Methodological advances in imaging intravital axonal transport.
Axonal transport is the active process whereby neurons transport cargoes such as organelles and proteins anterogradely from the cell body to the axon terminal and retrogradely in the opposite direction. Bi-directional transport in axons is absolutely essential for the functioning and survival of neurons and appears to be negatively impacted by both aging and diseases of the nervous system, such as Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The movement of individual cargoes along axons has been studiedin vitroin live neurons and tissue explants for a number of years; however, it is currently unclear as to whether these systems faithfully and consistently replicate thein vivosituation. A number of intravital techniques originally developed for studying diverse biological events have recently been adapted to monitor axonal transport in real-time in a range of live organisms and are providing novel insight into this dynamic process. Here, we highlight these methodological advances in intravital imaging of axonal transport, outlining key strengths and limitations while discussing findings, possible improvements, and outstanding questions.
Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
James N
0000-0002-3782-9045
JN
Sleigh
Division of Cell Biology, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK; Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Alessio
A
Vagnoni
Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
Alison E
AE
Twelvetrees
Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
Giampietro
0000-0002-4319-8745
G
Schiavo
axonal transport; intravital imaging; neurons