Name: assay for blood-brain barrier integrity in drosophila melanogaster
Uploaded: 2019-09-18T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Assay for Blood-brain Barrier Integrity in Drosophila melanogaster at JoVE.com

The authors thank Dr. F. Bryan Pickett and Dr. Rodney Dale for use of equipment for injection. This work was funded by research funding from Loyola University Chicago to M.D., D.T., and J.J.

1. Collection of Samples
<ol>
	<li>Embryo collection
	<ol>
		<li>In each embryo collection cage, use a minimum of 50 virgin females with 20&#8722;25 males for collections. Incubate these flies in a bottle with cornmeal-agar food (Table of Materials) for 1&#8722;2 days before beginning collections23. 
		NOTE: More flies can be used, but the female-to-male ratio should be kept at 2:1.</li>
		<li>Pre-warm apple juice agar plates (Table...

<ol>
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S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Junctions+between+intimately+apposed+cell+membranes+in+the+vertebrate+brain.">Junctions between intimately apposed cell membranes in the vertebrate brain.</a> Journal of Cell Biology. 40 (3), 648-677 (1969).</li><li>Tietz, S., Engelhardt, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Brain+barriers:+Crosstalk+between+complex+tight+junctions+and+adherens+junctions.">Brain barriers: Crosstalk between complex tight junctions and adherens junctions.</a> Journal of Cell Biology. 209 (4), 493-506 (2015).</li><li>Hindle, S. J., Bainton, R. 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D., Heberlein, U., Gaul, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=GPCR+signaling+is+required+for+blood-brain+barrier+formation+in+drosophila.">GPCR signaling is required for blood-brain barrier formation in drosophila.</a> Cell. 123 (1), 133-144 (2005).</li><li>Stork, 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=Organization+and+function+of+the+blood-brain+barrier+in+Drosophila.">Organization and function of the blood-brain barrier in Drosophila.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 28 (3), 587-597 (2008).</li><li>Unhavaithaya, Y., Orr-Weaver, T. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Polyploidization+of+glia+in+neural+development+links+tissue+growth+to+blood-brain+barrier+integrity.">Polyploidization of glia in neural development links tissue growth to blood-brain barrier integrity.</a> Genes &amp; Development. 26 (1), 31-36 (2012).</li><li>Schwabe, T., Li, X., Gaul, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamic+analysis+of+the+mesenchymal-epithelial+transition+of+blood-brain+barrier+forming+glia+in+Drosophila.">Dynamic analysis of the mesenchymal-epithelial transition of blood-brain barrier forming glia in Drosophila.</a> Biology Open. 6 (2), 232-243 (2017).</li><li>Von Stetina, J. R., Frawley, L. E., Unhavaithaya, Y., Orr-Weaver, T. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Variant+cell+cycles+regulated+by+Notch+signaling+control+cell+size+and+ensure+a+functional+blood-brain+barrier.">Variant cell cycles regulated by Notch signaling control cell size and ensure a functional blood-brain barrier.</a> Development. 145 (3), dev157115 (2018).</li><li>von Hilchen, C. M., Beckervordersandforth, R. M., Rickert, C., Technau, G. M., Altenhein, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identity,+origin,+and+migration+of+peripheral+glial+cells+in+the+Drosophila+embryo.">Identity, origin, and migration of peripheral glial cells in the Drosophila embryo.</a> Mechanisms of Development. 125 (3-4), 337-352 (2008).</li><li>Beckervordersandforth, R. M., Rickert, C., Altenhein, B., Technau, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Subtypes+of+glial+cells+in+the+Drosophila+embryonic+ventral+nerve+cord+as+related+to+lineage+and+gene+expression.">Subtypes of glial cells in the Drosophila embryonic ventral nerve cord as related to lineage and gene expression.</a> Mechanisms of Development. 125 (5-6), 542-557 (2008).</li><li>Bellen, H. J., Lu, Y., Beckstead, R., Bhat, 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=Neurexin+IV,+caspr+and+paranodin--novel+members+of+the+neurexin+family:+encounters+of+axons+and+glia.">Neurexin IV, caspr and paranodin--novel members of the neurexin family: encounters of axons and glia.</a> Trends in Neurosciences. 21 (10), 444-449 (1998).</li><li>Baumgartner, S., 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+Drosophila+neurexin+is+required+for+septate+junction+and+blood-nerve+barrier+formation+and+function.">A Drosophila neurexin is required for septate junction and blood-nerve barrier formation and function.</a> Cell. 87 (6), 1059-1068 (1996).</li><li>Banerjee, S., Pillai, A. M., Paik, R., Li, J., Bhat, M. 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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=Axon-glia+interactions+and+the+domain+organization+of+myelinated+axons+requires+neurexin+IV/Caspr/Paranodin.">Axon-glia interactions and the domain organization of myelinated axons requires neurexin IV/Caspr/Paranodin.</a> Neuron. 30 (2), 369-383 (2001).</li><li>Faivre-Sarrailh, 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=Drosophila+contactin,+a+homolog+of+vertebrate+contactin,+is+required+for+septate+junction+organization+and+paracellular+barrier+function.">Drosophila contactin, a homolog of vertebrate contactin, is required for septate junction organization and paracellular barrier function.</a> Development. 131 (20), 4931-4942 (2004).</li><li>Salzer, J. L., Brophy, P. J., Peles, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+domains+of+myelinated+axons+in+the+peripheral+nervous+system.">Molecular domains of myelinated axons in the peripheral nervous system.</a> Glia. 56 (14), 1532-1540 (2008).</li><li>von Hilchen, C. M., Bustos, A. E., Giangrande, A., Technau, G. M., Altenhein, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Predetermined+embryonic+glial+cells+form+the+distinct+glial+sheaths+of+the+Drosophila+peripheral+nervous+system.">Predetermined embryonic glial cells form the distinct glial sheaths of the Drosophila peripheral nervous system.</a> Development. 140 (17), 3657-3668 (2013).</li><li>Matzat, 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=Axonal+wrapping+in+the+Drosophila+PNS+is+controlled+by+glia-derived+neuregulin+homolog+Vein.">Axonal wrapping in the Drosophila PNS is controlled by glia-derived neuregulin homolog Vein.</a> Development. 142 (7), 1336-1345 (2015).</li><li>Limmer, S., Weiler, A., Volkenhoff, A., Babatz, F., Klambt, 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+Drosophila+blood-brain+barrier:+development+and+function+of+a+glial+endothelium.">The Drosophila blood-brain barrier: development and function of a glial endothelium.</a> Frontiers in Neuroscience. 8, 365 (2014).</li><li>Ho, T. 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=Expressional+Profiling+of+Carpet+Glia+in+the+Developing+Drosophila+Eye+Reveals+Its+Molecular+Signature+of+Morphology+Regulators.">Expressional Profiling of Carpet Glia in the Developing Drosophila Eye Reveals Its Molecular Signature of Morphology Regulators.</a> Frontiers in Neuroscience. 13, 244 (2019).</li><li>DeSalvo, M. K., 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=The+Drosophila+surface+glia+transcriptome:+evolutionary+conserved+blood-brain+barrier+processes.">The Drosophila surface glia transcriptome: evolutionary conserved blood-brain barrier processes.</a> Frontiers in Neuroscience. 8, 346 (2014).</li><li>. BDSC Cornmeal Food Available from: <a target="_blank" href="https://bdsc.indiana.edu/information/recipes/bloomfood.html">https://bdsc.indiana.edu/information/recipes/bloomfood.html</a> (2017)</li><li>Le, 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=A+new+family+of+Drosophila+balancer+chromosomes+with+a+w-+dfd-GMR+yellow+fluorescent+protein+marker.">A new family of Drosophila balancer chromosomes with a w- dfd-GMR yellow fluorescent protein marker.</a> Genetics. 174 (4), 2255-2257 (2006).</li><li>Casso, D., Ramirez-Weber, F. A., Kornberg, T. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=GFP-tagged+balancer+chromosomes+for+Drosophila+melanogaster.">GFP-tagged balancer chromosomes for Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Mechanisms of Development. 88 (2), 229-232 (1999).</li><li>Halfon, M. S., 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=New+fluorescent+protein+reporters+for+use+with+the+Drosophila+Gal4+expression+system+and+for+vital+detection+of+balancer+chromosomes.">New fluorescent protein reporters for use with the Drosophila Gal4 expression system and for vital detection of balancer chromosomes.</a> Genesis. 34 (1-2), 135-138 (2002).</li><li>Miller, D. F., Holtzman, S. L., Kaufman, T. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Customized+microinjection+glass+capillary+needles+for+P-element+transformations+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Customized microinjection glass capillary needles for P-element transformations in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> BioTechniques. 33 (2), 366-372 (2002).</li><li>Luong, D., Perez, L., Jemc, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+raw+as+a+regulator+of+glial+development.">Identification of raw as a regulator of glial development.</a> PLoS One. 13 (5), e0198161 (2018).</li><li>Pinsonneault, R. L., Mayer, N., Mayer, F., Tegegn, N., Bainton, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Novel+models+for+studying+the+blood-brain+and+blood-eye+barriers+in+Drosophila.">Novel models for studying the blood-brain and blood-eye barriers in Drosophila.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 686, 357-369 (2011).</li><li>Love, C. R., Dauwalder, B., Barichello, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Drosophila+as+a+Model+to+Study+the+Blood-Brain+Barrier.">Drosophila as a Model to Study the Blood-Brain Barrier.</a> Blood-Brain Barrier. , 175-185 (2019).</li><li>Lin, D. M., Goodman, C. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ectopic+and+increased+expression+of+Fasciclin+II+alters+motoneuron+growth+cone+guidance.">Ectopic and increased expression of Fasciclin II alters motoneuron growth cone guidance.</a> Neuron. 13 (3), 507-523 (1994).</li><li>Sepp, K. J., Schulte, J., Auld, V. 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This protocol provides a comprehensive description of the steps needed to assay for BBB integrity during the late embryonic and third instar larval stages of D. melanogaster development. Similar approaches have been described elsewhere to assay the integrity of the BBB during development, as well as in adult stages5,7,29,30. However, descriptions of procedures in materials and methods ...

During development, cell-cell communication and interactions are critical for the establishment of tissue and organ structure and function. In some cases, these cell-cell interactions seal off organs from the surrounding environment to ensure proper organ function. This is the case for the nervous system, which is insulated by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Dysfunction of the BBB in humans has been linked to neurological disorders including epilepsy, and breakdown of the barrier has been observed in neurodegenerative diseases including multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis1. In mammals, the BBB is formed by tight junctions between endothelial cells2,3. Other animals, including the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, have a BBB composed of glial cells. These glial cells form a selectively permeable barrier to control movement of nutrients, waste products, toxins, and large molecules into and out of the nervous system4. This allows for the maintenance of the electrochemical gradient necessary to fire action potentials, allowing for mobility and coordination4. In D. melanogaster, the glia protect the nervous system from the potassium-rich, blood-like hemolymph5.
In the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) of D. melanogaster, two outer glial layers, the subperineurial glia and the perineurial glia, as well as an outer network of extracellular matrix, the neural lamella, form the hemolymph-brain and hemolymph-nerve barrier6, referred to as the BBB throughout this article. During development subperineurial glia become polyploid and enlarge to surround the nervous system5,6,7,8,9,10,11. The subperineurial glia form septate junctions, which provide the main diffusion barrier between the hemolymph and the nervous system5,6,12. These junctions are molecularly similar to the septate-like junctions found at the paranodes of myelinating glia in vertebrates, and they perform the same function as tight junctions in the BBB of mammals13,14,15,16,17. The perineurial glia divide, grow, and wrap around the subperineurial glia to regulate the diffusion of metabolites and large molecules6,10,18,19. BBB formation is complete by 18.5 h after egg laying (AEL) at 25 &#176;C5,8. Previous studies have identified genes that are critical regulators of BBB formation20,21,22. To better understand the exact roles of these genes, it is important to examine the effect of mutation of these potential regulators on BBB integrity. While previous studies have outlined approaches for assaying BBB integrity in embryos and larvae, a comprehensive protocol for this assay has yet to be described5,7. This step-by-step protocol describes methods for assaying BBB integrity during D. melanogaster embryonic and third instar larval stages.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>10 kDa sulforhodamine 101 acid chloride (Texas Red) Dextran</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>D1863</td>
			<td>Dextran should be diluted in autoclaved ddH2O to a concentration of 25 mg/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>20 &#956;L Gel-Loading Pipette Tips</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>22351656</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100% Ethanol (200 proof)</td>
			<td>Pharmco-Aaper</td>
			<td>11000200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Active Dry Yeast</td>
			<td>Red Star</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Agar</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP1423</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Agarose</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP160-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Air Compressor</td>
			<td>DeWalt</td>
			<td>D55140</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Apple Juice</td>
			<td>Mott&#39;s Natural Apple Juice</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bleach</td>
			<td>Household Bleach</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>1-5% Hypochlorite</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Borosilicate Glass Capillaries</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>1B100F-4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bottle Plugs</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AS-277</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell Strainers</td>
			<td>BD Falcon</td>
			<td>352350</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Confocal Microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>FV1000</td>
			<td>Samples imaged using 20x objective (UPlanSApo 20x/ 0.75)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cotton-Tipped Applicator</td>
			<td>Puritan</td>
			<td>19-062614</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Double-Sided Tape 1/2&#34;</td>
			<td>Scotch</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont Tweezers; Pattern #5; .05 X .01mm Tip</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td>RS-5015</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fly Food Bottles</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AS-355</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fly Food Vials</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AS-515</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Foot Pedal</td>
			<td>Treadlite II</td>
			<td>T-91-S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gel Caster</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>1704422</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gel Tray</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>1704436</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass Pipette</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>14673-010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glycerol</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP229-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Granulated sugar</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Purchased from grocery store.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Halocarbon Oil</td>
			<td>Lab Scientific, Inc.</td>
			<td>FLY-7000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Light Source</td>
			<td>Schott</td>
			<td>Ace I</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Manipulator Stand</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>M10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micromanipulator</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>KITE-R</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micropipette Puller</td>
			<td>Sutter Instrument Co.</td>
			<td>P-97</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Needle Holder</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>MPH310</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nightsea Filter Sets</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Science</td>
			<td>SFA-LFS-CY</td>
			<td>For visualization of YFP</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nightsea Full Adapter System w/ Royal Blue Color Light Head</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Science</td>
			<td>SFA-RB</td>
			<td>For visualization of GFP</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paintbrush</td>
			<td>Simply Simmons</td>
			<td>Chisel Blender #6</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipetter</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>13-683C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pneumatic Pump</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>PV830</td>
			<td>This is also referred to as a microinjector or pressure regulator. Since the model used in our study is no longer available this is one alternative.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium Chloride</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP366-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium Phosphate Dibasic</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP363-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Small Embryo Collection Cages</td>
			<td>Genesee Scientific</td>
			<td>59-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Chloride</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP358-212</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Phosphate Dibasic Anhydrous</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP332-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Steel Base Plate</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>5052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stereomicroscope</td>
			<td>Carl Zeiss</td>
			<td>Stemi 2000</td>
			<td>Used for tissue dissection.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stereomicroscope with transmitted light source</td>
			<td>Baytronix</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Used for injection.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tegosept (p-hydroxybenzoic acid, methyl ester)</td>
			<td>Genesee Scientific</td>
			<td>20-258</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP151-500</td>
			<td>Nonionic surfactant</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vial Plugs</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AS-273</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

assay for blood-brain barrier integrity in drosophila melanogaster

Proper nervous system development includes the formation of the blood-brain barrier, the diffusion barrier that tightly regulates access to the nervous system and protects neural tissue from toxins and pathogens. Defects in the formation of this barrier have been correlated with neuropathies, and the breakdown of this barrier has been observed in many neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, it is critical to identify the genes that regulate the formation and maintenance of the blood-brain barrier to identify potential therapeutic targets. In order to understand the exact roles these genes play in neural development, it is necessary to assay the effects of altered gene expression on the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Many of the molecules that function in the establishment of the blood-brain barrier have been found to be conserved across eukaryotic species, including the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Fruit flies have proven to be an excellent model system for examining the molecular mechanisms regulating nervous system development and function. This protocol describes a step-by-step procedure to assay for blood-brain barrier integrity during the embryonic and larval stages of D. melanogaster development.

The methods described here allow for the visualization of the integrity of the BBB throughout the CNS in D. melanogaster embryos and larvae (Figure 1). Upon completion of BBB formation in late embryogenesis, the BBB functions to exclude large molecules from the brain and VNC5. This protocol takes advantage of this function to assay BBB formation. When wild-type (Oregon R) late stage 17 (20&#8722;21 h old) embryos were injected with 10 kDa dextran conjugated t...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Assay for Blood-brain Barrier Integrity in Drosophila melanogaster at JoVE.com

Assay for Blood-brain Barrier Integrity in Drosophila melanogaster

Blood-brain barrier integrity is critical for nervous system function. In Drosophila melanogaster, the blood-brain barrier is formed by glial cells during late embryogenesis. This protocol describes methods to assay for blood-brain barrier formation and maintenance in D. melanogaster embryos and third instar larvae.

Assay for Blood-brain Barrier Integrity in Drosophila melanogaster

Proper nervous system development includes the formation of the blood-brain barrier, the diffusion barrier that tightly regulates access to the nervous ...

Research

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Developmental Biology

Assaying Blood Cell Populations of the Drosophila melanogaster Larva

Assaying Blood Cell Populations of the Drosophila melanogaster Larva

In vertebrates, hematopoiesis is regulated by inductive microenvironments (niches). Likewise, in the invertebrate model organism&#160;Drosophila ...

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The zebrafish model is an emerging system for the study of neuromuscular disorders.  In the study of neuromuscular diseases, the integrity of the muscle ...

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The influence of microbes on myriad animal traits and behaviors has been increasingly recognized in recent years. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is ...

Protocols for Visualizing Steroidogenic Organs and Their Interactive Organs with Immunostaining in the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster

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In multicellular organisms, a small group of cells is endowed with a specialized function in their biogenic activity, inducing a systemic response ...

Dissection and Immunofluorescent Staining of Mushroom Body and Photoreceptor Neurons in Adult Drosophila melanogaster Brains

Dissection and Immunofluorescent Staining of Mushroom Body and Photoreceptor Neurons in Adult Drosophila melanogaster Brains

Nervous system development involves a sequential series of events that are coordinated by several signaling pathways and regulatory networks. Many of the ...

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An In Vivo Method to Study Mouse Blood-Testis Barrier Integrity

Spermatogenesis is the development of spermatogonia into mature spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. This process is supported by ...

Methods to Test Endocrine Disruption in Drosophila melanogaster

Methods to Test Endocrine Disruption in Drosophila melanogaster

In recent years there has been growing evidence that all organisms and the environment are exposed to hormone-like chemicals, known as endocrine disruptor ...

Generation of a Human iPSC-Based Blood-Brain Barrier Chip

The blood brain barrier (BBB) is formed by neurovascular units (NVUs) that shield the central nervous system (CNS) from a range of factors found in the ...

Whole Animal Imaging of Drosophila melanogaster using Microcomputed Tomography

Whole Animal Imaging of Drosophila melanogaster using Microcomputed Tomography

Biomedical imaging tools permit investigation of molecular mechanisms across spatial scales, from genes to organisms. Drosophila melanogaster, a ...

Imaging Live Brain Explants from Drosophila melanogaster Third Instar Larvae

Live-Cell Imaging of Drosophila melanogaster Third Instar Larval Brains

Investigating Asymmetric Cell Division Dynamics: A Protocol for Live-Imaging of Drosophila Larval Brain Explants (Video) | JoVE

Drosophila neural stem cells (neuroblasts, NBs hereafter) undergo asymmetric divisions, regenerating the self-renewing neuroblast, while also forming a ...