This protocol allows axoplasm isolation with minimization of glial and vascular tissue contamination. The method yields approximately 70-100 &mu;g total axoplasm protein per one 8-10 week old Wistar rat.
1. Dissect Sciatic Nerves
<ol>
 <li>Euthanize two rats by CO2 inhalation followed by cervical dislocation. Confirm death by palpating for lack of heartbeat prior to beginning dissection.</li>
 <li>Swab the dissection area with 70% ethanol.</li>
 <li>Cut the skin, separate muscles and isolate sciatic nerve using scissors and forceps carefully without damaging blood vessels. Dissect both sciatic nerves (about 1.5 cm each) from each animal and collect all four nerves in an eppendorf with 500 &mu;L PBS 0.2X + inhibitors, kept on ice.</li>
 <li>Transfer the nerve segments to plastic dishes containing at least 2 mL of PBS 0.2X + protease inhibitors.</li>
 <li>Remove the epineurium from the nerves using fine forceps under the binocular scope. Separate the fascicles very carefully until they become cloudy and start to float on the surface of solution. This step should be practiced until it can be performed quickly and accurately (not taking more than 10 min per nerve).</li>
</ol>
2. Incubation, Washing and Elution
<ol>
 <li>Transfer separated fascicles to a fresh eppendorf tube with 500 &mu;L of PBS 0.2X containing protease inhibitors for incubation for 2 hr at room temperature.</li>
 <li>Wash at least 3 times with 1 mL of the same buffer by transferring the fascicles from eppendorf tube to eppendorf tube and shaking for 5 min after transfer. </li>
 <li>To remove excess of fluid put the fascicles into a new empty eppendorf tube and then transfer the fascicles to a new eppendorf tube with 300 &mu;L of PBS 1X containing protease inhibitor for incubation for 20-30 min at RT.</li>
 <li>Centrifuge 10 min at 10,000 x g at 4&deg;C.</li>
 <li>Take the supernatant and measure protein concentration. This is your axoplasm preparation.</li>
</ol>
3. Representative Results
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2087/2087fig1.jpg" alt="Figure 1" /> 
Figure 1. Western blot comparing axoplasm isolated by the manual squeeze method with axoplasm samples isolated as shown in this protocol. Note the reduced levels of albumin and GFAP, representing blood protein and glial cell contaminations, respectively. In contrast, axonal tubulin b3 is enriched in this preparation, indicating a high level of axonal proteins.

<ol>
	<li>Hanz, S., Perlson, E., Willis, D., Zheng, J. Q., Massarwa, R., Huerta, J. J., Koltzenburg, M., Kohler, M., van-Minnen, J., Twiss, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Axoplasmic+importins+enable+retrograde+injury+signaling+in+lesioned+nerve.">Axoplasmic importins enable retrograde injury signaling in lesioned nerve.</a> Neuron. 40, 1095-1104 (2003).</li><li>Michaelevski, I., Medzihradszky, K. F., Lynn, A., Burlingame, A. L., Fainzilber, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Axonal+transport+proteomics+reveals+mobilization+of+translation+machinery+to+the+lesion+site+in+injured+sciatic+nerve.">Axonal transport proteomics reveals mobilization of translation machinery to the lesion site in injured sciatic nerve.</a> Mol Cell Proteomics. 9 (5), 976-987 (2010).</li><li>Rishal, I., Michaelevski, I., Rozenbaum, M., Shinder, V., Medzihradszky, K. F., Burlingame, A. L., Fainzilber, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Axoplasm+isolation+from+peripheral+nerve.">Axoplasm isolation from peripheral nerve.</a> Dev Neurobiol. 70, 126-133 (2010).</li><li>Twiss, J. L., Fainzilber, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ribosomes+in+axons--scrounging+from+the+neighbors.">Ribosomes in axons--scrounging from the neighbors.</a> Trends Cell Biol. 19, 236-243 (2009).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

Biochemical and proteomic analyses have confirmed that this procedure reduces serum and glial cell contamination 3 as compared to previously described methods for axoplasm isolation by mechanical squeeze 1. We have used this axoplasm isolation protocol to explore dynein-based retrograde signaling after sciatic nerve injury2, and expect it to have utility in the exploration of many other processes in adult peripheral nerve, including axon-glia interactions 4.

<ul>
	<li>Male Wistar rats (8-10 weeks old)</li>
	<li>PBS 0.2X and PBS 1X solutions containing protease inhibitors (Roshe) 2 tablets per 50 ml</li>
	<li>Eppendorfs for 1.5 ml</li>
	<li>Sterilized plastic dishes 35 mm</li>
	<li>Dissecting tools including: scissors and fine forceps</li>
	<li>Binocular and table light</li>
</ul>
Antibodies
Mouse anti-GFAP clone G-A-5 was from Sigma (G6171). Rabbit anti-Albumin was from Cedarlane (CLAG5140). Mouse anti-Tubulin &beta;3 and rabbit anti-gERK were from Sigma (T2200 and M5670 respectively).

axoplasm isolation from rat sciatic nerve

Isolation of pure axonal cytoplasm (axoplasm) from peripheral nerve is crucial for biochemical studies of many biological processes. In this article, we demonstrate and describe a protocol for axoplasm isolation from adult rat sciatic nerve based on the following steps: (1) dissection of nerve fascicles and separation of connective tissue; (2) incubation of short segments of nerve fascicles in hypotonic medium to release myelin and lyse non-axonal structures; and (3) extraction of the remaining axon-enriched material. Proteomic and biochemical characterization of this preparation has confirmed a high degree of enrichment for axonal components.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Axoplasm Isolation from Rat Sciatic Nerve at JoVE.com

Axoplasm Isolation from Rat Sciatic Nerve

We demonstrate a protocol for axoplasm isolation from adult rat sciatic nerve based on dissection of nerve fascicles and incubation in hypotonic medium to release myelin and lyse non-axonal structures, followed by extraction of the remaining axon-enriched material.

Isolation of pure axonal cytoplasm (axoplasm) from peripheral nerve is crucial for biochemical studies of many biological processes. In this article, we ...

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13.6K Views.  Weizmann Institute of Science. Мы демонстрируем протокол для аксоплазме изоляции от взрослой крысы седалищного нерва на основе рассечение нервных пучков и инкубации в гипотонической среде, чтобы освободить миелина и лизировать не-аксонального структур с последующим извлечением оставше?...

Video: Axoplasm Isolation from Rat Sciatic Nerve

Reproducible Mouse Sciatic Nerve Crush and Subsequent Assessment of Regeneration by Whole Mount Muscle Analysis

Regeneration in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is widely studied both for its relevance to human disease and to understand the robust regenerative response mounted by PNS neurons thereby possibly illuminating the failures of CNS regeneration1. Sciatic nerve crush (axonotmesis) is one of the most common models of peripheral nerve injury in rodents2. Crushing interrupts all axons but Schwann cell basal laminae are preserved so that regeneration is optimal3,4. This allows the investigator to study precisely the ability of a growing axon to interact with both the Schwann cell and basal laminae4. Rats have generally been the preferred animal models for experimental nerve crush. They are widely available and their lesioned sciatic nerve provides a reasonable approximation of human nerve lesions5,4. Though smaller in size than rat nerve, the mouse nerve has many similar qualities. Most importantly though, mouse models are increasingly valuable because of the wide availability of transgenic lines now allows for a detailed dissection of the individual molecules critical for nerve regeneration6, 7. Prior investigators have used multiple methods to produce a nerve crush or injury including simple angled forceps, chilled forceps, hemostatic forceps, vascular clamps, and investigator-designed clamps8,9,10,11,12. Investigators have also used various methods of marking the injury site including suture, carbon particles and fluorescent beads13,14,1. We describe our method to obtain a reproducibly complete sciatic nerve crush with accurate and persistent marking of the crush-site using a fine hemostatic forceps and subsequent carbon crush-site marking. As part of our description of the sciatic nerve crush procedure we have also included a relatively simple method of muscle whole mount we use to subsequently quantify regeneration.

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In Vivo Electrophysiological Measurements on Mouse Sciatic Nerves

Electrophysiological studies allow a rational classification of various neuromuscular diseases and are of help, together with neuropathological techniques, in the understanding of the underlying pathophysiology1. Here we describe a method to perform electrophysiological studies on mouse sciatic nerves in vivo.
The animals are anesthetized with isoflurane in order to ensure analgesia for the tested mice and undisturbed working environment during the measurements that take about 30 min/animal. A constant body temperature of 37 &#176;C is maintained by a heating plate and continuously measured by a rectal thermo probe2. Additionally, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is routinely recorded during the measurements in order to continuously monitor the physiological state of the investigated animals.
Electrophysiological recordings are performed on the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), supplying the mouse hind limb with both motoric and sensory fiber tracts. In our protocol, sciatic nerves remain in situ and therefore do not have to be extracted or exposed, allowing measurements without any adverse nerve irritations along with actual recordings. Using appropriate needle electrodes3 we perform both proximal and distal nerve stimulations, registering the transmitted potentials with sensing electrodes at gastrocnemius muscles. After data processing, reliable and highly consistent values for the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and the compound motor action potential (CMAP), the key parameters for quantification of gross peripheral nerve functioning, can be achieved.

In Vivo Electrophysiological Measurements on Mouse Sciatic Nerves

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Visual Evoked Potential Recording in a Rat Model of Experimental Optic Nerve Demyelination

The visual evoked potential (VEP) recording is widely used in clinical practice to assess the severity of optic neuritis in its acute phase, and to monitor the disease course in the follow-up period. Changes in the VEP parameters closely correlate with pathological damage in the optic nerve. This protocol provides a detailed description about the rodent model of optic nerve microinjection, in which a partial demyelination lesion is produced in the optic nerve. VEP recording techniques are also discussed. Using skull implanted electrodes, we are able to acquire reproducible intra-session and between-session VEP traces. VEPs can be recorded on individual animals over a period of time to assess the functional changes in the optic nerve longitudinally. The optic nerve demyelination model, in conjunction with the VEP recording protocol, provides a tool to investigate the disease processes associated with demyelination and remyelination, and can potentially be employed to evaluate the effects of new remyelinating drugs or neuroprotective therapies.

Focal demyelination is induced in the optic nerve using lysolecithin microinjection. Visual evoked potentials are recorded via skull electrodes implanted over the visual cortex to examine the signal conduction along the visual pathway in vivo. This protocol details the surgical procedures underlying electrode implantation and optic nerve microinjection.

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In Vivo Gene Transfer to Schwann Cells in the Rodent Sciatic Nerve by Electroporation

The formation of the myelin sheath by Schwann cells (SCs) is essential for rapid conduction of nerve impulses along axons in the peripheral nervous system. SC-selective genetic manipulation in living animals is a powerful technique for studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of SC myelination and demyelination in vivo. While knockout/knockin and transgenic mice are powerful tools for studying SC biology, these methods are costly and time consuming. Viral vector-mediated transgene introduction into the sciatic nerve is a simpler and less laborious method. However, viral methods have limitations, such as toxicity, transgene size constraints, and infectivity restricted to certain developmental stages. Here, we describe a new method that allows selective transfection of myelinating SCs in the rodent sciatic nerve using electroporation. By applying electric pulses to the sciatic nerve at the site of plasmid DNA injection, genes of interest can be easily silenced or overexpressed in SCs in both neonatal and more mature animals. Furthermore, this in vivo electroporation method allows for highly efficient simultaneous expression of multiple transgenes. Our novel technique should enable researchers to efficiently manipulate SC gene expression, and facilitate studies on SC development and function.

In Vivo Gene Transfer to Schwann Cells in the Rodent Sciatic Nerve by Electroporation

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In Vivo Electrophysiological Measurement of the Rat Ulnar Nerve with Axonal Excitability Testing

Electrophysiology enables the objective assessment of peripheral nerve function in vivo. Traditional nerve conduction measures such as amplitude and latency detect chronic axon loss and demyelination, respectively. Axonal excitability techniques &#34;by threshold tracking&#34; expand upon these measures by providing information regarding the activity of ion channels, pumps and exchangers that relate to acute function and may precede degenerative events. As such, the use of axonal excitability in animal models of neurological disorders may provide a useful in vivo measure to assess novel therapeutic interventions. Here we describe an experimental setup for multiple measures of motor axonal excitability techniques in the rat ulnar nerve.
The animals are anesthetized with isoflurane and carefully monitored to ensure constant and adequate depth of anesthesia. Body temperature, respiration rate, heart rate and saturation of oxygen in the blood are continuously monitored. Axonal excitability studies are performed using percutaneous stimulation of the ulnar nerve and recording from the hypothenar muscles of the forelimb paw. With correct electrode placement, a clear compound muscle action potential that increases in amplitude with increasing stimulus intensity is recorded. An automated program is then utilized to deliver a series of electrical pulses which generate 5 specific excitability measures in the following sequence: stimulus response behavior, strength duration time constant, threshold electrotonus, current-threshold relationship and the recovery cycle.
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In Vivo Electrophysiological Measurement of the Rat Ulnar Nerve with Axonal Excitability Testing

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Analysis of Immune Cells in Single Sciatic Nerves and Dorsal Root Ganglion from a Single Mouse Using Flow Cytometry

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Use of In Vivo Single-fiber Recording and Intact Dorsal Root Ganglion with Attached Sciatic Nerve to Examine the Mechanism of Conduction Failure

Single-fiber recording has been a classical and effective electrophysiological technique over the last few decades because of its specific application for nerve fibers in the central and peripheral nervous systems. This method is particularly applicable to dorsal root ganglia (DRG), which are primary sensory neurons that exhibit a pseudo-unipolar structure of nervous processes. The patterns and features of the action potentials passed along axons are recordable in these neurons. The present study uses in vivo single-fiber recordings to observe the conduction failure of sciatic nerves in complete Freund&#8217;s adjuvant (CFA)-treated rats. As the underlying mechanism cannot be studied using in vivo single-fiber recordings, patch-clamp-recordings of DRG neurons are performed on preparations of intact DRG with the attached sciatic nerve. These recordings reveal a positive correlation between conduction failure and the rising slope of the after-hyperpolarization potential (AHP) of DRG neurons in CFA-treated animals. The protocol for in vivo single fiber-recordings allows the classification of nerve fibers via the measurement of conduction velocity and monitoring of abnormal conditions in nerve fibers in certain diseases. Intact DRG with attached peripheral nerve allows observation of the activity of DRG neurons in most physiological conditions. Conclusively, single-fiber recording combined with electrophysiological recording of intact DRGs is an effective method to examine the role of conduction failure during the analgesic process.

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3D Kinematic Analysis for the Functional Evaluation in the Rat Model of Sciatic Nerve Crush Injury

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