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Buchholz S, Bell-Simons M, Zempel H. Tracking Tau in Neurons: How to Transfect and Track Exogenous Tau in Primary Neurons. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2754:499-506. [PMID: 38512685 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3629-9_28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Primary murine neurons have proved to be an essential tool for the general investigation of neuronal polarity, polarized Tau distribution, and Tau-based neuronal dysfunction in disease paradigms. However, mature primary neurons are notoriously difficult to transfect with non-viral approaches and are very sensitive to cytoskeletal manipulation and imaging. Furthermore, standard non-viral transfection techniques require the use of a supportive glial monolayer or high-density cultures, both of which interfere with microscopy. Here we provide a simple non-viral liposome-based transfection method that enables transfection of Tau in low levels comparable to endogenous Tau. This allows the investigation of, for example, distribution and trafficking of Tau, without affecting other cytoskeleton-based parameters such as microtubule density or microtubule-based transport. Using this protocol, we achieve a profound transfection efficiency but avoid high overexpression rates. Importantly, this transfection method can be applied to neurons at different ages and is also suitable for very old cultures (up to 18 days in vitro). In addition, the protocol can be used in cultures without glial support and at suitable cell densities for microscopy-based single cell analysis. In sum, this protocol has proven a reliable tool suitable for most microscopy-based approaches in our laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Buchholz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Bell-Simons
- Institute of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hans Zempel
- Institute of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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Buchholz S, Bell-Simons M, Haag N, Zempel H. Tracking Tau in Neurons: How to Grow, Fix, and Stain Primary Neurons for the Investigation of Tau in All Developmental Stages. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2754:507-519. [PMID: 38512686 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3629-9_29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Primary murine neurons are a well-established tool for investigating Tau in the context of neuronal development and neurodegeneration. However, culturing primary neurons is usually time-consuming and requires multiple feeding steps, media exchanges, proprietary media supplements, and/or preparation of complex media. Here, we describe (i) a relatively cheap and easy cell culture procedure for the cultivation of forebrain neurons from embryonic mice (E13.5) based on a commercially available neuronal supplement (NS21), (ii) a protocol for the cultivation of hippocampal and cortical neurons from postnatal (P0-P3) animals, and (iii) basic fixation and immunofluorescence techniques for the staining of neuronal markers and endogenous Tau. We demonstrate a staining technique, which minimizes antibody consumption and allows for fast and convenient processing of samples for immunofluorescence microscopy of endogenous Tau in primary neurons. We also provide a protocol that enables cryopreservation of fixed cells for years without measurable loss of Tau signal. In sum, we provide reliable protocols enabling microscopy-based studies of Tau in primary murine neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Buchholz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Bell-Simons
- Institute of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Natja Haag
- Institute for Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Hans Zempel
- Institute of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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Acosta JR, Watchon M, Yuan KC, Fifita JA, Svahn AJ, Don EK, Winnick CG, Blair IP, Nicholson GA, Cole NJ, Goldsbury C, Laird AS. Neuronal cell culture from transgenic zebrafish models of neurodegenerative disease. Biol Open 2018; 7:bio.036475. [PMID: 30190267 PMCID: PMC6215410 DOI: 10.1242/bio.036475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a protocol for culturing neurons from transgenic zebrafish embryos to investigate the subcellular distribution and protein aggregation status of neurodegenerative disease-causing proteins. The utility of the protocol was demonstrated on cell cultures from zebrafish that transgenically express disease-causing variants of human fused in sarcoma (FUS) and ataxin-3 proteins, in order to study amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinocerebellar ataxia type-3 (SCA3), respectively. A mixture of neuronal subtypes, including motor neurons, exhibited differentiation and neurite outgrowth in the cultures. As reported previously, mutant human FUS was found to be mislocalized from nuclei to the cytosol, mimicking the pathology seen in human ALS and the zebrafish FUS model. In contrast, neurons cultured from zebrafish expressing human ataxin-3 with disease-associated expanded polyQ repeats did not accumulate within nuclei in a manner often reported to occur in SCA3. Despite this, the subcellular localization of the human ataxin-3 protein seen in cell cultures was similar to that found in the SCA3 zebrafish themselves. The finding of similar protein localization and aggregation status in the neuronal cultures and corresponding transgenic zebrafish models confirms that this cell culture model is a useful tool for investigating the cell biology and proteinopathy signatures of mutant proteins for the study of neurodegenerative disease. Summary: This article describes the optimization and validation of a protocol for culturing of neurons from transgenic zebrafish for the study of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie R Acosta
- The Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia.,The Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.,Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Maxinne Watchon
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.,Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Kristy C Yuan
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Jennifer A Fifita
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Adam J Svahn
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Emily K Don
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Claire G Winnick
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Ian P Blair
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Garth A Nicholson
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.,Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia.,ANZAC Research Institute, Concord Repatriation Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia
| | - Nicholas J Cole
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Claire Goldsbury
- The Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia.,The Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.,Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Angela S Laird
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
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Abstract
Primary neurons have proved to be an essential tool for investigating neuronal polarity in general and polarized Tau distribution in particular. However, mature primary neurons are notoriously difficult to transfect with nonviral vectors and are very sensitive both to cytoskeletal manipulation and to imaging. Common nonviral transfections require the use of a monolayer of supportive glia or high density cultures, both of which complicate imaging. Here, we provide a simple nonviral transfection method enabling transfection of Tau to achieve expression levels comparable to endogenous Tau. This allows to investigate specific effects on, e.g., distribution and transport of Tau, without grossly affecting other cytoskeleton-based parameters such as microtubule density or microtubule-based transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Zempel
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, Bonn, D-53175, Germany. .,Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research (Cologne), Hamburg Outstation, c/o DESY, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Julia Luedtke
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, Bonn, D-53175, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Mandelkow
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, Bonn, D-53175, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research (Cologne), Hamburg Outstation, c/o DESY, Hamburg, Germany.,Center for Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Bonn, Germany
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Kiese K, Jablonski J, Hackenbracht J, Wrosch JK, Groemer TW, Kornhuber J, Blümcke I, Kobow K. Epigenetic control of epilepsy target genes contributes to a cellular memory of epileptogenesis in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2017; 5:79. [PMID: 29089052 PMCID: PMC5664434 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-017-0485-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypersynchronous neuronal excitation manifests clinically as seizure (ictogenesis), and may recur spontaneously and repetitively after a variable latency period (epileptogenesis). Despite tremendous research efforts to describe molecular pathways and signatures of epileptogenesis, molecular pathomechanisms leading to chronic epilepsy remain to be clarified. We hypothesized that epigenetic modifications may form the basis for a cellular memory of epileptogenesis, and used a primary neuronal cell culture model of the rat hippocampus to study the translation of massive neuronal excitation into persisting changes of epigenetic signatures and pro-epileptogenic target gene expression. Increased spontaneous activation of cultured neurons was detected 3 and 7 days after stimulation with 10 μM glutamate when compared to sham-treated time-matched controls using calcium-imaging in vitro. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed short-term (3 h, 7 h, and 24 h) and long-term (3 d and 2 weeks) changes in histone modifications, which were directly linked to decreased expression of two selected epilepsy target genes, e.g. excitatory glutamate receptor genes Gria2 and Grin2a. Increased promoter methylation observed 4 weeks after glutamate stimulation at respective genes suggested long-term repression of Gria2 and Grin2a genes. Inhibition of glutamatergic activation or blocking the propagation of action potentials in cultured neurons rescued altered gene expression and regulatory epigenetic modifications. Our data support the concept of a cellular memory of epileptogenesis and persisting epigenetic modifications of epilepsy target genes, which are able to turn normal into pro-epileptic neurons and circuits.
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Zempel H, Mandelkow EM. Tracking Tau in Neurons: How to Grow, Fix, and Stain Primary Neurons for the Investigation of Tau in All Developmental Stages. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1523:327-334. [PMID: 27975260 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6598-4_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Primary neurons have proved to be an invaluable tool for the investigation of Tau in the context of neuronal development and neurodegeneration. Culturing neurons usually is time consuming and requires multiple feeding steps and media exchanges, and either the use of proprietary media supplements or tedious preparation of complex media. Here we describe a relatively cheap and easy cell culture procedure based on a commercially available neuronal culture supplement (NS21) of known composition, as well as basic fixation techniques. Further, we demonstrate a staining technique that can be carried out in pre-coated hydrophobic multi-well plates, which minimizes antibody consumption and allows fast and convenient processing of samples for immunofluorescence microscopy of endogenous Tau in primary neurons. We also provide a protocol that allows cryopreservation of fixed cells for years without loss of Tau stainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Zempel
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, D-53175, Bonn, Germany. .,Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research (Cologne), Hamburg Outstation, c/o DESY, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Eva-Maria Mandelkow
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, D-53175, Bonn, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research (Cologne), Hamburg Outstation, c/o DESY, Hamburg, Germany.,Center for Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Bonn, Germany
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Litwa E, Rzemieniec J, Wnuk A, Lason W, Krzeptowski W, Kajta M. RXRα, PXR and CAR xenobiotic receptors mediate the apoptotic and neurotoxic actions of nonylphenol in mouse hippocampal cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 156:43-52. [PMID: 26643981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we investigated the role of the retinoid X receptor (RXR), the pregnane X receptor (PXR) and the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), in the apoptotic and toxic effects of nonylphenol in mouse primary neuronal cell cultures. Our study demonstrated that nonylphenol activated caspase-3 and induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in hippocampal cells, which was accompanied by an increase in the mRNA expression and protein levels of RXRα, PXR and CAR. Nonylphenol stimulated Rxra, Pxr, and Car mRNA expression. These effects were followed by increase in the protein levels of particular receptors. Immunofluorescence labeling revealed the cellular distribution of RXRα, PXR and CAR in hippocampal neurons in response to nonylphenol, shortening of neurites and cytoplasmic shrinking, as indicated by MAP2 staining. It also showed NP-induced translocation of receptor-specific immunofluorescence from cytoplasm to the nucleus. The use of specific siRNAs demonstrated that Rxra-, Pxr-, and Car-siRNA-transfected cells were less vulnerable to nonylphenol-induced activation of caspase-3 and LDH, thus confirming the key involvement of RXRα/PXR/CAR signaling pathways in the apoptotic and neurotoxic actions of nonylphenol. These new data give prospects for the targeting xenobiotic nuclear receptors to protect the developing nervous system against endocrine disrupting chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Litwa
- Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - J Rzemieniec
- Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - A Wnuk
- Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - W Lason
- Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - W Krzeptowski
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Confocal Microscopy Laboratory, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 9 Gronostajowa Street, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - M Kajta
- Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Krakow, Poland.
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