Name: Brain Banking: Making the Most of your Research Specimens (Video) | JoVE Journal
Uploaded: 2009-07-24T16:02:00.000+00:00
Duration: 8 min 12 s
Description: Learn systematic brain tissue sampling for cryostat sectioning using antigen preservation techniques. This protocol maximizes research material and enables unbiased stereological analysis in neuroscience studies.

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5 minutes

The authors would like to thank Ikiel Ptito for his continued technical support.

Part 1: Pre-processing of tissue
<ol>
<li>Tissue should be well perfused with paraformaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, or formalin. This can be achieved through standard transcardial perfusion typically used to harvest other organs. In the present study the subject was deeply sedated with ketamine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg, i.m.), euthanized with an overdose of sodium pentobarbital (25 mg/kg, i.v.) and perfused transcardially with 0.1 M PBS until completely exsanguinated. This is followed by a 4% paraformaldehyde solution in PBS for 5 min (~1 liter).</li>
<li>The brain should be stereotaxically blocked, removed from the skull, weighed, and volume determined2. The tissue should then be cryoprotected in graded sucrose solutions with a final concentration of 30% sucrose in phosphate buffer. Blocks of tissue should then be frozen in isopentane at -65°C and stored at -80°C until you are ready to slice. </li>
</ol>
Part 2: Systematic Sampling
<ol>
<li>Systematic sampling relies on a proper plan prior to sectioning. The entire region of interest in both the rostral-caudal and dorsal-ventral extents should be well defined. A stereotaxic atlas of the species in use is helpful to define the region of interest and to determine the length of the region of interest. Once the length of the region of interest is determined it is necessary to establish the sampling interval. For example, from the stereotaxic atlas you determine that the entire rostro-caudal extent of the region of interest is approximately 3mm in length when sectioning in the coronal plane. You then decide to set the cryostat to section at 50μm, at this rate you will have 60 sections covering the rostral-caudal extent of the region of interest. For a typical unbiased stereological study 6-10 systematically sampled sections are required to obtain reliable results. In this example 10 sections equally spaced throughout the rostro-caudal extent result in a sampling interval of 1/6 sections. </li>
</ol>
Part 3: Creation of the brain bank
<ol>
<li>Once the section sampling frequency has been determined, the next step is to determine which stains will be performed immediately. For example, if you are staining with cresyl violet you will capture 1/6 sections on a slide. This will be series 1. If you know there maybe several potential antibodies that you would like run, but either want to see the data that your primary stain provides or simply do not have the time to perform the immunohistochemistry, place the remaining 5 series of sections in the order that they were sliced into wells containing antigen preserve (1% polyvinyl pyrrolidone, 50% ethylene glycol in o.1M PBS, Ph 7.4). The table below provides a sampling scheme consisting of 1 slide and 1 plate (standard 48-well plate) of sections as part of a brain bank (Table 1). <img src="/files/ftp_upload/1260/table1.jpg" alt="Sampling diagram, section placement for systematic interval selection, research methodology." data-altupdatedat="1787630408000" data-alt="Table 1"> Table 1. The section sampling frequency here is 1/6. The first section is placed on a slide for cresyl violet staining and the next 5 sections are placed into antigen preserve. Section number 7 is then captured on the slide and sections 9-12 are placed in antigen preserve. This cycle is repeated until the region of interest or block of tissue is exhaustively sectioned.</li>
<li>The next step is to exhaustively section the block of tissue. Place a small amount of embedding medium on the chuck and let it freeze. Place the chuck into the microtome head and shave off enough of the frozen medium to have a flat surface. Remove the chuck from the microtome head and place flat within the cryostat. Pour embedding medium on the chuck and firmly place the brain block with the stereotaxically cut side positioned flatly on the chuck. Slowly and completely embed the brain in mounting medium. Place the chuck with the brain into the microtome head and section using the pre-determined parameters for the section sampling frequency.</li>
<li>Once the block of tissue has been exhaustively sectioned and sections are placed into wells, cover the plate with the lid, wrap the lid with parafilm, and place in a -20°C freezer. Log the total number of sections taken for each series, the section-sampling interval, and the number of series for each animal. This log will be vital to keep track of subsequent removal of sections from the brain bank for future immunohistochemistry.</li>
</ol>
Part 4: Representative Results:
Systematical sampling in this manner has been a standard practice in our laboratory for the past 3 years. We have had a great deal of success performing immunohistochemistry on material that has been stored in antigen preserve three years after it was sliced without deterioration of the signal (Figure 1). Furthermore, as part of our brain bank we have logged close to 20,000 systematic sections of the non-human primate brain (Figure 2) as part of our long-term research plans. <img src="/files/ftp_upload/1260/1260figure1.jpg" alt="Brain tissue section stained for neuron density analysis; microscope image." data-altupdatedat="1787630408000"> Figure 1. This is a section from the occipital pole of the non-human primate immunostained for NeuN showing both layer VI and interstitial white matter neurons. This particular section was stored in antigen preserve at -20°C for a period of 2 years. Scale bar = 100µm. <img src="/files/ftp_upload/1260/1260fig2.jpg" alt="Laboratory sample storage, freezer setup with organized biological specimens for research analysis." data-altupdatedat="1787630408000" data-alt="figure2"> Figure 2. Our vervet brain bank now consists of close to 20,000 systematic sections from over 30 monkeys.

<ol><li>West, M., Slomianka, L., Gundersen, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Unbiased+stereological+estimation+of+the+total+number+of+neurons+in+the+subdivisions+of+the+rat+hippocampus+using+the+optical+fractionator.+Aat+Rec%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22%22%5BJournal%5D)">Unbiased stereological estimation of the total number of neurons in the subdivisions of the rat hippocampus using the optical fractionator. Aat Rec.</a> 231, 482-497 (1991).</li>
<li>Burke, M. W., Zangenehpour, S., Boire, D., Ptito, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Dissecting+the+Non-human+Primate+Brain+in+Stereotaxic+Space%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Vis+Exp%22%5BJournal%5D)">Dissecting the Non-human Primate Brain in Stereotaxic Space.</a> J Vis Exp. , (2009).</li>
</ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Systematic sampling is an inexpensive method intended to maximize research material. This sampling strategy is designed to comply with the rules of unbiased stereology that requires systematic sampling throughout the region. It is critical that the order of sections for each series is maintained. In our laboratory we have successfully used this method for banking both hamster and non-human primate brain sections. So far, we have collected close to 20,000 vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops sabeus) brain sections...

<table><tbody><tr><td>Ethylene glycol</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>E178-4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Polyvinyl pyrrolidone</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>BP431-500</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Thermal Scientific Embedding Medium</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

brain banking: making the most of your research specimens

Brain Banking: Making the Most of your Research Specimens

Unbiased stereology is a method for accurately and efficiently estimating the total neuron number (or other cell type) in a given area of interest1. To achieve this goal 6-10 systematic sections should be probed covering the entire structure. Typically this involves processing 1/5 sections which leaves a significant amount of material unprocessed. In order to maximize the material, we propose an inexpensive method for preserving fixed tissue as part of a long-term storage research plan. As tissue is sliced and processed for the desired stain or antibody, alternate sections should be systematically placed in antigen preserve at -20&deg;C for future processing. Using 24-well plates, sections can be placed in order for future retrieval. Using this method, tissue can be stored and processed for immunohistochemistry over the course of years.

Brain banking and systematic sampling of biological material provides the basis for unbiased stereology and maximizes the potential data obtained from each specimen.

Unbiased stereology is a method for accurately and efficiently estimating the total neuron number (or other cell type) in a given area of interest1.  To ...

To begin this procedure, the block of brain should be prepared for the cryostat and the section sampling frequency should be determined. Next, the antigen preserve and slides should be prepared. The brain block should be placed on the chuck inside the cryostat.Once the brain is securely embedded on the chuck section at a preset thickness, systematic sections should be taken such that series one is placed on a slide, and further series are placed in wells prefilled with antigen preserve. Once the block has been exhausted, place the plate into a minus 20 degree Celsius freezer as part of your brain bank. Hi, I'm Dr.Mark Burke from the Visual Neurosciences Laboratory in the School of Optometry at the University of Montreal.Hi, I'm Dr.Shahin Zur, also from the Visual Neurosciences Laboratory in the School of Optometry at the University of Montreal. Hello, I'm Dr.Mo Petto, director of the Visual Neuroscience Laboratory at the School of Optometry, university of Montreal. Today we will show you a procedure for systematically banking brain tissue in antigen preserve.We use this procedure in our laboratory to maximize research material and as a basis for performing unbiased theology. So let's get started. This protocol describes how to systematically sample brain tissue that has been fixed, stereotactically blocked into one centimeter, thick slices and frozen.To see these earlier steps in detail, consult our recent JoVE article dissecting the non-human primate brain in Stereotaxic space. The first step in systematic sampling is to create your sampling scheme, decide how you will section your tissue, how you will divide those sections into series or samples, and how you will arrange and keep track of those samples. First, consulting a stereotaxic atlas as needed.Clearly define your region of interest in both the rostral, coddle, and dorsal ventral dimensions and choose your plane of sectioning. Next, decide how thick you will make your sections and calculate how many sections you can make from your region of interest. For example, from the Stereotaxic atlas, you determine that the entire ros coddle extent of your region is approximately three millimeters long.You then decide to set the cryostat to section at 50 micrometers, and at this rate, you will have 60 coronal sections covering the entire region. At this point, you can establish your sampling interval. For a typical unbiased theological study, you need six to 10 systematically sampled sections in order to obtain reliable results.In this example, 10 sections equally spaced throughout the Ros coddle extent result in a sampling interval of one out of six sections. Once you have determined this section sampling frequency, you should next decide which stains you want to perform. Immediately you will mount the sections you want to stain immediately, directly onto slides as you section your tissue.For example, if you are staining with say, crestal Violet, you will capture one of six sections on a slide. This will be series one. You will store the remaining sections in plates containing antigen preserve for future immunohistochemistry.The sampling scheme shown here consists of two slides and one standard 24 well plate of sections as part of a brain bank for a total of six series for this block of tissue. The next step is to exhaustively section the block of tissue using the cryostat microtome. First, you need to mount your frozen tissue sample onto the piece called the chuck that fits into the microtome head and serves as the stage for your sample.To start, place a small amount of embedding medium on the chuck and let it freeze. Place the chuck into the microtome head and shave off enough of the frozen medium to make a flat surface for your sample. Remove the chuck from the microtome head and place flat within the cryostat.Pour embedding medium on the chuck and firmly. Place the brain block cut side down on the chuck slowly and completely. Embed the piece of brain in the mounting medium.Place the chuck now mounted with the brain into the Microtome head section using the predetermined section sampling frequency. After making a section either mounted on a slide or add it to a specified series in the plate containing antigen preserve, be very careful to keep the sections in the order. You slice them so that later you can go back to the brain bank and take another systematic sample.Once you have exhaustively sectioned the tissue and have placed the sections into wells, cover the plate with the lid, wrap the lid with param and place in a minus 20 degree Celsius freezer. Log the total number of sections in each series, the section sampling interval, and the number of series per animal. This log will be vital for keeping track of sections as you withdraw them from the brain bank for future experiments.Systematically sampling in this manner has been a standard practice in our laboratory. For the past three years, we've had a great deal of success performing immunohistochemistry on material that has been stored in antigen preserve for three years without deterioration of the signal. Furthermore, as part of our brain bank, we have logged close to 20, 000 systematic sections of the non-human primate brain.As part of our long-term research plans, We've just shown you how to systematically sample a biological specimen and preserve it as part of your long-term research plans. When doing this procedure, it is important to remember to keep a detailed log of the total number of series taken and the total number of sections per series. Also, if a section is lost or damaged, record that section number down in the logbook in order to maintain a systematic sampling procedure.So that's it. Thanks for watching and good luck with your experiments.

brain-banking-making-the-most-of-your-research-specimens

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Learn systematic brain tissue sampling for cryostat sectioning using antigen preservation techniques. This protocol maximizes research material and enables unbiased stereological analysis in neuroscience studies.

Brain Banking: Making the Most of your Research Specimens

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