A protocol for visualization of murine in situ neurovascular interfaces
Danielle D Dang1, Vikram Chandrashekhar2, Vibhu Chandrashekhar2
1Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Abstract:
Mapping cranial vasculature and adjacent neurovascular interfaces in their entirety will enhance our understanding of central nervous system function in any physiologic state. We present a workflow to visualize in situ murine vasculature and surrounding cranial structures using terminal polymer casting of vessels, iterative sample processing and image acquisition, and automated image registration and processing. While this method does not obtain dynamic imaging due to mouse sacrifice, these studies can be performed before sacrifice and processed with other acquired images. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Rosenblum et al.1.
