This research project was supported by an ARRA Supplement, 5 R01 NS056380. Additional support was provided through the Viral Vector Core and the Microscopy Core of the Emory Neuroscience NINDS Core Facilities grant, P30NS055077. We thank the Emory Transgenic Mouse and Gene Targeting Core for deriving the mouse line from GENSAT; Greg Pazour for the stable SSTR3-GFP IMCD3 cell line; and Bradley Yoder for the Sstr3-GFP lentiviral construct. Monoclonal antibodies were obtained from the Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, developed under the auspices of the NICHD, and maintained by The University of Iowa, Department of Biological Sciences, Iowa City, IA 52242. All animal procedures were approved by the IACUC and the Biosafety Committee at Emory University.

Adult mice are euthanized by mechanical cervical dislocation. All animal procedures were approved by the IACUC and the Biosafety Committee at Emory University.
1. Embryo Generation
<ol>
	<li>Cross tamoxifen- inducible Cre line, CAGGCreER, and dsRedCre reporter line (Tg(CAG-Bgeo,-DsRed*MST)1Nagy) (Figure 1) 5,6. To monitor the relative timing of Shh response in the daughter cells, cross CAGGCreER and dsRed line with the Olig2-eGFP BAC transgenic mice (Tg(Olig2-EGFP)EK23Gsat) (Figure 1) 7,8.</li>
	<li>Dissolve tamoxifen in 100% ethanol, and perform intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 mg tamoxifen per 40 g of body weight into pregnant females at embryonic 6.5 (E6.5) to induce Cre expression and dsRed labeling in a small subset of cells.</li>
	<li>48 hr later dissect embryos, identify dsRed positive embryos using the fluorescent microscope, transfer them to the culture dish and observe single cell divisions during ex vivo imaging (see below). </li>
</ol>
2. Whole Mouse Embryo Culture
<ol>
	<li>Dissect E8.5 embryos in pre-warmed wash medium containing DMEM/F12 (1:1) supplemented with 10% newborn calf serum and 1% Penicillin/Streptomycin (P/S) 9.</li>
	<li>Directly after dissection, place embryos on the 37 &deg;C heating stage under the fluorescent microscope and identify as GFP and/or dsRed positive (see below).</li>
	<li>Transfer up to 2 embryos into a 500 &mu;l drop of pre-equilibrated culture media containing 50% Rat Serum from a Sprague-Dawley male and 50% DMEM/F12 (1:1) without phenol red supplemented with L-Glutamine and 1% of 1 M HEPES in 0.85% NaCl and P/S 9.</li>
	<li>Apply a thin layer (0.1 cm) of equilibrated light mineral oil over the medium to prevent evaporation and transfer the culture dish containing the embryos to the 37 &deg;C, 5% CO2 incubator.</li>
</ol>
3. Viral Infection
<ol>
	<li>In order to label cilia in the neuroepithelium, add 5-10 &mu;l of Sstr3-GFP lentivirus, approximately 2 million virions, to a 500 &mu;l equilibrated drop of culture medium containing an E8.5 embryo.</li>
	<li>After 18 hr of culture, transfer infected embryo into several drops of wash medium to wash out the virus and prepare neural tube slice.</li>
</ol>
4. Neural Tube Slice Preparation for Live Imaging
<ol>
	<li>Dissect neural tube of the E8.5 embryo in pre-warmed wash medium using a micro-knife size 0.025 mm, on a 1% agar coated dish.</li>
	<li>Place the isolated neural tube ventral side down in a 150 &mu;l drop of equilibrated culture medium without phenol red on the 35 mm poly-L-lysine coated glass bottom dish.</li>
	<li>Put small amounts of a 1:1 mixture made from 100% pure petroleum jelly and melted candle wax (candle from IKEA) around the mounted neural tube, and gently press by a narrow piece of glass coverslip in order to immobilize the sample.</li>
	<li>Cover the dish with a thin layer (~0.1 cm) of equilibrated light mineral oil (Figure 2).</li>
</ol>
5. Live Imaging and Time-lapse Confocal Microscopy
<ol>
	<li>Place dish under the Nikon A1R Laser Scanning Confocal Inverted Microscope equipped with an environmental chamber that regulates temperature, set to 37 &deg;C, and 5% CO2.</li>
	<li>Use 60x oil-immersion objective to record GFP labeled cilia and dsRed positive cells, while the 40x oil-immersion objective use to monitor Olig2-GFP and dsRed positive cells.</li>
	<li>Open the NIS Elements software to set up time lapse imaging conditions. Every 10 min acquire z-stacks of up to 25 &mu;m with a spacing of 1.5 &mu;m (40x objective) and up to 8 &mu;m with a spacing of 0.4 &mu;m (60x objective). Use 488 and 561 nm the excitation wavelengths and transmitted channel if needed. Acquire images at 512 x 512 size. Set up multiple user-defined regions of interest to perform simultaneously recording. 
	Optimal exposure to laser power and brightness of the image was adjusted by use low laser intensity (up to 11% for mCherry 561; up to 4.5% EGFP 405/488), scan speed 1, line average 2 and size of pin hole (61 &mu;m for dsRED; 28.1 &mu;m for Olig2; 72 &mu;m for SSTR3GFP; 61.3 &mu;m for dsRED and SSTR3GFP; 58 &mu;m for dsRED and Olig2). The use of genetically encoded fluorescent reporters enabled us to detect the brightness with low laser power.</li>
	<li>Analyze recorded data using Imaris 3D reconstruction software.</li>
</ol>
6. Immunofluorescence
<ol>
	<li>Fix embryos or isolated neural tubes in 4% paraformaldehyde / 0.1 M Phosphate Buffer on ice (4 &deg;C) for 1 hr in a glass dish.</li>
	<li>Wash samples 2 hr in PBS on ice (4 &deg;C) (change PBS a few times) and put in 30% sucrose / 0.1 M Phosphate Buffer over the night or until embryos sink.</li>
	<li>Embed in OCT, freeze on dry ice and store in -80 &deg;C. Perform sectioning on cryostat (10 mm).</li>
	<li>Wash slides for 10 min in wash solution containing 1% Heat-inactivated sheep serum and 0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS.</li>
	<li>Dilute primary antibodies in wash solution at following concentrations: Rat monoclonal anti-RFP (5F8,) 1:200; Rabbit anti-Arl13b serum 1:1500 and mouse monoclonal anti-Arl13b 1:5 (295B/54); Rabbit anti-Olig2 1:300; Mouse monoclonals Pax6, Shh and Nkx2.2- all 1:10; and Rabbit polyclonal Ki67 1:500. Add around 150 &mu;l per slide in flat humidified chamber, cover with parafilm to avoid drying out and leave over the night at 4 &deg;C.</li>
	<li>Wash slides in wash solution three times, 20 min each time at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Dilute secondary antibodies Alexa Fluor 488, 568, 350 in wash solutions at 1:200 concentration. Use Hoechst 1:3,000 or TO-PRO-3 1:500 to stain nuclei. Add 150 &mu;l per slide, leave 1 hr at room temperature in humidified chamber protected from light.</li>
	<li>Wash slides in wash solution two times, 30 min each time at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Mount slides in 80% ProLong Gold anti-fade reagent and view within 24 hr.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Yamada, T., Pfaff, S. L., Edlund, T., Jessell, T. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Control+of+cell+pattern+in+the+neural+tube:+motor+neuron+induction+by+diffusible+factors+from+notochord+and+floor+plate.">Control of cell pattern in the neural tube: motor neuron induction by diffusible factors from notochord and floor plate.</a> Cell. 73, 673-686 (1993).</li><li>Ericson, J., Muhr, J., Placzek, M., Lints, T., Jessell, T. 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C., Mykytyn, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+ciliary+localization+sequences+within+the+third+intracellular+loop+of+G+protein-coupled+receptors.">Identification of ciliary localization sequences within the third intracellular loop of G protein-coupled receptors.</a> Mol. Biol. Cell. 19 (4), 1540-1547 (2008).</li><li>Vintersten, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mouse+in+red:+red+fluorescent+protein+expression+in+mouse+ES+cells,+embryos,+and+adult+animals.">Mouse in red: red fluorescent protein expression in mouse ES cells, embryos, and adult animals.</a> Genesis. 40 (4), 241-246 (2004).</li><li>Hayashi, S., McMahon, A. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficient+recombination+in+diverse+tissue+by+a+tamoxifen-inducible+form+of+Cre:+a+tool+for+temporally+regulated+gene+activation/inactivation+in+the+mouse.">Efficient recombination in diverse tissue by a tamoxifen-inducible form of Cre: a tool for temporally regulated gene activation/inactivation in the mouse.</a> Dev. Biol. 244 (2), 305-318 (2002).</li><li>Gong, S., Zheng, C., Doughty, M. L., Losos, K., Didkovsky, N., Schambra, U. B., Nowak, N. J., Joyner, A., Leblanc, G., Hatten, M. E., Heintz, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+gene+expression+atlas+of+the+central+nervous+system+based+on+bacterial+artificial+chromosomes.">A gene expression atlas of the central nervous system based on bacterial artificial chromosomes.</a> Nature. 425 (6961), 917-925 (2003).</li><li>Mukouyama, Y. S., Deneen, B., Lukaszewicz, A., Novitch, B. G., Wichterle, H., Jessell, T. M., Anderson, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Olig2++neuroepithelial+motoneuron+progenitors+are+not+multipotent+stem+cells+in+vivo.">Olig2+ neuroepithelial motoneuron progenitors are not multipotent stem cells in vivo.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 103 (5), 1551-1556 (2006).</li><li>Jones, E. A. V., Crotty, D., Kulesa, P. M., Waters, C. W., Baron, M. H., Fraser, S. E., Dickinson, M. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamic+in+vivo+imaging+of+postimplantation+mammalian+embryos+using+whole+embryo+culture.">Dynamic in vivo imaging of postimplantation mammalian embryos using whole embryo culture.</a> Genesis. 34, 228-235 (2002).</li><li>Piotrowska-Nitsche, K., Caspary, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Live+imaging+of+individual+cell+divisions+in+mouse+neuroepithelium+shows+asymmetry+in+cilium+formation+and+Sonic+hedgehog+response.">Live imaging of individual cell divisions in mouse neuroepithelium shows asymmetry in cilium formation and Sonic hedgehog response.</a> Cilia. 1 (6), (2012).</li><li>Nowotschin, S., Ferrer-Vaquer, A., Hadjantonakis, A. -. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Imaging+mouse+development+with+confocal+time-lapse+microscopy.">Imaging mouse development with confocal time-lapse microscopy.</a> Methods in Enzymology. 476, 351-377 (2010).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

Our ex vivo system enables us to directly observe single cell divisions within the developing neuroepithelium in real time. As an example we examined cell divisions within the mouse embryonic neural tube and monitored either cilium formation or Shh response. We confirmed our imaging results (n = 24) were consistent with results from fixed sections (n = 178) indicating our technique provides physiologically relevant data.
Our technique relies on Cre induction being limited to a subset of cells so the dose of tamoxifen must be precise. We worked out the dosing for labeling single cells. We believe it would be easy to label small clones of cells with a slight increase in the dose based on the initial analysis of the CAGGcreER line, which showed a dose dependent response to tamoxifen 6. Additionally, the embryo culture conditions are critical, as abnormal development occurs if the conditions are off. We confirmed that development proceeded normally under the culture conditions we used, which are known to work for at least 36 hr 11.
The inducible Cre and Cre reporter lines we use are publically available so can be easily obtained making this technique quite adaptable to researchers with a variety of questions. The real power of our technique is that in genetically labeling single cells, our approach can be used to interrogate single cell behavior in the many existing and future mutant mouse lines. This will be critical in understanding what is truly going wrong in many of these lines as direct observation of cells within the mammalian embryo during development has not been extensively examined. Our incorporaton of genetically encoded fluorescent reporters to detect brightness with low laser power provides a real advantage for such observation. It is easy to imagine fluorescently tagged proteins marking specific cellular organelles or other transcriptional reporters being integrated in the future.
We were interested in the relative timing of primary cilium formation and Shh response in the daughter cells of a dividing cell. However, the transgenic line that enabled us to monitor Shh response expressed Olig2-eGFP throughout the cytoplasm, precluding us from seeing the marker of the primary cilium, Sstr3-GFP in the same cell. Thus, we would have greatly benefited from either a nuclear restricted Olig2-eGFP or a spectrally distinct Sstr3 fluorescent protein fusion.
In addition to using targeted and transgenic line, we showed that our technique can be adapted using viral constructs and that infecting the neuroepithelium in culture provides useful data. This will be useful to investigators in providing a quicker method than generation of a genetically modified mouse line. Additionally, the approach can validate the generation of such a line; indeed, our data argue a transgenic line expressing Sstr3-GFP will be of great use to the field.
Our method provides tools with which the field can more immediately monitor cell behavior. Coupled to the rich resources of mouse mutants we expect this method to be especially powerful in examining an array of cellular behaviors in situ.

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Name of the reagent</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalogue number</td>
			<td>Comments (optional)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Z/RED line (STOCK Tg(CAG-Bgeo,-DsRed*MST)1Nagy/J</td>
			<td>Jackson Laboratory</td>
			<td>005438</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Olig2-eGFP line (STOCK Tg(Olig2-EGFP)EK23Gsat/Mmcd</td>
			<td>MMRRC,</td>
			<td>010555-UCD</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CAGGCreER</td>
			<td>Jackson Laboratory</td>
			<td>003724</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tamoxifen</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T5648</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM/F12 (1:1)</td>
			<td>GIBCO</td>
			<td>21041-025</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Newborn calf serum</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>14-416F</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin/Streptomycin</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15140-122</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat Serum SD male</td>
			<td>Harlan Bioproducts</td>
			<td>4520</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1M Hepes</td>
			<td>BioWhittaker</td>
			<td>17-737E</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>L-Glutamine</td>
			<td>GIBCO</td>
			<td>21041-025</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Light mineral oil</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>M8410</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sstr3-GFP lentivirus</td>
			<td>Emory Viral Core</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro-knife, size 0.025 mm</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>62091</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>35 mm poly-L-lysine coated glass bottom dish</td>
			<td>MatTek</td>
			<td>P35GC-0-10-C</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100% petroleum jelly</td>
			<td>Kroger</td>
			<td>FL9958c</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>A1R Laser Scanning Confocal Inverted Microscope</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NIS Elements software</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Imaris 3D software</td>
			<td>Bitplane AG</td>
			<td>Imaris 7.2.3</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>OCT</td>
			<td>Tissue-Tek</td>
			<td>4583</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cryostat</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>CM1850</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heat-inactivated sheep serum</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>16210-072</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP151</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Parafolmaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P6148</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate Buffer</td>
			<td>Lab made</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat monoclonal anti-RFP (5F8)</td>
			<td>Chromotek</td>
			<td>110411</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit anti-Arl13b serum</td>
			<td>NeuroMab</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mouse monoclonal anti-Arl13b 1:5</td>
			<td>NeuroMab</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit anti-Olig2</td>
			<td>Chemicon</td>
			<td>AB9610</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse monoclonals Pax6</td>
			<td>Developmental Hybridoma Bank</td>
			<td>Pax6</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse monoclonalsShh</td>
			<td>Developmental Hybridoma Bank</td>
			<td>5E1</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse monoclonals Nkx2.2</td>
			<td>Developmental Hybridoma Bank</td>
			<td>74.5A5</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit polyclonal Ki67</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>AB15580</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 488</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes</td>
			<td>A11029</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 568</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes</td>
			<td>A11031</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 350</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes</td>
			<td>A11046</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hoechst</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>AC22989</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TO-PRO-3</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>T3605</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ProLong Gold anti-fade reagent</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>P36934</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

ex vivo live imaging of single cell divisions in mouse neuroepithelium

We developed a system that integrates live imaging of fluorescent markers and culturing slices of embryonic mouse neuroepithelium. We took advantage of existing mouse lines for genetic cell lineage tracing: a tamoxifen-inducible Cre line and a Cre reporter line expressing dsRed upon Cre-mediated recombination. By using a relatively low level of tamoxifen, we were able to induce recombination in a small number of cells, permitting us to follow individual cell divisions. Additionally, we observed the transcriptional response to Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling using an Olig2-eGFP transgenic line 1-3 and we monitored formation of cilia by infecting the cultured slice with virus expressing the cilia marker, Sstr3-GFP 4. In order to image the neuroepithelium, we harvested embryos at E8.5, isolated the neural tube, mounted the neural slice in proper culturing conditions into the imaging chamber and performed time-lapse confocal imaging. Our ex vivo live imaging method enables us to trace single cell divisions to assess the relative timing of primary cilia formation and Shh response in a physiologically relevant manner. This method can be easily adapted using distinct fluorescent markers and provides the field the tools with which to monitor cell behavior in situ and in real time.

Here we performed ex vivo live imaging of single cell divisions within the E8.5 mouse neuroepithelium. To label individual cells, we induced Cre recombinase in a subset of cells containing a Cre reporter line that expressed dsRed upon recombination 5,6(Figure 3A). Thus, 48 hr later we were able to observe single cell divisions during ex vivo imaging (Figures 4A-D). Concomitantly, we monitored when the labeled cells became Shh-responsive by including a Shh transcriptional reporter modified BAC transgenic Olig2-eGFP line (Figures 3C-D; Figures 4G-N) 1-3. To observe cilia formation we generated Sstr3-GFP lentivirus to infect embryos in culture (Figure 3B; Figures 4A-D) 4. Immunofluorescence was carried out to confirm in vivo results (Figures 4E-F).
The time-lapse confocal imaging observation of the dsRedCre reporter embryos expressing Olig2-eGFP or infected with Sstr3-GFP lentivirus during in vitro culture are showed in Figure 5 10. In order to be sure that the Sstr3-GFP expression we were using to visualize cilia was not interfering with any underlying biological process, we corroborated our live imaging data with fixed wild-type embryo sections. Because we found the same percentage of asynchrony in cilia formation and Shh response, it indicates the SSTR3-GFP virus did not impact these processes (Figure 5A).
<img alt="Figure 1" fo:content-width="6in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/4439/4439fig1highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/4439/4439fig1.jpg" />
 
Figure 1. Flow chart of the ex vivo live imaging procedure using mouse neuroepithelium. The final mouse cross and tamoxifen treatment are depicted followed by the whole mouse embryo culture method. Embryos expressing fluorescently tagged proteins are selected and prepared for live imaging. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/4439/4439fig1large.jpg" target="_blank">Click here to view larger figure</a>.
<img alt="Figure 2" fo:content-width="5.5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/4439/4439fig2highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/4439/4439fig2.jpg" /> 
 Figure 2. Neural tube slice preparation for live imaging. A) E8.5 unturned embryo with first appearance of somite pairs. B) Neural tube dissected in pre-warmed medium using a micro-knife. C) Neural tube slice is mounted ventral side down on the poly-L-lysine coated glass bottom dish. D) Small amount of a mixture made from petroleum jelly and wax applied around the neural tube and gently covered by a narrow piece of glass coverslip. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/4439/4439fig2large.jpg" target="_blank">Click here to view larger figure</a>.
<img alt="Figure 3" src="/files/ftp_upload/4439/4439fig3.jpg" /> 
 Figure 3. Visualizing fluorescently tagged proteins in live cells of the neural tube with confocal microscopy. A) DsRed labels individual cells. B) SSTR3-GFP lentivirus expressed in primary cilia as they form (yellow arrowheads). C-D) E8.5 embryo carrying Olig2-GFP shows GFP expression within neuroepithelium. Bar is 30 &mu;m (A, D), 15 &mu;m (B) and 1.5 &mu;m (C).
<img alt="Figure 4" fo:content-width="6in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/4439/4439fig4highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/4439/4439fig4.jpg" /> 
 Figure 4. Monitoring cilia formation and Shh signaling in dividing cells of the developing neural tube. A-D) Single dsRed positive cell undergoing division shows a cilium forms in one daughter cell prior to the other cell (C, white arrow). The movie was imaged at a rate of one frame every 10 min. E-F) Immunofluorescence using antibodies against RFP in green (for dsRed lineage tracing) and Arl13b in red (for cilia). Enlargement of boxed area (E), without Hoechst (F). G-N) The dsRed positive cell undergoes division (I-M). The Olig2-GFP is expressed only in one daughter (J, N). The recording was imaged at a rate of one frame every 10 min. Bar is 5 &mu;m (A-D), 50 &mu;m (F), 25 &mu;m (G-N).
<img alt="Figure 5" fo:content-width="6in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/4439/4439fig5highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/4439/4439fig5.jpg" /> 
 Figure 5. Counting of dsRed positive cell with cilia and Shh appearance. A) Number of dsRed cells undergoing division and cilia localization. Symbol * means by live imaging cilia formation was synchronous. B) Number of dsRed and Olig2-GFP positive cells undergoing division and Shh signaling.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Ex vivo Live Imaging of Single Cell Divisions in Mouse Neuroepithelium at JoVE.com

Ex vivo Live Imaging of Single Cell Divisions in Mouse Neuroepithelium

Here we develop the tools necessary for ex vivo live imaging to trace single cell divisions in the mouse E8.5 neuroepithelium

Ex vivo Live Imaging of Single Cell Divisions in Mouse Neuroepithelium

We developed a system that integrates live imaging of fluorescent markers and culturing slices of embryonic mouse neuroepithelium. We took advantage of ...

ex-vivo-live-imaging-of-single-cell-divisions-in-mouse-neuroepithelium

Nanyang Technological University

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

10.3K Views.  Emory University School of Medicine. Here we develop the tools necessary for ex vivo live imaging to trace single cell divisions in the mouse E8.5 neuroepithelium

Video: Ex vivo Live Imaging of Single Cell Divisions in Mouse Neuroepithelium

Multiple-mouse Neuroanatomical Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The field of mouse phenotyping with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is rapidly growing, motivated by the need for improved tools for characterizing and evaluating mouse models of human disease. MRI is an excellent modality for investigating genetically altered animals. It is capable of whole brain coverage, can be used in vivo, and provides multiple contrast mechanisms for investigating different aspects of neuranatomy and physiology. The advent of high-field scanners along with the ability to scan multiple mice simultaneously allows for rapid phenotyping of novel mutations.
Effective mouse MRI studies require attention to many aspects of experiment design. In this article, we will describe general methods to acquire quality images for mouse phenotyping using a system that images mice concurrently in shielded transmit/receive radio frequency (RF) coils in a common magnet (Bock et al., 2003). We focus particularly on anatomical phenotyping, an important and accessible application that has shown a high potential for impact in many mouse models at our imaging centre. Before we can provide the detailed steps to acquire such images, there are important practical considerations for both in vivo brain imaging (Dazai et al., 2004) and ex vivo brain imaging (Spring et al., 2007) that should be noted. These are discussed below.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an increasingly popular tool for examining the phenotype of genetically altered mice. This article illustrates the methods necessary to achieve high-throughput phenotyping of genetically altered mice using multiple-mouse MRI.

The field of mouse phenotyping with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is rapidly growing, motivated by the need for improved tools for characterizing and ...

Live Imaging of Dorsal Root Axons after Rhizotomy

The primary sensory axons injured by spinal root injuries fail to regenerate into the spinal cord, leading to chronic pain and permanent sensory loss. Regeneration of dorsal root (DR) axons into spinal cord is prevented at the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ), the interface between the CNS and PNS. Our understanding of the molecular and cellular events that prevent regeneration at DREZ is incomplete, in part because complex changes associated with nerve injury have been deduced from postmortem analyses. Dynamic cellular processes, such as axon regeneration, are best studied with techniques that capture real-time events with multiple observations of each living animal. Our ability to monitor neurons serially in vivo has increased dramatically owing to revolutionary innovations in optics and mouse transgenics. Several lines of thy1-GFP transgenic mice, in which subsets of neurons are genetically labeled in distinct fluorescent colors, permit individual neurons to be imaged in vivo1. These mice have been used extensively for in vivo imaging of muscle2-4 and brain5-7, and have provided novel insights into physiological mechanisms that static analyses could not have resolved. Imaging studies of neurons in living spinal cord have only recently begun. Lichtman and his colleagues first demonstrated their feasibility by tracking injured dorsal column (DC) axons with wide-field microscopy8,9. Multi-photon in vivo imaging of deeply positioned DC axons, microglia and blood vessels has also been accomplished10. Over the last few years, we have pioneered in applying in vivo imaging to monitor regeneration of DR axons using wide-field microscopy and H line of thy1-YFP mice. These studies have led us to a novel hypothesis about why DR axons are prevented from regenerating within the spinal cord11.
In H line of thy1-YFP mice, distinct YFP+ axons are superficially positioned, which allows several axons to be monitored simultaneously. We have learned that DR axons arriving at DREZ are better imaged in lumbar than in cervical spinal cord. In the present report we describe several strategies that we have found useful to assure successful long-term and repeated imaging of regenerating DR axons. These include methods that eliminate repeated intubation and respiratory interruption, minimize surgery-associated stress and scar formation, and acquire stable images at high resolution without phototoxicity.

An in vivo imaging protocol to monitor primary sensory axons following dorsal root crush is described. The procedures utilize wide-field fluorescence microscopy and thy1-YFP transgenic mice, and permit repeated imaging of axon regeneration over 4 cm in the PNS and axon interactions with the interface of the CNS.

The primary sensory axons injured by spinal root injuries fail to regenerate into the spinal cord, leading to chronic pain and permanent sensory loss. ...

High-resolution Live Imaging of Cell Behavior in the Developing Neuroepithelium

The embryonic spinal cord consists of cycling neural progenitor cells that give rise to a large percentage of the neuronal and glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Although much is known about the molecular mechanisms that pattern the spinal cord and elicit neuronal differentiation1, 2, we lack a deep understanding of these early events at the level of cell behavior. It is thus critical to study the behavior of neural progenitors in real time as they undergo neurogenesis.
In the past, real-time imaging of early embryonic tissue has been limited by cell/tissue viability in culture as well as the phototoxic effects of fluorescent imaging. Here we present a novel assay for imaging such tissue for long periods of time, utilizing a novel ex vivo slice culture protocol and wide-field fluorescence microscopy (Fig. 1). This approach achieves long-term time-lapse monitoring of chick embryonic spinal cord progenitor cells with high spatial and temporal resolution.
This assay may be modified to image a range of embryonic tissues3, 4 In addition to the observation of cellular and sub-cellular behaviors, the development of novel and highly sensitive reporters for gene activity (for example, Notch signaling5) makes this assay a powerful tool with which to understand how signaling regulates cell behavior during embryonic development.

Imaging embryonic tissue in real-time is challenging over long periods of time. Here we present an assay for monitoring cellular and sub-cellular changes in chick spinal cord for long periods with high spatial and temporal resolution. This technique can be adapted for other regions of the nervous system and developing embryo.

The embryonic spinal cord consists of cycling neural progenitor cells that give rise to a large percentage of the neuronal and glial cells of the central ...

Live Imaging of Mitosis in the Developing Mouse Embryonic Cortex

Although of short duration, mitosis is a complex and dynamic multi-step process fundamental for development of organs including the brain. In the developing cerebral cortex, abnormal mitosis of neural progenitors can cause defects in brain size and function. Hence, there is a critical need for tools to understand the mechanisms of neural progenitor mitosis. Cortical development in rodents is an outstanding model for studying this process. Neural progenitor mitosis is commonly examined in fixed brain sections. This protocol will describe in detail an approach for live imaging of mitosis in ex vivo embryonic brain slices. We will describe the critical steps for this procedure, which include: brain extraction, brain embedding, vibratome sectioning of brain slices, staining and culturing of slices, and time-lapse imaging. We will then demonstrate and describe in detail how to perform post-acquisition analysis of mitosis. We include representative results from this assay using the vital dye Syto11, transgenic mice (histone H2B-EGFP and centrin-EGFP), and in utero electroporation (mCherry-&#945;-tubulin). We will discuss how this procedure can be best optimized and how it can be modified for study of genetic regulation of mitosis. Live imaging of mitosis in brain slices is a flexible approach to assess the impact of age, anatomy, and genetic perturbation in a controlled environment, and to generate a large amount of data with high temporal and spatial resolution. Hence this protocol will complement existing tools for analysis of neural progenitor mitosis.

Neural progenitor mitosis is a critical parameter of neurogenesis. Much of our understanding of neural progenitor mitosis is based on analysis of fixed tissue. Live imaging in embryonic brain slices is a versatile technique to assess mitosis with high temporal and spatial resolution in a controlled environment.

Although of short duration, mitosis is a complex and dynamic multi-step process fundamental for development of organs including the brain. In the ...

Two-Photon in vivo Imaging of Dendritic Spines in the Mouse Cortex Using a Thinned-skull Preparation

In the mammalian cortex, neurons form extremely complicated networks and exchange information at synapses. Changes in synaptic strength, as well as addition/removal of synapses, occur in an experience-dependent manner, providing the structural foundation of neuronal plasticity. As postsynaptic components of the most excitatory synapses in the cortex, dendritic spines are considered to be a good proxy of synapses. Taking advantages of mouse genetics and fluorescent labeling techniques, individual neurons and their synaptic structures can be labeled in the intact brain. Here we introduce a transcranial imaging protocol using two-photon laser scanning microscopy to follow fluorescently labeled postsynaptic dendritic spines over time in vivo. This protocol utilizes a thinned-skull preparation, which keeps the skull intact and avoids inflammatory effects caused by exposure of the meninges and the cortex. Therefore, images can be acquired immediately after surgery is performed. The experimental procedure can be performed repetitively over various time intervals ranging from hours to years. The application of this preparation can also be expanded to investigate different cortical regions and layers, as well as other cell types, under physiological and pathological conditions.

Two-Photon in vivo Imaging of Dendritic Spines in the Mouse Cortex Using a Thinned-skull Preparation

Time-lapse imaging in the living animal provides valuable information on structural reorganization in the intact brain. Here, we introduce a thinned-skull preparation that allows transcranial imaging of fluorescently labeled synaptic structures in the living mouse cortex by two-photon microscopy.

In the mammalian cortex, neurons form extremely complicated networks and exchange information at synapses. Changes in synaptic strength, as well as ...

Ex Vivo Imaging of Postnatal Cerebellar Granule Cell Migration Using Confocal Macroscopy

During postnatal development, immature granule cells (excitatory interneurons) exhibit tangential migration in the external granular layer, and then radial migration in the molecular layer and the Purkinje cell layer to reach the internal granular layer of the cerebellar cortex. Default in migratory processes induces either cell death or misplacement of the neurons, leading to deficits in diverse cerebellar functions. Centripetal granule cell migration involves several mechanisms, such as chemotaxis and extracellular matrix degradation, to guide the cells towards their final position, but the factors that regulate cell migration in each cortical layer are only partially known. In our method, acute cerebellar slices are prepared from P10 rats, granule cells are labeled with a fluorescent cytoplasmic marker and tissues are cultured on membrane inserts from 4 to 10 hr before starting real-time monitoring of cell migration by confocal macroscopy at 37 &#176;C in the presence of CO2. During their migration in the different cortical layers of the cerebellum, granule cells can be exposed to neuropeptide agonists or antagonists, protease inhibitors, blockers of intracellular effectors or even toxic substances such as alcohol or methylmercury to investigate their possible role in the regulation of neuronal migration.

Ex Vivo Imaging of Postnatal Cerebellar Granule Cell Migration Using Confocal Macroscopy

During postnatal cerebellum development, immature granule cells originating from the germinal zone exhibit distinct modalities of migration to reach their final destination and to establish neuronal networks. This protocol describes the preparation of cerebellar slices and the confocal macroscopic approach used to investigate the factors that regulate neuronal migration.

During postnatal development, immature granule cells (excitatory interneurons) exhibit tangential migration in the external granular layer, and then ...

Simultaneous ex vivo Functional Testing of Two Retinas by in vivo Electroretinogram System

An In vivo electroretinogram (ERG) signal is composed of several overlapping components originating from different retinal cell types, as well as noise from extra-retinal sources. Ex vivo ERG provides an efficient method to dissect the function of retinal cells directly from an intact isolated retina of animals or donor eyes. In addition, ex vivo ERG can be used to test the efficacy and safety of potential therapeutic agents on retina tissue from animals or humans. We show here how commercially available in vivo ERG systems can be used to conduct ex vivo ERG recordings from isolated mouse retinas. We combine the light stimulation, electronic and heating units of a standard in vivo system with custom-designed specimen holder, gravity-controlled perfusion system and electromagnetic noise shielding to record low-noise ex vivo ERG signals simultaneously from two retinas with the acquisition software included in commercial in vivo systems. Further, we demonstrate how to use this method in combination with pharmacological treatments that remove specific ERG components in order to dissect the function of certain retinal cell types.

Simultaneous ex vivo Functional Testing of Two Retinas by in vivo Electroretinogram System

Ex vivo ERG can be used to record electrical activity of retinal cells directly from isolated intact retinas of animals or humans. We demonstrate here how common in vivo ERG systems can be adapted for ex vivo ERG recordings in order to dissect the electrical activity of retinal cells.

An In vivo electroretinogram (ERG) signal is composed of several overlapping components originating from different retinal cell types, as well as noise ...

Live Imaging Followed by Single Cell Tracking to Monitor Cell Biology and the Lineage Progression of Multiple Neural Populations

Understanding the mechanisms that control critical biological events of neural cell populations, such as proliferation, differentiation, or cell fate decisions, will be crucial to design therapeutic strategies for many diseases affecting the nervous system. Current methods to track cell populations rely on their final outcomes in still images and they generally fail to provide sufficient temporal resolution to identify behavioral features in single cells. Moreover, variations in cell death, behavioral heterogeneity within a cell population, dilution, spreading, or the low efficiency of the markers used to analyze cells are all important handicaps that will lead to incomplete or incorrect read-outs of the results. Conversely, performing live imaging and single cell tracking under appropriate conditions represents a powerful tool to monitor each of these events. Here, a time-lapse video-microscopy protocol, followed by post-processing, is described to track neural populations with single cell resolution, employing specific software. The methods described enable researchers to address essential questions regarding the cell biology and lineage progression of distinct neural populations.

A robust protocol to monitor neural populations by time-lapse video-microscopy followed by software-based post-processing is described. This method represents a powerful tool to identify biological events in a selected population during live imaging experiments.

Understanding the mechanisms that control critical biological events of neural cell populations, such as proliferation, differentiation, or cell fate ...

Single-cell Resolution Fluorescence Live Imaging of Drosophila Circadian Clocks in Larval Brain Culture

The circadian pacemaker circuit orchestrates rhythmic behavioral and physiological outputs coordinated with environmental cues, such as day/night cycles. The molecular clock within each pacemaker neuron generates circadian rhythms in gene expression, which underlie the rhythmic neuronal functions essential to the operation of the circuit. Investigation of the properties of the individual molecular oscillators in different subclasses of pacemaker neurons and their interaction with neuronal signaling yields a better understanding of the circadian pacemaker circuit. Here, we present a time-lapse fluorescent microscopy approach developed to monitor the molecular clockwork in clock neurons of cultured Drosophila larval brain. This method allows the multi-day recording of the rhythms of genetically encoded fluorescent circadian reporters at single-cell resolution. This setup can be combined with pharmacological manipulations to closely analyze real-time response of the molecular clock to various compounds. Beyond circadian rhythms, this multipurpose method in combination with powerful Drosophila genetic techniques offers the possibility to study diverse neuronal or molecular processes in live brain tissue.

Single-cell Resolution Fluorescence Live Imaging of Drosophila Circadian Clocks in Larval Brain Culture

The goal of this protocol is to establish ex vivo Drosophila larval brain culture optimized to monitor circadian molecular rhythms with long-term fluorescence time-lapse imaging. The application of this method to pharmacological assays is also discussed.

The circadian pacemaker circuit orchestrates rhythmic behavioral and physiological outputs coordinated with environmental cues, such as day/night cycles. ...

Ex Vivo Imaging of Cell-specific Calcium Signaling at the Tripartite Synapse of the Mouse Diaphragm

The electrical activity of cells in tissues can be monitored by electrophysiological techniques, but these are usually limited to the analysis of individual cells. Since an increase of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) in the cytosol often occurs because of the electrical activity, or in response to a myriad of other stimuli, this process can be monitored by the imaging of cells loaded with fluorescent calcium-sensitive dyes.&#160; However, it is difficult to image this response in an individual cell type within whole tissue because these dyes are taken up by all cell types within the tissue. In contrast, genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) can be expressed by an individual cell type and fluoresce in response to an increase of intracellular Ca2+, thus permitting the imaging of Ca2+ signaling in entire populations of individual cell types. Here, we apply the use of the GECIs GCaMP3/6 to the mouse neuromuscular junction, a tripartite synapse between motor neurons, skeletal muscle, and terminal/perisynaptic Schwann cells. We demonstrate the utility of this technique in classic ex vivo tissue preparations. Using an optical splitter, we perform dual-wavelength imaging of dynamic Ca2+ signals and a static label of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in an approach that could be easily adapted to monitor two cell-specific GECI or genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVI) simultaneously. Finally, we discuss the routines used to capture spatial maps of fluorescence intensity. Together, these optical, transgenic, and analytic techniques can be employed to study the biological activity of distinct cell subpopulations at the NMJ in a wide variety of contexts.

Ex Vivo Imaging of Cell-specific Calcium Signaling at the Tripartite Synapse of the Mouse Diaphragm

Here we present a protocol to image calcium signaling in populations of individual cell types at the murine neuromuscular junction.