Abstract
The subventricular zone (SVZ) is one of two regions where neurogenesis persists in the postnatal brain. The SVZ, located along the lateral ventricle, is the largest neurogenic zone in the brain that contains multiple cell populations including astrocyte-like cells and neuroblasts. Neuroblasts migrate in chains to the olfactory bulb where they differentiate into interneurons. Here, we discuss the experimental approaches to record the electrophysiology of these cells and image their migration and calcium activity in acute slices. Although these techniques were in place for studying glial cells and neurons in mature networks, the SVZ raises new challenges due to the unique properties of SVZ cells, the cellular diversity, and the architecture of the region. We emphasize different methods, such as the use of transgenic mice and in vivo electroporation that permit identification of the different SVZ cell populations for patch clamp recording or imaging. Electroporation also permits genetic labeling of cells using fluorescent reporter mice and modification of the system using either RNA interference technology or floxed mice. In this review, we aim to provide conceptual and technical details of the approaches to perform electrophysiological and imaging studies of SVZ cells.
Highlights
Neurogenesis persists in two centers in the adult brain, the neurogenic subventricular zone (SVZ) and the hippocampal dentate gyrus (Lledo et al, 2006; Zhao et al, 2008)
Neuroblasts migrate in chains ensheathed by astrocyte-like cells throughout the SVZ and along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulb (OB) (Lois et al, 1996; Peretto et al, 1997)
Vectors encoding short hairpin RNA or overexpression vectors can be introduced into SVZ cells
Summary
Neurogenesis persists in two centers in the adult brain, the neurogenic subventricular zone (SVZ) and the hippocampal dentate gyrus (Lledo et al, 2006; Zhao et al, 2008). Neuroblasts migrate in chains ensheathed by astrocyte-like cells throughout the SVZ and along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulb (OB) (Lois et al, 1996; Peretto et al, 1997). Traditional methods that visualize proliferation, migration, survival and differentiation that take from hours to weeks and generally use fixed tissue. Whereas staining of receptors in fixed tissue can reveal regional and cellular location, electrophysiology and calcium imaging determine whether the receptor is functional, but to what extent. By manipulating these signaling processes, we can examine their effect on neurogenesis
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