Name: Axonal Transport of Organelles in Motor Neuron Cultures using Microfluidic Chambers System (Video) | JoVE Journal
Uploaded: 2020-05-05T14:30:00.000+00:00
Duration: 10 min 12 s
Description: Learn to monitor axonal transport in motor neuron cultures using microfluidic chambers. This method enables real-time visualization of mitochondria and acidic compartments for studying neurodegenerative diseases like ALS.

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This work was supported by grants from the Israel Science foundation (ISF, 561/11) and the European Research Council (ERC, 309377).

<ol><li>Misgeld, T., Schwarz, T. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Mitostasis+in+Neurons%3A+Maintaining+Mitochondria+in+an+Extended+Cellular+Architecture%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Neuron%22%5BJournal%5D)">Mitostasis in Neurons: Maintaining Mitochondria in an Extended Cellular Architecture.</a> Neuron. 96, 651-666 (2017).</li>
<li>Devine, M. J., Kittler, J. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Mitochondria+at+the+neuronal+presynapse+in+health+and+disease%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nature+Reviews+Neuroscience%22%5BJournal%5D)">Mitochondria at the neuronal presynapse in health and disease.</a> Nature Reviews Neuroscience. 19, 63-80 (2018).</li>
<li>Gibbs, K. L., Kalmar, B., Sleigh, J. N., Greensmith, L., Schiavo, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((In+vivo+imaging+of+axonal+transport+in+murine+motor+and+sensory+neurons%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Neuroscience+Methods%22%5BJournal%5D)">In vivo imaging of axonal transport in murine motor and sensory neurons.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 257, 26-33 (2016).</li>
<li>Mandal, A., Drerup, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Axonal+Transport+and+Mitochondrial+Function+in+Neurons%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Frontiers+in+Cellular+Neuroscience%22%5BJournal%5D)">Axonal Transport and Mitochondrial Function in Neurons.</a> Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. 13, 373(2019).</li>
<li>Magrané, J., Cortez, C., Gan, W. B., Manfredi, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Abnormal+mitochondrial+transport+and+morphology+are+common+pathological+denominators+in+SOD1+and+TDP43+ALS+mouse+models%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Human+Molecular+Genetics%22%5BJournal%5D)">Abnormal mitochondrial transport and morphology are common pathological denominators in SOD1 and TDP43 ALS mouse models.</a> Human Molecular Genetics. 23, 1413-1424 (2014).</li>
<li>Anderson, R. G. W., Orci, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+view+of+acidic+intracellular+compartments%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Cell+Biology%22%5BJournal%5D)">A view of acidic intracellular compartments.</a> Journal of Cell Biology. 106, 539-543 (1988).</li>
<li>Kiral, F. R., Kohrs, F. E., Jin, E. J., Hiesinger, P. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Rab+GTPases+and+Membrane+Trafficking+in+Neurodegeneration%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Current+Biology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Rab GTPases and Membrane Trafficking in Neurodegeneration.</a> Current Biology. 28, R471-R486 (2018).</li>
<li>Ya-Cheng Liao, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((RNA+Granules+Hitchhike+on+Lysosomes+for+Long-Distance+Transport%2C+Using+Annexin+A11+as+a+Molecular+Tether%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Cell%22%5BJournal%5D)">RNA Granules Hitchhike on Lysosomes for Long-Distance Transport, Using Annexin A11 as a Molecular Tether.</a> Cell. 179, 147-164 (2019).</li>
<li>Gluska, S., Chein, M., Rotem, N., Ionescu, A., Perlson, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Tracking+Quantum-Dot+labeled+neurotropic+factors+transport+along+primary+neuronal+axons+in+compartmental+microfluidic+chambers%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Methods+in+Cell+Biology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Tracking Quantum-Dot labeled neurotropic factors transport along primary neuronal axons in compartmental microfluidic chambers.</a> Methods in Cell Biology. 131, 365-387 (2016).</li>
<li>Gershoni-Emek, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Localization+of+RNAi+Machinery+to+Axonal+Branch+Points+and+Growth+Cones+Is+Facilitated+by+Mitochondria+and+Is+Disrupted+in+ALS%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Frontiers+in+Molecular+Neuroscience%22%5BJournal%5D)">Localization of RNAi Machinery to Axonal Branch Points and Growth Cones Is Facilitated by Mitochondria and Is Disrupted in ALS.</a> Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. 11, 311(2018).</li>
<li>Neto, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Compartmentalized+Microfluidic+Platforms%3A+The+Unrivaled+Breakthrough+of+In+Vitro+Tools+for+Neurobiological+Research%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Neuroscience%22%5BJournal%5D)">Compartmentalized Microfluidic Platforms: The Unrivaled Breakthrough of In Vitro Tools for Neurobiological Research.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 36 (46), 11573-11584 (2016).</li>
<li>Ionescu, A., Zahavi, E. E., Gradus, T., Ben-Yaakov, K., Perlson, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Compartmental+microfluidic+system+for+studying+muscle-neuron+communication+and+neuromuscular+junction+maintenance%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22European+Journal+of+Cell+Biology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Compartmental microfluidic system for studying muscle-neuron communication and neuromuscular junction maintenance.</a> European Journal of Cell Biology. 95, 69-88 (2016).</li>
<li>Zahavi, E. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+compartmentalized+microfluidic+neuromuscular+co-culture+system+reveals+spatial+aspects+of+GDNF+functions%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Cell+Science%22%5BJournal%5D)">A compartmentalized microfluidic neuromuscular co-culture system reveals spatial aspects of GDNF functions.</a> Journal of Cell Science. 128, 1241-1252 (2015).</li>
<li>Altman, T., Geller, D., Kleeblatt, E., Gradus-Perry, T., Perlson, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((An+in+vitro+compartmental+system+underlines+the+contribution+of+mitochondrial+immobility+to+the+ATP+supply+in+the+NMJ%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Cell+Science%22%5BJournal%5D)">An in vitro compartmental system underlines the contribution of mitochondrial immobility to the ATP supply in the NMJ.</a> Journal of Cell Science. 132 (23), (2019).</li>
<li>Schaller, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Novel+combinatorial+screening+identifies+neurotrophic+factors+for+selective+classes+of+motor+neurons%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Proceedings+of+the+National+Academy+of+Sciences+USA%22%5BJournal%5D)">Novel combinatorial screening identifies neurotrophic factors for selective classes of motor neurons.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 114, E2486-E2493 (2017).</li>
<li>Ionescu, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Targeting+the+Sigma-1+Receptor+via+Pridopidine+Ameliorates+Central+Features+of+ALS+Pathology+in+a+SOD1G93A+Model%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Cell+Death+%26+Disease%22%5BJournal%5D)">Targeting the Sigma-1 Receptor via Pridopidine Ameliorates Central Features of ALS Pathology in a SOD1G93A Model.</a> Cell Death & Disease. 10 (3), 210(2019).</li>
<li>Zahavi, E. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+compartmentalized+microfluidic+neuromuscular+coculture+system+reveals+spatial+aspects+of+GDNF+functions%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Cell+Science%22%5BJournal%5D)">A compartmentalized microfluidic neuromuscular coculture system reveals spatial aspects of GDNF functions.</a> Journal of Cell Science. 128, 1241-1252 (2015).</li>
<li>Maimon, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Mir126-5p+downregulation+facilitates+axon+degeneration+and+nmj+disruption+via+a+non-cell-autonomous+mechanism+in+ALS%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Neuroscience%22%5BJournal%5D)">Mir126-5p downregulation facilitates axon degeneration and nmj disruption via a non-cell-autonomous mechanism in ALS.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 38, 5478-5494 (2018).</li>
</ol>

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

In this protocol, we describe a system to track axonal transport of mitochondria and acidic compartments in motor neurons. This simplified in vitro platform allows precise control, monitoring, and manipulation of subcellular neuronal compartments, enabling experimental analysis of motor neuron local functions. This protocol can be useful for studying MN diseases such as ALS, to focus on understanding the underlying mechanism of axonal transport dysfunction in the disease10,<sup class="x...

MNs are highly polarized cells with long axons, reaching up to one meter long in adult humans. This phenomenon creates a critical challenge for the maintenance of MN connectivity and function. Consequently, MNs depend on proper transport of information, organelles, and materials along the axons from their cell body to the synapse and back. Various cellular components, such as proteins, RNA, and organelles are shuttled regularly through the axons. Mitochondria are important organelles that are routinely transported in MNs. Mitochondria are essential for proper activity and function of MNs, responsible for ATP provision, calcium buffering, and signaling processes1,2. The axonal transport of mitochondria is a well-studied process3,4. Interestingly, defects in mitochondrial transport were reported to be involved in several neurodegenerative diseases and specifically in MN diseases5. Acidic compartments serve as another example for intrinsic organelles that move along MN axons. Acidic compartments include lysosomes, endosomes, trans-Golgi apparatus, and certain secretory vesicles6. Defects in the axonal transport of acidic compartments were found in several neurodegenerative diseases as well7, and recent papers highlight their importance in MN diseases8.
To efficiently study axonal transport, microfluidic chambers that separate somatic and axonal compartments are frequently used9,10. The two significant advantages of the microfluidic system, and the compartmentalization and the isolation of axons, render it ideal for the study of subcellular processes11. The spatial separation between the neuronal cell bodies and axons can be used to manipulate the extracellular environments of different neuronal compartments (e.g., axons vs. soma). Biochemical, neuronal growth/degeneration, and immunofluorescence assays all benefit from this platform. MFCs can also assist in studying cell-to-cell communication by coculturing neurons with other cell types, such as skeletal muscles12,13,14.
Here, we describe a simple yet precise protocol for monitoring mitochondria and acidic compartment transport in motor neurons. We further show the use of this method by comparing the relative percentage of retrograde and anterograde moving organelles, as well as the distribution of transport velocity.

<table><tbody><tr><td>35mm Fluodish &amp;ndash; glass bottom dish</td><td>World Precision Instruments WPI</td><td>FD35-100</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>50mm Fluodish &amp;ndash; glass bottom dish</td><td>World Precision Instruments WPI</td><td>FD5040-100</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Andor iXon DU-897 EMCCD camera</td><td>Andor</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ARA-C (Cytosine &amp;beta;-D-arabinofuranoside)</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>C1768</td><td>stock of 2mM in filtered DDW</td></tr><tr><td>B-27 Supplement (50X)</td><td>Thermo Fisher</td><td>17504044</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>BDNF</td><td>Alomone Labs</td><td>B-250</td><td>Dilute to 10 &amp;micro;g/mL in filtered ddw with 0.01% BSA)</td></tr><tr><td>Biopsy punch 1.25mm</td><td>World Precision Instruments WPI</td><td>504530</td><td>For preperation of large MFC</td></tr><tr><td>Biopsy punch 6mm</td><td>World Precision Instruments WPI</td><td>504533</td><td>For preperation of small MFC</td></tr><tr><td>Biopsy punch 7mm</td><td>World Precision Instruments WPI</td><td>504534</td><td>For preperation of large MFC</td></tr><tr><td>Bitplane Imaris software - version 8.4.1</td><td>Imaris</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bovine Serum Albumine (BSA)</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>#A3311-100G</td><td>5% w/v in ddw</td></tr><tr><td>Chlorotrimetylsilane</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>#386529-100ML</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>CNTF</td><td>Alomone Labs</td><td>C-240</td><td>Dilute to 10 &amp;micro;g/mL in filtered ddw with 0.01% BSA)</td></tr><tr><td>Density Gradient Medium - Optiprep</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>D1556</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Deoxyribonuclease I (DNAse) from bovine pancreas</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>DN-25</td><td>stock 10mg/mL in neurobasal</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Corning High-vacuum silicone grease</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>Z273554-1EA</td><td>For epoxy mold preperation</td></tr><tr><td>DPBS 10X</td><td>Thermo Fisher</td><td>#14200-067</td><td>dilute 1:10 in ddw</td></tr><tr><td>Dumont fine forceps #55 0.05 &amp;times; 0.02 mm</td><td>F.S.T</td><td>1125520</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Epoxy Hardener</td><td>Trias Chem S.R.L</td><td>IPE 743</td><td>For epoxy mold preperation</td></tr><tr><td>Epoxy Resin</td><td>Trias Chem S.R.L</td><td>RP 026UV</td><td>For epoxy mold preperation</td></tr><tr><td>FIJI software</td><td>ImageJ</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>GDNF</td><td>Alomone Labs</td><td>G-240</td><td>Dilute to 10 &amp;micro;g/mL in filtered ddw with 0.01% BSA)</td></tr><tr><td>Glutamax 100X</td><td>Thermo Fisher</td><td>#35050-038</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>HB9:GFP mice strain</td><td>Jackson Laboratories</td><td>005029</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>HBSS 10X</td><td>Thermo Fisher</td><td>#14185-045</td><td>Dilute 1:10 in ddw with addition of 1% P/S and filter</td></tr><tr><td>iQ software</td><td>Andor</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Iris scissors, curved, 10 cm</td><td>AS Medizintechnik</td><td>11-441-10</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Iris scissors, straight, 9 cm</td><td>AS Medizintechnik</td><td>11-440-09</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Laminin</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>#L-2020</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Leibovitz&#039;s L-15 Medium</td><td>Thermo Fisher</td><td>11415064</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>LysoTracker Red</td><td>Thermo Fisher</td><td>L7528</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mitotracker Deep-Red FM</td><td>Thermo Fisher</td><td>M22426</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Neurobasal medium</td><td>Thermo Fisher</td><td>21103049</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Nikon Eclipse Ti micorscope</td><td>Nikon</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Penicillin-Streptomycin (P/S) Solution</td><td>Biological Industries</td><td>03-031-1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Poly-L-Ornithin (PLO)</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>#P8638</td><td>Dilute 1:1000 in flitered 1X PBS</td></tr><tr><td>Sylgard 184 silicone elastomer kit</td><td>DOW Corning Corporation</td><td>#3097358-1004</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Trypsin from bovine pancreas</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>T1426</td><td>stock 25 mg/mL in 1XPBS</td></tr><tr><td>Vannas spring microdissection scissors, 3 mm blade</td><td>F.S.T</td><td>15000-00</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Yokogawa CSU X-1</td><td>Yokogawa</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

axonal transport of organelles in motor neuron cultures using microfluidic chambers system

Axonal Transport of Organelles in Motor Neuron Cultures using Microfluidic Chambers System

Motor neurons (MNs) are highly polarized cells with very long axons. Axonal transport is a crucial mechanism for MN health, contributing to neuronal growth, development, and survival. We describe a detailed method for the use of microfluidic chambers (MFCs) for tracking axonal transport of fluorescently labeled organelles in MN axons. This method is rapid, relatively inexpensive, and allows for the monitoring of intracellular cues in space and time. We describe a step by step protocol for: 1) Fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) MFCs; 2) Plating of ventral spinal cord explants and MN dissociated culture in MFCs; 3) Labeling of mitochondria and acidic compartments followed by live confocal imagining; 4) Manual and semiautomated axonal transport analysis. Lastly, we demonstrate a difference in the transport of mitochondria and acidic compartments of HB9::GFP ventral spinal cord explant axons as a proof of the system validity. Altogether, this protocol provides an efficient tool for studying the axonal transport of various axonal components, as well as a simplified manual for MFC usage to help discover spatial experimental possibilities.

Following the described protocol, mouse embryonic HB9::GFP spinal cord explants were cultured in MFC (Figure 4A). Explants were grown for 7 days, when axons fully crossed into the distal compartment. Mitotracker Deep Red and Lysotracker Red dyes were added to the distal and proximal compartments in order to label the mitochondria and acidic compartments (Figure 4C). Axons in the distal grooves we...

Axonal transport is a crucial mechanism for motor neuron health. In this protocol we provide a detailed method for tracking the axonal transport of acidic compartments and mitochondria in motor neuron axons using microfluidic chambers.

Motor neurons (MNs) are highly polarized cells with very long axons. Axonal transport is a crucial mechanism for MN health, contributing to neuronal ...

axonal-transport-organelles-motor-neuron-cultures-using-microfluidic

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

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Preparation and Maintenance of Dorsal Root Ganglia Neurons in Compartmented Cultures

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This video demonstrates a method for tracking axonal transport in motor neurons using a microfluidic chamber system. It involves culturing mouse embryonic spinal cord tissues in polymer-coated wells with nutrient medium to induce axonal growth. The movement of fluorescent dye-stained organelles in live imaging, confirms the bidirectional axonal transport.

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Organelle Transport in Cultured Drosophila Cells: S2 Cell Line and Primary Neurons.

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The present protocol describes the seeding and staining of neuronal mitochondria in microfluidic chambers. The fluidic pressure gradient in these chambers allows for the selective treatment of mitochondria in axons to analyze their properties in response to pharmacological challenges without affecting the cell body compartment.

Microfluidics-Assisted Selective Depolarization of Axonal Mitochondria

Learn to monitor axonal transport in motor neuron cultures using microfluidic chambers. This method enables real-time visualization of mitochondria and acidic compartments for studying neurodegenerative diseases like ALS.

Axonal Transport of Organelles in Motor Neuron Cultures using Microfluidic Chambers System

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