisspeptins are essential for the maturation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and fertility. Hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons located in ...