Imaging pericytes and capillary diameter in brain slices and isolated retinae
| Autor: | Nicola B. Hamilton, Fergus M O'Farrell, Catherine N. Hall, Clare Reynell, David Attwell, Anusha Mishra |
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| Rok vydání: | 2014 |
| Předmět: |
Cell type
Patch-Clamp Techniques Capillary action Blood–retinal barrier Biology Models Biological General Biochemistry Genetics and Molecular Biology Microcirculation Mice 03 medical and health sciences Cerebral circulation 0302 clinical medicine Blood-Retinal Barrier medicine Animals Microscopy Interference Patch clamp 030304 developmental biology 0303 health sciences Brain Anatomy Blood flow Immunohistochemistry medicine.anatomical_structure Microscopy Fluorescence Cerebral blood flow Microvessels Pericytes Neuroscience 030217 neurology & neurosurgery |
| Zdroj: | Nature Protocols. 9:323-336 |
| ISSN: | 1750-2799 1754-2189 |
| Popis: | The cerebral circulation is highly specialized, both structurally and functionally, and it provides a fine-tuned supply of oxygen and nutrients to active regions of the brain. Our understanding of blood flow regulation by cerebral arterioles has evolved rapidly. Recent work has opened new avenues in microvascular research; for example, it has been demonstrated that contractile pericytes found on capillary walls induce capillary diameter changes in response to neurotransmitters, suggesting that pericytes could have a role in neurovascular coupling. This concept is at odds with traditional models of brain blood flow regulation, which assume that only arterioles control cerebral blood flow. The investigation of mechanisms underlying neurovascular coupling at the capillary level requires a range of approaches, which involve unique technical challenges. Here we provide detailed protocols for the successful physiological and immunohistochemical study of pericytes and capillaries in brain slices and isolated retinae, allowing investigators to probe the role of capillaries in neurovascular coupling. This protocol can be completed within 6-8 h; however, immunohistochemical experiments may take 3-6 d. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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