Name: reliable isolation of central nervous system microvessels across five vertebrate groups
Uploaded: 2020-01-12T12:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Reliable Isolation of Central Nervous System Microvessels Across Five Vertebrate Groups at JoVE.com

Dr. Cruz-Orengo was supported by the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine Start Up Funds.

All procedures of the present study are in accordance with the guidelines set by the University of California (UC), Davis Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Animal care at UC Davis is regulated by several independent resources and has been fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) since 1966. Porcine CNS tissues were obtained from UCD Department of Animal Sciences, Meat Sciences Laboratory. CNS tissues from rhesus macaques were ...

<ol>
	<li>Bundgaard, M., Abbott, N. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=All+vertebrates+started+out+with+a+glial+blood-brain+barrier+4-500+million+years+ago.">All vertebrates started out with a glial blood-brain barrier 4-500 million years ago.</a> Glia. 56, 699-708 (2008).</li><li>Daneman, R., Prat, 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+blood-brain+barrier.">The blood-brain barrier.</a> Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology. 7, a020412 (2015).</li><li>Obermeier, B., Verma, A., Ransohoff, R. 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+blood-brain+barrier.">The blood-brain barrier.</a> Handbook of Clinical Neurology. 133, 39-59 (2016).</li><li>Kealy, J., Greene, C., Campbell, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Blood-brain+barrier+regulation+in+psychiatric+disorders.">Blood-brain barrier regulation in psychiatric disorders.</a> Neuroscience Letters. , (2018).</li><li>Sweeney, M. D., Kisler, K., Montagne, A., Toga, A. W., Zlokovic, 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=The+role+of+brain+vasculature+in+neurodegenerative+disorders.">The role of brain vasculature in neurodegenerative disorders.</a> Nature Neuroscience. 21, 1318-1331 (2018).</li><li>Sweeney, M. D., Zhao, Z., Montagne, A., Nelson, A. R., Zlokovic, 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=Blood-Brain+Barrier:+From+Physiology+to+Disease+and+Back.">Blood-Brain Barrier: From Physiology to Disease and Back.</a> Physiological Reviews. 99, 21-78 (2019).</li><li>Wilhelm, I., Nyul-Toth, A., Suciu, M., Hermenean, A., Krizbai, I. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heterogeneity+of+the+blood-brain+barrier.">Heterogeneity of the blood-brain barrier.</a> Tissue Barriers. 4, e1143544 (2016).</li><li>O'Brown, N. M., Pfau, S. 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R., Franke, M. C., Yuan, Y., Cruz-Orengo, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Straightforward+method+for+singularized+and+region-specific+CNS+microvessels+isolation.">Straightforward method for singularized and region-specific CNS microvessels isolation.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 318, 17-33 (2019).</li><li>Smyth, L. C. 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=Markers+for+human+brain+pericytes+and+smooth+muscle+cells.">Markers for human brain pericytes and smooth muscle cells.</a> Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy. 92, 48-60 (2018).</li><li>Granberg, 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=In+vivo+characterization+of+cortical+and+white+matter+neuroaxonal+pathology+in+early+multiple+sclerosis.">In vivo characterization of cortical and white matter neuroaxonal pathology in early multiple sclerosis.</a> Brain. 140, 2912-2926 (2017).</li><li>Datta, G., 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=Neuroinflammation+and+its+relationship+to+changes+in+brain+volume+and+white+matter+lesions+in+multiple+sclerosis.">Neuroinflammation and its relationship to changes in brain volume and white matter lesions in multiple sclerosis.</a> Brain. 140, 2927-2938 (2017).</li><li>Tommasin, S., Gianni, C., De Giglio, L., Pantano, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neuroimaging+Techniques+to+Assess+Inflammation+in+Multiple+Sclerosis.">Neuroimaging Techniques to Assess Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis.</a> Neuroscience. 403, 4-16 (2019).</li><li>Liebner, 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=Functional+morphology+of+the+blood-brain+barrier+in+health+and+disease.">Functional morphology of the blood-brain barrier in health and disease.</a> Acta Neuropathologica. 135, 311-336 (2018).</li><li>Cornford, E., Hyman, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Localization+of+brain+endothelial+luminal+and+abluminal+transporters+with+immunogold+electron+microscopy.">Localization of brain endothelial luminal and abluminal transporters with immunogold electron microscopy.</a> NeuroRx. 2, 27-43 (2005).</li><li>Boulay, A. C., Saubamea, B., Decleves, X., Cohen-Salmon, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Purification+of+Mouse+Brain+Vessels.">Purification of Mouse Brain Vessels.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. , 53208 (2015).</li><li>Paul, D., Cowan, A. E., Ge, S., Pachter, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Novel+3D+analysis+of+Claudin-5+reveals+significant+endothelial+heterogeneity+among+CNS+microvessels.">Novel 3D analysis of Claudin-5 reveals significant endothelial heterogeneity among CNS microvessels.</a> Microvascular Research. , (2012).</li><li>Munikoti, V. V., Hoang-Minh, L. B., Ormerod, B. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enzymatic+digestion+improves+the+purity+of+harvested+cerebral+microvessels.">Enzymatic digestion improves the purity of harvested cerebral microvessels.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 207, 80-85 (2012).</li><li>Yousif, S., Marie-Claire, C., Roux, F., Scherrmann, J. M., Decleves, X. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expression+of+drug+transporters+at+the+blood-brain+barrier+using+an+optimized+isolated+rat+brain+microvessel+strategy.">Expression of drug transporters at the blood-brain barrier using an optimized isolated rat brain microvessel strategy.</a> Brain Research. 1134, 1-11 (2007).</li><li>Bourassa, P., Tremblay, C., Schneider, J. A., Bennett, D. A., Calon, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Beta-amyloid+pathology+in+human+brain+microvessel+extracts+from+the+parietal+cortex:+relation+with+cerebral+amyloid+angiopathy+and+Alzheimer's+disease.">Beta-amyloid pathology in human brain microvessel extracts from the parietal cortex: relation with cerebral amyloid angiopathy and Alzheimer's disease.</a> Acta Neuropathologica. 137, 801-823 (2019).</li><li>Porte, 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=Proteomic+and+transcriptomic+study+of+brain+microvessels+in+neonatal+and+adult+mice.">Proteomic and transcriptomic study of brain microvessels in neonatal and adult mice.</a> PLoS One. 12, e0171048 (2017).</li></ol>

The BBB includes the unique properties of the brain microvasculature endothelial cells coupled by a sophisticated architecture of tight-, adherens-, &#34;peg-socket&#34;- junctions, and adhesion plaques critical for CNS homeostasis2,3,19. Endothelial cells properties are induced and maintained by pericytes and the surrounding astroglia end-foot processes2,3,<s...

Our brain is the most important organ in our body. For this reason, keeping brain homeostasis despite external factors that may trigger a deviation from normalcy is a priority. According to some scholars, about 400&#8211;500 million years ago1, vertebrate animals developed what we now know as the blood-brain barrier (BBB)2,3. This protective &#34;fence&#34; exerts the greatest influence over central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis and functions by tightly regulating the transport of ions, molecules, and cells between blood and CNS parenchyma. When the BBB is disrupted, the brain becomes susceptible to toxic exposure, infection, and inflammation. Therefore, BBB dysfunction is associated with many, if not all, neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders4,5,6.
The sophisticated function of the BBB is attributed to the unique CNS microvasculature conformed by the neurovascular unit (NVU)2,3. Highly specialized endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytic end-feet are the cellular components of the NVU2,3. The extracellular matrix generated by these cells is also essential to the NVU and BBB physiology2,3. Although essential cellular and molecular components of the NVU are conserved among vertebrates, heterogeneity is reported among orders and species7,8. However, technical limitations impede our ability to fully consider these differences in neurobiology, biomedical, or translational research.
Because of this, we expanded a CNS region-specific microvessel-isolation method to make it applicable to numerous species from all five vertebrate groups: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The protocol is described for use on small-lissencephalic and large-gyrencephalic vertebrates, including species with translational relevance9. Additionally, we include other regions of the CNS not investigated before within this context, but relevant to neurophysiology and with tremendous clinical implications: the hypothalamus, pituitary, and white matter. Lastly, we tested the capacity of this isolation method as a reliable tool to identify changes in protein expression along the NVU and/or BBB9,10,11. As a proof-of-concept, we showed how to determine changes in VCAM-1 and JAM-B expression during EAE using the isolation method followed by immunofluorescence.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>10X PBS</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>BP39920</td>
			<td>Used for blocking and antibody diluent.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>20% PFA</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>15713-S</td>
			<td>Used as fixative (4% PFA)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>70,000 MW Dextran</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>9004-54-0</td>
			<td>Used for MV-2 solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Adson Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>11006-12</td>
			<td>Used for removal of muscle and skin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Adson Forceps, student quality</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>91106-12</td>
			<td>Same as above but cheaper</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine serum albumin (BSA)</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>A7906-100G</td>
			<td>Used for MV-3 solution, blocking and antibody diluent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corning 100 &#956;m Cell strainer</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>CLS431752-50EA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corning 70 &#956;m Cell strainer</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>CLS431751-50EA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corning Deskwork low-binding tips</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>CLS4151</td>
			<td>Same as below but cheaper.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cultrex Poly-D-Lysine</td>
			<td>R&#38;D</td>
			<td>3439-100-01</td>
			<td>Used for slide coating</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey anti-Goat IgG-ALEXA 555</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>A21432</td>
			<td>Used as secondary antibody. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey anti-Mouse IgG-ALEXA 488</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>A21202</td>
			<td>Used as secondary antibody. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey anti-Rabbit IgG-ALEXA 488</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>A21206</td>
			<td>Used as secondary antibody. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey anti-Rabbit IgG-ALEXA 647</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>A31573</td>
			<td>Used as secondary antibody. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey anti-Rat IgG-DyLight 650</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>SA5-10029</td>
			<td>Used as secondary antibody. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Double-Pronged Tissue Pick</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>18067-11</td>
			<td>Used for removal of meninges and choroid plexus</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont #3c Forceps</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>11231-20</td>
			<td>Used for more delicate and/or small CNS tissue handling (like pituitary)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont #7 Forceps</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>11274-20</td>
			<td>Used for CNS tisssue dissection and handling</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont #7 Forceps, student</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>91197-00</td>
			<td>Same as above but cheaper</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S. LoRetention Tips</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>22493008</td>
			<td>Better quality than the tips above (more expensive).</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Extra Fine Graefe Forceps, serrated</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>11151-10</td>
			<td>Used for bone removal</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fine Scissors, sharp</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>14060-09</td>
			<td>Used for removal of pig and macaque dural sac</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass Pestle 1.5 mL Microcentrifuge Tube Tissue Grinder Homogenizer, Pack of 10</td>
			<td>Chang Bioscience Inc. (eBay)</td>
			<td>GP1.5_10</td>
			<td>Used for small vetebrate hypothalus and pituitary.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-CXCL12, biotinylated</td>
			<td>PeproTech</td>
			<td>500-P87BGBT</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on CNS microvessels from all specimens. Recommended dilution: 1:20.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-JAM-B</td>
			<td>R&#38;D</td>
			<td>AF1074</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody to assess neuroinflammation. Recommended concentration: 5 &#956;g/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-Mouse IgG-ALEXA 488</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>A11001</td>
			<td>Used as secondary antibody. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-Mouse IgG-ALEXA 555</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>A21424</td>
			<td>Used as secondary antibody. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-PDGFR&#946;</td>
			<td>R&#38;D</td>
			<td>AF1042</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on CNS microvessels from all specimens. Recommended concentration: 5 &#956;g/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-Rabbit IgG-ALEXA 555</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>A21249</td>
			<td>Used as secondary antibody. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-Rabbit IgG-DyLight 488</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>35552</td>
			<td>Used as secondary antibody. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-Rat IgG-DyLight 650</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>SA5-10021</td>
			<td>Used as secondary antibody. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Graefe Forceps, curved tip, 1X2 teeth</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>11054-10</td>
			<td>Use for nylon filter net holding and shaking</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HBSS, 1X buffer with calcium and magnesium</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>21-022-CM</td>
			<td>Used for MV-1 solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES, 1M liquid buffer</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>25-060-CI</td>
			<td>Used for MV-1 solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isolectin GS-IB4-Biotin-XX</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific (Thermo)</td>
			<td>I21414</td>
			<td>Glycoprotein isolated from legume Griffonia simplicifolia that binds D-galactosyl residues of endothelial cell glycocalysx. Used for avian and porcine CNS microvessels. Recommended concentration: 5 &#956;g/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LaGrange Scissors, serrated</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>14173-12</td>
			<td>Used for skull dissection and laminectomy (except pig and macaque)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Millicell EZ slide 8-well unit</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>PEZGS0816</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse anti-CLDN5</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>35-2500</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on CNS microvessels from all specimens. Recommended concentration: 5 &#956;g/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse anti-GGT1</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab55138</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on CNS microvessels from all specimens. Recommended concentration: 5 &#956;g/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse anti-Human CD31</td>
			<td>R&#38;D</td>
			<td>BBA7</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on primate CNS microvessels. Recommended concentration: 16.5 &#956;g/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse anti-NFM</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>RMO-270</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on CNS microvessels from all specimens. Recommended concentration: 5 &#956;g/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse anti-&#945;SMA</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>MA5-11547</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on CNS microvessels from all specimens. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nylon Filter Net, roll</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>NY6000010</td>
			<td>Laser-cut to 13 mm diameter filter net discs. Used for small vetebrate hypothalus and pituitary.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nylon Filter Nets, 25 mm</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>NY2002500</td>
			<td>Used on most small vertebrates CNS tissues, except hypothalamus and pituitary. Used for macaque and pig hypothalamus and pituitary.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nylon Filter Nets, 47 mm</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>NY2004700</td>
			<td>Used for macaque and pig CNS tissues, except hypothalamus and pituitary.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ProLong Gold antifade reagent with DAPI</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>P36935</td>
			<td>Used to coverslip slides.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit anti-AQP4</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>A5971</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on CNS microvessels from all specimens. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit anti-LSR</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>SAB2107967</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on CNS microvessels from all specimens. Recommended concentration: 5 &#956;g/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit anti-NG2</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>AB5320</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on CNS microvessels from all specimens. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit anti-OSP</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab53041</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on CNS microvessels from all specimens. Recommended concentration: 1 &#956;g/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit anti-VE-Cadherin</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab33168</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on CNS microvessels from all specimens. Recommended concentration: 5 &#956;g/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit anti-ZO-1</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>61-7300</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on CNS microvessels from all specimens. Recommended concentration: 5 &#956;g/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-CD31</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>BD 550274</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody for murine CNS microvessels. Recommended concentration: 5 &#956;g/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-GFAP</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>13-0300</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody on CNS microvessels from all specimens. Recommended dilution of 1:200.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-VCAM-1</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>BD 553329</td>
			<td>Used as primary antibody to assess neuroinflammation. Recommended concentration: 5 &#956;g/mL.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile Ringer&#39;s Solution, Frog</td>
			<td>Aldon Corporation</td>
			<td>IS5066</td>
			<td>Used for amfibian anesthesia</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Streptavidin-ALEXA 555</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>S32355</td>
			<td>Used as secondary antibody to label biotinylated primary antibodies. Recommended dilution of 1:500.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Streptavidin-ALEXA 647</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>S32357</td>
			<td>Used as secondary antibody to label biotinylated primary antibodies. Recommended dilution of 1:500.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical Scissors, sharp</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>14002-12</td>
			<td>Used for removal of muscle and skin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical Scissors, sharp-blunt</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>14001-16</td>
			<td>Used for decapitation (except pig and macaque)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Swinnex Filter Holder, 13 mm</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>SX0001300</td>
			<td>Modified by laser-cut. Used for small vetebrate hypothalus and pituitary.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Swinnex Filter Holder, 25 mm</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>SX0002500</td>
			<td>Modified by laser-cut. Used on most small vertebrates CNS tissues, except hypothalamus and pituitary. Used for macaque and pig hypothalamus and pituitary.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Swinnex Filter Holder, 47 mm</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>SX0004700</td>
			<td>Modified by laser-cut. Used for macaque and pig CNS tissues, except hypothalamus and pituitary.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>50-165-7277</td>
			<td>Used for blocking and antibody diluent.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wheaton 120 Vac Overhead Stirrer</td>
			<td>VWR (Supplier DWK Life Sciences)</td>
			<td>62400-904 (DWK #903475)</td>
			<td>Used for macaque and pig CNS tissues with 55 mL tissue grinder, except hypothalamus and pituitary.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wheaton Potter-Elvehjem tissue grinder with PTFE pestle, 10 mL</td>
			<td>VWR (Supplier DWK Life Sciences)</td>
			<td>14231-384 (DWK #357979)</td>
			<td>Used on most small vertebrates CNS tissues, except hypothalamus and pituitary. Used for macaque and pig hypothalamus and pituitary.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wheaton Potter-Elvehjem tissue grinder with PTFE pestle, 55 mL</td>
			<td>VWR (Supplier DWK Life Sciences)</td>
			<td>14231-372 (DWK #357994)</td>
			<td>Used for macaque and pig CNS tissues, except hypothalamus and pituitary.</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

reliable isolation of central nervous system microvessels across five vertebrate groups

Isolation of microvessels from the central nervous system (CNS) is commonly performed by combining cortical tissue from multiple animals, most often rodents. This approach limits the interrogation of blood-brain barrier (BBB) properties to the cortex and does not allow for individual comparison. This project focuses on the development of an isolation method that allows for the comparison of the neurovascular unit (NVU) from multiple CNS regions: cortex, cerebellum, optic lobe, hypothalamus, pituitary, brainstem, and spinal cord. Moreover, this protocol, originally developed for murine samples, was successfully adapted for use on CNS tissues from small and large vertebrate species from which we are also able to isolate microvessels from brain hemisphere white matter. This method, when paired with immunolabeling, allows for quantitation of protein expression and statistical comparison between individuals, tissue type, or treatment. We proved this applicability by evaluating changes in protein expression during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of a neuroinflammatory disease, multiple sclerosis. Additionally, microvessels isolated by this method could be used for downstream applications like qPCR, RNA-seq, and Western blot, among others. Even though this is not the first attempt to isolate CNS microvessels without the use of ultracentrifugation or enzymatic dissociation, it is unique in its adeptness for the comparison of single individuals and multiple CNS regions. Therefore, it allows for investigation of a range of differences that may otherwise remain obscure: CNS portions (cortex, cerebellum, optic lobe, brainstem, hypothalamus, pituitary, and spinal cord), CNS tissue type (gray or white matter), individuals, experimental treatment groups, and species.

Microvessels isolated from murine CNS showed all intrinsic cellular components of the neurovascular unit2,3. Using either platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM, also known as CD31) or isolectin IB4 (a glycoprotein that binds the endothelial cell glycocalyx) for endothelial cells, platelet derived growth factor-&#946; (PDGFR&#946;) or neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2) for pericytes and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) for astrocytic en...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Reliable Isolation of Central Nervous System Microvessels Across Five Vertebrate Groups at JoVE.com

Reliable Isolation of Central Nervous System Microvessels Across Five Vertebrate Groups

The goal of this protocol is to isolate microvessels from multiple regions of the central nervous system of lissencephalic and gyrencephalic vertebrates.

Isolation of microvessels from the central nervous system (CNS) is commonly performed by combining cortical tissue from multiple animals, most often ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Systemic and Local Drug Delivery for Treating Diseases of the Central Nervous System in Rodent Models

Thorough preclinical testing of central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics includes a consideration of routes of administration and agent biodistribution ...

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are CNS neurons that output visual information from the retina to the brain, via the optic nerve. 
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Multimodal Imaging of Stem Cell Implantation in the Central Nervous System of Mice

During the past decade, stem cell transplantation has gained increasing interest as primary or secondary therapeutic modality for a variety of diseases, ...

Production of Lentiviral Vectors for Transducing Cells from the Central Nervous System

Efficient gene delivery in the central nervous system (CNS) is important in studying gene functions, modeling neurological diseases and developing ...

Labeling of Single Cells in the Central Nervous System of Drosophila melanogaster

Labeling of Single Cells in the Central Nervous System of Drosophila melanogaster

In this  article we describe how to individually label neurons in the embryonic CNS of Drosophila melanogaster by juxtacellular injection of the ...

An Injury Paradigm to Investigate Central Nervous System Repair in Drosophila

An Injury Paradigm to Investigate Central Nervous System Repair in Drosophila

An experimental method has been developed to investigate the cellular responses to central nervous system (CNS) injury using the fruit-fly Drosophila. ...

Direct Intraventricular Delivery of Drugs to the Rodent Central Nervous System

Due to an inability to cross the blood brain barrier, certain drugs need to be directly delivered into the central nervous system (CNS). Our lab focuses ...

In vivo Interrogation of Central Nervous System Translatome by Polyribosome Fractionation

In vivo Interrogation of Central Nervous System Translatome by Polyribosome Fractionation

Multiple processes are involved in gene expression including transcription, translation and stability of mRNAs and proteins. Each of these steps are ...

In vivo Optogenetic Stimulation of the Rodent Central Nervous System

In vivo Optogenetic Stimulation of the Rodent Central Nervous System

The ability to probe defined neural circuits in awake, freely-moving animals with cell-type specificity, spatial precision, and high temporal resolution ...