Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Extended poly(A) tails are a shared feature of herpesvirus mRNAs.

PLoS pathogens·2026
Same author

RNA Polymerase III suppresses varicella zoster virus in human neurons.

The Journal of infectious diseases·2026
Same author

Extended poly(A) tails are a shared feature of herpesvirus mRNAs.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

Differentiation of Human Neurons and Neuron-Like Cells to Study VZV Neuronal Infection.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2025
Same author

Broadly neutralizing antibodies isolated from HEV convalescents confer protective effects in human liver-chimeric mice.

Nature communications·2025
Same author

Repression of varicella zoster virus gene expression during quiescent infection in the absence of detectable histone deposition.

PLoS pathogens·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 16, 2025

Author Spotlight: Establishing Mixed Neuronal and Glial Cell Cultures from Embryonic Mouse Brains to Study Infection and Innate Immunity
07:41

Author Spotlight: Establishing Mixed Neuronal and Glial Cell Cultures from Embryonic Mouse Brains to Study Infection and Innate Immunity

Published on: June 30, 2023

3.2K

In Vitro Culture of Primary Mouse Neurons to Study Neuronal Infection.

Guorong Sun1,2, Abel Viejo-Borbolla3,4

  • 1Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|July 7, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study details versatile in vitro models using mouse primary neurons for studying viral neurotropism, like herpes simplex virus (HSV). These models facilitate research into viral entry, transport, and neuronal interactions, crucial for understanding lifelong infections.

Keywords:
3D cultureDorsal root gangliaGanglion explantMicrofluidic chamberNeurite outgrowthNeuronal infectionSuperior cervical gangliaTrigeminal ganglia

More Related Videos

Primary Culture of Neurons Isolated from Embryonic Mouse Cerebellum
08:09

Primary Culture of Neurons Isolated from Embryonic Mouse Cerebellum

Published on: October 26, 2019

20.5K
Author Spotlight: In Vitro Co-Culture Model for Studying Microglia-Neuronal Interactions in Disease Conditions
08:47

Author Spotlight: In Vitro Co-Culture Model for Studying Microglia-Neuronal Interactions in Disease Conditions

Published on: July 26, 2024

2.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 16, 2025

Author Spotlight: Establishing Mixed Neuronal and Glial Cell Cultures from Embryonic Mouse Brains to Study Infection and Innate Immunity
07:41

Author Spotlight: Establishing Mixed Neuronal and Glial Cell Cultures from Embryonic Mouse Brains to Study Infection and Innate Immunity

Published on: June 30, 2023

3.2K
Primary Culture of Neurons Isolated from Embryonic Mouse Cerebellum
08:09

Primary Culture of Neurons Isolated from Embryonic Mouse Cerebellum

Published on: October 26, 2019

20.5K
Author Spotlight: In Vitro Co-Culture Model for Studying Microglia-Neuronal Interactions in Disease Conditions
08:47

Author Spotlight: In Vitro Co-Culture Model for Studying Microglia-Neuronal Interactions in Disease Conditions

Published on: July 26, 2024

2.5K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Virology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Many viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV), show neurotropism, infecting nervous system cells.
  • Understanding viral neurotropism and lifelong infection dynamics requires effective experimental models.
  • Existing models often lack the accessibility needed to study complex virus-neuron interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a comprehensive overview of in vitro models for studying viral neurotropism using primary mouse neurons.
  • To enable detailed investigation of viral infection pathways, transport mechanisms, and host-pathogen interactions within neuronal environments.
  • To provide adaptable protocols for generating substantial quantities of primary mouse neurons for life science research.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized primary mouse neuronal cultures, including ganglia explants and dissociated neurons from various ganglia (SCG, TG, DRG).
  • Employed 2D and 3D culture systems, alongside microfluidic chambers (MFCs) for isolating neuronal compartments (somata and neurites).
  • Developed protocols adaptable for central nervous system (CNS) neuron isolation and culture.

Main Results:

  • Established versatile in vitro models for studying herpes simplex virus (HSV) neurotropism and latency.
  • Demonstrated the capability to analyze distinct viral infection routes (neurite ends vs. somata) and axonal transport.
  • Showcased the utility of these models for investigating pathogen interactions, including effects on neuroelectrophysiology and neurite outgrowth.

Conclusions:

  • The described in vitro neuronal models offer a powerful toolkit for advancing research on viral neurotropism.
  • These models are crucial for dissecting the mechanisms of lifelong viral infections and host-pathogen interactions in the nervous system.
  • The protocols provide a scalable method for obtaining primary mouse neurons, supporting diverse life science applications.