Cortex-, Hippocampus-, Thalamus-, Hypothalamus-, Lateral Septal Nucleus- and Striatum-specific In Utero Electroporation in the C57BL/6 Mouse

Summary

This protocol describes in detail how to specifically transfect different regions in the C57BL/6 central nervous system via in utero electroporation. Included in this protocol are detailed instructions for transfections of regions that develop into the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, lateral septal nucleus and striatum.

Abstract

In utero electroporation is a widely used technique for fast and efficient spatiotemporal manipulation of various genes in the rodent central nervous system. Overexpression of desired genes is just as possible as shRNA mediated loss-of-function studies. Therefore it offers a wide range of applications. The feasibility to target particular cells in a distinct area further increases the range of potential applications of this very useful method. For efficiently targeting specific regions knowledge about the subtleties, such as the embryonic stage, the voltage to apply and most importantly the position of the electrodes, is indispensable.

Here, we provide a detailed protocol that allows for specific and efficient in utero electroporation of several regions of the C57BL/6 mouse central nervous system. In particular it is shown how to transfect regions the develop into the retrosplenial cortex, the motor cortex, the somatosensory cortex, the piriform cortex, the cornu ammonis 1-3, the dentate gyrus, the striatum, the lateral septal nucleus, the thalamus and the hypothalamus. For this information about the appropriate embryonic stage, the appropriate voltage for the corresponding embryonic stage is provided. Most importantly an angle-map, which indicates the appropriate position of the positive pole, is depicted. This standardized protocol helps to facilitate efficient in utero electroporation, which might also lead to a reduced number of animals.

Introduction

Since the first description in 2001 by three independent groups ^1-3 in utero electroporation has become a widely used standard tool for analyzing gene expression in the rodent central nervous system. Compared to the generation of knockout mice, which is, despite continuously improving techniques, still time and money consuming, the in utero electroporation appeals due to its simplicity. So, in utero electroporation enables fast and efficient gain- and loss-of-function studies ⁴.

To transfect the cerebral regions, the solution containing the negatively charged plasmid is injected into....

Protocol

Ethics Statement: The handling of the mice and the experimental procedures were conducted in accordance with European, national and institutional guidelines for animal care.

1. In Utero Electroporation

Note: In utero electroporation was performed as previously published^12,14. Therefore, the method is only described briefly in the following (Figure 1).

1. Preparations
   1. Prepare Fast Green colored endotoxin-free advanced transfection-grade plasmid solution (containing 1,5 pCAGGS) as previously described¹².
   2. Pull and grind (35°....

Results

Figure 2, shows examples for the specific in utero electroporation of the regions developing into the retrosplenial cortex, the motor cortex, the somatosensory cortex, the piriform cortex, the cornu ammonis 1-3, the dentate gyrus, the striatum, the lateral septal nucleus, the thalamus and the hypothalamus. The results of the transfections are shown next to the recommended angle (Figure 2). For better visualization of the angles in vivo the position of the electrode (0.5.......

Discussion

This protocol describes in detail how to transfect the retrosplenial cortex, the motor cortex, the somatosensory cortex, the piriform cortex, the cornu ammonis 1-3, the dentate gyrus, the striatum, the lateral septal nucleus, the thalamus and the hypothalamus of C75BL/6 mice. With all the provided information this is the first protocol, which supplies all necessary information to easily recreate transfections of these cerebral regions in the C57BL/6 mouse. Previous publications are mostly focused only on a few specific r.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
EndoFree Plasmid Maxi Kit	QIAGEN	12362
Fast Green	Roth	0301.1
pCAGGS	Addgene
borosilicate glass capillaries (0.8-0.9 mm diameter)	Wold Precision Instrument Inc.	1B100F-4
Isoflurane (Forene)	Abbott	PZN 4831850
Carprofen (Rimadyl)	Pfizer GmbH	approval number: 400684.00.00
eye ointment (Bepanthen Augen und Nasensalbe)	Bayer	PZN 01578681
0.9% benzyl alcohol 0.9% saline solution	Pharmacy of the University Medical Center Mainz
gauze (ES-Kompressen)	Hartmann	407835
sterile 5-0 Perma-Hand Silk Suture	Ethicon Johnson & Johnson	K890H
ring forceps 1/ 1.5 mm	Fine Science Tools	11101-09
ring forceps 4.8/ 6 mm	Fine Science Tools	11106-09
ring forceps 2.2/ 3 mm	Fine Science Tools	11103-09
Adson Forceps-Serrated Straight 12 cm	Fine Science Tools	1106-12
IrisScissors-Delicate Straight-Sharp/Blunt 10 cm	Fine Science Tools	14028-10
Mayo-Stille Scissors-Straight 15 cm	Fine Science Tools	14012-15
Dumont #5 Forceps-Inox	Fine Science Tools	11251-20
Castroviejo NeedleHolder-with Lock-Tungsten Carbide 14 cm	Fine Science Tools	12565-14
Elektroporator CUY21 SC	Nepa Gene Co.
FST 250 Hot Bead Sterilizer	Fine Science Tools	18000-45
Microgrinder EG-44	Narishige
P-97 Micropette Puller	Sutter Instrument Company	P-97
Platinum electrodes 650P 0.5 mm	Nepagene	CUY650P0.5
Platinum electrodes 650P 3 mm	Nepagene	CUY650P3
Platinum electrodes 650P 5 mm	Nepagene	CUY650P5
Platinum electrodes 650P 10 mm	Nepagene	CUY650P10
Anesthesia system	Rothacher-Medical GmbH	CV-30511-3 Vapor 19.3
Heating plate	Rothacher-Medical GmbH	HP-1M
Temperature Controller 220V AC	Rothacher-Medical GmbH	TCAT-2LV