A <em>Drosophila In Vivo</em> Injury Model for Studying Neuroregeneration in the Peripheral and Central Nervous System

Dan Li; Feng Li; Pavithran Guttipatti; Yuanquan Song

doi:10.3791/57557

A Drosophila In Vivo Injury Model for Studying Neuroregeneration in the Peripheral and C...

JoVE Journal
Medicine

A subscription to JoVE is required to view this content. Sign in or start your free trial.

JoVE Journal Medicine

A Drosophila In Vivo Injury Model for Studying Neuroregeneration in the Peripheral and Central Nervous System

A Drosophila In Vivo Injury Model for Studying Neuroregeneration in the Peripheral and Central Nervous System

Full Text

10,372 Views

09:55 min

May 5, 2018

DOI: 10.3791/57557-v

Dan Li*¹, Feng Li*¹, Pavithran Guttipatti¹, Yuanquan Song^1,2

¹Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics,The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, ²Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine,University of Pennsylvania

Overview

This article presents a Drosophila sensory neuron injury model that integrates in vivo live imaging and two-photon laser axotomy/dendriotomy. This approach leverages the fly genetic toolbox to screen for potential neuroregeneration promoters and inhibitors.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

Neuroscience
Neuroregeneration
Genetic modeling

Background

The model focuses on sensory neuron injury in Drosophila larvae.
It aims to identify intrinsic and extrinsic regulators of neuroregeneration.
The technique is applicable to both peripheral and central nervous systems.
It provides a cost-effective method for screening neuroregeneration candidates.

Purpose of Study

To develop a platform for screening neuroregeneration factors.
To address key questions in neuroregeneration research.
To facilitate the study of neurodegenerative diseases and neuron-glia interactions.

Methods Used

In vivo live imaging techniques.
Two-photon laser axotomy/dendriotomy.
Utilization of the Drosophila genetic toolbox.
Screening for neuroregeneration promoters and inhibitors.

Main Results

Identification of novel candidates for neuroregeneration.
Insights into the mechanisms of neuroregeneration.
Potential applications to neurodegenerative diseases.
Demonstration of the model's versatility across different neuron types.

Conclusions

The Drosophila model is a valuable tool for neuroregeneration research.
It allows for rapid and cost-effective screening of neuroregenerative factors.
This approach can enhance understanding of neuron-glia interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main advantage of this Drosophila model?

The model allows for easy, fast, and cost-effective screening of neuroregeneration candidates.

How does this method contribute to neurodegenerative disease research?

It provides insights into neuroregeneration mechanisms that can be relevant to neurodegenerative diseases.

What techniques are used in this study?

The study utilizes in vivo live imaging and two-photon laser axotomy/dendriotomy.

Can this model be applied to different types of neurons?

Yes, it can be adapted to study axon and dendritic regeneration in various neuron types.

What are the potential outcomes of using this model?

The model may lead to the identification of new neuroregeneration promoters and inhibitors.

Is prior experience required to use this method?

Individuals new to this method may face challenges due to varying experimental setups.

Here, we present a protocol using the Drosophila sensory neuron - dendritic arborization (da) neuron injury model, which combines in vivo live imaging, two-photon laser axotomy/dendriotomy, and the powerful fly genetic toolbox, as a platform for screening potential promoters and inhibitors of neuroregeneration.

The overall goal of this Drosophila larval sensory neuron injury model is to combine in vivo live imaging, two-photon laser axotomy/dendriotomy, and the powerful fly genetic toolbox into a platform for screening potential promoters and inhibitors of neuroregeneration. This method will help address key questions in a field of neurogeneration, such as by identifying new intrinsic and extrinsic regulator for neurogeneration, both in a peripheral and central nerve system. The main advantage of this technique is that novel candidates for neuroregeneration can be screened in an easy, fast and cheap way.

Though this system can provide insight into neuroregeneration, it can also be applied to other systems, such as neurodegenerative diseases and neuron-glia interactions. Generally, individuals new to this method will struggle because different experimental setups that utilize different types of neurons are used to model axon versus dendritic regeneration. For the larvae collection, prepare culture bottles as follows.

View the full transcript and gain access to thousands of scientific videos