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Martin-Solana E, Casado-Zueras L, Torres TE, Goya GF, Fernandez-Fernandez MR, Fernandez JJ. Disruption of the mitochondrial network in a mouse model of Huntington's disease visualized by in-tissue multiscale 3D electron microscopy. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2024; 12:88. [PMID: 38840253 PMCID: PMC11151585 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01802-2] [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: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the coding sequence of huntingtin protein. Initially, it predominantly affects medium-sized spiny neurons (MSSNs) of the corpus striatum. No effective treatment is still available, thus urging the identification of potential therapeutic targets. While evidence of mitochondrial structural alterations in HD exists, previous studies mainly employed 2D approaches and were performed outside the strictly native brain context. In this study, we adopted a novel multiscale approach to conduct a comprehensive 3D in situ structural analysis of mitochondrial disturbances in a mouse model of HD. We investigated MSSNs within brain tissue under optimal structural conditions utilizing state-of-the-art 3D imaging technologies, specifically FIB/SEM for the complete imaging of neuronal somas and Electron Tomography for detailed morphological examination, and image processing-based quantitative analysis. Our findings suggest a disruption of the mitochondrial network towards fragmentation in HD. The network of interlaced, slim and long mitochondria observed in healthy conditions transforms into isolated, swollen and short entities, with internal cristae disorganization, cavities and abnormally large matrix granules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Martin-Solana
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | | | - Teobaldo E Torres
- Advanced Microscopy Laboratory, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragon (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Gerardo F Goya
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragon (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Jose-Jesus Fernandez
- Spanish National Research Council (CSIC, CINN), Health Research Institute of Asturias (ISPA), 33011, Oviedo, Spain.
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2
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Wise DL, Escobedo-Lozoya Y, Valakh V, Gao EY, Bhonsle A, Lei QL, Cheng X, Greene SB, Van Hooser SD, Nelson SB. Prolonged Activity Deprivation Causes Pre- and Postsynaptic Compensatory Plasticity at Neocortical Excitatory Synapses. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0366-23.2024. [PMID: 38777611 PMCID: PMC11163391 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0366-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Homeostatic plasticity stabilizes firing rates of neurons, but the pressure to restore low activity rates can significantly alter synaptic and cellular properties. Most previous studies of homeostatic readjustment to complete activity silencing in rodent forebrain have examined changes after 2 d of deprivation, but it is known that longer periods of deprivation can produce adverse effects. To better understand the mechanisms underlying these effects and to address how presynaptic as well as postsynaptic compartments change during homeostatic plasticity, we subjected mouse cortical slice cultures to a more severe 5 d deprivation paradigm. We developed and validated a computational framework to measure the number and morphology of presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments from super-resolution light microscopy images of dense cortical tissue. Using these tools, combined with electrophysiological miniature excitatory postsynaptic current measurements, and synaptic imaging at the electron microscopy level, we assessed the functional and morphological results of prolonged deprivation. Excitatory synapses were strengthened both presynaptically and postsynaptically. Surprisingly, we also observed a decrement in the density of excitatory synapses, both as measured from colocalized staining of pre- and postsynaptic proteins in tissue and from the number of dendritic spines. Overall, our results suggest that cortical networks deprived of activity progressively move toward a smaller population of stronger synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek L Wise
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454 9110
| | | | - Vera Valakh
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454 9110
| | - Emma Y Gao
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454 9110
| | - Aishwarya Bhonsle
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454 9110
| | - Qian L Lei
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454 9110
| | - Xinyu Cheng
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454 9110
| | - Samuel B Greene
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454 9110
| | | | - Sacha B Nelson
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454 9110
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3
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Cao M, Wang Y, Wang L, Zhang K, Guan Y, Guo Y, Chen C. In situ label-free X-ray imaging for visualizing the localization of nanomedicines and subcellular architecture in intact single cells. Nat Protoc 2024; 19:30-59. [PMID: 37957402 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00902-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the intracellular behaviors of nanomedicines and morphology variation of subcellular architecture impacted by nanomaterial-biology (nano-bio) interactions could help guide the safe-by-design, manufacturing and evaluation of nanomedicines for clinical translation. The in situ and label-free analysis of nano-bio interactions in intact single cells at nanoscale remains challenging. We developed an approach based on X-ray microscopy to directly visualize the 2D or 3D intracellular distribution without labeling at nanometer resolution and analyze the chemical transformation of nanomedicines in situ. Here, we describe an optimized workflow for cell sample preparation, beamline selection, data acquisition and analysis. With several model bionanomaterials as examples, we analyze the localization of nanomedicines in various primary blood cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, monocytes and cancer cells, as well as the morphology of some organelles with soft and hard X-rays. Our protocol has been successfully implemented at three beamline facilities: 4W1A of Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, BL08U1A of Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility and BL07W of the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory. This protocol can be completed in ~2-5 d, depending on the cell types, their incubation times with nanomaterials and the selected X-ray beamline. The protocol enables the in situ analysis of the varieties of metal-containing nanomaterials, visualization of intracellular endocytosis, distribution and excretion and corresponding subcellular morphological variation influenced by nanomedicines in cell lines or primary cells by using this universal and robust platform. The results facilitate the understanding of the true principle and mechanism underlying the nano-bio interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjing Cao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yaling Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China
| | - Liming Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Guan
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yuecong Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China
| | - Chunying Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- GBA National Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation, Guangzhou, China.
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4
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Tran HT, Lucas MS, Ishikawa T, Shahmoradian SH, Padeste C. A Compartmentalized Neuronal Cell-Culture Platform Compatible With Cryo-Fixation by High-Pressure Freezing for Ultrastructural Imaging. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:726763. [PMID: 34566569 PMCID: PMC8455873 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.726763] [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: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The human brain contains a wide array of billions of neurons and interconnections, which are often simplified for analysis in vitro using compartmentalized microfluidic devices for neuronal cell culturing, to better understand neuronal development and disease. However, such devices are traditionally incompatible for high-pressure freezing and high-resolution nanoscale imaging and analysis of their sub-cellular processes by methods including electron microscopy. Here we develop a novel compartmentalized neuronal co-culture platform allowing reconstruction of neuronal networks with high variable spatial control, which is uniquely compatible for high-pressure freezing. This cryo-fixation method is well-established to enable high-fidelity preservation of the reconstructed neuronal networks and their sub-cellular processes in a near-native vitreous state without requiring chemical fixatives. To direct the outgrowth of neurites originating from two distinct groups of neurons growing in the two different compartments, polymer microstructures akin to microchannels are fabricated atop of sapphire disks. Two populations of neurons expressing either enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or mCherry were grown in either compartment, facilitating the analysis of the specific interactions between the two separate groups of cells. Neuronally differentiated PC12 cells, murine hippocampal and striatal neurons were successfully used in this context. The design of this device permits direct observation of entire neuritic processes within microchannels by optical microscopy with high spatial and temporal resolution, prior to processing for high-pressure freezing and electron microscopy. Following freeze substitution, we demonstrate that it is possible to process the neuronal networks for ultrastructural imaging by electron microscopy. Several key features of the embedded neuronal networks, including mitochondria, synaptic vesicles, axonal terminals, microtubules, with well-preserved ultrastructures were observed at high resolution using focused ion beam - scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) and serial sectioning - transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These results demonstrate the compatibility of the platform with optical microscopy, high-pressure freezing and electron microscopy. The platform can be extended to neuronal models of brain disease or development in future studies, enabling the investigation of subcellular processes at the nanoscale within two distinct groups of neurons in a functional neuronal pathway, as well as pharmacological testing and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Tri Tran
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Miriam S. Lucas
- Scientific Center for Optical and Electron Microscopy ScopeM, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Takashi Ishikawa
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | | | - Celestino Padeste
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
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5
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Maus L, Lee C, Altas B, Sertel SM, Weyand K, Rizzoli SO, Rhee J, Brose N, Imig C, Cooper BH. Ultrastructural Correlates of Presynaptic Functional Heterogeneity in Hippocampal Synapses. Cell Rep 2021; 30:3632-3643.e8. [PMID: 32187536 PMCID: PMC7090384 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.02.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although similar in molecular composition, synapses can exhibit strikingly distinct functional transmitter release and plasticity characteristics. To determine whether ultrastructural differences co-define this functional heterogeneity, we combine hippocampal organotypic slice cultures, high-pressure freezing, freeze substitution, and 3D-electron tomography to compare two functionally distinct synapses: hippocampal Schaffer collateral and mossy fiber synapses. We find that mossy fiber synapses, which exhibit a lower release probability and stronger short-term facilitation than Schaffer collateral synapses, harbor lower numbers of docked synaptic vesicles at active zones and a second pool of possibly tethered vesicles in their vicinity. Our data indicate that differences in the ratio of docked versus tethered vesicles at active zones contribute to distinct functional characteristics of synapses. Electron tomography enables the dissection of vesicle pools at synaptic active zones Docked and primed vesicle availability contributes to initial release probability The ratio of docked and tethered vesicles may co-determine short-term plasticity Hippocampal mossy fibers contain three morphological types of docked vesicles
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Maus
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Georg August University, School of Science, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - ChoongKu Lee
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bekir Altas
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Sinem M Sertel
- Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kirsten Weyand
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silvio O Rizzoli
- Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - JeongSeop Rhee
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nils Brose
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cordelia Imig
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Benjamin H Cooper
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
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6
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Harper CB, Smillie KJ. Current molecular approaches to investigate pre-synaptic dysfunction. J Neurochem 2021; 157:107-129. [PMID: 33544872 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Over the course of the last few decades it has become clear that many neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders have a synaptic defect, which contributes to pathogenicity. A rise in new techniques, and in particular '-omics'-based methods providing large datasets, has led to an increase in potential proteins and pathways implicated in synaptic function and related disorders. Additionally, advancements in imaging techniques have led to the recent discovery of alternative modes of synaptic vesicle recycling. This has resulted in a lack of clarity over the precise role of different pathways in maintaining synaptic function and whether these new pathways are dysfunctional in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. A greater understanding of the molecular detail of pre-synaptic function in health and disease is key to targeting new proteins and pathways for novel treatments and the variety of new techniques currently available provides an ideal opportunity to investigate these functions. This review focuses on techniques to interrogate pre-synaptic function, concentrating mainly on synaptic vesicle recycling. It further examines techniques to determine the underlying molecular mechanism of pre-synaptic dysfunction and discusses methods to identify molecular targets, along with protein-protein interactions and cellular localization. In combination, these techniques will provide an expanding and more complete picture of pre-synaptic function. With the application of recent technological advances, we are able to resolve events with higher spatial and temporal resolution, leading research towards a greater understanding of dysfunction at the presynapse and the role it plays in pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callista B Harper
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Karen J Smillie
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
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7
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Heiligenstein X, de Beer M, Heiligenstein J, Eyraud F, Manet L, Schmitt F, Lamers E, Lindenau J, Kea-Te Lindert M, Salamero J, Raposo G, Sommerdijk N, Belle M, Akiva A. HPM live μ for a full CLEM workflow. Methods Cell Biol 2021; 162:115-149. [PMID: 33707009 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2020.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
With the development of advanced imaging methods that took place in the last decade, the spatial correlation of microscopic and spectroscopic information-known as multimodal imaging or correlative microscopy (CM)-has become a broadly applied technique to explore biological and biomedical materials at different length scales. Among the many different combinations of techniques, Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (CLEM) has become the flagship of this revolution. Where light (mainly fluorescence) microscopy can be used directly for the live imaging of cells and tissues, for almost all applications, electron microscopy (EM) requires fixation of the biological materials. Although sample preparation for EM is traditionally done by chemical fixation and embedding in a resin, rapid cryogenic fixation (vitrification) has become a popular way to avoid the formation of artifacts related to the chemical fixation/embedding procedures. During vitrification, the water in the sample transforms into an amorphous ice, keeping the ultrastructure of the biological sample as close as possible to the native state. One immediate benefit of this cryo-arrest is the preservation of protein fluorescence, allowing multi-step multi-modal imaging techniques for CLEM. To minimize the delay separating live imaging from cryo-arrest, we developed a high-pressure freezing (HPF) system directly coupled to a light microscope. We address the optimization of sample preservation and the time needed to capture a biological event, going from live imaging to cryo-arrest using HPF. To further explore the potential of cryo-fixation related to the forthcoming transition from imaging 2D (cell monolayers) to imaging 3D samples (tissue) and the associated importance of homogeneous deep vitrification, the HPF core technology has been revisited to allow easy modification of the environmental parameters during vitrification. Lastly, we will discuss the potential of our HPM within CLEM protocols especially for correlating live imaging using the Zeiss LSM900 with electron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marit de Beer
- Electron Microscopy Center, Radboudumc Technology Center Microscopy, Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mariska Kea-Te Lindert
- Electron Microscopy Center, Radboudumc Technology Center Microscopy, Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jean Salamero
- SERPICO Inria Team/UMR 144 CNRS & National Biology and Health Infrastructure "France Bioimaging", Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Graça Raposo
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, Cell and Tissue Imaging Facility (PICT-IBiSA), Paris, France; Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, Structure and Membrane Compartments, Paris, France
| | - Nico Sommerdijk
- Electron Microscopy Center, Radboudumc Technology Center Microscopy, Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Anat Akiva
- Electron Microscopy Center, Radboudumc Technology Center Microscopy, Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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8
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Imig C, López-Murcia FJ, Maus L, García-Plaza IH, Mortensen LS, Schwark M, Schwarze V, Angibaud J, Nägerl UV, Taschenberger H, Brose N, Cooper BH. Ultrastructural Imaging of Activity-Dependent Synaptic Membrane-Trafficking Events in Cultured Brain Slices. Neuron 2020; 108:843-860.e8. [PMID: 32991831 PMCID: PMC7736621 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Electron microscopy can resolve synapse ultrastructure with nanometer precision, but the capture of time-resolved, activity-dependent synaptic membrane-trafficking events has remained challenging, particularly in functionally distinct synapses in a tissue context. We present a method that combines optogenetic stimulation-coupled cryofixation ("flash-and-freeze") and electron microscopy to visualize membrane trafficking events and synapse-state-specific changes in presynaptic vesicle organization with high spatiotemporal resolution in synapses of cultured mouse brain tissue. With our experimental workflow, electrophysiological and "flash-and-freeze" electron microscopy experiments can be performed under identical conditions in artificial cerebrospinal fluid alone, without the addition of external cryoprotectants, which are otherwise needed to allow adequate tissue preservation upon freezing. Using this approach, we reveal depletion of docked vesicles and resolve compensatory membrane recycling events at individual presynaptic active zones at hippocampal mossy fiber synapses upon sustained stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cordelia Imig
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Francisco José López-Murcia
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lydia Maus
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Georg August University School of Science, Georg August University Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Inés Hojas García-Plaza
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lena Sünke Mortensen
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Manuela Schwark
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Valentin Schwarze
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Julie Angibaud
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, IINS, UMR 5297, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - U Valentin Nägerl
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, IINS, UMR 5297, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Holger Taschenberger
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nils Brose
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Benjamin H Cooper
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
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9
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Keevend K, Coenen T, Herrmann IK. Correlative cathodoluminescence electron microscopy bioimaging: towards single protein labelling with ultrastructural context. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:15588-15603. [PMID: 32677648 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr02563a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The understanding of living systems and their building blocks relies heavily on the assessment of structure-function relationships at the nanoscale. Ever since the development of the first optical microscope, the reliance of scientists across disciplines on microscopy has increased. The development of the first electron microscope and with it the access to information at the nanoscale has prompted numerous disruptive discoveries. While fluorescence imaging allows identification of specific entities based on the labelling with fluorophores, the unlabelled constituents of the samples remain invisible. In electron microscopy on the other hand, structures can be comprehensively visualized based on their distinct electron density and geometry. Although electron microscopy is a powerful tool, it does not implicitly provide information on the location and activity of specific organic molecules. While correlative light and electron microscopy techniques have attempted to unify the two modalities, the resolution mismatch between the two data sets poses major challenges. Recent developments in optical super resolution microscopy enable high resolution correlative light and electron microscopy, however, with considerable constraints due to sample preparation requirements. Labelling of specific structures directly for electron microscopy using small gold nanoparticles (i.e. immunogold) has been used extensively. However, identification of specific entities solely based on electron contrast, and the differentiation from endogenous dense granules, remains challenging. Recently, the use of correlative cathodoluminescence electron microscopy (CCLEM) imaging based on luminescent inorganic nanocrystals has been proposed. While nanometric resolution can be reached for both the electron and the optical signal, high energy electron beams are potentially damaging to the sample. In this review, we discuss the opportunities of (volumetric) multi-color single protein labelling based on correlative cathodoluminescence electron microscopy, and its prospective impact on biomedical research in general. We elaborate on the potential challenges of correlative cathodoluminescence electron microscopy-based bioimaging and benchmark CCLEM against alternative high-resolution correlative imaging techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerda Keevend
- Laboratory for Particles Biology Interactions, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, CH-9014, St Gallen, Switzerland.
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10
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Steyer AM, Ruhwedel T, Nardis C, Werner HB, Nave KA, Möbius W. Pathology of myelinated axons in the PLP-deficient mouse model of spastic paraplegia type 2 revealed by volume imaging using focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy. J Struct Biol 2020; 210:107492. [PMID: 32156581 PMCID: PMC7196930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Advances in electron microscopy including improved imaging techniques and state-of-the-art detectors facilitate imaging of larger tissue volumes with electron microscopic resolution. In combination with genetic tools for the generation of mouse mutants this allows assessing the three-dimensional (3D) characteristics of pathological features in disease models. Here we revisited the axonal pathology in the central nervous system of a mouse model of spastic paraplegia type 2, the Plp-/Y mouse. Although PLP is a bona fide myelin protein, the major hallmark of the disease in both SPG2 patients and mouse models are axonal swellings comprising accumulations of numerous organelles including mitochondria, gradually leading to irreversible axonal loss. To assess the number and morphology of axonal mitochondria and the overall myelin preservation we evaluated two sample preparation techniques, chemical fixation or high-pressure freezing and freeze substitution, with respect to the objective of 3D visualization. Both methods allowed visualizing distribution and morphological details of axonal mitochondria. In Plp-/Y mice the number of mitochondria is 2-fold increased along the entire axonal length. Mitochondria are also found in the excessive organelle accumulations within axonal swellings. In addition, organelle accumulations were detected within the myelin sheath and the inner tongue. We find that 3D electron microscopy is required for a comprehensive understanding of the size, content and frequency of axonal swellings, the hallmarks of axonal pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Steyer
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Center Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Torben Ruhwedel
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christos Nardis
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Center Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hauke B Werner
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Klaus-Armin Nave
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wiebke Möbius
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Center Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany.
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11
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Hoffman DP, Shtengel G, Xu CS, Campbell KR, Freeman M, Wang L, Milkie DE, Pasolli HA, Iyer N, Bogovic JA, Stabley DR, Shirinifard A, Pang S, Peale D, Schaefer K, Pomp W, Chang CL, Lippincott-Schwartz J, Kirchhausen T, Solecki DJ, Betzig E, Hess HF. Correlative three-dimensional super-resolution and block-face electron microscopy of whole vitreously frozen cells. Science 2020; 367:eaaz5357. [PMID: 31949053 PMCID: PMC7339343 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaz5357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Within cells, the spatial compartmentalization of thousands of distinct proteins serves a multitude of diverse biochemical needs. Correlative super-resolution (SR) fluorescence and electron microscopy (EM) can elucidate protein spatial relationships to global ultrastructure, but has suffered from tradeoffs of structure preservation, fluorescence retention, resolution, and field of view. We developed a platform for three-dimensional cryogenic SR and focused ion beam-milled block-face EM across entire vitreously frozen cells. The approach preserves ultrastructure while enabling independent SR and EM workflow optimization. We discovered unexpected protein-ultrastructure relationships in mammalian cells including intranuclear vesicles containing endoplasmic reticulum-associated proteins, web-like adhesions between cultured neurons, and chromatin domains subclassified on the basis of transcriptional activity. Our findings illustrate the value of a comprehensive multimodal view of ultrastructural variability across whole cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P Hoffman
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Gleb Shtengel
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - C Shan Xu
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Kirby R Campbell
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Melanie Freeman
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Daniel E Milkie
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - H Amalia Pasolli
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Nirmala Iyer
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - John A Bogovic
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Daniel R Stabley
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Abbas Shirinifard
- Bioimage Analysis Core, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Song Pang
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - David Peale
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Kathy Schaefer
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Wim Pomp
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chi-Lun Chang
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | | | - Tom Kirchhausen
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - David J Solecki
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Eric Betzig
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Harald F Hess
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.
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12
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Functional Electron Microscopy, "Flash and Freeze," of Identified Cortical Synapses in Acute Brain Slices. Neuron 2020; 105:992-1006.e6. [PMID: 31928842 PMCID: PMC7083231 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
How structural and functional properties of synapses relate to each other is a fundamental question in neuroscience. Electrophysiology has elucidated mechanisms of synaptic transmission, and electron microscopy (EM) has provided insight into morphological properties of synapses. Here we describe an enhanced method for functional EM (“flash and freeze”), combining optogenetic stimulation with high-pressure freezing. We demonstrate that the improved method can be applied to intact networks in acute brain slices and organotypic slice cultures from mice. As a proof of concept, we probed vesicle pool changes during synaptic transmission at the hippocampal mossy fiber-CA3 pyramidal neuron synapse. Our findings show overlap of the docked vesicle pool and the functionally defined readily releasable pool and provide evidence of fast endocytosis at this synapse. Functional EM with acute slices and slice cultures has the potential to reveal the structural and functional mechanisms of transmission in intact, genetically perturbed, and disease-affected synapses. Functional EM may be applied to acute brain slices and organotypic slice cultures Docked vesicle pool and RRP are overlapping Smaller-diameter vesicles have higher release probability than larger vesicles Endocytic pits after moderate stimulation suggest fast endocytosis
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13
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Reipert S, Goldammer H, Richardson C, Goldberg MW, Hawkins TJ, Hollergschwandtner E, Kaufmann WA, Antreich S, Stierhof YD. Agitation Modules: Flexible Means to Accelerate Automated Freeze Substitution. J Histochem Cytochem 2018; 66:903-921. [PMID: 29969056 DOI: 10.1369/0022155418786698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
For ultrafast fixation of biological samples to avoid artifacts, high-pressure freezing (HPF) followed by freeze substitution (FS) is preferred over chemical fixation at room temperature. After HPF, samples are maintained at low temperature during dehydration and fixation, while avoiding damaging recrystallization. This is a notoriously slow process. McDonald and Webb demonstrated, in 2011, that sample agitation during FS dramatically reduces the necessary time. Then, in 2015, we (H.G. and S.R.) introduced an agitation module into the cryochamber of an automated FS unit and demonstrated that the preparation of algae could be shortened from days to a couple of hours. We argued that variability in the processing, reproducibility, and safety issues are better addressed using automated FS units. For dissemination, we started low-cost manufacturing of agitation modules for two of the most widely used FS units, the Automatic Freeze Substitution Systems, AFS(1) and AFS2, from Leica Microsystems, using three dimensional (3D)-printing of the major components. To test them, several labs independently used the modules on a wide variety of specimens that had previously been processed by manual agitation, or without agitation. We demonstrate that automated processing with sample agitation saves time, increases flexibility with respect to sample requirements and protocols, and produces data of at least as good quality as other approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siegfried Reipert
- Core Facility Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Helmuth Goldammer
- Core Facility Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Martin W Goldberg
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J Hawkins
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Walter A Kaufmann
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Sebastian Antreich
- Core Facility Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - York-Dieter Stierhof
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), Microscopy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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14
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Correlating Fluorescence and High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HRSEM) for the study of GABA A receptor clustering induced by inhibitory synaptic plasticity. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13768. [PMID: 29061992 PMCID: PMC5653763 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14210-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic contacts display activity dependent dynamic changes in their efficacy that are globally termed synaptic plasticity. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying glutamatergic synaptic plasticity have been extensively investigated and described, those responsible for inhibitory synaptic plasticity are only beginning to be unveiled. In this framework, the ultrastructural changes of the inhibitory synapses during plasticity have been poorly investigated. Here we combined confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM) with high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) to characterize the fine structural rearrangements of post-synaptic GABAA Receptors (GABAARs) at the nanometric scale during the induction of inhibitory long-term potentiation (iLTP). Additional electron tomography (ET) experiments on immunolabelled hippocampal neurons allowed the visualization of synaptic contacts and confirmed the reorganization of post-synaptic GABAAR clusters in response to chemical iLTP inducing protocol. Altogether, these approaches revealed that, following the induction of inhibitory synaptic potentiation, GABAAR clusters increase in size and number at the post-synaptic membrane with no other major structural changes of the pre- and post-synaptic elements.
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15
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Imig C, Cooper BH. 3D Analysis of Synaptic Ultrastructure in Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Culture by High-Pressure Freezing and Electron Tomography. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1538:215-231. [PMID: 27943193 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6688-2_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy serves as a valuable tool for synaptic structure-function analyses aimed at identifying morphological features or modifications associated with specific developmental stages or dysfunctional synaptic states. By utilizing cryo-preparation techniques to minimize the introduction of structural artifacts during sample preparation, and electron tomography to reconstruct the 3D ultrastructural architecture of a synapse, the spatial organization and morphological properties of synaptic organelles and subcompartments can be quantified with unparalleled precision. In this chapter, we present an experimental approach combining organotypic slice culture, high-pressure freezing, automated freeze-substitution, and electron tomography to investigate spatial relationships between synaptic vesicles and active zone release sites in synapses from lethal mouse mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cordelia Imig
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin H Cooper
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
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16
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Fernandez-Fernandez MR, Ruiz-Garcia D, Martin-Solana E, Chichon FJ, Carrascosa JL, Fernandez JJ. 3D electron tomography of brain tissue unveils distinct Golgi structures that sequester cytoplasmic contents in neurons. J Cell Sci 2016; 130:83-89. [PMID: 27505890 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.188060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy is morphologically characterized by autophagosome formation. Autophagosomes are double-membraned vesicles that sequester cytoplasmic components for further degradation in the lysosome. Basal autophagy is paramount for intracellular quality control in post-mitotic cells but, surprisingly, the number of autophagosomes in post-mitotic neurons is very low, suggesting that alternative degradative structures could exist in neurons. To explore this possibility, we have examined neuronal subcellular architecture by performing three-dimensional (3D) electron tomography analysis of mouse brain tissue that had been preserved through high-pressure freezing. Here, we report that sequestration of neuronal cytoplasmic contents occurs at the Golgi complex in distinct and dynamic structures that coexist with autophagosomes in the brain. These structures are composed of several concentric double-membraned layers that appear to be formed simultaneously by the direct bending and sealing of discrete Golgi stacks. These structures are labelled for proteolytic enzymes, and lysosomes and late endosomes are found in contact with them, leading to the possibility that the sequestered material could be degraded inside them. Our findings highlight the key role that 3D electron tomography, together with tissue rapid-freezing techniques, will have in gaining new knowledge about subcellular architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Desire Ruiz-Garcia
- Macromolecular Structures Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC, Darwin, 3, Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Eva Martin-Solana
- Macromolecular Structures Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC, Darwin, 3, Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Chichon
- Macromolecular Structures Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC, Darwin, 3, Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Jose L Carrascosa
- Macromolecular Structures Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC, Darwin, 3, Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Jose-Jesus Fernandez
- Macromolecular Structures Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC, Darwin, 3, Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
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17
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Kann O, Hollnagel JO, Elzoheiry S, Schneider J. Energy and Potassium Ion Homeostasis during Gamma Oscillations. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:47. [PMID: 27378847 PMCID: PMC4909733 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fast neuronal network oscillations in the gamma frequency band (30-100 Hz) occur in various cortex regions, require timed synaptic excitation and inhibition with glutamate and GABA, respectively, and are associated with higher brain functions such as sensory perception, attentional selection and memory formation. However, little is known about energy and ion homeostasis during the gamma oscillation. Recent studies addressed this topic in slices of the rodent hippocampus using cholinergic and glutamatergic receptor models of gamma oscillations (GAM). Methods with high spatial and temporal resolution were applied in vitro, such as electrophysiological recordings of local field potential (LFP) and extracellular potassium concentration ([K(+)]o), live-cell fluorescence imaging of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) and flavin adenine dinucleotide [NAD(P)H and FAD, respectively] (cellular redox state), and monitoring of the interstitial partial oxygen pressure (pO2) in depth profiles with microsensor electrodes, including mathematical modeling. The main findings are: (i) GAM are associated with high oxygen consumption rate and significant changes in the cellular redox state, indicating rapid adaptations in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation; (ii) GAM are accompanied by fluctuating elevations in [K(+)]o of less than 0.5 mmol/L from baseline, likely reflecting effective K(+)-uptake mechanisms of neuron and astrocyte compartments; and (iii) GAM are exquisitely sensitive to metabolic stress induced by lowering oxygen availability or by pharmacological inhibition of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. These findings reflect precise cellular adaptations to maintain adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP), ion and neurotransmitter homeostasis and thus neural excitability and synaptic signaling during GAM. Conversely, the exquisite sensitivity of GAM to metabolic stress might significantly contribute the exceptional vulnerability of higher brain functions in brain disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Kann
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of HeidelbergHeidelberg, Germany; Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), University of HeidelbergHeidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan-Oliver Hollnagel
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of HeidelbergHeidelberg, Germany; Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), University of HeidelbergHeidelberg, Germany
| | - Shehabeldin Elzoheiry
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of HeidelbergHeidelberg, Germany; Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), University of HeidelbergHeidelberg, Germany
| | - Justus Schneider
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of HeidelbergHeidelberg, Germany; Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), University of HeidelbergHeidelberg, Germany
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18
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Valenzuela RA, Micheva KD, Kiraly M, Li D, Madison DV. Array tomography of physiologically-characterized CNS synapses. J Neurosci Methods 2016; 268:43-52. [PMID: 27141856 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2016.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to correlate plastic changes in synaptic physiology with changes in synaptic anatomy has been very limited in the central nervous system because of shortcomings in existing methods for recording the activity of specific CNS synapses and then identifying and studying the same individual synapses on an anatomical level. NEW METHOD We introduce here a novel approach that combines two existing methods: paired neuron electrophysiological recording and array tomography, allowing for the detailed molecular and anatomical study of synapses with known physiological properties. RESULTS The complete mapping of a neuronal pair allows determining the exact number of synapses in the pair and their location. We have found that the majority of close appositions between the presynaptic axon and the postsynaptic dendrite in the pair contain synaptic specializations. The average release probability of the synapses between the two neurons in the pair is low, below 0.2, consistent with previous studies of these connections. Other questions, such as receptor distribution within synapses, can be addressed more efficiently by identifying only a subset of synapses using targeted partial reconstructions. In addition, time sensitive events can be captured with fast chemical fixation. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Compared to existing methods, the present approach is the only one that can provide detailed molecular and anatomical information of electrophysiologically-characterized individual synapses. CONCLUSIONS This method will allow for addressing specific questions about the properties of identified CNS synapses, even when they are buried within a cloud of millions of other brain circuit elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A Valenzuela
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5345, USA
| | - Kristina D Micheva
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5345, USA
| | - Marianna Kiraly
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5345, USA
| | - Dong Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5345, USA
| | - Daniel V Madison
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5345, USA.
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19
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Schneider J, Lewen A, Ta TT, Galow LV, Isola R, Papageorgiou IE, Kann O. A reliable model for gamma oscillations in hippocampal tissue. J Neurosci Res 2015; 93:1067-78. [PMID: 25808046 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Revised: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Gamma oscillations (30-100 Hz) reflect a fast brain rhythm that provides a fundamental mechanism of complex neuronal information processing in the hippocampus and in the neocortex in vivo. Gamma oscillations have been implicated in higher brain functions, such as sensory perception, motor activity, and memory formation. Experimental studies on synaptic transmission and bioenergetics underlying gamma oscillations have primarily used acute slices of the hippocampus. This study tests whether organotypic hippocampal slice cultures of the rat provide an alternative model for cortical gamma oscillations in vitro. Our findings are that 1) slice cultures feature well-preserved laminated architecture and neuronal morphology; 2) slice cultures of different maturation stages (7-28 days in vitro) reliably express gamma oscillations at about 40 Hz as induced by cholinergic (acetylcholine) or glutamatergic (kainate) receptor agonists; 3) the peak frequency of gamma oscillations depends on the temperature, with an increase of ∼ 3.5 Hz per degree Celsius for the range of 28-36 °C; 4) most slice cultures show persistent gamma oscillations for ∼ 1 hr during electrophysiological local field potential recordings, and later alterations may occur; and 5) in slice cultures, glucose at a concentration of 5 mM in the recording solution is sufficient to power gamma oscillations, and additional energy substrate supply with monocarboxylate metabolite lactate (2 mM) exclusively increases the peak frequency by ∼ 4 Hz. This study shows that organotypic hippocampal slice cultures provide a reliable model to study agonist-induced gamma oscillations at glucose levels near the physiological range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus Schneider
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology and Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Lewen
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology and Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thuy-Truc Ta
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology and Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lukas V Galow
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology and Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Raffaella Isola
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology and Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ismini E Papageorgiou
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology and Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Kann
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology and Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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20
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Frotscher M, Studer D, Graber W, Chai X, Nestel S, Zhao S. Fine structure of synapses on dendritic spines. Front Neuroanat 2014; 8:94. [PMID: 25249945 PMCID: PMC4158982 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2014.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Camillo Golgi's "Reazione Nera" led to the discovery of dendritic spines, small appendages originating from dendritic shafts. With the advent of electron microscopy (EM) they were identified as sites of synaptic contact. Later it was found that changes in synaptic strength were associated with changes in the shape of dendritic spines. While live-cell imaging was advantageous in monitoring the time course of such changes in spine structure, EM is still the best method for the simultaneous visualization of all cellular components, including actual synaptic contacts, at high resolution. Immunogold labeling for EM reveals the precise localization of molecules in relation to synaptic structures. Previous EM studies of spines and synapses were performed in tissue subjected to aldehyde fixation and dehydration in ethanol, which is associated with protein denaturation and tissue shrinkage. It has remained an issue to what extent fine structural details are preserved when subjecting the tissue to these procedures. In the present review, we report recent studies on the fine structure of spines and synapses using high-pressure freezing (HPF), which avoids protein denaturation by aldehydes and results in an excellent preservation of ultrastructural detail. In these studies, HPF was used to monitor subtle fine-structural changes in spine shape associated with chemically induced long-term potentiation (cLTP) at identified hippocampal mossy fiber synapses. Changes in spine shape result from reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. We report that cLTP was associated with decreased immunogold labeling for phosphorylated cofilin (p-cofilin), an actin-depolymerizing protein. Phosphorylation of cofilin renders it unable to depolymerize F-actin, which stabilizes the actin cytoskeleton. Decreased levels of p-cofilin, in turn, suggest increased actin turnover, possibly underlying the changes in spine shape associated with cLTP. The findings reviewed here establish HPF as an appropriate method for studying the fine structure and molecular composition of synapses on dendritic spines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Frotscher
- Institute for Structural Neurobiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Hamburg Germany
| | - Daniel Studer
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern Bern Switzerland
| | - Werner Graber
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern Bern Switzerland
| | - Xuejun Chai
- Institute for Structural Neurobiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Hamburg Germany
| | - Sigrun Nestel
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Shanting Zhao
- Institute for Structural Neurobiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Hamburg Germany
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