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Mann B, Zhang X, Bell N, Adefolaju A, Thang M, Dasari R, Kanchi K, Valdivia A, Yang Y, Buckley A, Lettry V, Quinsey C, Rauf Y, Kram D, Cassidy N, Vaziri C, Corcoran DL, Rego S, Jiang Y, Graves LM, Dunn D, Floyd S, Baldwin A, Hingtgen S, Satterlee AB. A living ex vivo platform for functional, personalized brain cancer diagnosis. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101042. [PMID: 37192626 PMCID: PMC10313921 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Functional precision medicine platforms are emerging as promising strategies to improve pre-clinical drug testing and guide clinical decisions. We have developed an organotypic brain slice culture (OBSC)-based platform and multi-parametric algorithm that enable rapid engraftment, treatment, and analysis of uncultured patient brain tumor tissue and patient-derived cell lines. The platform has supported engraftment of every patient tumor tested to this point: high- and low-grade adult and pediatric tumor tissue rapidly establishes on OBSCs among endogenous astrocytes and microglia while maintaining the tumor's original DNA profile. Our algorithm calculates dose-response relationships of both tumor kill and OBSC toxicity, generating summarized drug sensitivity scores on the basis of therapeutic window and allowing us to normalize response profiles across a panel of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved and exploratory agents. Summarized patient tumor scores after OBSC treatment show positive associations to clinical outcomes, suggesting that the OBSC platform can provide rapid, accurate, functional testing to ultimately guide patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna Mann
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Xiaopei Zhang
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Noah Bell
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Adebimpe Adefolaju
- Eshelman Institute for Innovation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Morrent Thang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rajaneekar Dasari
- Eshelman Institute for Innovation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Krishna Kanchi
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alain Valdivia
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Andrew Buckley
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Vivien Lettry
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Carolyn Quinsey
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yasmeen Rauf
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - David Kram
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Noah Cassidy
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Cyrus Vaziri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - David L Corcoran
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephen Rego
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yuchao Jiang
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lee M Graves
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Denise Dunn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Scott Floyd
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Albert Baldwin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shawn Hingtgen
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Andrew B Satterlee
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Eshelman Institute for Innovation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Rierola M, Trushina NI, Holtmannspötter M, Kurre R, Bakota L. Lattice light-sheet microscopy and evaluation of dendritic transport in cultured hippocampal tissue reveal high variability in mobility of the KIF1A motor domain and entry into dendritic spines. Brain Res Bull 2023; 194:13-22. [PMID: 36626968 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The unique morphology of neurons consists of a long axon and a highly variable arbour of dendritic processes, which assort neuronal cells into the main classes. The dendritic tree serves as the main domain for receiving synaptic input. Therefore, to maintain the structure and to be able to plastically change according to the incoming stimuli, molecules and organelles need to be readily available. This is achieved mainly via bi-directional transport of cargo along the microtubule lattices. Analysis of dendritic transport is lagging behind the investigation of axonal transport. Moreover, addressing transport mechanisms in tissue environment is very challenging and, therefore, rare. We employed high-speed volumetric lattice light-sheet microscopy and single particle tracking of truncated KIF1A motor protein lacking the cargo-binding domain. We focused our analysis on dendritic processes of CA1 pyramidal neurons in cultured hippocampal tissue. Analysis of individual trajectories revealed detailed information about stalling and high variability in movement and speed, and biased directionality of KIF1A. Furthermore, we could also observe KIF1A shortly entering into dendritic spines. We provide a workflow to analyse variations in the speed and direction of motor protein movement in dendrites that are either intrinsic properties of the motor domain or depend on the structure and modification of the microtubule trails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Rierola
- Department of Neurobiology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | | | - Michael Holtmannspötter
- Integrated Bioimaging Facility iBiOs, Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Rainer Kurre
- Integrated Bioimaging Facility iBiOs, Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Lidia Bakota
- Department of Neurobiology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany.
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Evano B, Sarde L, Tajbakhsh S. Temporal static and dynamic imaging of skeletal muscle in vivo. Exp Cell Res 2023; 424:113484. [PMID: 36693490 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A major challenge in the study of living systems is understanding how tissues and organs are established, maintained during homeostasis, reconstituted following injury or deteriorated during disease. Most of the studies that interrogate in vivo cell biological properties of cell populations within tissues are obtained through static imaging approaches. However, in vertebrates, little is known about which, when, and how extracellular and intracellular signals are dynamically integrated to regulate cell behaviour and fates, due largely to technical challenges. Intravital imaging of cellular dynamics in mammalian models has exposed surprising properties that have been missed by conventional static imaging approaches. Here we highlight some selected examples of intravital imaging in mouse intestinal stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, hair follicle stem cells, and neural stem cells in the brain, each of which have distinct features from an anatomical and niche-architecture perspective. Intravital imaging of mouse skeletal muscles is comparatively less advanced due to several technical constraints that will be discussed, yet this approach holds great promise as a complementary investigative method to validate findings obtained by static imaging, as well as a method for discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Evano
- Stem Cells and Development, Department of Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, 75015, France; CNRS UMR 3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Liza Sarde
- Stem Cells and Development, Department of Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, 75015, France; CNRS UMR 3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris, 75015, France; Sorbonne Université, Complexité Du Vivant, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Shahragim Tajbakhsh
- Stem Cells and Development, Department of Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, 75015, France; CNRS UMR 3738, Institut Pasteur, Paris, 75015, France.
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Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Signaling and Neuronal Cell Death. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315186. [PMID: 36499512 PMCID: PMC9740965 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides protein processing, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has several other functions such as lipid synthesis, the transfer of molecules to other cellular compartments, and the regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis. Before leaving the organelle, proteins must be folded and post-translationally modified. Protein folding and revision require molecular chaperones and a favorable ER environment. When in stressful situations, ER luminal conditions or chaperone capacity are altered, and the cell activates signaling cascades to restore a favorable folding environment triggering the so-called unfolded protein response (UPR) that can lead to autophagy to preserve cell integrity. However, when the UPR is disrupted or insufficient, cell death occurs. This review examines the links between UPR signaling, cell-protective responses, and death following ER stress with a particular focus on those mechanisms that operate in neurons.
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The concept of intrinsic versus extrinsic apoptosis. Biochem J 2022; 479:357-384. [PMID: 35147165 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Regulated cell death is a vital and dynamic process in multicellular organisms that maintains tissue homeostasis and eliminates potentially dangerous cells. Apoptosis, one of the better-known forms of regulated cell death, is activated when cell-surface death receptors like Fas are engaged by their ligands (the extrinsic pathway) or when BCL-2-family pro-apoptotic proteins cause the permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane (the intrinsic pathway). Both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis lead to the activation of a family of proteases, the caspases, which are responsible for the final cell demise in the so-called execution phase of apoptosis. In this review, I will first discuss the most common types of regulated cell death on a morphological basis. I will then consider in detail the molecular pathways of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis, discussing how they are activated in response to specific stimuli and are sometimes overlapping. In-depth knowledge of the cellular mechanisms of apoptosis is becoming more and more important not only in the field of cellular and molecular biology but also for its translational potential in several pathologies, including neurodegeneration and cancer.
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Sithisarn T, Legan SJ, Westgate PM, Bada HS, Wilson ME. Understanding the effects of opioids vs non-opioids in the treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome, an in vitro model. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:1068330. [PMID: 36483468 PMCID: PMC9723166 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.1068330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) refers to cadre of withdrawal manifestations in infants born to mothers who used illicit and licit substances during pregnancy. The increasing prevalence of NAS has been largely due to the maternal use of opioids during pregnancy. NAS contributes to increased morbidity and long-term disability in surviving infants. Clinically, oral opioid therapies for opioid exposure have been a standard treatment with morphine (MO) being the most commonly used medication. Recently, a non-opioid agent, clonidine (CD) has also been used with potentially favorable short- and long-term outcomes in infants. However, data regarding the cellular and molecular effects of these treatments on the developing brain is still lacking due to a lack of a reliable animal model that targets the neonatal brain. To address this gap in knowledge we determined the effects of MO or CD on the cell death of neonatal cortical explant cultures that were exposed to oxycodone (OXY) in utero. Sprague Dawley rats were randomized and implanted with programmable infusion pumps before mating to receive either the OXY (dose increasing from 1.21-1.90 mg/kg/day to a maximum dose of 2.86-3.49 mg/kg/day) or normal saline (NS) throughout pregnancy and until one week after delivery. Male and female rat pups were sacrificed on postnatal day 4, and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HC) were dissected and treated with MO (0.10-1.00 µM) or CD (1.20-120.00 µM) in culture media. After 5 days of treatment the explants were labeled with propidium iodide to detect cell death. Dead cells were analyzed and counted under fluorescence microscopy. In explants from the PFC, cell death was greater in those prenatally exposed to OXY and postnatally treated with MO (OXY/MO) (736.8 ± 76.5) compared to OXY/CD (620.9 ± 75.0; p = 0.005). In the HC explants, mean cell death counts were not significantly different between groups regardless of prenatal exposure or postnatal treatment (p = 0.19). The PFC is vital in controlling higher-order executive functions such as behavioral flexibility, learning and working memory. Therefore, our finding is consistent with executive function problems in children with prenatal opioid exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thitinart Sithisarn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
| | - Sandra J Legan
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
| | - Philip M Westgate
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
| | - Henrietta S Bada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
| | - Melinda E Wilson
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
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Hupp S, Tomov NS, Bischoff C, Baronti D, Iliev AI. Easy to build cost-effective acute brain slice incubation system for parallel analysis of multiple treatment conditions. J Neurosci Methods 2021; 366:109405. [PMID: 34785269 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute brain slices represent a powerful tool for analysis of brain function in physiology and pathology. Commercial systems and custom-build solutions with carbogen (95% O2/5% CO2) aeration, but they are expensive, have a high working volume requiring large amount of substances, and only limited options for treatment in parallel are possible. NEW METHOD We developed a novel cost-effective incubation system using materials available in every laboratory, allowing parallel incubation of several treatment conditions, thus also reducing the number of experimental animals. Our system incubation parameters were optimized for cortical neuron observation. RESULTS We tested several different options using 6, 12 or 24 standard culture well plates, combining them with cell strainer baskets inside. The system was placed in a pre-warmed incubator at 37 °C. Carbogen was injected through a 22 gauge needle, positioned between the basket and the wall of the well. Best results were achieved in a 6-well plate. In 12 and 24-well plates bubbles accumulated beneath the basket, displacing it upwards, making it unsuitable for our purposes. The gas oxygenized the medium without mechanically disturbing the slices, protected within the strainer basket, but still allowing optimal diffusion through the 100 µm pores. In a 6-well plate, six simultaneous treatments were possible in parallel. LDH/Cytotoxicity tests showed an acute toxicity of less than 7%. The system lost about 2.5% per hour of the fluid through evaporation, which was replenished every 2 h. Up to 6 h after treatment, however, this evaporation was excellently tolerated by the neurons even without fluid replenishment, most probably due to the anti-swelling effect of the mildly hypertonic medium. We performed two staining procedures, working excellently with this experimental setup, namely - a modified DiI staining and a slice silver impregnation method, both confirming the intact neuronal morphology. Preserved CA3 calcium influx and removal response following KCl depolarization confirmed the normal physiology of the pyramidal neurons 6 h after exposure in the system. COMPARISON TO EXISTING METHODS The proposed system is much cheaper than the commercial solutions, can be constructed in any lab, allows up to 6 different treatments in parallel, which none of the existing systems allows. Antibiotic presence in the incubation medium and adequate evaporation control is required if longer incubation (> 6 h) is needed. Lower incubation volumes (3-6 ml) allow sparing expensive reagents. Our procedure was optimized for cortical neurons, further fine tuning to meet other specific requirements is possible. CONCLUSIONS The system we propose allows filling the gap for budget solutions for short to mid-term incubation of acute brain slices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Hupp
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 2, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | | | - Carolin Bischoff
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Versbacherstrasse 9, 97073 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Dario Baronti
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 2, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Asparouh I Iliev
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 2, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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Michaelson SD, Müller TM, Bompolaki M, Miranda Tapia AP, Villarroel HS, Mackay JP, Balogun PJ, Urban JH, Colmers WF. Long-Lived Organotypic Slice Culture Model of the Rat Basolateral Amygdala. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e267. [PMID: 34670009 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Organotypic slice cultures (OTCs) have been employed in the laboratory since the early 1980s and have proved to be useful for the study of a number of neural systems. Our recent work focuses on the development of behavioral stress resilience induced by repeated daily injections of neuropeptide Y into the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Resilience develops over weeks, persisting to 8 weeks. To unravel the cellular mechanisms underlying neuropeptide Y-induced stress resilience we developed in vitro OTCs of the BLA. Here, we provide an optimized protocol that consistently yields viable and healthy OTCs containing the BLA and surrounding tissue using the interface method, prepared with slices taken from postnatal (P) day 14 rats. We explain key points to optimizing tissue viability and discuss mitigation or avoidance of pitfalls that can arise to aid in successful implementation of this technique. We show that principal neurons in BLA OTCs (8 weeks in vitro = equivalent postnatal day 70) develop into networks that are electrophysiologically very similar to those from acute slices obtained from older rats (P70) and respond to pharmacological treatments in a comparable way. Furthermore, we highlight how these cultures be used to further understand the molecular, cellular, and circuit-level neuropathophysiological changes underlying stress disorders. BLA OTCs provide long-term physiological and pharmacological results whose predictions were borne out in vivo, supporting the validity of the BLA OTC as a model to unravel BLA neurocircuitry. Recent preliminary results also support the successful application of this approach to preparing long-lived OTCs of BLA and neocortex from mice. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Organotypic slice culture Support Protocol 1: Changing medium Support Protocol 2: Drug incubations Basic Protocol 2: Excision of OTC slices from inserts Support Protocol 3: Fixation of slices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheldon D Michaelson
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Taylor M Müller
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maria Bompolaki
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Chicago Medical School/Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, North Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ana Pamela Miranda Tapia
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Heika Silveira Villarroel
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - James P Mackay
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Pauline J Balogun
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Janice H Urban
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Chicago Medical School/Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, North Chicago, Illinois
| | - William F Colmers
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Overexpression of miR-124 in Motor Neurons Plays a Key Role in ALS Pathological Processes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22116128. [PMID: 34200161 PMCID: PMC8201298 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
miRNA(miR)-124 is an important regulator of neurogenesis, but its upregulation in SOD1G93A motor neurons (mSOD1 MNs) was shown to associate with neurodegeneration and microglia activation. We used pre-miR-124 in wild-type (WT) MNs and anti-miR-124 in mSOD1 MNs to characterize the miR-124 pathological role. miR-124 overexpression in WT MNs produced a miRNA profile like that of mSOD1 MNs (high miR-125b; low miR-146a and miR-21), and similarly led to early apoptosis. Alterations in mSOD1 MNs were abrogated with anti-miR-124 and changes in their miRNAs mostly recapitulated by their secretome. Normalization of miR-124 levels in mSOD1 MNs prevented the dysregulation of neurite network, mitochondria dynamics, axonal transport, and synaptic signaling. Same alterations were observed in WT MNs after pre-miR-124 transfection. Secretome from mSOD1 MNs triggered spinal microglia activation, which was unno-ticed with that from anti-miR-124-modulated cells. Secretome from such modulated MNs, when added to SC organotypic cultures from mSOD1 mice in the early symptomatic stage, also coun-teracted the pathology associated to GFAP decrease, PSD-95 and CX3CL1-CX3CR1 signaling im-pairment, neuro-immune homeostatic imbalance, and enhanced miR-124 expression levels. Data suggest that miR-124 is implicated in MN degeneration and paracrine-mediated pathogenicity. We propose miR-124 as a new therapeutic target and a promising ALS biomarker in patient sub-populations.
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Treatment with Cyclic AMP Activators Reduces Glioblastoma Growth and Invasion as Assessed by Two-Photon Microscopy. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030556. [PMID: 33806549 PMCID: PMC8000435 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Despite progress in surgery and radio-chemotherapy of glioblastoma (GB), the prognosis remains very poor. GB cells exhibit a preference for hypoxia to maintain their tumor-forming capacity. Enhancing oxidative phosphorylation—known as the anti-Warburg effect—with cyclic AMP activators has been demonstrated to drive GB cells from proliferation to differentiation thereby reducing tumor growth in a cell culture approach. Here we re-evaluate this treatment in a more clinically relevant model. (2) Methods: The effect of treatment with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP, 1 mM) and the cAMP activator forskolin (50µM) was assessed in a GB cell line (U87GFP+, 104 cells) co-cultured with mouse organotypic brain slices providing architecture and biochemical properties of normal brain tissue. Cell viability was determined by propidium-iodide, and gross metabolic effects were excluded in the extracellular medium. Tumor growth was quantified in terms of area, volume, and invasion at the start of culture, 48 h, 7 days, and 14 days after treatment. (3) Results: The tumor area was significantly reduced following dbcAMP or forskolin treatment (F2,249 = 5.968, p = 0.0029). 3D volumetric quantification utilizing two-photon fluorescence microscopy revealed that the treated tumors maintained a spheric shape while the untreated controls exhibited the GB typical invasive growth pattern. (4) Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that treatment with a cAMP analog/activator reduces GB growth and invasion.
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Wood CR, Juárez EH, Ferrini F, Myint P, Innes J, Lossi L, Merighi A, Johnson WEB. Mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium increases glial reactivity and decreases neuronal survival in spinal cord slice cultures. Biochem Biophys Rep 2021; 26:100976. [PMID: 33718633 PMCID: PMC7933697 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2021.100976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ex vivo spinal cord slice cultures (SCSC) allow study of spinal cord circuitry, maintaining stimuli responses comparable to live animals. Previously, we have shown that mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) transplantation in vivo reduced inflammation and increased nerve regeneration but MSC survival was short-lived, highlighting that beneficial action may derive from the secretome. Previous in vitro studies of MSC conditioned medium (CM) have also shown increased neuronal growth. In this study, murine SCSC were cultured in canine MSC CM (harvested from the adipose tissue of excised inguinal fat) and cell phenotypes analysed via immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. SCSC in MSC CM displayed enhanced viability after propidium iodide staining. GFAP immunoreactivity was significantly increased in SCSC in MSC CM compared to controls, but with no change in proteoglycan (NG2) immunoreactivity. In contrast, culture in MSC CM significantly decreased the prevalence of βIII-tubulin immunoreactive neurites, whilst Ca2+ transients per cell were significantly increased. These ex vivo results contradict previous in vitro and in vivo reports of how MSC and their secretome may affect the microenvironment of the spinal cord after injury and highlight the importance of a careful comparison of the different experimental conditions used to assess the potential of cell therapies for the treatment of spinal cord injury. Treatment of spinal slices with conditioned medium caused cell phenotypic changes. Resident astrocytes become hypertrophic, yet neuronal axonal outgrowth reduced. Signalling cells reduced in number but increased their signalling activity. Highlights importance of simulation systems and systemic factors in CNS models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea R Wood
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ, UK
| | - Esri H Juárez
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferrini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy.,Université Laval, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, G1K 7P4, Québec, Canada
| | - Peter Myint
- Veterinary Tissue Bank Ltd., No.1 The Long Barn, Brynkinalt Business Centre, Chirk, Wrexham, LL14 5NS, UK
| | - John Innes
- Veterinary Tissue Bank Ltd., No.1 The Long Barn, Brynkinalt Business Centre, Chirk, Wrexham, LL14 5NS, UK
| | - Laura Lossi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Adalberto Merighi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - William E B Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ, UK
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Abstract
Explants are three-dimensional tissue fragments maintained outside the organism. The goals of this article are to review the history of fish explant culture and discuss applications of this technique that may assist the modern zebrafish laboratory. Because most zebrafish workers do not have a background in tissue culture, the key variables of this method are deliberately explained in a general way. This is followed by a review of fish-specific explantation approaches, including presurgical husbandry, aseptic dissection technique, choice of media and additives, incubation conditions, viability assays, and imaging studies. Relevant articles since 1970 are organized in a table grouped by organ system. From these, I highlight several recent studies using explant culture to study physiological and embryological processes in teleosts, including circadian rhythms, hormonal regulation, and cardiac development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth E. LeClair
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Health, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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13
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Weis SN, Souza JMF, Hoppe JB, Firmino M, Auer M, Ataii NN, da Silva LA, Gaelzer MM, Klein CP, Mól AR, de Lima CMR, Souza DO, Salbego CG, Ricart CAO, Fontes W, de Sousa MV. In-depth quantitative proteomic characterization of organotypic hippocampal slice culture reveals sex-specific differences in biochemical pathways. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2560. [PMID: 33510253 PMCID: PMC7844295 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82016-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in the brain of mammals range from neuroarchitecture through cognition to cellular metabolism. The hippocampus, a structure mostly associated with learning and memory, presents high vulnerability to neurodegeneration and aging. Therefore, we explored basal sex-related differences in the proteome of organotypic hippocampal slice culture, a major in vitro model for studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms related to neurodegenerative disorders. Results suggest a greater prevalence of astrocytic metabolism in females and significant neuronal metabolism in males. The preference for glucose use in glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway and glycogen metabolism in females and high abundance of mitochondrial respiration subunits in males support this idea. An overall upregulation of lipid metabolism was observed in females. Upregulation of proteins responsible for neuronal glutamate and GABA synthesis, along with synaptic associated proteins, were observed in males. In general, the significant spectrum of pathways known to predominate in neurons or astrocytes, together with the well-known neuronal and glial markers observed, revealed sex-specific metabolic differences in the hippocampus. TEM qualitative analysis might indicate a greater presence of mitochondria at CA1 synapses in females. These findings are crucial to a better understanding of how sex chromosomes can influence the physiology of cultured hippocampal slices and allow us to gain insights into distinct responses of males and females on neurological diseases that present a sex-biased incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Nardin Weis
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Jaques Miranda F Souza
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Juliana Bender Hoppe
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Marina Firmino
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Manfred Auer
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS Donner, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Nassim N Ataii
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS Donner, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Leonardo Assis da Silva
- Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | | | - Caroline Peres Klein
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Alan R Mól
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Consuelo M R de Lima
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Diogo Onofre Souza
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Christianne G Salbego
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Carlos André O Ricart
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Wagner Fontes
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Valle de Sousa
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
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14
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Preparation of Rat Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures Using the Membrane-Interface Method. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2188:243-257. [PMID: 33119855 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0818-0_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Cultured hippocampal slices from rodents, in which the architecture and functional properties of the hippocampal network are largely preserved, have proved to be a powerful substrate for studying healthy and pathological neuronal mechanisms. Here, we delineate the membrane-interface method for maintaining organotypic slices in culture for several weeks. The protocol includes procedures for dissecting hippocampus from rat brain, and collecting slices using a vibratome. This method provides the experimenter with easy access to both the brain tissue and culture medium, which facilitates genetic and pharmacological manipulations and enables experiments that incorporate imaging and electrophysiology. The method is generally applicable to rats of different ages, and to different brain regions, and can be modified for culture of slices from other species including mice.
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15
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Delbridge ARD, Huh D, Brickelmaier M, Burns JC, Roberts C, Challa R, Raymond N, Cullen P, Carlile TM, Ennis KA, Liu M, Sun C, Allaire NE, Foos M, Tsai HH, Franchimont N, Ransohoff RM, Butts C, Mingueneau M. Organotypic Brain Slice Culture Microglia Exhibit Molecular Similarity to Acutely-Isolated Adult Microglia and Provide a Platform to Study Neuroinflammation. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:592005. [PMID: 33473245 PMCID: PMC7812919 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.592005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are central nervous system (CNS) resident immune cells that have been implicated in neuroinflammatory pathogenesis of a variety of neurological conditions. Their manifold context-dependent contributions to neuroinflammation are only beginning to be elucidated, which can be attributed in part to the challenges of studying microglia in vivo and the lack of tractable in vitro systems to study microglia function. Organotypic brain slice cultures offer a tissue-relevant context that enables the study of CNS resident cells and the analysis of brain slice microglial phenotypes has provided important insights, in particular into neuroprotective functions. Here we use RNA sequencing, direct digital quantification of gene expression with nCounter® technology and targeted analysis of individual microglial signature genes, to characterize brain slice microglia relative to acutely-isolated counterparts and 2-dimensional (2D) primary microglia cultures, a widely used in vitro surrogate. Analysis using single cell and population-based methods found brain slice microglia exhibited better preservation of canonical microglia markers and overall gene expression with stronger fidelity to acutely-isolated adult microglia, relative to in vitro cells. We characterized the dynamic phenotypic changes of brain slice microglia over time, after plating in culture. Mechanical damage associated with slice preparation prompted an initial period of inflammation, which resolved over time. Based on flow cytometry and gene expression profiling we identified the 2-week timepoint as optimal for investigation of microglia responses to exogenously-applied stimuli as exemplified by treatment-induced neuroinflammatory changes observed in microglia following LPS, TNF and GM-CSF addition to the culture medium. Altogether these findings indicate that brain slice cultures provide an experimental system superior to in vitro culture of microglia as a surrogate to investigate microglia functions, and the impact of soluble factors and cellular context on their physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex R D Delbridge
- Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Research Unit, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Biogen Postdoctoral Scientist Program, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Dann Huh
- Translational Biology, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Margot Brickelmaier
- Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Research Unit, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Jeremy C Burns
- Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Research Unit, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Chris Roberts
- Translational Biology, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Ravi Challa
- Translational Biology, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Naideline Raymond
- Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Research Unit, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Patrick Cullen
- Translational Biology, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Katelin A Ennis
- Genetic and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Mei Liu
- Biogen Postdoctoral Scientist Program, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Chao Sun
- Biogen Postdoctoral Scientist Program, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Normand E Allaire
- Biogen Postdoctoral Scientist Program, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Marianna Foos
- Biogen Postdoctoral Scientist Program, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Hui-Hsin Tsai
- Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Research Unit, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Richard M Ransohoff
- Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Research Unit, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Cherie Butts
- Digital & Quantitative Medicine, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Michael Mingueneau
- Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Research Unit, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
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16
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Lin C, Calzarossa C, Fernandez-Zafra T, Liu J, Li X, Ekblad-Nordberg Å, Vazquez-Juarez E, Codeluppi S, Holmberg L, Lindskog M, Uhlén P, Åkesson E. Human ex vivo spinal cord slice culture as a useful model of neural development, lesion, and allogeneic neural cell therapy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:320. [PMID: 32727554 PMCID: PMC7390865 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01771-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are multiple promising treatment strategies for central nervous system trauma and disease. However, to develop clinically potent and safe treatments, models of human-specific conditions are needed to complement in vitro and in vivo animal model-based studies. Methods We established human brain stem and spinal cord (cross- and longitudinal sections) organotypic cultures (hOCs) from first trimester tissues after informed consent by donor and ethical approval by the Regional Human Ethics Committee, Stockholm (lately referred to as Swedish Ethical Review Authority), and The National Board of Health and Welfare, Sweden. We evaluated the stability of hOCs with a semi-quantitative hOC score, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, Ca2+ signaling, and electrophysiological analysis. We also applied experimental allogeneic human neural cell therapy after injury in the ex vivo spinal cord slices. Results The spinal cord hOCs presented relatively stable features during 7–21 days in vitro (DIV) (except a slightly increased cell proliferation and activated glial response). After contusion injury performed at 7 DIV, a significant reduction of the hOC score, increase of the activated caspase-3+ cell population, and activated microglial populations at 14 days postinjury compared to sham controls were observed. Such elevation in the activated caspase-3+ population and activated microglial population was not observed after allogeneic human neural cell therapy. Conclusions We conclude that human spinal cord slice cultures have potential for future structural and functional studies of human spinal cord development, injury, and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhong Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cinzia Calzarossa
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Università degli Studi diMilan, Milan, Italy
| | - Teresa Fernandez-Zafra
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Departmentof Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofei Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Åsa Ekblad-Nordberg
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Div. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erika Vazquez-Juarez
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simone Codeluppi
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Departmentof Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lena Holmberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Lindskog
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Uhlén
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Departmentof Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Åkesson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .,The R&D Unit, Stockholms Sjukhem, Stockholm, Sweden.
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17
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Hamad MIK, Daoud S, Petrova P, Rabaya O, Jbara A, Melliti N, Stichmann S, Reiss G, Herz J, Förster E. Biolistic transfection and expression analysis of acute cortical slices. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 337:108666. [PMID: 32119875 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biolistic gene gun transfection has been used to transfect organotypic cultures (OTCs) or dissociated cultures in vitro. Here, we modified this technique to allow successful transfection of acute brain slices, followed by measurement of neuronal activity within a few hours. NEW METHOD We established biolistic transfection of murine acute cortical slices to measure calcium signals. Acute slices are mounted on plasma/thrombin coagulate and transfected with a calcium sensor. Imaging can be performed within 4 h post transfection without affecting cell viability. RESULTS Four hours after GCaMP6s transfection, acute slices display remarkable fluorescent protein expression level allowing to study spontaneous activity and receptor pharmacology. While optimal gas pressure (150 psi) and gold particle size used (1 μm) confirm previously published protocols, the amount of 5 μg DNA was found to be optimal for particle coating. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS The major advantage of this technique is the rapid disposition of acute slices for calcium imaging. No transgenic GECI expressing animals or OTC for long periods are required. In acute slices, network interaction and connectivity are preserved. The method allows to obtain physiological readouts within 4 h, before functional tissue modifications might come into effect. Limitations of this technique are random transfection, low expression efficiency when using specific promotors, and preclusion or genetic manipulations that require a prolonged time before physiological changes become measurable, such as expression of recombinant proteins that require transport to distant subcellular localizations. CONCLUSION The method is optimal for short-time investigation of calcium signals in acute slices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad I K Hamad
- Institute for Anatomy and Clinical Morphology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany; Department of Neuroanatomy and Molecular Brain Research, Ruhr University Bochum, Medical Faculty, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Solieman Daoud
- Department of Neuroanatomy and Molecular Brain Research, Ruhr University Bochum, Medical Faculty, Bochum, Germany
| | - Petya Petrova
- Department of Neuroanatomy and Molecular Brain Research, Ruhr University Bochum, Medical Faculty, Bochum, Germany
| | - Obada Rabaya
- Department of Neuroanatomy and Molecular Brain Research, Ruhr University Bochum, Medical Faculty, Bochum, Germany
| | - Abdalrahim Jbara
- Department of Neuroanatomy and Molecular Brain Research, Ruhr University Bochum, Medical Faculty, Bochum, Germany
| | - Nesrine Melliti
- Institute for Anatomy and Clinical Morphology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
| | - Sarah Stichmann
- Department of Neuroanatomy and Molecular Brain Research, Ruhr University Bochum, Medical Faculty, Bochum, Germany
| | - Gebhard Reiss
- Institute for Anatomy and Clinical Morphology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
| | - Joachim Herz
- Departments of Molecular Genetics, Neuroscience, Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Eckart Förster
- Department of Neuroanatomy and Molecular Brain Research, Ruhr University Bochum, Medical Faculty, Bochum, Germany
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18
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Replenishment of Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures with Neonatal or Adult Microglia. Methods Mol Biol 2019. [PMID: 31392682 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9658-2_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
This protocol describes a method to deplete and repopulate organotypic hippocampal slice cultures with ramified microglia. We describe the slice culture preparation from newborn mice, standard culturing of neonatal microglia, and the acute isolation of microglia from adult mouse brain. Furthermore, we outline the technique for the replenishment of microglia-depleted slice cultures with different microglia populations and subsequent morphological analysis. We show that neonatal and adult microglia acquire specific ramified morphologies, which in case of adult microglia are indistinguishable from the in vivo situation. This procedure not only allows the functional investigation of microglia with different degrees of ramification but also enables the construction of chimeric slice cultures with respect to the microglia phenotype. Preparation of slice cultures can be completed in 3.5 h, preparation of mixed-glial cultures in 4 h, isolation of adult microglia can be accomplished in 3.5 h, and replenishment in 30 min.
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19
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Assessing retinal ganglion cell death and neuroprotective agents using real time imaging. Brain Res 2019; 1714:65-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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20
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Yakoub KM, Lazzarino G, Amorini AM, Caruso G, Scazzone C, Ciaccio M, Tavazzi B, Lazzarino G, Belli A, Di Pietro V. Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate Protects Hippocampal Rat Slices from NMDA Excitotoxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20092239. [PMID: 31067671 PMCID: PMC6540300 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20092239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Effects of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (F-1,6-P2) towards N-methyl-d-aspartate NMDA excitotoxicity were evaluated in rat organotypic hippocampal brain slice cultures (OHSC) challenged for 3 h with 30 μM NMDA, followed by incubations (24, 48, and 72 h) without (controls) and with F-1,6-P2 (0.5, 1 or 1.5 mM). At each time, cell necrosis was determined by measuring LDH in the medium. Energy metabolism was evaluated by measuring ATP, GTP, ADP, AMP, and ATP catabolites (nucleosides and oxypurines) in deproteinized OHSC extracts. Gene expressions of phosphofructokinase, aldolase, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were also measured. F-1,6-P2 dose-dependently decreased NMDA excitotoxicity, abolishing cell necrosis at the highest concentration tested (1.5 mM). Additionally, F-1,6-P2 attenuated cell energy imbalance caused by NMDA, ameliorating the mitochondrial phosphorylating capacity (increase in ATP/ADP ratio) Metabolism normalization occurred when using 1.5 mM F-1,6-P2. Remarkable increase in expressions of phosphofructokinase, aldolase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (up to 25 times over the values of controls) was also observed. Since this phenomenon was recorded even in OHSC treated with F-1,6-P2 with no prior challenge with NMDA, it is highly conceivable that F-1,6-P2 can enter into intact cerebral cells producing significant benefits on energy metabolism. These effects are possibly mediated by changes occurring at the gene level, thus opening new perspectives for F-1,6-P2 application as a useful adjuvant to rescue mitochondrial metabolism of cerebral cells under stressing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal M Yakoub
- Neurotrauma and Ophthalmology Research Group, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
- National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK.
| | - Giacomo Lazzarino
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Rome, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Angela M Amorini
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Division of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Caruso
- Oasi Research Institute⁻IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina (EN), Italy.
| | - Concetta Scazzone
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, Via del Vespro 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Marcello Ciaccio
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, Via del Vespro 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Barbara Tavazzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Rome, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Lazzarino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Division of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - Antonio Belli
- Neurotrauma and Ophthalmology Research Group, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
- National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK.
| | - Valentina Di Pietro
- Neurotrauma and Ophthalmology Research Group, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
- National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK.
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21
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Infectious Herpes Simplex Virus in the Brain Stem Is Correlated with Reactivation in the Trigeminal Ganglia. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.02209-18. [PMID: 30728262 PMCID: PMC6450102 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02209-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Latent herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA has been detected in the central nervous systems (CNS) of humans postmortem, and infection with HSV has been correlated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. However, whether HSV can directly reactivate in the CNS and/or infectious virus can be transported to the CNS following reactivation in peripheral ganglia has been unclear. In this study, infectious virus was recovered from both the trigeminal ganglia and the brain stem of latently infected mice following a reactivation stimulus, but a higher frequency of reactivation and increased titers of infectious virus were recovered from the trigeminal ganglia. Viral proteins were detected in neurons of the trigeminal ganglia, but a cellular source of infectious virus could not be identified in the brain stem. These results suggest that infectious virus is transported from the ganglia to the CNS following reactivation but do not exclude the potential for direct reactivation in the CNS. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) establishes latency in neurons of the peripheral and central nervous systems (CNS). Evidence is mounting that HSV latency and reactivation in the nervous system has the potential to promote neurodegenerative processes. Understanding how this occurs is an important human health goal. In the mouse model, in vivo viral reactivation in the peripheral nervous system, triggered by hyperthermic stress, has been well characterized with respect to frequency and cell type. However, characterization of in vivo reactivation in the CNS is extremely limited. Further, it remains unclear whether virus reactivated in the peripheral nervous system is transported to the CNS in an infectious form, how often this occurs, and what parameters underlie the efficiency and outcomes of this process. In this study, reactivation was quantified in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) and the brain stem from the same latently infected animal using direct assays of equivalent sensitivity. Reactivation was detected more frequently in the TG than in the brain stem and, in all but one case, the amount of virus recovered was greater in the TG than that detected in the brain stem. Viral protein positive neurons were observed in the TG, but a cellular source for reactivation in the brain stem was not identified, despite serially sectioning and examining the entire tissue (0/6 brain stems). These findings suggest that infectious virus detected in the brain stem is primarily the result of transport of reactivated virus from the TG into the brain stem. IMPORTANCE Latent herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA has been detected in the central nervous systems (CNS) of humans postmortem, and infection with HSV has been correlated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. However, whether HSV can directly reactivate in the CNS and/or infectious virus can be transported to the CNS following reactivation in peripheral ganglia has been unclear. In this study, infectious virus was recovered from both the trigeminal ganglia and the brain stem of latently infected mice following a reactivation stimulus, but a higher frequency of reactivation and increased titers of infectious virus were recovered from the trigeminal ganglia. Viral proteins were detected in neurons of the trigeminal ganglia, but a cellular source of infectious virus could not be identified in the brain stem. These results suggest that infectious virus is transported from the ganglia to the CNS following reactivation but do not exclude the potential for direct reactivation in the CNS.
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22
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Croft CL, Cruz PE, Ryu DH, Ceballos-Diaz C, Strang KH, Woody BM, Lin WL, Deture M, Rodríguez-Lebrón E, Dickson DW, Chakrabarty P, Levites Y, Giasson BI, Golde TE. rAAV-based brain slice culture models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease inclusion pathologies. J Exp Med 2019; 216:539-555. [PMID: 30770411 PMCID: PMC6400529 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20182184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been challenging to produce ex vivo models of the inclusion pathologies that are hallmark pathologies of many neurodegenerative diseases. Using three-dimensional mouse brain slice cultures (BSCs), we have developed a paradigm that rapidly and robustly recapitulates mature neurofibrillary inclusion and Lewy body formation found in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, respectively. This was achieved by transducing the BSCs with recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) that express α-synuclein or variants of tau. Notably, the tauopathy BSC model enables screening of small molecule therapeutics and tracking of neurodegeneration. More generally, the rAAV BSC "toolkit" enables efficient transduction and transgene expression from neurons, microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, alone or in combination, with transgene expression lasting for many months. These rAAV-based BSC models provide a cost-effective and facile alternative to in vivo studies, and in the future can become a widely adopted methodology to explore physiological and pathological mechanisms related to brain function and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara L Croft
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Pedro E Cruz
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Daniel H Ryu
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Carolina Ceballos-Diaz
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Kevin H Strang
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Brittany M Woody
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Wen-Lang Lin
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
| | - Michael Deture
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
| | - Edgardo Rodríguez-Lebrón
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Dennis W Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
| | - Paramita Chakrabarty
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Yona Levites
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Benoit I Giasson
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Todd E Golde
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.,McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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Romero-Leguizamón CR, Elnagar MR, Kristiansen U, Kohlmeier KA. Increasing cellular lifespan with a flow system in organotypic culture of the Laterodorsal Tegmentum (LDT). Sci Rep 2019; 9:1486. [PMID: 30728375 PMCID: PMC6365664 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37606-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Organotypic brain culture is an experimental tool widely used in neuroscience studies. One major drawback of this technique is reduced neuronal survival across time, which is likely exacerbated by the loss of blood flow. We have designed a novel, tube flow system, which is easily incorporated into the commonly-used, standard semi-permeable membrane culture methodology which has significantly enhanced neuronal survival in a brain stem nucleus involved in control of motivated and arousal states: the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT). Our automated system provides nutrients and removes waste in a comparatively aseptic environment, while preserving temperature, and oxygen levels. Using immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology, our system was found superior to standard techniques in preserving tissue quality and survival of LDT cells for up to 2 weeks. In summary, we provide evidence for the first time that the LDT can be preserved in organotypic slice culture, and further, our technical improvements of adding a flow system, which likely enhanced perfusion to the slice, were associated with enhanced neuronal survival. Our perfusion system is expected to facilitate organotypic experiments focused on chronic stimulations and multielectrode recordings in the LDT, as well as enhance neuronal survival in slice cultures originating from other brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- César R Romero-Leguizamón
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark
| | - Mohamed R Elnagar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Uffe Kristiansen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark
| | - Kristi A Kohlmeier
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark.
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Pandamooz S, Salehi MS, Zibaii MI, Safari A, Nabiuni M, Ahmadiani A, Dargahi L. Modeling traumatic injury in organotypic spinal cord slice culture obtained from adult rat. Tissue Cell 2019; 56:90-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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25
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Scimone MT, Cramer III HC, Bar-Kochba E, Amezcua R, Estrada JB, Franck C. Modular approach for resolving and mapping complex neural and other cellular structures and their associated deformation fields in three dimensions. Nat Protoc 2018; 13:3042-3064. [DOI: 10.1038/s41596-018-0077-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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26
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Zottoli SJ, Seyfarth EA. Mary Jane Hogue (1883-1962): A pioneer in human brain tissue culture. JOURNAL OF THE HISTORY OF THE NEUROSCIENCES 2018; 27:333-354. [PMID: 29768082 DOI: 10.1080/0964704x.2018.1468967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The ability to maintain human brain explants in tissue culture was a critical step in the use of these cells for the study of central nervous system disorders. Ross G. Harrison (1870-1959) was the first to successfully maintain frog medullary tissue in culture in 1907, but it took another 38 years before successful culture of human brain tissue was accomplished. One of the pioneers in this achievement was Mary Jane Hogue (1883-1962). Hogue was born into a Quaker family in 1883 in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and received her undergraduate degree from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland. Research with the developmental biologist Theodor Boveri (1862-1915) in Würzburg, Germany, resulted in her Ph.D. (1909). Hogue transitioned from studying protozoa to the culture of human brain tissue in the 1940s and 1950s, when she was one of the first to culture cells from human fetal, infant, and adult brain explants. We review Hogue's pioneering contributions to the study of human brain cells in culture, her putative identification of progenitor neuroblast and/or glioblast cells, and her use of the cultures to study the cytopathogenic effects of poliovirus. We also put Hogue's work in perspective by discussing how other women pioneers in tissue culture influenced Hogue and her research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Zottoli
- a Department of Biology , Williams College , Williamstown , Massachusetts , USA
- b Marine Biological Laboratory , Woods Hole , Massachusetts , USA
| | - Ernst-August Seyfarth
- b Marine Biological Laboratory , Woods Hole , Massachusetts , USA
- c Institut für Zellbiologie und Neurowissenschaft der Goethe-Universität , Frankfurt am Main , Germany
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27
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Lossi L, Merighi A. The Use of ex Vivo Rodent Platforms in Neuroscience Translational Research With Attention to the 3Rs Philosophy. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:164. [PMID: 30073174 PMCID: PMC6060265 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The principles of the 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—are at the basis of most advanced national and supranational (EU) regulations on animal experimentation and welfare. In the perspective to reduce and refine the use of these animals in translational research, we here discuss the use of rodent acute and organotypically cultured central nervous system slices. We describe novel applications of these ex vivo platforms in medium-throughput screening of neuroactive molecules of potential pharmacological interest, with particular attention to more recent developments that permit to fully exploit the potential of direct genetic engineering of organotypic cultures using transfection techniques. We then describe the perspectives for expanding the use ex vivo platforms in neuroscience studies under the 3Rs philosophy using the following approaches: (1) Use of co-cultures of two brain regions physiologically connected to each other (source-target) to analyze axon regeneration and reconstruction of circuitries; (2) Microinjection or co-cultures of primary cells and/or cell lines releasing one or more neuroactive molecules to screen their physiological and/or pharmacological effects onto neuronal survival and slice circuitry. Microinjected or co-cultured cells are ideally made fluorescent after transfection with a plasmid construct encoding green or red fluorescent protein under the control of a general promoter such as hCMV; (3) Use of “sniffer” cells sensing the release of biologically active molecules from organotypic cultures by means of fluorescent probes. These cells can be prepared with activatable green fluorescent protein, a unique chromophore that remains in a “dark” state because its maturation is inhibited, and can be made fluorescent (de-quenched) if specific cellular enzymes, such as proteases or kinases, are activated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lossi
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Adalberto Merighi
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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28
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Magalhães DM, Pereira N, Rombo DM, Beltrão-Cavacas C, Sebastião AM, Valente CA. Ex vivo model of epilepsy in organotypic slices-a new tool for drug screening. J Neuroinflammation 2018; 15:203. [PMID: 29996878 PMCID: PMC6042335 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-018-1225-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder worldwide. It is characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate seizures and its development is accompanied by alterations in many cellular processes. Organotypic slice cultures represent a multicellular environment with the potential to assess biological mechanisms, and they are used as a starting point for refining molecules for in vivo studies. Here, we investigated organotypic slice cultures as a model of epilepsy. METHODS We assessed, by electrophysiological recordings, the spontaneous activity of organotypic slices maintained under different culture protocols. Moreover, we evaluated, through molecular-based approaches, neurogenesis, neuronal death, gliosis, expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome (nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat, pyrin domain) as biomarkers of neuroinflammation. RESULTS We demonstrated that organotypic slices, maintained under a serum deprivation culture protocol, develop epileptic-like activity. Furthermore, throughout a comparative study with slices that do not depict any epileptiform activity, slices with epileptiform activity were found to display significant differences in terms of inflammation-related features, such as (1) increased neuronal death, with higher incidence in CA1 pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus; (2) activation of astrocytes and microglia, assessed through western blot and immunohistochemistry; (3) upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, specifically interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor α, revealed by qPCR; and (4) enhanced expression of NLRP3, assessed by western blot, together with increased NLRP3 activation, showed by IL-1β quantification. CONCLUSIONS Thus, organotypic slice cultures gradually deprived of serum mimic the epileptic-like activity, as well as the inflammatory events associated with in vivo epilepsy. This system can be considered a new tool to explore the interplay between neuroinflammation and epilepsy and to screen potential drug candidates, within the inflammatory cascades, to reduce/halt epileptogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela M Magalhães
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Noémia Pereira
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diogo M Rombo
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Beltrão-Cavacas
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana M Sebastião
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cláudia A Valente
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Abstract
This study was undertaken to establish a method for the culture of organotypic spinal cord slices. A long-term organotypic spinal cord slice culture was conducted from postnatal rats. Lumbar spinal cord was isolated, and meninges were removed from the spinal cord. The spinal cord was embedded in 4% agarose, and was sectioned by vibratome into slices. Then the slices were cultured on the surface of the membrane inserts, which were placed in six-well plates containing 1 ml of growth medium at 37°C in an incubator with 5% humidified carbon dioxide. The cultured organotypic spinal cord slices were examined by light microscopy and immunocytochemistry. The organotypic spinal cord slices were fully attached to the membrane inserts after 10 days in vitro. The general change in color and transparency from whitish to transparent gray appeared at the seventh and eighth day. Under the light microscope, the outgrowth of cells from the edge of the living slices arose from the second day of the culture, and arose to peak at the sixth and seventh day. The organotypic spinal cord slices were characterized as clear, semitransparent structures with bright and good refraction until the 14th day of culture. The viability of the slices was excellent as assessed by the trypan blue exclusion method at the 28th day, and they were positive for NeuN and GFAP. This culture technique, which does not require complex operation skills, might be a simple and efficient method for obtaining organotypic spinal cord slices in sufficient number, high viability, and contamination-free from postnatal rats.
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30
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Panja D, Vedeler CA, Schubert M. Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration: Yo antibody alters mitochondrial calcium buffering capacity. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2018; 45:141-156. [PMID: 29679372 PMCID: PMC7379599 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Aim Neurodegeneration is associated with dysfunction of calcium buffering capacity and thereby sustained cellular and mitochondrial calcium overload. Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD), characterized by progressive Purkinje neurone degeneration following paraneoplastic Yo antibody internalization and binding to cerebellar degeneration‐related protein CDR2 and CDR2L, has been linked to intracellular calcium homeostasis imbalance due to calbindin D28k malfunction. Therefore, we hypothesized that Yo antibody internalization affects not only calbindin calcium binding capacity, but also calcium‐sensitive mitochondrial‐associated signalling, causing mitochondrial calcium overload and thereby Purkinje neurone death. Methods Immunohistochemically, we evaluated cerebellar organotypic slice cultures of rat brains after inducing PCD through the application of Yo antibody‐positive PCD patient sera or purified antibodies against CDR2 and CDR2L how pharmacologically biased mitochondrial signalling affected PCD pathology. Results We found that Yo antibody internalization into Purkinje neurons caused depletion of Purkinje neurone calbindin‐immunoreactivity, cannabinoid 1 receptor over‐activation and alterations in the actions of the mitochondria permeability transition pore (MPTP), voltage‐dependent anion channels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Na+/Ca2+ exchangers (NCX). The pathological mechanisms caused by Yo antibody binding to CDR2 or CDR2L differed between the two targets. Yo‐CDR2 binding did not alter the mitochondrial calcium retention capacity, cyclophilin D‐independent opening of MPTP or activity of NCX. Conclusion These findings suggest that minimizing intracellular calcium overload toxicity either directly with cyclosporin‐A or indirectly with cannabidiol or the ROS scavenger butylated hydroxytoluene promotes mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and may therefore be used as future neuroprotective therapy for PCD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Panja
- Department of Clinical Medicine (K1), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - C A Vedeler
- Department of Clinical Medicine (K1), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - M Schubert
- Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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31
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Retinal organotypic culture – A candidate for research on retinas. Tissue Cell 2018; 51:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2018.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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32
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Eisemann T, Costa B, Strelau J, Mittelbronn M, Angel P, Peterziel H. An advanced glioma cell invasion assay based on organotypic brain slice cultures. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:103. [PMID: 29378533 PMCID: PMC5789681 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4007-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The poor prognosis for glioblastoma patients is caused by the diffuse infiltrative growth pattern of the tumor. Therefore, the molecular and cellular processes underlying cell migration continue to be a major focus of glioblastoma research. Emerging evidence supports the concept that the tumor microenvironment has a profound influence on the functional properties of tumor cells. Accordingly, substantial effort must be devoted to move from traditional two-dimensional migration assays to three-dimensional systems that more faithfully recapitulate the complex in vivo tumor microenvironment. METHODS In order to mimic the tumor microenvironment of adult gliomas, we used adult organotypic brain slices as an invasion matrix for implanted, fluorescently labeled tumor spheroids. Cell invasion was imaged by confocal or epi-fluorescence microscopy and quantified by determining the average cumulative sprout length per spheroid. The tumor microenvironment was manipulated by treatment of the slice with small molecule inhibitors or using different genetically engineered mouse models as donors. RESULTS Both epi-fluorescence and confocal microscopy were applied to precisely quantify cell invasion in this ex vivo approach. Usage of a red-emitting membrane dye in addition to tissue clearing drastically improved epi-fluorescence imaging. Preparation of brain slices from of a genetically engineered mouse with a loss of a specific cell surface protein resulted in significantly impaired tumor cell invasion. Furthermore, jasplakinolide treatment of either tumor cells or brain slice significantly reduced tumor cell invasion. CONCLUSION We present an optimized invasion assay that closely reflects in vivo invasion by the implantation of glioma cells into organotypic adult brain slice cultures with a preserved cytoarchitecture. The diversity of applications including manipulation of the tumor cells as well as the microenvironment, permits the investigation of rate limiting factors of cell migration in a reliable context. This model will be a valuable tool for the discovery of the molecular mechanisms underlying glioma cell invasion and, ultimately, the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Eisemann
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, DKFZ/ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Barbara Costa
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, DKFZ/ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens Strelau
- Functional Neuroanatomy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michel Mittelbronn
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger-Institute), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.,Luxembourg Centre of Neuropathology (LCNP), Dudelange, Luxembourg.,Laboratoire National de Santé, Dudelange, Luxembourg.,Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.,Department of Oncology, NORLUX Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Luxembourg Institute of Health (L.I.H.), Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Peter Angel
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, DKFZ/ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Heike Peterziel
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, DKFZ/ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany.,Present address: Translational Program, Hopp Children's Cancer Center at NCT Heidelberg (KiTZ), University Hospital and DKFZ Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Present address: Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
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An S, Zhao YF, Lü XY, Wang ZG. Quantitative evaluation of extrinsic factors influencing electrical excitability in neuronal networks: Voltage Threshold Measurement Method (VTMM). Neural Regen Res 2018; 13:1026-1035. [PMID: 29926830 PMCID: PMC6022462 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.233446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The electrical excitability of neural networks is influenced by different environmental factors. Effective and simple methods are required to objectively and quantitatively evaluate the influence of such factors, including variations in temperature and pharmaceutical dosage. The aim of this paper was to introduce ‘the voltage threshold measurement method’, which is a new method using microelectrode arrays that can quantitatively evaluate the influence of different factors on the electrical excitability of neural networks. We sought to verify the feasibility and efficacy of the method by studying the effects of acetylcholine, ethanol, and temperature on hippocampal neuronal networks and hippocampal brain slices. First, we determined the voltage of the stimulation pulse signal that elicited action potentials in the two types of neural networks under normal conditions. Second, we obtained the voltage thresholds for the two types of neural networks under different concentrations of acetylcholine, ethanol, and different temperatures. Finally, we obtained the relationship between voltage threshold and the three influential factors. Our results indicated that the normal voltage thresholds of the hippocampal neuronal network and hippocampal slice preparation were 56 and 31 mV, respectively. The voltage thresholds of the two types of neural networks were inversely proportional to acetylcholine concentration, and had an exponential dependency on ethanol concentration. The curves of the voltage threshold and the temperature of the medium for the two types of neural networks were U-shaped. The hippocampal neuronal network and hippocampal slice preparations lost their excitability when the temperature of the medium decreased below 34 and 33°C or increased above 42 and 43°C, respectively. These results demonstrate that the voltage threshold measurement method is effective and simple for examining the performance/excitability of neuronal networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai An
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yong-Fang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Lü
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Southeast University, Nanjing; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhi-Gong Wang
- Institute of RF- & OE-ICs, Southeast University, Nanjing; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The microtubule-associated protein Tau plays a role in neurodegeneration as well as neurogenesis. Previous work has shown that the expression of the pro-aggregant mutant Tau repeat domain causes strong aggregation and pronounced neuronal loss in the hippocampus whereas the anti-aggregant form has no deleterious effects. These two proteins differ mainly in their propensity to form ß structure and hence to aggregate. METHODS To elucidate the basis of these contrasting effects, we analyzed organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSCs) from transgenic mice expressing the repeat domain (RD) of Tau with the anti-aggregant mutation (TauRDΔKPP) and compared them with slices containing pro-aggregant TauRDΔK. Transgene expression in the hippocampus was monitored via a sensitive bioluminescence reporter gene assay (luciferase). RESULTS The expression of the anti-aggregant TauRDΔKPP leads to a larger volume of the hippocampus at a young age due to enhanced neurogenesis, resulting in an increase in neuronal number. There were no signs of activation of microglia and astrocytes, indicating the absence of an inflammatory reaction. Investigation of signaling pathways showed that Wnt-5a was strongly decreased whereas Wnt3 was increased. A pronounced increase in hippocampal stem cell proliferation (seen by BrdU) was observed as early as P8, in the CA regions where neurogenesis is normally not observed. The increase in neurons persisted up to 16 months of age. CONCLUSION The data suggest that the expression of anti-aggregant TauRDΔKPP enhances hippocampal neurogenesis mediated by the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, without an inflammatory reaction. This study points to a role of tau in brain development and neurogenesis, in contrast to its detrimental role in neurodegeneration at later age.
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Welsch JC, Lionnet C, Terzian C, Horvat B, Gerlier D, Mathieu C. Organotypic Brain Cultures: A Framework for Studying CNS Infection by Neurotropic Viruses and Screening Antiviral Drugs. Bio Protoc 2017; 7:e2605. [PMID: 34595280 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.2605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 50% of emerging viruses endowed with pathogenicity in humans can infect the Central Nervous System (CNS) with induction of encephalitis and other neurologic diseases ( Taylor et al., 2001 ; Olival and Daszak, 2005). While neurological diseases are progressively documented, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in virus infection and dissemination within the CNS are still poorly understood (Swanson and McGavern, 2015; Ludlow et al., 2016 ). For example, measles virus (MeV) can infect neural cells, and cause a persistent brain infections leading to lethal encephalitis from several months to years after primary infection with no available treatment (Reuter and Schneider-Schaulies, 2010; Laksono et al., 2016 ). The Organotypic Brain Culture (OBC) is a suitable model for the virology field to better understand the CNS infections. Indeed, it allows not only studying the infection and the dissemination of neurotropic viruses within the CNS but it could also serve as screening model of innovative antiviral strategies or molecules, such as our recently published studies about fusion inhibitory peptides and the HSP90 chaperone activity inhibitor, 17-DMAG ( Welsch et al., 2013 ; Bloyet et al., 2016 ). Based on our previous work, we propose here an optimized method to prepare OBC of hippocampi and cerebellums which are suitable for small rodent models based virus studies, including mice, rats as well as hamsters at a post-natal stage, between P6 to P10. We notably took into account the stress of the slice procedure on the tissue and the subsequent cellular reactions, which is essential to fully characterize the model prior to any use in infectious conditions. With this knowledge, we propose a protocol highlighting the requirements, including potential trouble shootings of the slicing parameters, to consider the variations we observed according to the structure and animal studied. This framework should facilitate the use of OBC for better conclusive studies of neurotropic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Charles Welsch
- CIRI, International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Université de Lyon, LYON, France.,LabEx Ecofect, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Claire Lionnet
- Laboratoire Reproduction et Développement des Plantes, Université de Lyon, ENS de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRA, Lyon, France.,Lyon Bio-Image, Plateau Technique d'Imagerie/Microscopie (PLATIM), UMS3444/US8 BioSciences Gerland-Lyon Sud, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Christophe Terzian
- Retrovirus and Comparative Pathology, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Université de Lyon, Unité Mixte de Recherche 754, Unité Mixte de Service 3444, Lyon, France.,École Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Paris, France
| | - Branka Horvat
- CIRI, International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Université de Lyon, LYON, France.,LabEx Ecofect, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Denis Gerlier
- CIRI, International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Université de Lyon, LYON, France.,LabEx Ecofect, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Cyrille Mathieu
- CIRI, International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Université de Lyon, LYON, France.,LabEx Ecofect, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
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Minami N, Maeda Y, Shibao S, Arima Y, Ohka F, Kondo Y, Maruyama K, Kusuhara M, Sasayama T, Kohmura E, Saya H, Sampetrean O. Organotypic brain explant culture as a drug evaluation system for malignant brain tumors. Cancer Med 2017; 6:2635-2645. [PMID: 28980419 PMCID: PMC5673912 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic options for malignant brain tumors are limited, with new drugs being continuously evaluated. Organotypic brain slice culture has been adopted for neuroscience studies as a system that preserves brain architecture, cellular function, and the vascular network. However, the suitability of brain explants for anticancer drug evaluation has been unclear. We here adopted a mouse model of malignant glioma based on expression of H-RasV12 in Ink4a/Arf-/- neural stem/progenitor cells to establish tumor-bearing brain explants from adult mice. We treated the slices with cisplatin, temozolomide, paclitaxel, or tranilast and investigated the minimal assays required to assess drug effects. Serial fluorescence-based tumor imaging was sufficient for evaluation of cisplatin, a drug with a pronounced cytotoxic action, whereas immunostaining of cleaved caspase 3 (a marker of apoptosis) and of Ki67 (a marker of cell proliferation) was necessary for the assessment of temozolomide action and immunostaining for phosphorylated histone H3 (a marker of mitosis) allowed visualization of paclitaxel-specific effects. Staining for cleaved caspase 3 was also informative in the assessment of drug toxicity for normal brain tissue. Incubation of explants with fluorescently labeled antibodies to CD31 allowed real-time imaging of the microvascular network and complemented time-lapse imaging of tumor cell invasion into surrounding tissue. Our results suggest that a combination of fluorescence imaging and immunohistological staining allows a unified assessment of the effects of various classes of drug on the survival, proliferation, and invasion of glioma cells, and that organotypic brain slice culture is therefore a useful tool for evaluation of antiglioma drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriaki Minami
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Maeda
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Shibao
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Arima
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumiharu Ohka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kondo
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Koji Maruyama
- Experimental Animal Facility, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Kusuhara
- Regional Resources Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Takashi Sasayama
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Eiji Kohmura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Saya
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Oltea Sampetrean
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Tan GA, Furber KL, Thangaraj MP, Sobchishin L, Doucette JR, Nazarali AJ. Organotypic Cultures from the Adult CNS: A Novel Model to Study Demyelination and Remyelination Ex Vivo. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2017; 38:317-328. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-017-0529-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Fernandez-Zafra T, Codeluppi S, Uhlén P. An ex vivo spinal cord injury model to study ependymal cells in adult mouse tissue. Exp Cell Res 2017; 357:236-242. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Doussau F, Dupont JL, Neel D, Schneider A, Poulain B, Bossu JL. Organotypic cultures of cerebellar slices as a model to investigate demyelinating disorders. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2017; 12:1011-1022. [PMID: 28712329 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2017.1356285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Demyelinating disorders, characterized by a chronic or episodic destruction of the myelin sheath, are a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults in western countries. Studying the complex mechanisms involved in axon myelination, demyelination and remyelination requires an experimental model preserving the neuronal networks and neuro-glial interactions. Organotypic cerebellar slice cultures appear to be the best alternative to in vivo experiments and the most commonly used model for investigating etiology or novel therapeutic strategies in multiple sclerosis. Areas covered: This review gives an overview of slice culture techniques and focuses on the use of organotypic cerebellar slice cultures on semi-permeable membranes for studying many aspects of axon myelination and cerebellar functions. Expert opinion: Cerebellar slice cultures are probably the easiest way to faithfully reproduce all stages of axon myelination/demyelination/remyelination in a three-dimensional neuronal network. However, in the cerebellum, neurological disability in multiple sclerosis also results from channelopathies which induce changes in Purkinje cell excitability. Cerebellar cultures offer easy access to electrophysiological approaches which are largely untapped and we believe that these cultures might be of great interest when studying changes in neuronal excitability, axonal conduction or synaptic properties that likely occur during multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Doussau
- a Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS UPR 3212 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
| | - Jean-Luc Dupont
- a Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS UPR 3212 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
| | - Dorine Neel
- a Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS UPR 3212 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
| | - Aline Schneider
- a Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS UPR 3212 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
| | - Bernard Poulain
- a Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS UPR 3212 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
| | - Jean Louis Bossu
- a Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, CNRS UPR 3212 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
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Bhowmick S, Moore JT, Kirschner DL, Curry MC, Westbrook EG, Rasley BT, Drew KL. Acidotoxicity via ASIC1a Mediates Cell Death during Oxygen Glucose Deprivation and Abolishes Excitotoxicity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:1204-1212. [PMID: 28117962 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with a complex and multifactorial cascade of events involving excitotoxicity, acidotoxicity, and ionic imbalance. While it is known that acidosis occurs concomitantly with glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity during brain ischemia, it remains elusive how acidosis-mediated acidotoxicity interacts with glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. Here, we investigated the effect of acidosis on glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity in acute hippocampal slices. We tested the hypothesis that mild acidosis protects against I/R injury via modulation of NMDAR, but produces injury via activation of acid sensing ion channels (ASIC1a). Using a novel microperfusion approach, we monitored time course of injury in acutely prepared, adult hippocampal slices. We varied the duration of insult to delay the return to preinsult conditions to determine if injury was caused by the primary insult or by the modeled reperfusion phase. We also manipulated pH in presence and absence of oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). The role of ASIC1a and NMDAR was deciphered by treating the slices with and without an ASIC or NMDAR antagonist. Our results show that injury due to OGD or low pH occurs during the insult rather than the modeled reperfusion phase. Injury mediated by low pH or low pH OGD requires ASIC1a and is independent of NMDAR activation. These findings point to ASIC1a as a mediator of ischemic cell death caused by stroke and cardiac arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurav Bhowmick
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and ‡Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
| | - Jeanette T. Moore
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and ‡Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
| | - Daniel L. Kirschner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and ‡Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
| | - Mary C. Curry
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and ‡Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
| | - Emily G. Westbrook
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and ‡Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
| | - Brian T. Rasley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and ‡Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
| | - Kelly L. Drew
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and ‡Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
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Yu HG, McLaughlin S, Newman M, Brundage K, Ammer A, Martin K, Coad J. Altering calcium influx for selective destruction of breast tumor. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:169. [PMID: 28259153 PMCID: PMC5336649 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3168-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human triple-negative breast cancer has limited therapeutic choices. Breast tumor cells have depolarized plasma membrane potential. Using this unique electrical property, we aim to develop an effective selective killing of triple-negative breast cancer. Methods We used an engineered L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (Cec), activated by membrane depolarization without inactivation, to induce excessive calcium influx in breast tumor cells. Patch clamp and flow cytometry were used in testing the killing selectivity and efficiency of human breast tumor cells in vitro. Bioluminescence and ultrasound imaging were used in studies of human triple-negative breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231 xenograft in mice. Histological staining, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry were used to investigate mechanism that mediates Cec-induced cell death. Results Activating Cec channels expressed in human breast cancer MCF7 cells produced enormous calcium influx at depolarized membrane. Activating the wild-type Cav1.2 channels expressed in MCF7 cells also produced a large calcium influx at depolarized membrane, but this calcium influx was diminished at the sustained membrane depolarization due to channel inactivation. MCF7 cells expressing Cec died when the membrane potential was held at -10 mV for 1 hr, while non-Cec-expressing MCF7 cells were alive. MCF7 cell death was 8-fold higher in Cec-expressing cells than in non-Cec-expressing cells. Direct injection of lentivirus containing Cec into MDA-MB-231 xenograft in mice inhibited tumor growth. Activated caspase-3 protein was detected only in MDA-MB-231 cells expressing Cec, along with a significantly increased expression of activated caspase-3 in xenograft tumor treated with Cec. Conclusions We demonstrated a novel strategy to induce constant calcium influx that selectively kills human triple-negative breast tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Gang Yu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, One Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.
| | - Sarah McLaughlin
- Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Mackenzie Newman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, One Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Kathleen Brundage
- Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Amanda Ammer
- Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Karen Martin
- Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.,Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - James Coad
- Department of Pathology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
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Dal Ben M, Bottin C, Zanconati F, Tiribelli C, Gazzin S. Evaluation of region selective bilirubin-induced brain damage as a basis for a pharmacological treatment. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41032. [PMID: 28102362 PMCID: PMC5244479 DOI: 10.1038/srep41032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurologic manifestations of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in the central nervous system (CNS) exhibit high variations in the severity and appearance of motor, auditory and cognitive symptoms, which is suggestive of a still unexplained selective topography of bilirubin-induced damage. By applying the organotypic brain culture (OBC: preserving in vitro the cellular complexity, connection and architecture of the in vivo brain) technique to study hyperbilirubinemia, we mapped the regional target of bilirubin-induced damage, demonstrated a multifactorial toxic action of bilirubin, and used this information to evaluate the efficacy of drugs applicable to newborns to protect the brain. OBCs from 8-day-old rat pups showed a 2–13 fold higher sensitivity to bilirubin damage than 2-day-old preparations. The hippocampus, inferior colliculus and cerebral cortex were the only brain regions affected, presenting a mixed inflammatory-oxidative mechanism. Glutamate excitotoxicity was appreciable in only the hippocampus and inferior colliculus. Single drug treatment (indomethacin, curcumin, MgCl2) significantly improved cell viability in all regions, while the combined (cocktail) administration of the three drugs almost completely prevented damage in the most affected area (hippocampus). Our data may supports an innovative (complementary to phototherapy) approach for directly protecting the newborn brain from bilirubin neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Dal Ben
- Italian Liver Foundation (Fondazione Italiana Fegato), AREA Science Park, Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristina Bottin
- Department of Medical Sciences (Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche), Ospedale di Cattinara, Univestità degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical Sciences (Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche), Ospedale di Cattinara, Univestità degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudio Tiribelli
- Italian Liver Foundation (Fondazione Italiana Fegato), AREA Science Park, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Gazzin
- Italian Liver Foundation (Fondazione Italiana Fegato), AREA Science Park, Trieste, Italy
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Kawamura MJ, Ruskin DN, Masino SA. Metabolic Therapy for Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in a Dish: Investigating Mechanisms of Ketogenic Diet using Electrophysiological Recordings in Hippocampal Slices. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:112. [PMID: 27847463 PMCID: PMC5088211 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus is prone to epileptic seizures and is a key brain region and experimental platform for investigating mechanisms associated with the abnormal neuronal excitability that characterizes a seizure. Accordingly, the hippocampal slice is a common in vitro model to study treatments that may prevent or reduce seizure activity. The ketogenic diet is a metabolic therapy used to treat epilepsy in adults and children for nearly 100 years; it can reduce or eliminate even severe or refractory seizures. New insights into its underlying mechanisms have been revealed by diverse types of electrophysiological recordings in hippocampal slices. Here we review these reports and their relevant mechanistic findings. We acknowledge that a major difficulty in using hippocampal slices is the inability to reproduce precisely the in vivo condition of ketogenic diet feeding in any in vitro preparation, and progress has been made in this in vivo/in vitro transition. Thus far at least three different approaches are reported to reproduce relevant diet effects in the hippocampal slices: (1) direct application of ketone bodies; (2) mimicking the ketogenic diet condition during a whole-cell patch-clamp technique; and (3) reduced glucose incubation of hippocampal slices from ketogenic diet–fed animals. Significant results have been found with each of these methods and provide options for further study into short- and long-term mechanisms including Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels, vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT), pannexin channels and adenosine receptors underlying ketogenic diet and other forms of metabolic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David N Ruskin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Trinity College Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Susan A Masino
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Trinity College Hartford, CT, USA
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Bauer PM, Zalis MC, Abdshill H, Deierborg T, Johansson F, Englund-Johansson U. Inflamed In Vitro Retina: Cytotoxic Neuroinflammation and Galectin-3 Expression. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161723. [PMID: 27612287 PMCID: PMC5017668 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Disease progression in retinal neurodegeneration is strongly correlated to immune cell activation, which may have either a neuroprotective or neurotoxic effect. Increased knowledge about the immune response profile and retinal neurodegeneration may lead to candidate targets for treatments. Therefore, we have used the explanted retina as a model to explore the immune response and expression of the immune modulator galectin-3 (Gal-3), induced by the cultivation per se and after additional immune stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and how this correlates with retinal neurotoxicity. Methods Post-natal mouse retinas were cultured in a defined medium. One group was stimulated with LPS (100 ng/ml, 24 h). Retinal architecture, apoptotic cell death, and micro- and macroglial activity were studied at the time of cultivation (0 days in vitro (DIV)) and at 3, 4 and 7 DIV using morphological staining, biochemical- and immunohistochemical techniques. Results Our results show that sustained activation of macro- and microglia, characterized by no detectable cytokine release and limited expression of Gal-3, is not further inducing apoptosis additional to the axotomy-induced apoptosis in innermost nuclear layer. An elevated immune response was detected after LPS stimulation, as demonstrated primarily by release of immune mediators (i.e. interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-6, KC/GRO (also known as CLCX1) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)), increased numbers of microglia displaying morphologies of late activation stages as well as Gal-3 expression. This was accompanied with increased apoptosis in the two additional nuclear layers, and damage to retinal gross architecture. Conclusion We demonstrate that an immune response characterized by sustained and increased release of cytokines, along with an increase in Gal-3 expression, is accompanied by significant increased neurotoxicity in the explanted retina. Further investigations using the current setting may lead to increased understanding on the mechanisms involved in neuronal loss in retinal neurodegenerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik Maximilian Bauer
- Dept. of Biology, Sec. Functional Zoology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Dept. Clinical Sciences in Lund, Div. Ophthalmology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marina Castro Zalis
- Dept. Clinical Sciences in Lund, Div. Ophthalmology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hodan Abdshill
- Dept. Clinical Sciences in Lund, Div. Ophthalmology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Tomas Deierborg
- Dept. Experimental Medical Science, Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Johansson
- Dept. of Biology, Sec. Functional Zoology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Mukherjee R, Mareninova OA, Odinokova IV, Huang W, Murphy J, Chvanov M, Javed MA, Wen L, Booth DM, Cane MC, Awais M, Gavillet B, Pruss RM, Schaller S, Molkentin JD, Tepikin AV, Petersen OH, Pandol SJ, Gukovsky I, Criddle DN, Gukovskaya AS, Sutton R. Mechanism of mitochondrial permeability transition pore induction and damage in the pancreas: inhibition prevents acute pancreatitis by protecting production of ATP. Gut 2016; 65:1333-46. [PMID: 26071131 PMCID: PMC4920725 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2014-308553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Revised: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Acute pancreatitis is caused by toxins that induce acinar cell calcium overload, zymogen activation, cytokine release and cell death, yet is without specific drug therapy. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated but the mechanism not established. DESIGN We investigated the mechanism of induction and consequences of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) in the pancreas using cell biological methods including confocal microscopy, patch clamp technology and multiple clinically representative disease models. Effects of genetic and pharmacological inhibition of the MPTP were examined in isolated murine and human pancreatic acinar cells, and in hyperstimulation, bile acid, alcoholic and choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented acute pancreatitis. RESULTS MPTP opening was mediated by toxin-induced inositol trisphosphate and ryanodine receptor calcium channel release, and resulted in diminished ATP production, leading to impaired calcium clearance, defective autophagy, zymogen activation, cytokine production, phosphoglycerate mutase 5 activation and necrosis, which was prevented by intracellular ATP supplementation. When MPTP opening was inhibited genetically or pharmacologically, all biochemical, immunological and histopathological responses of acute pancreatitis in all four models were reduced or abolished. CONCLUSIONS This work demonstrates the mechanism and consequences of MPTP opening to be fundamental to multiple forms of acute pancreatitis and validates the MPTP as a drug target for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajarshi Mukherjee
- NIHR Liverpool Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Olga A Mareninova
- Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, University of California Los Angeles and Southern California Research Center for Alcoholic Liver and Pancreatic Diseases and Cirrhosis, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Irina V Odinokova
- Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, University of California Los Angeles and Southern California Research Center for Alcoholic Liver and Pancreatic Diseases and Cirrhosis, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Wei Huang
- NIHR Liverpool Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Pancreatitis Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - John Murphy
- NIHR Liverpool Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Michael Chvanov
- NIHR Liverpool Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Muhammad A Javed
- NIHR Liverpool Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Li Wen
- NIHR Liverpool Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - David M Booth
- NIHR Liverpool Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Matthew C Cane
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Muhammad Awais
- NIHR Liverpool Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Bruno Gavillet
- Debiopharm Research and Manufacturing S.A., Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Jeffery D Molkentin
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Alexei V Tepikin
- NIHR Liverpool Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ole H Petersen
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, University of Cardiff, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Stephen J Pandol
- Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, University of California Los Angeles and Southern California Research Center for Alcoholic Liver and Pancreatic Diseases and Cirrhosis, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ilya Gukovsky
- Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, University of California Los Angeles and Southern California Research Center for Alcoholic Liver and Pancreatic Diseases and Cirrhosis, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - David N Criddle
- NIHR Liverpool Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Anna S Gukovskaya
- Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, University of California Los Angeles and Southern California Research Center for Alcoholic Liver and Pancreatic Diseases and Cirrhosis, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Robert Sutton
- NIHR Liverpool Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Su X, Fang D, Liu Y, Ramamoorthi M, Zeitouni A, Chen W, Tran SD. Three-dimensional organotypic culture of human salivary glands: the slice culture model. Oral Dis 2016; 22:639-48. [PMID: 27214128 DOI: 10.1111/odi.12508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A challenge in studying human salivary glands is to maintain the cells ex vivo in their three-dimensional (3D) morphology with an intact native extracellular matrix (ECM) environment. This paper established a human salivary 3D organotypic slice culture model that could maintain its physiological functions as well as allowing a direct visualization of the cells. METHODS Human salivary biopsies from six patients were embedded in agarose and submerged in cold buffer for thin (50 μm) sectioning using a vibratome. 'Salivary slices' were mechanically supported by a porous membrane insert that allowed an air-liquid interface and cultured in serum-free culture media. Cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, physiological functions, and gene expression were assessed during 14 days of culture. RESULTS Human salivary slices maintained cell survival (70-40%) and proliferation (6-17%) for 14 days ex vivo. The protein secretory (amylase) function decreased, but fluid (intracellular calcium mobilization) function was maintained. Acinar, ductal, and myoepithelial cell populations survived and maintained their 3D organization within the slice culture model. CONCLUSION The human salivary slice culture model kept cells alive ex vivo for 14 days as well as maintaining their 3D morphology and physiological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Su
- Craniofacial Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - D Fang
- Craniofacial Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Y Liu
- Craniofacial Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - M Ramamoorthi
- Craniofacial Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - A Zeitouni
- Department of Otolaryngology, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - W Chen
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
| | - S D Tran
- Craniofacial Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Soria FN, Zabala A, Pampliega O, Palomino A, Miguelez C, Ugedo L, Sato H, Matute C, Domercq M. Cystine/glutamate antiporter blockage induces myelin degeneration. Glia 2016; 64:1381-95. [DOI: 10.1002/glia.23011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Federico N. Soria
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neurosciences, CIBERNED and Departamento de Neurociencias; Universidad Del País Vasco; Leioa Spain
| | - Alazne Zabala
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neurosciences, CIBERNED and Departamento de Neurociencias; Universidad Del País Vasco; Leioa Spain
| | - Olatz Pampliega
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neurosciences, CIBERNED and Departamento de Neurociencias; Universidad Del País Vasco; Leioa Spain
| | - Aitor Palomino
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neurosciences, CIBERNED and Departamento de Neurociencias; Universidad Del País Vasco; Leioa Spain
| | - Cristina Miguelez
- Departamento de Farmacología; Universidad Del País Vasco; Leioa Spain
| | - Luisa Ugedo
- Departamento de Farmacología; Universidad Del País Vasco; Leioa Spain
| | - Hideyo Sato
- Department of Food and Applied Life Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture; Yamagata University; Tsuruoka Japan
| | - Carlos Matute
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neurosciences, CIBERNED and Departamento de Neurociencias; Universidad Del País Vasco; Leioa Spain
| | - María Domercq
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neurosciences, CIBERNED and Departamento de Neurociencias; Universidad Del País Vasco; Leioa Spain
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Lossi L, Cocito C, Alasia S, Merighi A. Ex vivo imaging of active caspase 3 by a FRET-based molecular probe demonstrates the cellular dynamics and localization of the protease in cerebellar granule cells and its regulation by the apoptosis-inhibiting protein survivin. Mol Neurodegener 2016; 11:34. [PMID: 27122136 PMCID: PMC4848850 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-016-0101-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Apoptosis takes place in naturally occurring neuronal death, but also in aging, neurodegenerative disorders, and traumatic brain injuries. Caspase 3 (Casp3) is the most important effector protease in apoptosis: being inactive inside the cell, it undergoes enzymatic cleavage and - hence - activation once the apoptotic cascade is triggered. Immunological techniques with antibodies against cleaved Casp3 (cCasp3) or assays with colorimetric/fluorogenic substrates are commonly in use, but they do not allow to directly follow the dynamics of activation in alive neurons that may be committed to die. Results By combined biolistic transfection, confocal microscopy, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), we have implemented a methodology to dynamically monitor Casp3 activation in organotypic cerebellar slices from postnatal mice. After transfection with pSCAT3 FRET probes, we measured the ratio of the emissions of the donor/acceptor pair (ECFPem/Venusem) in fixed or alive cultures. In so doing, we i. discriminated the cellular compartment(s) of enzyme activation (nucleus, perikaryon, neurites); ii. demonstrated that Casp3 was constitutively active in the granule cells; iii. followed the fluctuations of ECFPem/Venusem, and its response to 25 mM KCl depolarization, or to increased intracellular Ca++ after NMDA (1 mM), kainic acid (1 mM), or A23187 (100–200 μM). The specificity of the active pSCAT3-DEVD probe was confirmed with RNA interference and after inhibition of Casp3 with Ac-DEVD-CMK (100 μM), as both sets of experiments brought ECFPem/Venusem to the values recorded with the control probe pSCAT3-DEVG. After double-transfection with pSCAT3-DEVD + pHcRed1-C1-survivin, we also showed a 44–56 % reduction of basal Casp3 activity in cells overexpressing survivin, a protein-member of the family of apoptosis inhibitors, with augmented survival (2.82 folds). Survivin-rescued cells were sensitive to 5 mM H2O2 oxidative stress but died without intervention of Casp3. Conclusions This ex vivo FRET-based methodology provides quantitative information on the functional and histological dynamics of Casp3 activation in individual neurons at a cell level resolution. Not only it can be combined with experimental manipulation of the apoptotic machinery inside the cell, but offers several advantages over existing protocols for monitoring apoptosis in live mammalian neurons, and has potential to be transferred in vivo. Due to the pivotal role of Casp3 in apoptosis, our approach is relevant for a better comprehension of molecular neurodegeneration in the normal and pathological brain. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13024-016-0101-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lossi
- University of Turin, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Carolina Cocito
- University of Turin, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Silvia Alasia
- University of Turin, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Adalberto Merighi
- University of Turin, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy.
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Tsuda S, Tanaka Y, Kunikata H, Yokoyama Y, Yasuda M, Ito A, Nakazawa T. Real-time imaging of RGC death with a cell-impermeable nucleic acid dyeing compound after optic nerve crush in a murine model. Exp Eye Res 2016; 146:179-188. [PMID: 27013099 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the main source of therapeutic targets for neuroprotective glaucoma treatment, and evaluating RGCs is key for effective glaucoma care. Thus, we developed a minimally invasive, quick, real-time method to evaluate RGC death in mice. In this article we describe the details of our method, report new results obtained from C57BL/6J mice, and report that our method was usable in wild type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice lacking an RGC-death-suppressing gene. It used a non-invasive confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (cSLO) and a low molecular weight, photo-switching, cell-impermeant, fluorescent nucleic acid dyeing compound, SYTOX orange (SO). The RGCs were retrogradely labeled with Fluorogold (FG), the optic nerve was crushed (ONC), and SO was injected into the vitreous. After ten minutes, RGC death was visualized with cSLO in vivo. The retinas were then extracted and flat mounted for histological observation. SO-labeled RGCs were counted in vivo and FG-labeled RGCs were counted in retinal flat mounts. The time course of RGC death was examined in Calpastatin KO mice and wild type (WT) mice. Our in vivo imaging method revealed that SO-positive dead RGCs were mainly present from 4 to 6 days after ONC, and the peak of RGC death was after 5 days. Moreover, the number of SO-positive dead RGCs after 5 days differed significantly in the Calpastatin KO mice and the WT mice. Counting FG-labeled RGCs in isolated retinas confirmed these results. Thus, real-time imaging with SO was able to quickly quantify ONC-induced RGC death. This technique may aid research into RGC death and the development of new neuroprotective therapies for glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Tsuda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yuji Tanaka
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kunikata
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan; Department of Retinal Disease Control, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yu Yokoyama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Masayuki Yasuda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Azusa Ito
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Toru Nakazawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan; Department of Retinal Disease Control, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan; Department of Advanced Ophthalmic Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan.
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Wei W, Song Y, Fan X, Zhang S, Wang L, Xu S, Wang M, Cai X. Simultaneous recording of brain extracellular glucose, spike and local field potential in real time using an implantable microelectrode array with nano-materials. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2016; 27:114001. [PMID: 26871752 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/27/11/114001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Glucose is the main substrate for neurons in the central nervous system. In order to efficiently characterize the brain glucose mechanism, it is desirable to determine the extracellular glucose dynamics as well as the corresponding neuroelectrical activity in vivo. In the present study, we fabricated an implantable microelectrode array (MEA) probe composed of platinum electrochemical and electrophysiology microelectrodes by standard micro electromechanical system (MEMS) processes. The MEA probe was modified with nano-materials and implanted in a urethane-anesthetized rat for simultaneous recording of striatal extracellular glucose, local field potential (LFP) and spike on the same spatiotemporal scale when the rat was in normoglycemia, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. During these dual-mode recordings, we observed that increase of extracellular glucose enhanced the LFP power and spike firing rate, while decrease of glucose had an opposite effect. This dual mode MEA probe is capable of examining specific spatiotemporal relationships between electrical and chemical signaling in the brain, which will contribute significantly to improve our understanding of the neuron physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Institute of Electronics Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
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