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Slice Culture Modeling of Central Nervous System (CNS) Viral Infection

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Neuronal Cell Culture

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1078))

Abstract

The complexity of the central nervous system (CNS) is not recapitulated in cell culture models. Thin slicing and subsequent culture of CNS tissue has become a valued means to study neuronal and glial biology within the context of the physiologically relevant tissue milieu. Modern membrane-interface slice culturing methodology allows straightforward access to both CNS tissue and feeding medium, enabling experimental manipulations and analyses that would otherwise be impossible in vivo. CNS slices can be successfully maintained in culture for up to several weeks for investigation of evolving pathology and long-term intervention in models of chronic neurologic disease.

Herein, membrane-interface slice culture models for studying viral encephalitis and myelitis are detailed, with emphasis on the use of these models for investigation of pathogenesis and evaluation of novel treatment strategies. We describe techniques to (1) generate brain and spinal cord slices from rodent donors, (2) virally infect slices, (3) assess virally induced injury/apoptosis, (4) characterize “CNS-specific” cytokine production, and (5) treat slices with cytokines/pharmaceuticals. Although our focus is on CNS viral infection, we anticipate that the described methods can be adapted to address a wide range of investigations within the fields of neuropathology, neuroimmunology, and neuropharmacology.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are supported by RO1NS076512 (KLT), R21AI01064 (KLT), VA Merit Grant BX000963 (KLT), T32GM008497 (KRD), and F30NS071630 (KRD).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA

    Kalen R. Dionne & Kenneth L. Tyler

Authors
  1. Kalen R. Dionne
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  2. Kenneth L. Tyler
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Temple University College of Science & Technology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Shohreh Amini

  2. Department of Neuroscience, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Martyn K. White

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Dionne, K.R., Tyler, K.L. (2013). Slice Culture Modeling of Central Nervous System (CNS) Viral Infection. In: Amini, S., White, M. (eds) Neuronal Cell Culture. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1078. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-640-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-640-5_9

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-639-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-640-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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