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Karlupia N, Schalek RL, Wu Y, Meirovitch Y, Wei D, Charney AW, Kopell BH, Lichtman JW. Immersion Fixation and Staining of Multicubic Millimeter Volumes for Electron Microscopy-Based Connectomics of Human Brain Biopsies. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:352-360. [PMID: 36740206 PMCID: PMC10397365 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Connectomics allows mapping of cells and their circuits at the nanometer scale in volumes of approximately 1 mm3. Given that the human cerebral cortex can be 3 mm in thickness, larger volumes are required. Larger-volume circuit reconstructions of human brain are limited by 1) the availability of fresh biopsies; 2) the need for excellent preservation of ultrastructure, including extracellular space; and 3) the requirement of uniform staining throughout the sample, among other technical challenges. Cerebral cortical samples from neurosurgical patients are available owing to lead placement for deep brain stimulation. Described here is an immersion fixation, heavy metal staining, and tissue processing method that consistently provides excellent ultrastructure throughout human and rodent surgical brain samples of volumes 2 × 2 × 2 mm3 and up to 37 mm3 with one dimension ≤2 mm. This method should allow synapse-level circuit analysis in samples from patients with psychiatric and neurologic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Karlupia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| | - Richard L Schalek
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Yuelong Wu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Yaron Meirovitch
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Donglai Wei
- Department of Computer Science, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Brian H Kopell
- Center for Neuromodulation, Department of Neurosurgery, The Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Jeff W Lichtman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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Petroff RL, Grant KS, Burbacher TM. The Role of Nonhuman Primates in Neurotoxicology Research: Preclinical Models and Experimental Methods. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e698. [PMID: 36912610 PMCID: PMC10084743 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.698] [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: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Although noteworthy progress has been made in developing alternatives to animal testing, nonhuman primates still play a critical role in advancing biomedical research and will likely do so for many years. Core similarities between monkeys and humans in genetics, physiology, reproduction, development, and behavior make them excellent models for translational studies relevant to human health. This unit is designed to specifically address the role of nonhuman primates in neurotoxicology research and outlines the specialized assessments that can be used to measure exposure-related changes at the structural, chemical, cellular, molecular, and functional levels. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah L Petroff
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Kimberly S Grant
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Thomas M Burbacher
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Zhang J, Zhang D, Sun L, Ji G, Huang X, Niu T, Xu J, Ma C, Zhu Y, Gao N, Xu W, Sun F. VHUT-cryo-FIB, a method to fabricate frozen hydrated lamellae from tissue specimens for in situ cryo-electron tomography. J Struct Biol 2021; 213:107763. [PMID: 34174447 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2021.107763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) provides a promising approach to study intact structures of macromolecules in situ, but the efficient preparation of high-quality cryosections represents a bottleneck. Although cryo-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) milling has emerged for large and flat cryo-lamella preparation, its application to tissue specimens remains challenging. Here, we report an integrated workflow, VHUT-cryo-FIB, for efficiently preparing frozen hydrated tissue lamella that can be readily used in subsequent cryo-ET studies. The workflow includes vibratome slicing, high-pressure freezing, ultramicrotome cryo-trimming and cryo-FIB milling. Two strategies were developed for loading cryo-lamella via a side-entry cryo-holder or an FEI AutoGrid. The workflow was validated by using various tissue specimens, including rat skeletal muscle, rat liver and spinach leaf specimens, and in situ structures of ribosomes were obtained at nanometer resolution from the spinach and liver samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianguo Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Center for Biological Imaging, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Danyang Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Physical Science Laboratory, Huairou National Comprehensive Science Center, No. 5 Yanqi East Second Street, Beijing 101400, China
| | - Lei Sun
- Center for Biological Imaging, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Gang Ji
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Center for Biological Imaging, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaojun Huang
- Center for Biological Imaging, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Tongxin Niu
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Center for Biological Imaging, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jiashu Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chengying Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yun Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Wei Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Center for Biological Imaging, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Fei Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Center for Biological Imaging, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Physical Science Laboratory, Huairou National Comprehensive Science Center, No. 5 Yanqi East Second Street, Beijing 101400, China.
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4
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Gagnon D, Eid L, Coudé D, Whissel C, Di Paolo T, Parent A, Parent M. Evidence for Sprouting of Dopamine and Serotonin Axons in the Pallidum of Parkinsonian Monkeys. Front Neuroanat 2018; 12:38. [PMID: 29867377 PMCID: PMC5963193 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2018.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This light and electron microscopie immunohistochemical quantitative study aimed at determining the state of the dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) innervations of the internal (GPi) and external (GPe) segments of the pallidum in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) rendered parkinsonian by systemic injections of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). In contrast to the prominent DA denervation of striatum, the GPi in MPTP monkeys was found to be markedly enriched in DA (TH+) axon varicosities. The posterior sensorimotor region of this major output structure of the basal ganglia was about 8 times more intensely innervated in MPTP monkeys (0.71 ± 0.08 × 106 TH+ axon varicosities/mm3) than in controls (0.09 ± 0.01 × 106). MPTP intoxication also induced a two-fold increase in the density of 5-HT (SERT+) axon varicosities in both GPe and GPi. This augmentation was particularly pronounced anteriorly in the so-called associative and limbic pallidal territories. The total length of the labeled pallidal axons was also significantly increased in MPTP monkeys compared to controls, but the number of DA and 5-HT axon varicosities per axon length unit remained the same in the two groups, indicating that the DA and 5-HT pallidal hyperinnervations seen in MPTP monkeys result from axon sprouting rather than from the appearance of newly formed axon varicosities on non-growing axons. At the ultrastructural level, pallidal TH+ and SERT+ axons were morphologically similar in MPTP and controls, and their synaptic incidence was very low suggesting a volumic mode of transmission. Altogether, our data reveal a significant sprouting of DA and 5-HT pallidal afferents in parkinsonian monkeys, the functional significance of which remains to be determined. We suggest that the marked DA hyperinnervation of the GPi represents a neuroadaptive change designed to normalize pallidal firing patterns associated with the delayed appearance of motor symptoms, whereas the 5-HT hyperinnervation might be involved in the early expression of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dave Gagnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Lara Eid
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Dymka Coudé
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Carl Whissel
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Thérèse Di Paolo
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - André Parent
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Parent
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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