Mapping and Counting High-Intensity Perineuronal Nets in the Somatosensory Cortex v2

Abstract

The purpose of this protocol is to outline the process by which we count high-intensity perineuronal nets (PNNs) in whole brain analysis. Specifically, high-intensity PNNs within the primary somatosensory cortex of adult mouse brain sections cut in a sagittal orientation. This protocol accompanies the paper "Lateralized expression of cortical perineuronal nets during maternal experience is dependent on MECP2" (https://doi.org/10.1101/787267).First, we align a digital map from the Franklin & Paxinos Mouse Brain Atlasonto individual brain sections. We then explain the process by which the S1 and its subregions areoutlined based on this atlas overlay. Finally, we outline the process of counting high-intensity PNNs within these regions.High-intensity PNNs are thought to be more mature structures due to a larger accumulation of the proteoglycans that make-up the structures 1-3 . We look at PNNs as a marker for changes in experience-dependent plasticity within the brain, where it can inhibit plasticity or solidify the changes that occurred in response to an experience. Video tutorial accompanying this protocol:Different regions of the mouse brain have differing densities of PNNs. Adult somatosensory cortex has the highest density based on what we have observed. This protocol can also be used to count all PNNs, just skip the contrast step (7.2) in PNN analysis. Citations 1 02/12/2020 C ita tio n : C ita tio n : Dana Layo, Billy Y.B. Lau, Keerthi Krishnan (02/12/2020). Mapping and Counting High-Intensity Perineuronal Nets in the Somatosensory Cortex. https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.bcf8itrw This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the C rea tiv e C o m m o n s A ttrib u tio n Licen se C rea tiv e C o m m o n s A ttrib u tio n Licen se (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited