Name: double in utero electroporation to target temporally and spatially separated cell populations
Uploaded: 2020-06-14T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Double In Utero Electroporation to Target Temporally and Spatially Separated Cell Populations at JoVE.com

The authors thank Cristina Andr&#233;s Carbonell and members of the Animal Care facility of the Universidad de Valencia for technical assistance. We also want to thank Isabel Fari&#241;as and Sacramento R. Ferr&#243;n for reagents and sharing their equipment with us. I.M.W is funded by a Garant&#237;a Juvenil contract from the Conselleria de Educaci&#243;n de Valencia (GJIDI/2018/A/221), D.dA.D is funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovaci&#243;n y Universidades (MICINN)&#160;(FPI-PRE2018-086150). C.Gil-Sanz holds a Ram&#243;n y Cajal Grant (RYC-2015-19058) from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovaci&#243;n y Universidades (MICINN). This Work was funded RYC-2015-19058 and SAF2017-82880-R (MICINN).

The procedure herein described has been approved by the ethical committee in charge of experimentation, the animal welfare of the Universidad de Valencia and the Conselleria de Agricultura, Desarrollo Rural, Emergencia Clim&#225;tica y Transici&#243;n Ecol&#243;gica of the Comunidad Valenciana, and adheres to the guidelines of the International&#160;Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS) reviewed in the Real Decreto 53/2013 of the Spanish legislation as well as in the Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliamen...

<ol>
	<li>Popovitchenko, T., Rasin, M. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transcriptional+and+post-transcriptional+mechanisms+of+the+development+of+neocortical+lamination.">Transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms of the development of neocortical lamination.</a> Frontiers in Neuroanatomy. 11, 102 (2017).</li><li>Mukhtar, T., Taylor, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Untangling+Cortical+Complexity+During+Development.">Untangling Cortical Complexity During Development.</a> Journal of Experimental Neuroscience. 12, (2018).</li><li>Saito, T., Nakatsuji, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficient+gene+transfer+into+the+embryonic+mouse+brain+using+in+vivo+electroporation.">Efficient gene transfer into the embryonic mouse brain using in vivo electroporation.</a> Developmental Biology. 240, 237-246 (2001).</li><li>Tabata, H., Nakajima, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficient+in+utero+gene+transfer+system+to+the+developing+mouse+brain+using+electroporation:+Visualization+of+neuronal+migration+in+the+developing+cortex.">Efficient in utero gene transfer system to the developing mouse brain using electroporation: Visualization of neuronal migration in the developing cortex.</a> Neuroscience. 103, 865-872 (2001).</li><li>Shimogori, T., Ogawa, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gene+application+with+in+utero+electroporation+in+mouse+embryonic+brain.">Gene application with in utero electroporation in mouse embryonic brain.</a> Development, Growth &amp; Differentiation. 50, 499-506 (2008).</li><li>Tabata, H., Nakajima, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Labeling+embryonic+mouse+central+nervous+system+cells+by+in+utero+electroporation.">Labeling embryonic mouse central nervous system cells by in utero electroporation.</a> Development, Growth &amp; Differentiation. 50, 507-511 (2008).</li><li>Franco, S. J., Martinez-Garay, I., Gil-Sanz, C., Harkins-Perry, S. R., M&#252;ller, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reelin+Regulates+Cadherin+Function+via+Dab1/Rap1+to+Control+Neuronal+Migration+and+Lamination+in+the+Neocortex.">Reelin Regulates Cadherin Function via Dab1/Rap1 to Control Neuronal Migration and Lamination in the Neocortex.</a> Neuron. 69, 482-497 (2011).</li><li>Gil-Sanz, 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=Cajal-Retzius+cells+instruct+neuronal+migration+by+coincidence+signaling+between+secreted+and+contact-dependent+guidance+cues.">Cajal-Retzius cells instruct neuronal migration by coincidence signaling between secreted and contact-dependent guidance cues.</a> Neuron. 79, 461-477 (2013).</li><li>Martinez-Garay, I., 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=Cadherin+2/4+signaling+via+PTP1B+and+catenins+is+crucial+for+nucleokinesis+during+radial+neuronal+migration+in+the+neocortex.">Cadherin 2/4 signaling via PTP1B and catenins is crucial for nucleokinesis during radial neuronal migration in the neocortex.</a> Development. 143, 2121-2134 (2016).</li><li>Popovitchenko, 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=The+RNA+binding+protein+HuR+determines+the+differential+translation+of+autism-associated+FoxP+subfamily+members+in+the+developing+neocortex.">The RNA binding protein HuR determines the differential translation of autism-associated FoxP subfamily members in the developing neocortex.</a> Scientific Reports. 6, (2016).</li><li>Bultje, R. 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=Mammalian+Par3+Regulates+Progenitor+Cell+Asymmetric+Division+via+Notch+Signaling+in+the+Developing+Neocortex.">Mammalian Par3 Regulates Progenitor Cell Asymmetric Division via Notch Signaling in the Developing Neocortex.</a> Neuron. 63, 189-202 (2009).</li><li>Rodr&#237;guez-Tornos, F. M., 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=Cux1+Enables+Interhemispheric+Connections+of+Layer+II/III+Neurons+by+Regulating+Kv1-Dependent+Firing.">Cux1 Enables Interhemispheric Connections of Layer II/III Neurons by Regulating Kv1-Dependent Firing.</a> Neuron. 89, 494-506 (2016).</li><li>Borrell, V., Yoshimura, Y., Callaway, E. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Targeted+gene+delivery+to+telencephalic+inhibitory+neurons+by+directional+in+utero+electroporation.">Targeted gene delivery to telencephalic inhibitory neurons by directional in utero electroporation.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 143, 151-158 (2005).</li><li>Mire, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spontaneous+activity+regulates+Robo1+transcription+to+mediate+a+switch+in+thalamocortical+axon+growth.">Spontaneous activity regulates Robo1 transcription to mediate a switch in thalamocortical axon growth.</a> Nature Neuroscience. 15, 1134-1143 (2012).</li><li>Kawauchi, D., Saito, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transcriptional+cascade+from+Math1+to+Mbh1+and+Mbh2+is+required+for+cerebellar+granule+cell+differentiation.">Transcriptional cascade from Math1 to Mbh1 and Mbh2 is required for cerebellar granule cell differentiation.</a> Developmental Biology. 322, 345-354 (2008).</li><li>Briz, C. G., Navarrete, M., Esteban, J. A., Nieto, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+utero+electroporation+approaches+to+study+the+excitability+of+neuronal+subpopulations+and+single-cell+connectivity.">In utero electroporation approaches to study the excitability of neuronal subpopulations and single-cell connectivity.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. 120, e55139 (2017).</li><li>Bielle, F., 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=Multiple+origins+of+Cajal-Retzius+cells+at+the+borders+of+the+developing+pallium.">Multiple origins of Cajal-Retzius cells at the borders of the developing pallium.</a> Nature Neuroscience. 8, 1002-1012 (2005).</li><li>Meyer, G., Perez-Garcia, C. G., Abraham, H., Caput, D. <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+p73+and+Reelin+in+the+Developing+Human+Cortex.">Expression of p73 and Reelin in the Developing Human Cortex.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 22, 4973-4986 (2002).</li><li>Takiguchi-Hayashi, 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=Generation+of+Reelin-Positive+Marginal+Zone+Cells+from+the+Caudomedial+Wall+of+Telencephalic+Vesicles.">Generation of Reelin-Positive Marginal Zone Cells from the Caudomedial Wall of Telencephalic Vesicles.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 24, 2286-2295 (2004).</li><li>Berry, M., Rogers, A. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+migration+of+neuroblasts+in+the+developing+cerebral+cortex.">The migration of neuroblasts in the developing cerebral cortex.</a> Journal of Anatomy. 99, 691-709 (1965).</li><li>Alc&#225;ntara, 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=Regional+and+cellular+patterns+of+reelin+mRNA+expression+in+the+forebrain+of+the+developing+and+adult+mouse.">Regional and cellular patterns of reelin mRNA expression in the forebrain of the developing and adult mouse.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 18, 7779-7799 (1998).</li><li>Yoshida, M., Assimacopoulos, S., Jones, K. R., Grove, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Massive+loss+of+Cajal-Retzius+cells+does+not+disrupt+neocortical+layer+order.">Massive loss of Cajal-Retzius cells does not disrupt neocortical layer order.</a> Development. 133, 537-545 (2006).</li><li>Nadarajah, B., Brunstrom, J. E., Grutzendler, J., Wong, R. O. L., Pearlman, A. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two+modes+of+radial+migration+in+early+development+of+the+cerebral+cortex.">Two modes of radial migration in early development of the cerebral cortex.</a> Nature Neuroscience. 4, 143-150 (2001).</li><li>Fame, R. M., MacDonald, J. L., Macklis, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development,+specification,+and+diversity+of+callosal+projection+neurons.">Development, specification, and diversity of callosal projection neurons.</a> Trends in Neurosciences. 34, 41-50 (2011).</li><li>Thomson, A. M., Bannister, A. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Interlaminar+Connections+in+the+Neocortex.">Interlaminar Connections in the Neocortex.</a> Cerebral Cortex. 13, 5-14 (2003).</li><li>Zarrinpar, A., Callaway, E. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Local+connections+to+specific+types+of+layer+6+neurons+in+the+rat+visual+cortex.">Local connections to specific types of layer 6 neurons in the rat visual cortex.</a> Journal of Neurophysiology. 95, 1751-1761 (2006).</li><li>Chovsepian, A., Empl, L., Correa, D., Bareyre, F. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heterotopic+Transcallosal+Projections+Are+Present+throughout+the+Mouse+Cortex.">Heterotopic Transcallosal Projections Are Present throughout the Mouse Cortex.</a> Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. 11, 36 (2017).</li><li>DeFelipe, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+evolution+of+the+brain,+the+human+nature+of+cortical+circuits,+and+intellectual+creativity.">The evolution of the brain, the human nature of cortical circuits, and intellectual creativity.</a> Frontiers in Neuroanatomy. 5, 29 (2011).</li><li>Velmeshev, 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=Single-cell+genomics+identifies+cell+type&#8211;specific+molecular+changes+in+autism.">Single-cell genomics identifies cell type&#8211;specific molecular changes in autism.</a> Science. 364, 685-689 (2019).</li></ol>

The study of cell-cell interactions in vivo in regions with high cellular density like the cerebral cortex is a complex task. Traditional approaches including the use of antibodies to label neurites are not suitable because of the lack of specific markers for different cell populations. The use of transgenic murine models, where a particular cell type expresses a fluorescent protein, is useful to visualize the neuronal processes, but this depends on the availability of such models. This task is even more complicated when...

The cerebral cortex is a very complex and intricately organized structure. To achieve such a degree of organization, cortical projection neurons go through complex developmental processes that require their temporal generation, migration to their final destination in the cortical plate, and the establishment of short- and long-range connections1,2. For a long time, the classical way to study corticogenesis was based on the use of knockout or knock-in murine models of genes of interest. However, this strategy, and particularly the use of conditional knockout mice, is time consuming and expensive, and sometimes presents additional problems regarding the existence of genetic redundancy or the lack of specific CRE drivers, among other issues. One of the approaches that arose to try to address those problems and that is nowadays extensively used to study cortical development is in utero electroporation3,4. In utero electroporation is a technique used for somatic transgenesis, allowing in vivo targeting of neural stem cells and their progeny. This method can be used to label cells by the expression of fluorescent proteins5,6, for gene manipulation in vivo (i.e., gain or loss of function assays)7,8,9, for isolating electroporated cortices in vitro and culturing cells8,10. Moreover, in utero electroporation permits temporal and regional control of the targeted area. This technique has numerous applications and has been widely used to study neuronal migration, stem cell division, neuronal connectivity, and other subjects8,9,11,12.
The current manuscript describes the use of an in utero electroporation variant, termed double in utero electroporation, to analyze the interactions of cells in the cerebral cortex with different temporal and spatial origins. These studies are extremely complex to complete when employing murine models because they require the combined use of several transgenic lines. Some of the applications of the protocol described in this paper include the study of close interactions among neighboring cells, as well as interactions between distant cells through long-range projections. The method requires performing two independent in utero electroporation surgeries, separated temporally and spatially, on the same embryos to target different cell populations of interest. The advantage of this approach is the possibility of manipulating gene function in one or both types of neurons using wild type animals. In addition, these functional experiments can be combined with the expression of cytoplasmic or membrane-tagged fluorescent proteins to visualize the fine morphology of targeted cells, including dendrites and axons, and analyze possible differences in cellular interactions in comparison with a control (i.e., cells only labeled with the fluorescent protein).
The protocol delineated here is focused on the study of cellular interactions inside the neocortex, but this strategy could also be used to examine interactions with extracortical areas that can be targeted using in utero electroporation, like the subpallium or the thalamus13,14, or cell-cell interactions in other structures, like the cerebellum15. Targeting of different areas is based on the orientation of the electrodes and on the ventricle where the DNA is injected (lateral, third, or fourth). With the strategy described here, we can label a substantial number of cells, which is useful to evaluate general changes in connectivity/innervation in functional experiments. Nevertheless, to study fine changes in connectivity, one can use modified versions of in utero electroporation to get sparser labeling and identify single cells16. In summary, double in utero electroporation is a versatile method that allows targeting temporally and spatially separated cell populations and studying their interactions in detail, either in control conditions or combined with functional experiments, considerably reducing temporal and economic costs.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Ampicillin sodium salt</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A9518-25G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Aspirator tube</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A5177-5EA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Baby-mixter hemostat (perfusion)</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>13013-14</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Borosilicate glass capillary</td>
			<td>WPI</td>
			<td>1B100-6</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Buprenorphine (BUPREX 0,3 mg/ml)</td>
			<td>Rb Pharmaceuticals Limited</td>
			<td>921425</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CAG-BFP plasmid</td>
			<td>Kindly provided by U.M&#252;ller Lab</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CAG-EGFP plasmid</td>
			<td>Kindly provided by U.M&#252;ller Lab</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CAG-mCherry plasmid</td>
			<td>Kindly provided by U.M&#252;ller Lab</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CAG-mtdTomato-2A-nGFP plasmid</td>
			<td>Kindly provided by U.M&#252;ller Lab</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Confocal microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>FV10i</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cotton Swabs</td>
			<td>BFHCVDF</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cyanoacrylate glue</td>
			<td>B. Braun Surgical</td>
			<td>1050044</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissecting scope</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>stemi 305</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont Forceps #5 Fine Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>11254-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ECM830 Square Wave Electroporator</td>
			<td>BTX</td>
			<td>45-0052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Electric Razor</td>
			<td>Oster</td>
			<td>76998</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Endotoxin-free TE buffer</td>
			<td>QIAGEN</td>
			<td>1018499</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethanol wipes</td>
			<td>BFHCVDF</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Extra Fine Graefe Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>11150-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Eye ointment</td>
			<td>Alcon</td>
			<td>682542.6</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fast Green dye</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>F7252-5G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fine Scissors</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>14069-09</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescence LEDs</td>
			<td>CoolLED</td>
			<td>pE-300-W</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Genopure Plasmid Maxi Kit</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>3143422001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Halsted-Mosquito Hemostats (suture)</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>91308-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heating Pad</td>
			<td>UFESA</td>
			<td>AL5514</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Inverted epifluorescence microscope</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>Eclipse TE2000-S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Iodine wipes</td>
			<td>Lorsoul</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isofluorane vaporizer</td>
			<td>Flow-Meter</td>
			<td>A15B5001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane</td>
			<td>Karizoo</td>
			<td>586259</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ketamine (Anastemine)</td>
			<td>Fatro Ib&#233;rica SL</td>
			<td>583889-2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kimtech precision wipes</td>
			<td>Kimberly-Clark</td>
			<td>7252</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LB (Lennox) Agar GEN</td>
			<td>Labkem</td>
			<td>AGLB-00P-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LB (Lennox) broth GEN</td>
			<td>Labkem</td>
			<td>LBBR-00P-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Low-melting point agarose</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP165-25</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Medetomidine (Sedator)</td>
			<td>Dechra</td>
			<td>573749.2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope coverslips</td>
			<td>Menel-Gl&#228;ser</td>
			<td>15747592</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope Slides</td>
			<td>Labbox</td>
			<td>SLIB-F10-050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mounting medium</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>17984-25</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mutiwell plates (24)</td>
			<td>SPL Life Sciences</td>
			<td>32024</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mutiwell plates (48)</td>
			<td>SPL Life Sciences</td>
			<td>32048</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl (for saline solution)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>10112640</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Needle 25 G (BD Microlance 3)</td>
			<td>Becton, Dickinson and Company</td>
			<td>300600</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Orbital incubator S150</td>
			<td>Stuart Scientific</td>
			<td>5133</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>P Selecta Incubator</td>
			<td>J. P. Selecta, s.a.</td>
			<td>0485472</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>PanReac AppliedChem</td>
			<td>A3813</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin-Streptomycin</td>
			<td>Sigma -Aldrich</td>
			<td>P4333</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Peristaltic perfusion pump</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>EW-07522-30</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Platinum Tweezertrode, 5 mm Diameter</td>
			<td>Btx</td>
			<td>45-0489</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Reflex Skin Closure System - 7mm Clips, box of 100</td>
			<td>AgnThos</td>
			<td>203-1000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Reflex Skin Closure System - Clip Applyer, 7mm</td>
			<td>AgnThos</td>
			<td>204-1000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ring Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>11103-09</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium azide</td>
			<td>PanReac AppliedChem</td>
			<td>122712-1608</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical absorbent pad (steryle)</td>
			<td>HK Surgical</td>
			<td>PD-M</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Suture (Surgicryl PGA 6-0)</td>
			<td>SMI Suture Materials</td>
			<td>BYD11071512</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe 1ml (BD plastipak)</td>
			<td>Becton, Dickinson and Company</td>
			<td>303172</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue Culture Dish 100 x 20 mm</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>353003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vertical Micropipette Puller</td>
			<td>Sutter Instrument Co</td>
			<td>P-30</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vertical microscope</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>Eclipse Ni</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vibratome</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>VT1200S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

double in utero electroporation to target temporally and spatially separated cell populations

In utero electroporation is an in vivo DNA transfer technique extensively used to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying mammalian corticogenesis. This procedure takes advantage of the brain ventricles to allow the introduction of DNA of interest and uses a pair of electrodes to direct the entrance of the genetic material into the cells lining the ventricle, the neural stem cells. This method allows researchers to label the desired cells and/or manipulate the expression of genes of interest in those cells. It has multiple applications, including assays targeting neuronal migration, lineage tracing, and axonal pathfinding. An important feature of this method is its temporal and regional control, allowing circumvention of potential problems related with embryonic lethality or the lack of specific CRE driver mice. Another relevant aspect of this technique is that it helps to considerably reduce the economic and temporal limitations that involve the generation of new mouse lines, which become particularly important in the study of interactions between cell types that originate in distant areas of the brain at different developmental ages. Here we describe a double electroporation strategy that enables targeting of cell populations that are spatially and temporally separated. With this approach we can label different subtypes of cells in different locations with selected fluorescent proteins to visualize them, and/or we can manipulate genes of interest expressed by these different cells at the appropriate times. This strategy enhances the potential of in utero electroporation and provides a powerful tool to study the behavior of temporally and spatially separated cell populations that migrate to establish close contacts, as well as long-range interactions through axonal projections, reducing temporal and economic costs.

Interactions between neighboring cells originated in distal places and at different times: Cajal-Retzius cells (CR-cells) and early migrating cortical projection neurons (strategy A)
The interaction of CR-cells and early cortical projection neurons was previously described as necessary to regulate somal translocation via nectin and cadherin adhesion molecules using a double electroporation strategy8. CR-cells originate&#160;from the neuroepithelium at t...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Double In Utero Electroporation to Target Temporally and Spatially Separated Cell Populations at JoVE.com

Double In Utero Electroporation to Target Temporally and Spatially Separated Cell Populations

Double in utero electroporation allows targeting cell populations that are spatially and temporally separated. This technique is useful to visualize interactions between those cell populations using fluorescent proteins in normal conditions but also after functional experiments to perturb genes of interest.

In utero electroporation is an in vivo DNA transfer technique extensively used to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying mammalian ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Ultrasound-Guided Microinjection into the Mouse Forebrain In Utero at E9.5

Ultrasound-Guided Microinjection into the Mouse Forebrain In Utero at E9.5

In utero survival surgery in mice permits the molecular manipulation of gene expression during development.  However, because the uterine wall is opaque ...

In utero Electroporation followed by Primary Neuronal Culture for Studying Gene Function in Subset of Cortical Neurons

In utero Electroporation followed by Primary Neuronal Culture for Studying Gene Function in Subset of Cortical Neurons

In vitro study of primary neuronal cultures allows for quantitative analyses of neurite outgrowth. In order to study how genetic alterations affect ...

Efficient Gene Delivery into Multiple CNS Territories Using In Utero Electroporation

Efficient Gene Delivery into Multiple CNS Territories Using In Utero Electroporation

The ability to manipulate gene expression is the cornerstone of modern day experimental embryology, leading to the elucidation of multiple developmental ...

Mouse in Utero Electroporation: Controlled Spatiotemporal Gene Transfection

Mouse in Utero Electroporation: Controlled Spatiotemporal Gene Transfection

In order to understand the function of genes expressed in specific region of the developing brain, including signaling molecules and axon guidance ...

Expansion of Embryonic and Adult Neural Stem Cells by In Utero Electroporation or Viral Stereotaxic Injection

Expansion of Embryonic and Adult Neural Stem Cells by In Utero Electroporation or Viral Stereotaxic Injection

Somatic stem cells can divide to generate additional stem cells (expansion) or more differentiated cell types (differentiation), which is fundamental for ...

Visualization and Genetic Manipulation of Dendrites and Spines in the Mouse Cerebral Cortex and Hippocampus using In utero Electroporation

Visualization and Genetic Manipulation of Dendrites and Spines in the Mouse Cerebral Cortex and Hippocampus using In utero Electroporation

In utero electroporation (IUE) has become a powerful technique to study the development of different regions of the embryonic nervous system 1-5. To date ...

Generation of Topically Transgenic Rats by In utero Electroporation and In vivo Bioluminescence Screening

Generation of Topically Transgenic Rats by In utero Electroporation and In vivo Bioluminescence Screening

 In utero electroporation (IUE) is a technique which allows genetic modification of cells in the brain for investigating neuronal development. So far, the ...

Ex utero Electroporation and Whole Hemisphere Explants: A Simple Experimental Method for Studies of Early Cortical Development

Ex utero Electroporation and Whole Hemisphere Explants: A Simple Experimental Method for Studies of Early Cortical Development

Cortical development involves complex interactions between neurons and non-neuronal elements including precursor cells, blood vessels, meninges and ...

Genetic Manipulation of the Mouse Developing Hypothalamus through In utero Electroporation

Genetic Manipulation of the Mouse Developing Hypothalamus through In utero Electroporation

Genetic  modification of specific regions of the developing mammalian brain is a very  powerful experimental approach. However, generating novel mouse ...

Cortex-, Hippocampus-, Thalamus-, Hypothalamus-, Lateral Septal Nucleus- and Striatum-specific In Utero Electroporation in the C57BL/6 Mouse

Cortex-, Hippocampus-, Thalamus-, Hypothalamus-, Lateral Septal Nucleus- and Striatum-specific In Utero Electroporation in the C57BL/6 Mouse

In utero electroporation is a widely used technique for fast and efficient spatiotemporal manipulation of various genes in the rodent central nervous ...