Axon Degeneration Assays in Superior Cervical Ganglion Explant Cultures

Methods Mol Biol. 2020:2143:15-24. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0585-1_2.

Abstract

The ability of peripheral nervous system neurons to extend long, axon-like neurites in vitro makes them ideally suited for studies on mechanisms of axon survival and degeneration. In this chapter, we describe how to prepare explant cultures of sympathetic neurons of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG). We also describe how to induce and assess axon degeneration with an injury or a chemical insult.

Keywords: Axon degeneration; Axon transection; Injury; SCG explant culture; Superior cervical ganglion; Wallerian degeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / toxicity
  • Axons / drug effects
  • Axons / physiology*
  • Axons / ultrastructure
  • Axotomy
  • Dissection / methods
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Phase-Contrast / methods
  • Nerve Degeneration / physiopathology*
  • Neurotoxins / toxicity
  • Organ Culture Techniques / instrumentation
  • Organ Culture Techniques / methods*
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Sensory Receptor Cells / physiology
  • Sensory Receptor Cells / ultrastructure
  • Superior Cervical Ganglion / cytology*
  • Wallerian Degeneration / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Neurotoxins
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors