Wir danken unseren Kollegen, die in der Arbeit beteiligt hier zusammengefasst. Diese Arbeit wurde durch Fördermittel der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 894), der DFG Schwerpunktprogramm 1392 &quot;Integrative Analyse des Geruchssinns&quot; und von der Volkswagen-Stiftung (TLZ) unterstützt. TLZ ist eine Lichtenberg Professor der Volkswagen-Stiftung.

<ol>
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J. 74, 1591-1599 (1998).</li><li>Wen, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+characterization+of+genetically+labeled+gonadotropes.">Functional characterization of genetically labeled gonadotropes.</a> Endocrinology. 149, 2701-2711 (2008).</li><li>Paxinos, G., Franklin, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> The mouse brain in stereotaxic coordinates. , (2001).</li><li>Tirindelli, R., Dibattista, M., Pifferi, S., Menini, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=From+pheromones+to+behavior.">From pheromones to behavior.</a> Physiol. Rev. 89, 921-956 (2009).</li><li>Kelliher, K. R., Wersinger, S. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Olfactory+regulation+of+the+sexual+behavior+and+reproductive+physiology+of+the+laboratory+mouse:+effects+and+neural+mechanisms.">Olfactory regulation of the sexual behavior and reproductive physiology of the laboratory mouse: effects and neural mechanisms.</a> ILAR J. 50, 28-42 (2009).</li><li>Yoon, H., Enquist, L. W., Dulac, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Olfactory+inputs+to+hypothalamic+neurons+controlling+reproduction+and+fertility.">Olfactory inputs to hypothalamic neurons controlling reproduction and fertility.</a> Cell. 123, 669-682 (2005).</li><li>Boehm, U., Zou, Z., Buck, L. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Feedback+loops+link+odor+and+pheromone+signaling+with+reproduction.">Feedback loops link odor and pheromone signaling with reproduction.</a> Cell. 123, 683-695 (2005).</li><li>Wilson, J. M., Dombeck, D. A., Diaz-Rios, M., Harris-Warrick, R. M., Brownstone, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two-photon+calcium+imaging+of+network+activity+in+XFP-expressing+neurons+in+the+mouse.">Two-photon calcium imaging of network activity in XFP-expressing neurons in the mouse.</a> J. Neurophysiol. 97, 3118-3125 (2007).</li><li>Hu, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Detection+of+near-atmospheric+concentrations+of+CO2+by+an+olfactory+subsystem+in+the+mouse.">Detection of near-atmospheric concentrations of CO2 by an olfactory subsystem in the mouse.</a> Science. 317, 953-957 (2007).</li><li>Perez, C. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+transient+receptor+potential+channel+expressed+in+taste+receptor+cells.">A transient receptor potential channel expressed in taste receptor cells.</a> Nat. Neurosci. 5, 1169-1176 (2002).</li><li>Trollinger, D. R., Cascio, W. E., Lemasters, J. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Selective+loading+of+Rhod+2+into+mitochondria+shows+mitochondrial+Ca2++transients+during+the+contractile+cycle+in+adult+rabbit+cardiac+myocytes.">Selective loading of Rhod 2 into mitochondria shows mitochondrial Ca2+ transients during the contractile cycle in adult rabbit cardiac myocytes.</a> Biochem Biophys. Res. Commun. 236, 738-742 (1997).</li><li>Meshik, X. A., Hyrc, K. L., Goldberg, M. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Properties+of+Asante+Calcium+Red+-+a+novel+ratiometric+indicator+with+long+excitation+wavelength.">Properties of Asante Calcium Red - a novel ratiometric indicator with long excitation wavelength.</a> , (2010).</li></ol>

Keine Interessenskonflikte erklärt.

Eine wichtige Frage in den Neurowissenschaften ist es zu verstehen, wie das Gehirn soziale Informationen verarbeitet. Eine vorherrschende Quelle von Informationen, die für die gesellschaftliche Anerkennung wird durch Geruchs-oder Pheromone Signale kodiert. Der Nachweis dieser Signale durch neuronale Populationen in der Nase und der Erkennung der Signale im Gehirn, insbesondere der Hypothalamus, eine wichtige Rolle spielen in vielen sozialen Prozesse und Einfluss Hormone und andere neuroendokrine Faktoren 13-16. Ein wesentliches Hindernis der Analyse von neuronalen Reaktionen in Hirnregionen wie den Hypothalamus enthaltenden multifunktionellen Kerne mit mehreren Neuronen ist die Identifikation von spezifischen Neuronen von Interesse. Viele transgene Mauslinien entwickelt worden, in denen vor allem GFP zu Neuronen zu identifizieren hilft. Leider erschwert die fluoreszierende Eigenschaft des GFP-Messungen mit Ca 2 +-Indikator Farbstoffe wie fluo-3 und fluo-4 17. Wir haben daher begonnen, untersuchtTor Neuronen mit einer Rotverschiebung Ca 2 +-Indikator-Farbstoff, wie Fura-Rot 3,4 GFP-markierten. Fura-rot Basis Ca 2 +-Imaging wurde zuvor kombiniert mit GFP-markierten Pankreas β-Zellen und GFP-markierten Rezeptoren in HEK-Zellen 5,6 ausgedrückt. Wie Fura-2, hat einige Übersprechen zwischen Fura-rot und GFP wurde 2 berichtet. Dennoch kann die Verwendung hochwertiger Emissions-Filter-Sets mit bestimmten Bandbreiten und dichromatischen Strahlteiler Filter das Übersprechen / Durchschlagen zwischen den Farbstoffen zu einem gewissen Grad zu begrenzen. Es ist ratsam, die Einstellungen eines konfokalen Mikroskops durch Messung beide Kanäle (grüne und rote Fluoreszenz) zur gleichen Zeit unter Verwendung (1) Gehirnschnitte mit GFP-markierten Neuronen bestätigen, aber nicht mit dem Ca 2 +-Indikatorfarbstoff geladen, sowie wie (2) Hirnschnitten ohne Neuronen GFP-markierten, aber beladen mit der Rotverschiebung Ca 2 +-Indikator. Mit den gleichen Einstellungen auf dem konfokalen Mikroskop wie bei einer regulären Experiment kann der Prüfer dann beachten, wenn einy Fluoreszenz wird in der disparaten Kanal, die vermieden werden sollten erkannt. Einige Ermittler Rhod-2 oder empfehlen die Verwendung von X-rhod1 als Alternative rotverschoben Farbstoff in Kombination mit GFP-markierten Zellen 2,18,19. Allerdings bin rhod Farbstoffe scheinen eine Tendenz, in Mitochondrien 20 zu konzentrieren haben und in vielen Neuronen niedrigen Etikettier-Effizienz 17. Aufgrund der Notwendigkeit einer verbesserten rotverschoben Ca 2 +-Indikatoren, Ermittler und Unternehmen entwickeln derzeit neue Sonden mit hoffentlich überlegene Leistung 21.

There was a typo in the abstract of <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/video/4213">Imaging Calcium Responses in GFP-tagged Neurons of Hypothalamic Mouse Brain Slices</a>.

Erratum: Imaging Calcium Responses in GFP-tagged Neurons of Hypothalamic Mouse Brain Slices

<table border="1"><tbody><tr><td> Name </td><td> Firma </td><td> Cat. Nr. </td></tr><tr><td> Agar </td><td> Sigma </td><td> A1296 </td></tr><tr><td> Fura-red/AM </td><td> Invitrogen </td><td> F-3021 </td></tr><tr><td> Pluronic F-127 </td><td> Sigma </td><td> P2443 </td></tr><tr><td> Dimethylsulfoxid </td><td> Fisher Scientific </td><td> BP231 </td></tr><tr><td> Vibrierende-Blade Mikrotom Hyrax V 50 </td><td> Zeiss </td><td> 9770170 </td></tr><tr><td> Kühlgerät CU 65 für Mikrotom Hyrax V 50 </td><td> Zeiss </td><td> 9920120 </td></tr><tr><td> O 2 / CO 2 Inkubator, CB210-UL </td><td> Binder </td><td> 0019389 </td></tr><tr><td> Super Kleber, Loctite 406TM </td><td> Henckel </td><td> 142580 </td></tr><tr><td> Doppelspatel, Löffelform </td><td>Bochem </td><td> 3182 </td></tr><tr><td> Mikrolöffel Spatel, Löffel Form </td><td> Bochem </td><td> 3344 </td></tr><tr><td> Federschere, Moria-Vannas-Wolff - 7mm Blades </td><td> Fine Science Tools </td><td> 15370-52 </td></tr><tr><td> Federschere, Vannas - 3mm Blades </td><td> Fine Science Tools </td><td> 15000-00 </td></tr><tr><td> Wagner Scissors </td><td> Fine Science Tools </td><td> 14071-12 </td></tr><tr><td> Medical Forceps, Dumont 7b </td><td> Fine Science Tools </td><td> 11270-20 </td></tr><tr><td> Große rechteckige Open Bath Chamber (RC-27) </td><td> Warner Instruments </td><td> 64-0238 </td></tr><tr><td> Konfokalen Mikroskop BioRad Radiance 2100 </td><td> Zeiss </td><td> na </td></tr></tbody></table>

imaging calcium responses in gfp-tagged neurons of hypothalamic mouse brain slices

Trotz einer enormen Steigerung in unserem Wissen über die Mechanismen der Kodierung von Informationen im Gehirn, eine zentrale Frage, die die genauen molekularen Schritte sowie die Aktivität bestimmter Nervenzellen im multifunktionalen Kerne von Hirnarealen wie dem Hypothalamus bleiben. Dieses Problem umfasst die Identifizierung der molekularen Komponenten der Regulation verschiedener Neurohormon Signaltransduktionskaskaden beteiligt. Erhöhungen der intrazellulären Ca 2 + spielen eine wichtige Rolle bei der Regulierung der Empfindlichkeit von Nervenzellen, sowohl auf der Ebene der Signaltransduktion und an synaptischen Websites. Neue Werkzeuge sind entstanden, um zur Ermittlung Neuronen in der Vielzahl von Neuronen des Gehirns durch Expression grün fluoreszierendes Protein (GFP) unter der Kontrolle eines bestimmten Promotors. Sowohl räumlich als auch zeitlich Stimulus-induzierten überwachen Ca 2 +-Antworten in GFP-markierten Neuronen, eine nicht-grünen fluoreszierenden Ca 2 +-Indikatorfarbstoff nEEDS verwendet werden. Darüber hinaus ist ein beliebtes Konfokalmikroskopie Verfahren zum Abbilden einzelner Neuronen in Gewebeschnitten durch seine Fähigkeit, Neuronen in verschiedenen Ebenen der Tiefe innerhalb des Gewebes sichtbar zu machen und außerhalb des Fokus Fluoreszenz begrenzen. Die ratiometrische Ca 2 +-Indikator Fura-2 wurde in Kombination mit Neuronen verwendet ein GFP-markierten. Jedoch wird der Farbstoff durch ultraviolettes (UV) Licht angeregt. Die Kosten für den Laser und die begrenzte optische Eindringtiefe des UV-Lichts verhindert die Verwendung in vielen Laboratorien. Darüber hinaus kann GFP-Fluoreszenz mit den Fura-2 Signale 2 stören. Deshalb haben wir beschlossen, ein rot fluoreszierendes Ca 2 +-Indikator-Farbstoff verwenden. Die riesige Strokes Verschiebung der Fura-Rot erlaubt multicolor Analyse der roten Fluoreszenz in Kombination mit GFP mit einer einzigen Anregungswellenlänge. Wir hatten zuvor gute Ergebnisse mit Fura-Rot in Kombination mit GFP-markierten olfaktorischen Neuronen 3. Die Protokolle für olfaktorischen Gewebeschnitten schien e arbeitenQually auch in Neuronen des Hypothalamus 4. Fura-rot Basis Ca 2 +-Imaging wurde auch erfolgreich mit GFP-markierten Pankreas β-Zellen und GFP-markierten Rezeptoren in HEK-Zellen 5,6 Ausdruck kombiniert. Ein wenig Laune des Fura-Rot ist, dass seine Fluoreszenzintensität bei 650 nm, wenn die Anzeige bindet Calcium 7 abnimmt. Daher weist die Fluoreszenz des ruhenden Neuronen mit niedrigen Ca 2 +-Konzentration relativ hoher Intensität. Es sollte angemerkt werden, dass andere rote Ca 2 +-Indikatorfarbstoffe existieren oder derzeit entwickelt werden, könnte das eine bessere oder verbesserte Ergebnisse in verschiedenen Neuronen und Hirnareale.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Imaging Calcium Responses in GFP-tagged Neurons of Hypothalamic Mouse Brain Slices at JoVE.com

Imaging Calcium Responses in GFP-tagged Neurons of Hypothalamic Mouse Brain Slices

In diesem Protokoll, aktualisieren wir die jüngsten Fortschritte in der Bildgebung Ca<sup&gt; 2 +</sup&gt; Signale GFP-markierten Neuronen im Gehirn Gewebeschnitte mit einem rot fluoreszierenden Ca<sup&gt; 2 +</sup&gt; Indikatorfarbstoff.

Imaging Calcium Antworten in GFP-markierten Neuronen des Hypothalamus Maus Hirnschnitten

Despite an enormous increase in our knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the encoding of information in the brain, a central question concerning the ...

imaging-calcium-responses-gfp-tagged-neurons-hypothalamic-mouse-brain

Nanyang Technological University

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

17.8K Aufrufe.  University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany. In diesem Protokoll, aktualisieren wir die jüngsten Fortschritte in der Bildgebung Ca 2 + Signale GFP-markierten Neuronen im Gehirn Gewebeschnitte mit einem rot fluoreszierenden Ca 2 + Indikatorfarbstoff.

Serie: Imaging Calcium Responses in GFP-tagged Neurons of Hypothalamic Mouse Brain Slices

Dual Somatic Recordings from Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Neurons Identified by Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) in Hypothalamic Slices

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) is a small neuropeptide that regulates pituitary release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These gonadotropins are essential for the regulation of reproductive function. The GnRH-containing neurons are distributed diffusely throughout the hypothalamus and project to the median eminence where they release GnRH from their axon terminals into the hypophysiotropic portal system (1). In the portal capillaries, GnRH travels to the anterior pituitary gland to stimulate release of gonadotropins into systemic circulation. GnRH release is not continuous but rather occurs in episodic pulses. It is well established that the intermittent manner of GnRH release is essential for reproduction (2, 3).
Coordination of activity of multiple GnRH neurons probably underlies GnRH pulses. Total peptide content in GnRH neurons is approximately 1.0 pg/cell (4), of which 30% likely comprises the releasable pool. Levels of GnRH during a pulse (5, 6), suggest multiple GnRH neurons are probably involved in neurosecretion. Likewise, single unit activity extracted from hypothalamic multi-unit recordings during LH release indicates changes in activity of multiple neurons (7). The electrodes with recorded activity during LH pulses are associated with either GnRH somata or fibers (8). Therefore, at least some of this activity arises from GnRH neurons.
The mechanisms that result in synchronized firing in hypothalamic GnRH neurons are unknown. Elucidating the mechanisms that coordinate firing in GnRH neurons is a complex problem. First, the GnRH neurons are relatively few in number. In rodents, there are 800-2500 GnRH neurons. It is not clear that all GnRH neurons are involved in episodic GnRH release. Moreover, GnRH neurons are diffusely distributed (1). This has complicated our understanding of coordination of firing and has made many technical approaches intractable. We have optimized loose cell-attached recordings in current-clamp mode for the direct detection of action potentials and developed a recording approach that allows for simultaneous recordings from pairs of GnRH neurons.

Dual Somatic Recordings from Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone GnRH Neurons Identified by Green Fluorescent Protein GFP in Hypothalamic Slices

Activity in neuronal systems often requires synchronous action potential discharges from neurons within a specific population. For example, pulses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) likely require coordinated activity between GnRH neurons. We present our methodological approach for reliably obtaining simultaneous electrophysiological recordings from the diffusely distributed GnRH neurons.

Dual-Somatische Recordings von Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Neuronen von Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) in Hypothalamus Slices Identified

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) is a small neuropeptide that regulates pituitary release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating ...

Forschung

Neurowissenschaften

Calcium Imaging of Odor-evoked Responses in the Drosophila Antennal Lobe

The antennal lobe is the primary olfactory center in the insect brain and represents the anatomical and functional equivalent of the vertebrate olfactory bulb1-5. Olfactory information in the external world is transmitted to the antennal lobe by olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), which segregate to distinct regions of neuropil called glomeruli according to the specific olfactory receptor they express. Here, OSN axons synapse with both local interneurons (LNs), whose processes can innervate many different glomeruli, and projection neurons (PNs), which convey olfactory information to higher olfactory brain regions.
Optical imaging of the activity of OSNs, LNs and PNs in the antennal lobe - traditionally using synthetic calcium indicators (e.g. calcium green, FURA-2) or voltage-sensitive dyes (e.g. RH414) - has long been an important technique to understand how olfactory stimuli are represented as spatial and temporal patterns of glomerular activity in many species of insects6-10. Development of genetically-encoded neural activity reporters, such as the fluorescent calcium indicators G-CaMP11,12 and Cameleon13, the bioluminescent calcium indicator GFP-aequorin14,15, or a reporter of synaptic transmission, synapto-pHluorin16 has made the olfactory system of the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster, particularly accessible to neurophysiological imaging, complementing its comprehensively-described molecular, electrophysiological and neuroanatomical properties2,4,17. These reporters can be selectively expressed via binary transcriptional control systems (e.g. GAL4/UAS18, LexA/LexAop19,20, Q system21) in defined populations of neurons within the olfactory circuitry to dissect with high spatial and temporal resolution how odor-evoked neural activity is represented, modulated and transformed22-24.
Here we describe the preparation and analysis methods to measure odor-evoked responses in the Drosophila antennal lobe using G-CaMP25-27. The animal preparation is minimally invasive and can be adapted to imaging using wide-field fluorescence, confocal and two-photon microscopes.

Calcium Imaging of Odor-evoked Responses in the Drosophila Antennal Lobe

We describe an established technique to measure and analyze odor-evoked calcium responses in the antennal lobe of living Drosophila melanogaster.

Calcium Imaging von geruchs-evozierte Potentiale in der Drosophila Antennallobus

The antennal lobe is the primary olfactory center in the insect brain and represents the anatomical and functional equivalent of the vertebrate olfactory ...

Preparation of Acute Subventricular Zone Slices for Calcium Imaging

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is one of the two neurogenic zones in the postnatal brain. The SVZ contains densely packed cells, including neural progenitor cells with astrocytic features (called SVZ astrocytes), neuroblasts, and intermediate progenitor cells. Neuroblasts born in the SVZ tangentially migrate a great distance to the olfactory bulb, where they differentiate into interneurons. Intercellular signaling through adhesion molecules and diffusible signals play important roles in controlling neurogenesis. Many of these signals trigger intercellular calcium activity that transmits information inside and between cells. Calcium activity is thus reflective of the activity of extracellular signals and is an optimal way to understand functional intercellular signaling among SVZ cells.
Calcium activity has been studied in many other regions and cell types, including mature astrocytes and neurons. However, the traditional method to load cells with calcium indicator dye (i.e. bath loading) was not efficient at loading all SVZ cell types. Indeed, the cellular density in the SVZ precludes dye diffusion inside the tissue. In addition, preparing sagittal slices will better preserve the three-dimensional arrangement of SVZ cells, particularly the stream of neuroblast migration on the rostral-caudal axis.
Here, we describe methods to prepare sagittal sections containing the SVZ, the loading of SVZ cells with calcium indicator dye, and the acquisition of calcium activity with time-lapse movies. We used Fluo-4 AM dye for loading SVZ astrocytes using pressure application inside the tissue. Calcium activity was recorded using a scanning confocal microscope allowing a precise resolution for distinguishing individual cells. Our approach is applicable to other neurogenic zones including the adult hippocampal subgranular zone and embryonic neurogenic zones. In addition, other types of dyes can be applied using the described method.

A method to load subventricular zone (SVZ) cells with calcium indicator dyes for recording calcium activity is described. The postnatal SVZ contains tightly packed cells including neural progenitor cells and neuroblasts. Rather than using bath loading we injected the dye by pressure inside the tissue allowing better dye diffusion.

Vorbereitung der akuten Subventrikulärzone Slices für Calcium Imaging

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is one of the two neurogenic zones in the postnatal brain. The SVZ contains densely packed cells, including neural ...

Dual Electrophysiological Recordings of Synaptically-evoked Astroglial and Neuronal Responses in Acute Hippocampal Slices

Astrocytes form together with neurons tripartite synapses, where they integrate and modulate neuronal activity. Indeed, astrocytes sense neuronal inputs through activation of their ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors, and process information in part through activity-dependent release of gliotransmitters. Furthermore, astrocytes constitute the main uptake system for glutamate, contribute to potassium spatial buffering, as well as to GABA clearance. These cells therefore constantly monitor synaptic activity, and are thereby sensitive indicators for alterations in synaptically-released glutamate, GABA and extracellular potassium levels. Additionally, alterations in astroglial uptake activity or buffering capacity can have severe effects on neuronal functions, and might be overlooked when characterizing physiopathological situations or knockout mice. Dual recording of neuronal and astroglial activities is therefore an important method to study alterations in synaptic strength associated to concomitant changes in astroglial uptake and buffering capacities. Here we describe how to prepare hippocampal slices, how to identify stratum radiatum astrocytes, and how to record simultaneously neuronal and astroglial electrophysiological responses. Furthermore, we describe how to isolate pharmacologically the synaptically-evoked astroglial currents.

The preparation of acute brain slices from isolated hippocampi, as well as the simultaneous electrophysiological recordings of astrocytes and neurons in stratum radiatum during stimulation of schaffer collaterals is described. The pharmacological isolation of astroglial potassium and glutamate transporter currents is demonstrated.

Dual-Elektrophysiologische Recordings synaptisch-evozierte astrogliale und neuronale Antworten in Acute Hippocampusschnitte

Astrocytes form together with neurons tripartite synapses, where they integrate and modulate neuronal activity. Indeed, astrocytes sense neuronal inputs ...

Live Images of GLUT4 Protein Trafficking in Mouse Primary Hypothalamic Neurons Using Deconvolution Microscopy

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global health crisis which is characterized by insulin signaling impairment and chronic inflammation in peripheral tissues. The hypothalamus in the central nervous system (CNS) is the control center for energy and insulin signal response regulation. Chronic inflammation in peripheral tissues and imbalances of certain chemokines (such as CCL5, TNF&#945;, and IL-6) contribute to diabetes and obesity. However, the functional mechanism(s) connecting chemokines and hypothalamic insulin signal regulation still remain unclear.
In vitro primary neuron culture models are convenient and simple models which can be used to investigate insulin signal regulation in hypothalamic neurons. In this study, we introduced exogeneous GLUT4 protein conjugated with GFP (GFP-GLUT4) into primary hypothalamic neurons to track GLUT4 membrane translocation upon insulin stimulation. Time-lapse images of GFP-GLUT4 protein trafficking were recorded by deconvolution microscopy, which allowed users to generate high-speed, high-resolution images without damaging the neurons significantly while conducting the experiment. The contribution of CCR5 in insulin regulated GLUT4 translocation was observed in CCR5 deficient hypothalamic neurons, which were isolated and cultured from CCR5 knockout mice. Our results demonstrated that the GLUT4 membrane translocation efficiency was reduced in CCR5 deficient hypothalamic neurons after insulin stimulation.

This protocol describes a technique for observation of real-time Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) tagged Glucose Transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein trafficking upon insulin stimulation and characterization of the biological role of CCR5 in the insulin&#8211;GLUT4 signaling pathway with Deconvolution Microscopy.

Live-Bilder von GLUT4 Protein Menschenhandel Maus primäre hypothalamische Neurone mit Dekonvolution Mikroskopie

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global health crisis which is characterized by insulin signaling impairment and chronic inflammation in peripheral ...

Two-photon Calcium Imaging in Neuronal Dendrites in Brain Slices

Calcium (Ca2+) imaging is a powerful tool to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of intracellular Ca2+ signals in neuronal dendrites. Ca2+ fluctuations can occur through a variety of membrane and intracellular mechanisms and play a crucial role in the induction of synaptic plasticity and regulation of dendritic excitability. Hence, the ability to record different types of Ca2+ signals in dendritic branches is valuable for groups studying how dendrites integrate information. The advent of two-photon microscopy has made such studies significantly easier by solving the problems inherent to imaging in live tissue, such as light scattering and photodamage. Moreover, through combination of conventional electrophysiological techniques with two-photon Ca2+ imaging, it is possible to investigate local Ca2+ fluctuations in neuronal dendrites in parallel with recordings of synaptic activity in soma. Here, we describe how to use this method to study the dynamics of local Ca2+ transients (CaTs) in dendrites of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons. The method can be also applied to studying dendritic Ca2+ signaling in different neuronal types in acute brain slices.

We present a method combining whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and two-photon imaging to record Ca2+ transients in neuronal dendrites in acute brain slices.

Zwei-Photonen-Kalzium Imaging in neuronalen Dendriten in Hirnschnitten

Calcium (Ca2+) imaging is a powerful tool to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of intracellular Ca2+ signals in neuronal dendrites. Ca2+ ...

Ratiometric Calcium Imaging of Individual Neurons in Behaving Caenorhabditis Elegans

It has become increasingly clear that neural circuit activity in behaving animals differs substantially from that seen in anesthetized or immobilized animals. Highly sensitive, genetically encoded fluorescent reporters of Ca2+ have revolutionized the recording of cell and synaptic activity using non-invasive optical approaches in behaving animals. When combined with genetic and optogenetic techniques, the molecular mechanisms that modulate cell and circuit activity during different behavior states can be identified.
Here we describe methods for ratiometric Ca2+ imaging of single neurons in freely behaving Caenorhabditis elegans worms. We demonstrate a simple mounting technique that gently overlays worms growing on a standard Nematode Growth Media (NGM) agar block with a glass coverslip, permitting animals to be recorded at high-resolution during unrestricted movement and behavior. With this technique, we use the sensitive Ca2+ reporter GCaMP5 to record changes in intracellular Ca2+ in the serotonergic Hermaphrodite Specific Neurons (HSNs) as they drive egg-laying behavior. By co-expressing mCherry, a Ca2+-insensitive fluorescent protein, we can track the position of the HSN within ~ 1 &#181;m and correct for fluctuations in fluorescence caused by changes in focus or movement. Simultaneous, infrared brightfield imaging allows for behavior recording and animal tracking using a motorized stage. By integrating these microscopic techniques and data streams, we can record Ca2+ activity in the C. elegans egg-laying circuit as it progresses between inactive and active behavior states over tens of minutes.

Ratiometric Calcium Imaging of Individual Neurons in Behaving Caenorhabditis Elegans

This protocol describes the use of genetically encoded Ca2+ reporters to record changes in neural activity in behaving Caenorhabditis elegans worms. &#8195;

Ratiometrischen Kalzium Imaging einzelner Neuronen im Verhalten Caenorhabditis Elegans

It has become increasingly clear that neural circuit activity in behaving animals differs substantially from that seen in anesthetized or immobilized ...

Ex Vivo Calcium Imaging for Visualizing Brain Responses to Endocrine Signaling in Drosophila

Organ-to-organ communication by endocrine signaling, for example, from the periphery to the brain, is essential for maintaining homeostasis. As a model animal for endocrine research, Drosophila melanogaster, which has sophisticated genetic tools and genome information, is being increasingly used. This article describes a method for the calcium imaging of Drosophila brain explants. This method enables the detection of the direct signaling of a hormone to the brain. It is well known that many peptide hormones act through G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), whose activation causes an increase in the intracellular Ca2+concentration. Neural activation also elevates intracellular Ca2+ levels, from both Ca2+ influx and the release of Ca2+ stored in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). A calcium sensor, GCaMP, can monitor these Ca2+ changes. In this method, GCaMP is expressed in the neurons of interest, and the GCaMP-expressing larval brain is dissected and cultured ex vivo. The test peptide is then applied to the brain explant, and the fluorescent changes in GCaMP are detected using a spinning disc confocal microscope equipped with a CCD camera. Using this method, any water-soluble molecule can be tested, and various cellular events associated with neural activation can be imaged using the appropriate fluorescent indicators. Moreover, by modifying the imaging chamber, this method can be used to image other Drosophila organs or the organs of other animals.

Ex Vivo Calcium Imaging for Visualizing Brain Responses to Endocrine Signaling in Drosophila

This paper describes a protocol for ex vivo calcium imaging of the Drosophila brain. In this method, natural or synthetic compounds can be applied to the buffer to test their ability to activate particular neurons in the brain.

Ex-Vivo Calcium Imaging zur Visualisierung von Gehirn Reaktionen auf endokrine Signalisierung bei Drosophila

Organ-to-organ communication by endocrine signaling, for example, from the periphery to the brain, is essential for maintaining homeostasis. As a model ...

Ballistic Labeling of Pyramidal Neurons in Brain Slices and in Primary Cell Culture

It has been reported that the size and shape of dendritic spines is related to their structural plasticity. To identify the morphological structure of pyramidal neurons and dendritic spines, a ballistic labeling technique can be utilized. In the present protocol, pyramidal neurons are labeled with DilC18(3) dye and analyzed using neuronal reconstruction software to assess neuronal morphology and dendritic spines. To investigate neuronal structure, dendritic branching analysis and Sholl analysis are performed, allowing researchers to draw inferences about dendritic branching complexity and neuronal arbor complexity, respectively. The evaluation of dendritic spines is conducted using an automatic assisted classification algorithm integral to the reconstruction software, which classifies spines into four categories (i.e., thin, mushroom, stubby, filopodia). Furthermore, an additional three parameters (i.e., length, head diameter, and volume) are also chosen to assess alterations in dendritic spine morphology. To validate the potential of wide application of the ballistic labeling technique, pyramidal neurons from in vitro cell culture were successfully labeled. Overall, the ballistic labeling method is unique and useful for visualizing neurons in different brain regions in rats, which in combination with sophisticated reconstruction software, allows researchers to elucidate the possible mechanisms underlying neurocognitive dysfunction.

We present a protocol to label and analyze pyramidal neurons, which is critical for evaluating potential morphological alterations in neurons and dendritic spines that may underlie neurochemical and behavioral abnormalities.

Ballistische Kennzeichnung von Pyramidal neurons in Gehirnscheiben und in der primären Zellkultur

It has been reported that the size and shape of dendritic spines is related to their structural plasticity. To identify the morphological structure of ...

In vivo Calcium Imaging of Mouse Geniculate Ganglion Neuron Responses to Taste Stimuli

Within the last ten years, advances in genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) have promoted a revolution in in vivo functional imaging. Using calcium as a proxy for neuronal activity, these techniques provide a way to monitor the responses of individual cells within large neuronal ensembles to a variety of stimuli in real time. We, and others, have applied these techniques to image the responses of individual geniculate ganglion neurons to taste stimuli applied to the tongues of live anesthetized mice. The geniculate ganglion is comprised of the cell bodies of gustatory neurons innervating the anterior tongue and palate as well as some somatosensory neurons innervating the pinna of the ear. Imaging the taste-evoked responses of individual geniculate ganglion neurons with GCaMP has provided important information about the tuning profiles of these neurons in wild-type mice as well as a way to detect peripheral taste miswiring phenotypes in genetically manipulated mice. Here we demonstrate the surgical procedure to expose the geniculate ganglion, GCaMP fluorescence image acquisition, initial steps for data analysis, and troubleshooting. This technique can be used with transgenically encoded GCaMP, or with AAV-mediated GCaMP expression, and can be modified to image particular genetic subsets of interest (i.e., Cre-mediated GCaMP expression). Overall, in vivo calcium imaging of geniculate ganglion neurons is a powerful technique for monitoring the activity of peripheral gustatory neurons and provides complementary information to more traditional whole-nerve chorda tympani recordings or taste behavior assays.

Here we present how to expose the geniculate ganglion of a live, anesthetized laboratory mouse and how to use calcium imaging to measure the responses of ensembles of these neurons to taste stimuli, allowing for multiple trials with different stimulants. This allows for in depth comparisons of which neurons respond to which tastants.

In vivo Calcium Imaging of Mouse Geniculate Ganglion Neuron Reaktionen auf Geschmacksreize

Within the last ten years, advances in genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) have promoted a revolution in in vivo functional imaging. Using ...