Time-Lapse Imaging of Neuronal Arborization using Sparse Adeno-Associated Virus Labeling of Genetically Targeted Retinal Cell Populations

Summary

Here, we present a method for investigating neurite morphogenesis in postnatal mouse retinal explants by time-lapse confocal microscopy. We describe an approach for sparse labeling and acquisition of retinal cell types and their fine processes using recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors that express membrane-targeted fluorescent proteins in a Cre-dependent manner.

Abstract

Discovering mechanisms that pattern dendritic arbors requires methods to visualize, image, and analyze dendrites during development. The mouse retina is a powerful model system for the investigation of cell type-specific mechanisms of neuronal morphogenesis and connectivity. The organization and composition of retinal subtypes are well-defined, and genetic tools are available to access specific types during development. Many retinal cell types also constrain their dendrites and/or axons to narrow layers, which facilitates time-lapse imaging. Mouse retina explant cultures are well suited for live-cell imaging using confocal or multiphoton microscopy, but methods optimized for imaging dendrite dynamics with temporal and structural resolution are lacking. Presented here is a method to sparsely label and image the development of specific retinal populations marked by the Cre-Lox system. Commercially available adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) used here expressed membrane-targeted fluorescent proteins in a Cre-dependent manner. Intraocular delivery of AAVs in neonatal mice produces fluorescent labeling of targeted cell types by 4-5 days post-injection (dpi). The membrane fluorescent signals are detectable by confocal imaging and resolve fine branch structures and dynamics. High-quality videos spanning 2-4 h are acquired from imaging retinal flat-mounts perfused with oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF). Also provided is an image postprocessing pipeline for deconvolution and three-dimensional (3D) drift correction. This protocol can be used to capture several cellular behaviors in the intact retina and to identify novel factors controlling neurite morphogenesis. Many developmental strategies learned in the retina will be relevant for understanding the formation of neural circuits elsewhere in the central nervous system.

Introduction

Dendrites of retinal neurons form intricate, yet specific, patterns that influence their function within neural circuits. In the vertebrate retina, diverse types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and amacrine cell interneurons bear unique dendritic morphologies that differ in arbor size, location, branch length, and density¹. During postnatal development, RGCs and amacrine cells extend exuberant dendritic processes into a neuropil called the inner plexiform layer (IPL), where they receive bipolar cell inputs transmitting photoreceptor signals². As captured by time-lapse imaging of fluorescently labelled retinal population....

Protocol

NOTE: This protocol spans 2 days with a minimum period of 4-5 days for viral transduction between experimental days (Figure 1A). Animal experiments are performed in accordance with the Canadian Council on Animal Care Guidelines for Use of Animals in Research and Laboratory Animal Care under protocols approved by the Laboratory of Animal Services Animal Use and Care Committee at the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, Canada).

1. Preparations for the neonatal AAV injections and imaging experiments

1. Select a Cre mouse line to label the retinal cell populations of interest. Confirm Cre recombinase expr....

Results

Using the above protocol, a high-resolution 3D video of developing starburst cell dendrites was acquired, deconvolved, and corrected for 3D drift. Z-plane maximum projections were produced to make 2D videos for analysis (Supplementary Video 1, Figure 5A). 3D deconvolution of each time point increased the resolution of fine filopodia projections (Figure 5B,C). Fine filopodia protrusions are a feature of developing retinal dendrit.......

Discussion

This video demonstrates an experimental pipeline that utilizes existing genetic tools to image dendrite dynamics of developing retinal neurons with confocal live-imaging. Also demonstrated are intraocular injections of Cre-dependent AAVs encoding membrane-targeted fluorescent proteins into neonatal mice. Single cells of genetically targeted populations are brightly labelled as early as 4-5 dpi. Retinal flat-mounts were prepared for standard imaging chambers to perform live-cell confocal imaging. This method produces high.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Addgene viral prep #45185-AAV9
Addgene viral prep #45186-AAV9
Dissection tools
Cellulose filter paper	Whatman	1001-070
Dumont #5 fine forceps	FST	11252-20	Two Dumont #5 forceps are required for retinal micro-dissection
Dumont forceps	VWR	82027-426
Fine Scissors	FST	14058-09
Mixed cellulose ester membrane (MCE) filter papers, hydrophilic, 0.45 µm pore size	Millipore	HABG01 300
Petri Dish, 50 × 15 mm	VWR	470313-352
Polyethylene disposable transfer pipette	VWR	470225-034
Round tip paint brush, size 3/0	Conventional art supply store		Two size 3/0 paint brushes (or smaller) are required for retinal flat-mounting
Surgical Scissors	FST	14007-14
Vannas Spring Scissors - 2.5 mm Cutting Edge	FST	15000-08
Live-imaging incubation system
Chamber polyethylene tubing, PE-160 10'	Warner Instruments	64-0755
Dual channel heater controller, Model TC-344C	Warner Instruments	64-2401
HC FLUOTAR L 25x/0.95 W VISIR dipping objective	Leica	15506374
Heater controller cable	Warner Instruments	CC-28
Large bath incubation chamber with slice support	Warner Instruments	RC-27L
MPII Mini-Peristaltic Pump	Harvard Apparatus	70-2027
PM-6D Magnetic Heated Platform (incubation chamber heater)	Warner Instruments	PM-6D
Pump Head Tubing Pieces For MPII Mini-Peristaltic Pump	Harvard Apparatus	55-4148
Sample anchor (Harps)	Warner Instruments	64-0260	Sample anchor must be compatible with incubation chamber
Sloflo In-line Solution Heater	Warner Instruments	SF-28
Neonatal Injections
10 µL Microliter Syringe Series 700, Removable Needle	Hamilton Company	80314
30 G Hypodermic Needles (0.5 inch)	BD PrecisionGlide	305106
4 inch thinwall glass capillary, no filament (1.0 mm outer diameter/0.75 mm)	WPI World Precision Instruments	TW100-4
Ethanol 99.8% (to dilute to 70% with double-distilled water [ddH2O])	Sigma-Aldrich	V001229
AAV9.hEF1a.lox.TagBFP. lox.eYFP.lox.WPRE.hGH-InvBYF	Penn Vector Core	AV-9-PV2453	Addgene Plasmid #45185
AAV9.hEF1a.lox.mCherry.lox.mTFP 1.lox.WPRE.hGH-InvCheTF	Penn Vector Core	AV-9-PV2454	Addgene Plasmid #45186
ChAT-IRES-Cre knock-in transgenic mouse line	The Jackson Laboratory	6410
Fast Green FCF Dye content ≥85 %	Sigma-Aldrich	F7252-25G
Flaming/Brown Micropipette Puller, model P-97	Sutter Instrument Co.	P-97
Green tattoo paste	Ketchum MFG Co	329A
Phosphate-Buffered Saline, pH 7.4, liquid, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture	Sigma-Aldrich	806552
Pneumatic PicoPump	WPI World Precision Instruments	PV-820
Oxygenated artifiial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) Reagents
Calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl2·2H2O)	Sigma-Aldrich	C7902
Carbogen (5% CO2, 95% O2)	AirGas	X02OX95C2003102	Supplier may vary depending on region
D-(+)-Glucose	Sigma-Aldrich	G7021
HEPES, Free Acid	Bio Basic	HB0264
Hydrochloric acid solution, 1 N	Sigma-Aldrich	H9892
Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl2·6H2O)	Sigma-Aldrich	M2670
pH-Test strips (6.0-7.7)	VWR	BDH35317.604
Potassium chloride (KCl)	Sigma-Aldrich	P9541
Sodium chloride (NaCl)	Bio Basic	DB0483
Sodium phosphate monobasic (NaH2PO4)	Sigma-Aldrich	RDD007
Software
ImageJ	National Institutes of Health (NIH)	Open source