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ADAMTS Proteases pp 251–260Cite as

Visualization of Perineuronal Nets in Central Nervous System Tissue Sections

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2043))

Abstract

The perineuronal net (PNN) is a specialized extracellular matrix structure that surrounds subpopulations of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). The appearance of PNNs on the cell surface marks the closure of the critical period during development and has been observed to reduce synaptic plasticity. Perineuronal nets comprise hyaluronan, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), link proteins, tenascin-R, and other components, some of which are substrates for a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease domain with thrombospondin type 1 motifs (ADAMTS) proteases. There is a high heterogeneity of PNNs in the CNS. Depending on which part of the CNS is studied, the PNNs may be observed surrounding the soma, or both the soma and proximal dendrites. The most robust marker for PNN is a lectin called Wisteria floribunda agglutinin. Here, we describe a method for preparing tissue for visualization of PNNs in CNS.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

    Luke Souter & Jessica C. F. Kwok

  2. School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

    Luke Souter

  3. Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Science, Prague 4, Czech Republic

    Jessica C. F. Kwok

Authors
  1. Luke Souter
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  2. Jessica C. F. Kwok
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Correspondence to Jessica C. F. Kwok .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering-ND20, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Suneel S. Apte

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Souter, L., Kwok, J.C.F. (2020). Visualization of Perineuronal Nets in Central Nervous System Tissue Sections. In: Apte, S. (eds) ADAMTS Proteases. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2043. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9698-8_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9698-8_20

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-9697-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-9698-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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