Cells in human postmortem brain tissue slices remain alive for several weeks in culture.
Animal models for human neurological and psychiatric diseases only partially mimic the underlying pathogenic processes. Therefore, we investigated the potential use of cultured postmortem brain tissue from adult neurological patients and controls. The present study shows that human brain tissue slices obtained by autopsy within 8 h after death can be maintained in vitro for extended periods (up to 78 days) and can be manipulated experimentally. We report for the first time that 1) neurons and glia in such cultures could be induced to express the reporter gene LacZ after transduction with adeno-associated viral vectors and 2) cytochrome oxidase activity could be enhanced by the addition of pyruvate to the medium. These slice cultures offer new opportunities to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric diseases and new therapeutic strategies.
Verwer
Ronald W H
RW
Graduate School Neurosciences Amsterdam, The Netherlands. r.verwer@nih.knaw.nl
Hermens
Wim T J M C
WT
Dijkhuizen
PaulaA
P
ter Brake
Olivier
O
Baker
Robert E
RE
Salehi
Ahmad
A
Sluiter
Arja A
AA
Kok
Marloes J M
MJ
Muller
Linda J
LJ
Verhaagen
Joost
J
Swaab
Dick F
DF
D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000235:genetics; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D019289:Pyruvic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics
D019289:Pyruvic Acid; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D001616:beta-Galactosidase