title: Three-dimensional culture of leech and snail ganglia for studies of neural repair.
abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) collagen gels provide a stable matrix in which isolated regenerating ganglia from leech and snail can be maintained for studies of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the regenerative process. Segmental ganglia from leech, or supraoesophageal, suboesophageal or buccal ganglia from snail were maintained for up to 3 weeks in 3D matrices of mammalian Type I collagen. The collagen matrix supports the regenerative outgrowth of axon tracts as well as the migration of microglial cells, important elements in the repair process. Proteins or soluble factors or target tissue may be added to the basic collagen matrix to manipulate the environment of the regenerating tissue. We describe techniques for immunostaining of regenerating axons and microglial cells within the gel matrix in combination with staining of cell nuclei, and the use of intracellular labelling to distinguish axons of identified neurons within the regenerative outgrowth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Babington
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vatanparast
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verrall
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Blackshaw
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D024042:Collagen Type I; D017952:Ganglia, Invertebrate / Q000166:cytology*; D005782:Gels; D047709:Hirudo medicinalis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009409:Nerve Crush; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D012908:Snails
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D005782:Gels