title: Unspecific labelling of oligodendrocytes by sulforhodamine 101 depends on astrocytic uptake via the thyroid hormone transporter OATP1C1 (SLCO1C1).
abstract: The red fluorescent dye Sulforhodamine 101 (SR101) is often used as a marker for astrocytes, although variations of the staining protocol have been shown to influence the preferentially labeled cell type. Here we analyzed SR101-labeling of oligodendrocytes in the hippocampal slices preparation of PLP-EGFP mice. Using different staining protocols, we found robust SR101-labeled oligodendrocytes in the CA1 stratum radiatum of the hippocampus. Application of L-thyroxin, which is known to block SR101 transport into astrocytes via competitive inhibition of the multi-specific OATP1C1 (SLCO1C1) transporter, significantly reduced oligodendrocyte labeling. Since OATP1C1 is not expressed in oligodendrocytes, we conclude that oligodendrocyte labeling with SR101 requires SR101-uptake by astrocytes, which then diffuses to oligodendrocytes via heterotypic gap junctions of the pan-glial network. In summary, unequivocal identification of a particular cell type is not possible by SR101 only, hence caution is recommended when using SR101 in future studies.
authors: Clinic for Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany; Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Germany.
authors: Liya
authors: L
authors: Hagos
authors: Clinic for Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany; Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Germany. Electronic address: shuelsm2@uni-goettingen.de.
authors: Swen
authors: S
authors: Hülsmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D056547:CA1 Region, Hippocampal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D027701:Organic Cation Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; C464433:Oatp2 protein, mouse; D027701:Organic Cation Transport Proteins; D012235:Rhodamines; C050829:sulforhodamine 101
keywords: Astrocyte; Brain imaging; Cells specific dye; Gap-junctions; Thyroid hormone transporter