In the mammalian brain, the generation of new neurons (neurogenesis) occurs after birth mainly in two regions, the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus1. Considerable evidence gathered in recent years supports a critical role for postnatal neurogenesis in hippocampal and olfactory bulb memory functions1-3. Importantly, postnatal neurogenesis also holds therapeutic potential because of its relationship with degenerative neurological disorders, and the ability of neuroblasts to migrate to injured sites in the brain4-6.
The subventricular zone (SVZ) has recently emerged as a crucial neurogenic niche. SVZ-derived neuroblasts migrate towards the olfactory bulb (OB) via the rostral migratory stream (RMS), making this the longest migration process in the postnatal brain1,7,8. The mammalian SVZ/RMS/OB system has become a useful model to study different steps in neurogenesis, such as proliferation, migration and differentiation1,8. Many growth factors and extracellular cues regulate SVZ neurogenesis and migration along the RMS, but the intracellular molecular mechanisms are far from being fully understood1,9. Proper migration along the RMS is crucial for the subsequent maturation of newborn neurons10. Additionally, some studies have shown that SVZ-derived neuroblasts can migrate out of the RMS to brain injury sites4-6,11-13. Thus, investigating the signalling mechanisms regulating neuroblast migration is fundamental not only to understand neurogenesis but also for potential therapeutic applications.
Here, we describe a detailed protocol to label SVZ neural progenitors by in vivo postnatal electroporation and monitor their migration along the RMS in acute brain slice cultures using time-lapse spinning disk confocal microscopy. Electroporation is widely used in developmental studies from embryonic to adult stages14-18. It is a powerful tool to target and manipulate SVZ neural progenitors and represents a cheaper and considerably faster alternative to stereotactic injection of viral vectors or generation of transgenic models1,15,19,20. It is a relatively simple procedure that does not need surgery and has high survival rates. Electroporation of shRNA or CRE recombinase-expressing plasmids in mouse genetic models employing the LoxP system can be used to target genes of interest or to achieve permanent labeling of SVZ progenitors, thus representing a useful tool for adult neurogenesis studies21,22.
Imaging RMS neuroblast migration in the intact brain is still challenging due to current technical limitations. However, this process can be monitored using confocal spinning disk time-lapse microscopy of acute brain slices, which provide a suitable system closely resembling the in vivo condition also amenable to pharmacological manipulation23,24. Coupling in vivo postnatal electroporation with time-lapse imaging will facilitate the understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling neuroblast motility and contribute to the development of novel approaches to promote brain repair.