Modification of a Colliculo-thalamocortical Mouse Brain Slice, Incorporating 3-D printing of Chamber Components and Multi-scale Optical Imaging

Summary

Using multiple angles to cut the mouse pup brain, we improve upon a previously-described acute brain slice which captures the connections between most of the major auditory midbrain and forebrain structures.

Abstract

The ability of the brain to process sensory information relies on both ascending and descending sets of projections. Until recently, the only way to study these two systems and how they interact has been with the use of in vivo preparations. Major advances have been made with acute brain slices containing the thalamocortical and cortico-thalamic pathways in the somatosensory, visual, and auditory systems. With key refinements to our recent modification of the auditory thalamocortical slice¹, we are able to more reliably capture the projections between most of the major auditory midbrain and forebrain structures: the inferior colliculus (IC), medial geniculate body (MGB), thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), and the auditory cortex (AC). With portions of all these connections retained, we are able to answer detailed questions that complement the questions that can be answered with in vivo preparations. The use of flavoprotein autofluorescence imaging enables us to rapidly assess connectivity in any given slice and guide the ensuing experiment. Using this slice in conjunction with recording and imaging techniques, we are now better equipped to understand how information processing occurs at each point in the auditory forebrain as information ascends to the cortex, and the impact of descending cortical modulation. 3-D printing to build slice chamber components permits double-sided perfusion and broad access to networks within the slice and maintains the widespread connections key to fully utilizing this preparation.

Introduction

In the auditory system, although there is substantial processing of information between the sensory periphery and the inferior colliculus, there is considerable additional processing before it reaches the auditory cortex. We know very little about how that processing is done and therefore little about how that transformation allows the brain to interpret incoming sensory information. With the exception of olfaction, each of the senses has a very similar organization with peripheral signals initially being relayed with high fidelity which declines as the signal ascends to the cortex. The cortex then sends projections to the lower structures to further modulate the inco....

Protocol

All procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of Illinois. All animals were housed in animal care facilities approved by the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. Every attempt was made to minimize the number of animals used and to reduce suffering at all stages of the study.

1. Preparation for and Removal of Brain from Mouse for Slicing

1. Prepare for perfusion and slice incubation.
   1. Approximately 30 min before slicing, prepare high sucrose cutting solution and low calcium aCSF for incubation of the slice prior to recording or imaging.
   ....

Results

An example of colliculo-thalamocortical mouse brain slice obtained in P15 mouse is shown in figure 2. The ideal slice will contain the four major midbrain and forebrain auditory structures IC, MGB, TRN, and AC, which are all activated when the IC is stimulated (Figure 2A). Using Fourier analysis, the spectral power is measured at the electrical stimulation frequency, with connected brain regions showing activity that is periodic and entrained at the stimulation frequency¹⁰. Th.......

Discussion

This protocol describes improvements upon a previously described colliculo-thalamocortical brain slice in p12-20 mouse to study information flow in the auditory system¹. This method has a number of advantages over other, similar, brain slice preparations by retaining connections between more brain areas in a single slice, which gives investigators new tools to understand the interaction and interplay between auditory nuclei in the forebrain. There have been a few key modifications in this protocol, compared to.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
High sucrose cutting solution			in mM: 206 sucrose, 10.0 MgCl2, 11.0 glucose, 1.25 NaH2PO4, 26 NaHCO3, 0.5 CaCl2, 2.5 KCl, pH 7.4
Low calcium aCSF			in mM: 126 NaCl, 3.0 MgCl2, 10.0 glucose, 1.25 NaH2PO4, 26 NaHCO3, 1.0 CaCl2, 2.5 KCl, pH 7.4
aCSF			in mM: 126 NaCl, 2.0 MgCl2, 10.0 glucose, 1.25 NaH2PO4, 26 NaHCO3, 2.0 CaCl2, 2.5 KCl, pH 7.4
Stimulus Isolator	World Precision Instruments	A360
DMSO	Life Technologies	D12345	Lot: 1572C502
Fura-2AM	Life Technologies	F1201	Lot: 144912
Pluronic F-127	Life Technologies	P3000MP	Lot: 1499369
Large culture dish	Fisherbrand	08-757-13	100 x 15 mm culture dish
Small culture dish	Falcon	353001	35 x10 mm culture dish
Raised culture membrane	Millicell	PICMORG50	Used to maintain oxygenated fluid perfusion on both sides of slice.
Flavoprotein imaging fluorescence cube	Olympus	UMNIB	470–490 nm excitation, 505 nm dichroic, 515 nm emission long pass.  We have found that virtually any green fluorescence protein filter cube will work here.
Calcium imaging fluorescence cube	Omega Optical	BX-18	XF1005 365 nm exitation, XF2001 400 nm dichroic, XF3080 510 nm emission
Agar for blocking brain			3% by weight in water
Viper si Stereo Lithography Apparatus	3D Systems