We will demonstrate how to prepare retinal slices from the mouse eye and record light responses in retinal neurons. The entire procedure is conducted in dark-adapted conditions.
망막은 시각 체계의 관문이다. 영상 신호 처리 메커니즘을 이해하기 위해 망막 신경 네트워크 기능을 조사. 네트워크의 망막 신경 세포는 다양한 아형 포함한다. 양극성 세포, 신경절 세포 및 무 축삭 세포의 10 개 이상의 아형은 형태 학적 연구에 의해 확인되었다. 망막 뉴런의 여러 아형 모션 및 컬러 같은 시각적 신호의 뚜렷한 기능을 인코딩 및 다중 신경 경로를 형성하는 것으로 생각된다. 그러나, 영상 신호 처리의 각 신경 세포의 기능적 역할은 완전히 이해되지 않습니다. 패치 클램프 방법이 근본적인 문제를 해결하는 데 유용합니다. 여기에, 프로토콜을 제공한다 어두운 적응 조건에서 패치 클램프 녹음을 사용하여 마우스 망막 신경 세포에서 빛 유발 시냅스 응답을 기록합니다. 마우스 눈 O / N 암순응이며, 망막 슬라이스 제제는 적외선 조명을 이용하여 시청자 암실에서 해부. 적외선하지 않습니다마우스의 광 수용체를 활성화하고, 따라서 그들의 빛 응답 성을 유지합니다. 패치 클램프 망막 뉴런의 광 유발 된 응답을 기록하는데 사용된다. 형광 염료는 신경 학적 아형의 특성을 기록하는 동안 분사된다. 이 절차는 마우스 망막에 각각의 신경 세포의 생리 학적 기능을 결정하기 위해 우리가 할 수 있습니다.
The retina is one of the unique parts of the nervous system. As an accessible part of the brain, its synaptic architecture has been well characterized. In addition, the functions of this neural network can be examined with a physiological stimulus: light. If the retinal tissue is isolated in a dark room with appropriate procedures, neurons in the tissue will respond to light. This preparation has been used to study visual signal processing and elucidate various synaptic mechanisms and neural network functions, as well as disease mechanisms.
Light responses in retinal neurons have been recorded for decades. Early studies used sharp electrodes to make intracellular recordings from mudpuppy retinal neurons1. In the 1980s, the patch clamp technique was invented2, and soon became a popular method among vision researchers3,4. Single cell recordings from lower vertebrates, including mudpuppy and fish retinal neurons, were popular methods that contributed to the elucidation of visual signal processing mechanisms5,6.
After genetic mutation techniques were developed, the mouse retina became a more popular model for vision researchers7-9. The mammalian retina is more attractive than that of lower vertebrates because it is evolutionarily closer to the human retina, and there is an opportunity to use disease models. However, mouse retinal cells are small and fragile10, and making retinal preparations and conducting patch clamp recordings in a dark room is challenging. As technology has improved, diverse approaches have become available to study visual signaling mechanisms such as imaging studies11 and the electroretinogram (ERG)12. Nevertheless, single cell recording with the patch clamp method is still important because it is highly temporally and spatially sensitive compared to other methods. Therefore, we have continuously conducted patch clamp recordings and improved our methods to investigate visual signal processing in mouse retinal slice preparations13-15.
In this video tutorial, the protocols are presented with important tips. Good recordings can only be achieved with good preparation. Practicing animal dissection and building a sturdy patch clamp rig will enable most researchers to achieve successful recordings.
Good recordings can only be achieved with good retinal preparations and well-designed patch clamp setups. Although all the steps described above are important, the discussion highlights some critical steps both for the dissection and recordings.
For dissection, two things are especially important: cooling and oxygenation. After enucleating the eye, quickly remove the front part of the eye in a dissecting chamber with oxygen-bubbled, cooled dissecting solution, and pour cold solution into the …
The authors have nothing to disclose.
This work was supported by NIH R01 EY020533, WSU Startup Fund, and RPB grants.
Name of Material/ Equipment | Company | Catalog Number | Comments/Description |
mice (28-60 days old, male) | Jackson laboratory | C57BL/6J strain | |
Ames' medium powder | Sigma | A1420 | excellent |
Stereo microscope | Nikon | SMZ745 | excellent |
dissecting tool_forceps | Dumont | #4, #5, #55 | excellent |
dissecting tool_scissors | Roboz | RS-5605 | excellent |
dissecting tool_surgery knife | Surgistar | 7514 | excellent |
razor blade (for chopper) | EMS | 71970 | excellent |
chopper | handmade | ||
infrared viewer | Night Owl Optics | NOBG1 | It shows bright view. Focusing small objects is an issue. |
infrared pocket scopes | B.E. Meyers | OWL Gen 3 NV pocketscope | excellent view |
puller | Sutter | P-1000 | excellent. Make consistent size pipettes. |
dark box | Pelican | dark box | excellent |
patch clamp system | Scientifica | slice scope 2000 | Excellent setup. Most key components are included in one package. Micromanipulators are excellent. |
amplifier | Molecular Devices | multiclamp 700B | Excellent and easy control. |
acquiring software | Molecular Devices | pClamp software | Excellent and easy control. |
light source (LED) | Cool LED | pE-2 4 channel system | Excellent |
CCD camera | Q-imaging | Retiga 2000 | Excellent |
Faraday cage | handmade |