PrismPlus: a mouse line expressing distinct fluorophores in four different brain cell types

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Immunology

Background:

• Studying central nervous system (CNS) injuries requires effective methods to visualize cellular responses.
• Current methods like immunohistochemistry are time-consuming and variable.
• A need exists for improved tools to screen complex CNS injury responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create and validate a novel quadruple-labelled transgenic mouse line, PrismPlus, for studying CNS injury.
• To assess the utility of PrismPlus mice in examining cellular responses to implanted micro-devices in the brain.
• To demonstrate the compatibility of PrismPlus brain tissue with advanced imaging techniques.

Main Methods:

• Cross-breeding Cx3cr1-gfp and Prism mice to create the PrismPlus line.
• Confirming genetically encoded fluorescent tags in oligodendrocytes, microglia, neurons, and astrocytes.
• Implanting micro-devices in PrismPlus mice brains to observe cellular responses.
• Utilizing CLARITY tissue clearing technique for advanced imaging.

Main Results:

• PrismPlus mice successfully displayed distinct fluorescent tags in target cell types.
• Observed increased microglial and progressive astrocytic responses around implanted micro-devices.
• Noted a decrease in nearby neurons following micro-device implantation.
• Demonstrated compatibility with CLARITY tissue clearing for thick tissue imaging.

Conclusions:

• The PrismPlus mouse line provides a valuable tool for in vivo screening of CNS injury responses.
• This transgenic model enhances experimental scope, consistency, and efficiency for CNS research.
• PrismPlus mice facilitate detailed studies of neuroinflammation and tissue repair after CNS injury.