Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures As a Model to Study Neuroprotection and Invasiveness of Tumor Cells
07:48

Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures As a Model to Study Neuroprotection and Invasiveness of Tumor Cells

Published on: August 27, 2017

13.6K

Evaluation of M1-microglial activation by neurotoxic metals using optimized organotypic cerebral slice cultures

Takayuki Hoshi1, Takashi Toyama1, Youichi Shinozaki2

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular and Biochemical Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University.

The Journal of Toxicological Sciences
|July 5, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Optimized mouse brain slice cultures from postnatal day 7 mice accurately reflect mature M1-microglia (neurotoxic microglia) functions. Methylmercury activated these microglia, offering a tool for studying neurotoxic metal effects on the central nervous system.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • M1-microglia, or neurotoxic microglia, are crucial for neuronal development, cell death, and brain pathologies.
  • Organotypic brain slice cultures are vital for studying neuron-microglia interactions, but microglial properties in mouse cerebral slices require optimization.
  • Understanding microglial function in slice models is essential for investigating neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To optimize mouse cerebral slice cultures for studying microglial functions, specifically M1-microglia activation.
  • To evaluate the impact of neurotoxic metals on M1-microglial activation within these optimized slice cultures.
  • To establish a reliable model for assessing chemical effects on the central nervous system via mature microglia.

Main Methods:

  • Preparation of mouse cerebral slice cultures from postnatal day 2 (P2) and postnatal day 7 (P7) mice.
  • Assessment of M1-microglial marker (CD16, CD32) and inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β) expression following lipopolysaccharide stimulation.
  • Exposure of P7 mouse cerebral slices to neurotoxic metals (methylmercury, arsenite, lead, tributyltin) to evaluate M1-microglial activation.

Main Results:

  • Microglia in P7 cerebral slices exhibited more mature characteristics and higher M1-microglial marker/cytokine expression compared to P2 slices.
  • P7 mouse cerebral slices provided a more accurate platform for evaluating M1-microglial activation than P2 slices.
  • Methylmercury significantly stimulated M1-microglial activation in P7 slices, while arsenite, lead, and tributyltin did not.

Conclusions:

  • Mouse cerebral slice cultures prepared from P7 mice are superior for studying M1-microglial activation due to the presence of functionally mature microglia.
  • This optimized model serves as a valuable tool for investigating the effects of various chemicals, such as methylmercury, on the central nervous system.
  • The findings facilitate research into neurotoxic mechanisms and the development of therapeutic strategies for brain pathologies involving M1-microglia.
Keywords:
MicrogliaMouse cerebral cortexNeurotoxic metalOrganotypic slice cultures

More Related Videos

Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures08:20

Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures

Published on: February 3, 2011

38.6K
The Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Culture Model for Examining Neuronal Injury06:33

The Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Culture Model for Examining Neuronal Injury

Published on: October 28, 2010

19.6K

Related Concept Videos

Bonding in Metals02:32

Bonding in Metals

Metallic bonds are formed between two metal atoms. A simplified model to describe metallic bonding has been developed by Paul Drüde called the “Electron Sea Model”. 
52.1K
Metallic Solids02:37

Metallic Solids

Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
20.5K
Alkali Metals03:06

Alkali Metals

Group 1 elements are soft and shiny metallic solids. They are malleable, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electricity. The melting points of the alkali metals are unusually low for metals and decrease going down the group, while the density increases going down the group with the exception of potassium (Table 1).
Table 1: Properties of the alkali metals
24.2K
Metal-Ligand Bonds02:51

Metal-Ligand Bonds

The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
24.1K
Properties of Transition Metals02:58

Properties of Transition Metals

Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3–12 are transition elements. The f-block elements, also called inner transition metals (the lanthanides and actinides), also meet this criterion because the d orbital is partially occupied before the f orbitals.
29.7K
Optimal Foraging00:48

Optimal Foraging

How animals obtain and eat their food is called foraging behavior. Foraging can include searching for plants and hunting for prey and depends on the species and environment.
13.7K