Name: preparation and morphological analysis of chick cranial neural crest cell cultures
Uploaded: 2022-06-27T13:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Preparation and Morphological Analysis of Chick Cranial Neural Crest Cell Cultures at JoVE.com

We thank Corinne A. Fairchild and Katie L. Vermillion, who participated in developing our version of the chick cranial neural fold culture protocol.

Any variety of Gallus gallus breeds may be used, including White Leghorn, Golden Sex Link, or Rhode Island Red. The chicken eggs used in the present study were of various breeds and obtained from multiple sources, including local farms and hatcheries.
1. Preparation of solutions and materials
<ol>
	<li>Prepare Ringer&#39;s solution by mixing 123.3 mM NaCl, 1.53 mM CaCl2, 4.96 mM KCl, 0.809 mM Na2HPO4, and 0.147 mM KH2PO<su...

<ol>
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L., Lidberg, K. A., Gammill, L. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cytoplasmic+protein+methylation+is+essential+for+neural+crest+migration.">Cytoplasmic protein methylation is essential for neural crest migration.</a> Journal of Cell Biology. 204 (1), 95-109 (2014).</li><li>Yang, X., Li, J., Zeng, W., Li, C., Mao, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Elongator+Protein+3+(Elp3)+stabilizes+Snail1+and+regulates+neural+crest+migration+in+Xenopus.">Elongator Protein 3 (Elp3) stabilizes Snail1 and regulates neural crest migration in Xenopus.</a> Scientific Reports. 6 (1), 1-9 (2016).</li><li>Gonzalez Malagon, S. 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H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dissection+of+xenopus+laevis+neural+crest+for+in+vitro+explant+culture+or+in+vivo+transplantation.">Dissection of xenopus laevis neural crest for in vitro explant culture or in vivo transplantation.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (85), e51118 (2014).</li><li>Malagon, S. G. 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=Dissection,+culture+and+analysis+of+primary+cranial+neural+crest+cells+from+mouse+for+the+study+of+neural+crest+cell+delamination+and+migration.">Dissection, culture and analysis of primary cranial neural crest cells from mouse for the study of neural crest cell delamination and migration.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (152), e60051 (2019).</li><li>Theveneau, E., Mayor, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+crest+delamination+and+migration:+From+epithelium-to-mesenchyme+transition+to+collective+cell+migration.">Neural crest delamination and migration: From epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition to collective cell migration.</a> Developmental Biology. 366 (1), 34-54 (2012).</li><li>Conrad, G. W., Bee, J. A., Roche, S. M., Teillet, 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=Fabrication+of+microscalpels+by+electrolysis+of+tungsten+wire+in+a+meniscus.">Fabrication of microscalpels by electrolysis of tungsten wire in a meniscus.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 50 (1), 123-127 (1993).</li><li>Hamburger, V., Hamilton, H. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+series+of+normal+stages+in+the+development+of+the+chick+embryo.">A series of normal stages in the development of the chick embryo.</a> Journal of Morphology. 88 (1), 49-92 (1951).</li><li>Gammill, L. S., Jacques-Fricke, B., Roffers-Agarwal, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Embryological+and+genetic+manipulation+of+chick+development.">Embryological and genetic manipulation of chick development.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 1920, 75-97 (2019).</li><li>Vandekerckhove, J., Deboben, A., Nassal, M., Wieland, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+phalloidin+binding+site+of+F-actin.">The phalloidin binding site of F-actin.</a> The EMBO Journal. 4 (11), 2815-2818 (1985).</li><li>Bronner-Fraser, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+of+the+early+stages+of+trunk+neural+crest+migration+in+avian+embryos+using+monoclonal+antibody+HNK-1.">Analysis of the early stages of trunk neural crest migration in avian embryos using monoclonal antibody HNK-1.</a> Developmental Biology. 115 (1), 44-55 (1986).</li><li>Schindelin, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fiji:+An+open-source+platform+for+biological-image+analysis.">Fiji: An open-source platform for biological-image analysis.</a> Nature Methods. 9 (7), 676-682 (2012).</li><li>Soille, P., Vincent, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Determining+watersheds+in+digital+pictures+via+flooding+simulations.">Determining watersheds in digital pictures via flooding simulations.</a> Visual Communications and Image Processing '90: Fifth in a Series. (1360), 240-250 (1990).</li><li>Haupt, A., Minc, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=How+cells+sense+their+own+shape+-+mechanisms+to+probe+cell+geometry+and+their+implications+in+cellular+organization+and+function.">How cells sense their own shape - mechanisms to probe cell geometry and their implications in cellular organization and function.</a> Journal of Cell Science. 131 (6), (2018).</li><li>Ezin, M., Fraser, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chapter+11+time-lapse+imaging+of+the+early+avian+embryo.">Chapter 11 time-lapse imaging of the early avian embryo.</a> Methods in Cell Biology. 87, 211-236 (2008).</li><li>Kulesa, P. M., Bailey, C. M., Cooper, C., Fraser, S. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+ovo+live+imaging+of+avian+embryos.">In ovo live imaging of avian embryos.</a> Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. 5 (6), (2010).</li><li>McKinney, M. C., Kulesa, P. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Live+imaging+of+the+neural+crest+cell+epithelial-to-mesenchymal+transition+in+the+chick+embryo.">Live imaging of the neural crest cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in the chick embryo.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 2179, 107-114 (2021).</li><li>Gustafson, C. M., Roffers-Agarwal, J., Gammill, L. 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D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Using+morpholinos+to+control+gene+expression.">Using morpholinos to control gene expression.</a> Current Protocols in Nucleic Acid Chemistry. 68 (1), 4-30 (2017).</li><li>Gandhi, 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+single-plasmid+approach+for+genome+editing+coupled+with+long-term+lineage+analysis+in+chick+embryos.">A single-plasmid approach for genome editing coupled with long-term lineage analysis in chick embryos.</a> Development. 148 (7), (2021).</li><li>Williams, R. 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The technique described here provides an adaptable method of isolating chick neural folds and plating them to create cultures of migratory cranial NCCs. These cultures provide simplified 2D conditions for easy analysis of chick NCC migration and morphology that can supplement more technically challenging in ovo imaging methods24,25,26. While this in vitro method is relatively simple, consistent results depend o...

Neural crest cells (NCCs) are a transient cell population in vertebrate embryos. NCCs are specified at the borders of the neural plate and undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to migrate from the dorsal neural tube1. After EMT, NCCs disperse extensively throughout the embryo, ultimately differentiating and contributing to various structures, including the craniofacial skeleton, outflow tract of the heart, and the majority of the peripheral nervous system2. Changes in cell polarity, the cytoskeleton, and adhesion properties underly this shift from a premigratory to a migratory cell population3. Studying NCC EMT and migration provides insights into fundamental mechanisms of cell motility and informs efforts to prevent and treat birth defects and cancer metastasis.
While in vivo analysis is vital for understanding NCC developmental processes in an embryonic context, in vitro methods offer visual and physical accessibility that facilitate additional experimental avenues. In a simplified 2D environment, NCC morphology, cytoskeletal structures, and distance migrated can be evaluated. Moreover, the effects of genetic or soluble factor perturbation on migratory behaviors of motile NCCs can be analyzed4,5,6,7,8,9,10. In addition, isolated premigratory or migratory NCCs can be collected, pooled, and used for high-throughput methodologies to study the developmental regulation of NCCs through proteomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic profiling7,11. While methods are available for preparing cranial NCCs from various developmental model organisms12,13,14, this article demonstrates the mechanics of the approach for those first learning to culture cranial NCC from chick embryos.
The current protocol describes a versatile technique for preparing chick cranial NCC cultures (Figure 1). Because NCCs migrate readily from explanted neural folds onto a culture substrate, chick NCCs naturally segregate from embryonic tissue, and primary cultures are easily generated. As midbrain NCCs migrate&#160;en masse&#160;from the cranial neural folds (in contrast to the protracted, cell-by-cell delamination in the trunk15), these cultures consist mainly of migratory cranial neural crest cells, with initial neural fold excision providing a collection method for premigratory NCCs.&#160;A basic method for dissecting and culturing chick cranial neural folds is detailed, and suggestions for different applications and variations on this method are offered.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/63799/63799fig01v2.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Schematic overview of the chick cranial neural fold culture protocol. (A,B) Cranial neural folds (outlined in blue) are excised from a chick embryo with five somites (shown in dorsal view in A). Grey bands, cardiac crescent. (C) When plated on fibronectin, migratory neural crest cells emerge from the neural folds and disperse onto the substrate. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/63799/63799fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>AxioObserver equipped with an LSM710 confocal scan head controlled by ZEN 3.0 SR software&#160;</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Used alpha Plan-Apochromat 100x/1.46 Oil DIC M27 objective</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CaCl2</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>C3306</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chamber dishes (glass bottom, single or divided)</td>
			<td>MatTek; Cell Vis</td>
			<td>P35G-1.5-14-C (MatTek) X000NOJQGX (Cellvis) 
			X000NOK1OJ (Cellvis)</td>
			<td>Single chamber 35 mm or 4 chamber 35 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cover glass</td>
			<td>Carolina Biological Supply Company</td>
			<td>633029, 633031, 633033, 633035, 633037</td>
			<td>circles, 0.13&#8211;0.17 mm thickness, available in 12-25 mm diameter&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM/F12</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>11320033</td>
			<td>Alternative for L15 media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Egg incubator</td>
			<td>Sportsman</td>
			<td>1502</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FBS&#160;</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>10437-028</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fibronectin</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>CB-40008A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Filter paper</td>
			<td>Whatman</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>grade 3MM chromatography</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Forceps (blunt)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific; Thomas Scientific</td>
			<td>08-890 (Fisher);1141W97 (Thomas)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Forceps (fine)</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>11252-20</td>
			<td>Dumont #5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Image J</td>
			<td>https://fiji.sc/</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Free image analysis software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KCl</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P3911</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KH2PO4</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P0662</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>L15 media</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>11415064</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>L-glutamine</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>25030</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mounting Media (Vectashield or ProLong Gold)</td>
			<td>Vector Laboratories; Thermofisher Scientific</td>
			<td>H-1700 (Vectashield); P36930 (ProLong Gold)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Na2HPO4</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S9638</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S9888</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P6148</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin/streptomycin</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15140-148</td>
			<td>10,000 Units/mL Penicillin; 10,000 mg/mL Streptomycin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Petri Dishes</td>
			<td>VWR (or similar)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>60 mm, 100 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phalloidin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P1951</td>
			<td>multiple flurophores available</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pin holder</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>26016-12</td>
			<td>For tungsten needle (alternative for spring scissors)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scissors (dissection)</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>14061-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spring Scissors</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>15000-08</td>
			<td>2.5 mm cutting edge (alternative for tungsten needle)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sylgard</td>
			<td>Krayden</td>
			<td>Sylgard 184</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe Filters</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>SLGVM33RS</td>
			<td>Millex-GV Syringe Filter Unit, 0.22 &#181;m, PVDF, 33 mm, gamma sterilized</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue culture dishes</td>
			<td>Sarstedt</td>
			<td>83-3900</td>
			<td>35 mm culture dishes for bulk neural fold cultures</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>X100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tungsten wire</td>
			<td>Variety of sources</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>0.01&#34; diameter for tungsten needle (alternative for spring scissors)</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

preparation and morphological analysis of chick cranial neural crest cell cultures

During vertebrate development, neural crest cells (NCCs) migrate extensively and differentiate into various cell types that contribute to structures like the craniofacial skeleton and the peripheral nervous system. While it is critical to understand NCC migration in the context of a 3D embryo, isolating migratory cells in 2D culture facilitates visualization and functional characterization, complementing embryonic studies. The present protocol demonstrates a method for isolating chick cranial neural folds to generate primary NCC cultures. Migratory NCCs emerge from neural fold explants plated onto a fibronectin-coated substrate. This results in dispersed, adherent NCC populations that can be assessed by staining and quantitative morphological analyses. This simplified culture approach is highly adaptable and can be combined with other techniques. For example, NCC emigration and migratory behaviors can be evaluated by time-lapse imaging or functionally queried by including inhibitors or experimental manipulations of gene expression (e.g., DNA, morpholino, or CRISPR electroporation). Because of its versatility, this method provides a powerful system for investigating cranial NCC development.

An overview of the present protocol is shown in Figure 1. The incubated eggs were opened, and the yolk, with the embryo on the surface, was isolated by gently pouring into the palm of a gloved hand (Figure 2A,B). After clearing away the albumin (Figure 2C), filter paper frames were applied to the yolk membrane surrounding the embryo to facilitate cutting and lifting the embryo from the yolk, which begins to spill aw...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Preparation and Morphological Analysis of Chick Cranial Neural Crest Cell Cultures at JoVE.com

Preparation and Morphological Analysis of Chick Cranial Neural Crest Cell Cultures

This versatile protocol describes the isolation of premigratory neural crest cells (NCCs) through the excision of cranial neural folds from chick embryos. Upon plating and incubation, migratory NCCs emerge from neural fold explants, allowing for assessment of cell morphology and migration in a simplified 2D environment.

During vertebrate development, neural crest cells (NCCs) migrate extensively and differentiate into various cell types that contribute to structures like ...

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Neural stem cells (NSCs) are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes under specific local ...

Dual Labeling of Neural Crest Cells and Blood Vessels Within Chicken Embryos Using ChickGFP Neural Tube Grafting and Carbocyanine Dye DiI Injection

Dual Labeling of Neural Crest Cells and Blood Vessels Within Chicken Embryos Using ChickGFP Neural Tube Grafting and Carbocyanine Dye DiI Injection

All developing organs need to be connected to both the nervous system (for sensory and motor control) as well as the vascular system (for gas exchange, ...

Delivery of In Vivo Acute Intermittent Hypoxia in Neonatal Rodents to Prime Subventricular Zone-derived Neural Progenitor Cell Cultures

Delivery of In Vivo Acute Intermittent Hypoxia in Neonatal Rodents to Prime Subventricular Zone-derived Neural Progenitor Cell Cultures

Extended culture of neural stem/progenitor cells facilitates in vitro analyses to understand their biology while enabling expansion of cell populations to ...

Forward Genetic Approach to Uncover Stress Resistance Genes in Mice &#8212; A High-throughput Screen in ES Cells

Forward Genetic Approach to Uncover Stress Resistance Genes in Mice ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Â A High-throughput Screen in ES Cells

Phenotype-driven genetic screens in mice is a powerful technique to uncover gene functions, but are often hampered by extremely high costs, which severely ...

Generation of Genetically Modified Organotypic Skin Cultures Using Devitalized Human Dermis

Organotypic cultures allow the reconstitution of a 3D environment critical for cell-cell contact and cell-matrix interactions which mimics the function ...

Culturing Human Pluripotent and Neural Stem Cells in an Enclosed Cell Culture System for Basic and Preclinical Research

This paper describes how to use a custom manufactured, commercially available enclosed cell culture system for basic and preclinical research. Biosafety ...

Establishment of Proliferative Tetraploid Cells from Nontransformed Human Fibroblasts

Polyploid (mostly tetraploid) cells are often observed in preneoplastic lesions of human tissues and their chromosomal instability has been considered to ...

Multi-Photon Time Lapse Imaging to Visualize Development in Real-time: Visualization of Migrating Neural Crest Cells in Zebrafish Embryos

Congenital eye and craniofacial anomalies reflect disruptions in the neural crest, a transient population of migratory stem cells that give rise to ...

Zika Virus Infection of Cultured Human Fetal Brain Neural Stem Cells for Immunocytochemical Analysis

Human fetal brain neural stem cells are a unique non-genetically modified model system to study the impact of various stimuli on human developmental ...

Visualization of Tangential Cell Migration in the Developing Chick Optic Tectum

Time-lapse imaging is a powerful method to analyze migrating cell behavior. After fluorescent cell labeling, the movement of the labeled cells in culture ...