Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures: A Model System to Study Basic Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Neuronal Cell Death, Neuroprotection, and Synaptic Plasticity

Abstract

The hippocampus has become one of the most extensively studied areas of the mammalian brain, and its proper function is of utmost importance, particularly for learning and memory. The hippocampus is the most susceptible brain region for damage, and its impaired function has been documented in many human brain diseases, e.g. hypoxia, ischemia, and epilepsy regardless of the age of the affected patients. In addition to experimental in vivo models of these disorders, the investigation of basic anatomical, physiological, and molecular aspects requires an adequate experimental in vitro model, which should meet the requirements for well-preserved representation of various cell types, and functional information processing properties in the hippocampus. In this review, the characteristics of organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHCs) together with the main differences between the in vivo and in vitro preparations are first briefly outlined. Thereafter, the use of OHCs in studies focusing on neuron cell death and synaptic plasticity is discussed.

Preservation of glial cytoarchitecture from ex vivo human tumor and non-tumor cerebral cortical explants: A human model to study neurological diseases

“…Since this initial study, there have been several more that have used these methods to evaluate rodent-based brain tissue models (Cavaliere et al 2006;Holopainen 2005;Holtkamp et al 2005;Tanaka et al 1994;Valster et al 2005). Humanbased brain tissue models have been primarily limited to fetal tissue (Jakovcevski and Zecevic 2005;Lyman et al 1992;Tenenbaum et al 2004) and cadaveric tissue (Bsibsi et al 2006;Verwer et al 2002).…”

“…The preparation of organotypic cultures has primarily been limited to rodent-based research (Cavaliere et al 2006;Holopainen 2005;Holtkamp et al 2005;Stoppini et al 1991;Tanaka et al 1994;Valster et al 2005). Preparation of adult human brain cultures has only been reported twice in the literature (Jung et al 1999;Jung et al 2002).…”

Indomethacin-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules reduce the damage triggered by Aβ1-42 in Alzheimer’s disease models

“…40 For this reason, organotypic hippocampal culture provides an excellent model system for evaluating mechanisms of neurodegeneration and designing therapeutic agents. 24,41 Our results showed a significant increase in cell death when cultures were exposed to Aβ, which may have been driven by the release of proinflammatory cytokines and glial activation. Inhibition of inflammatory responses with IndOH-LNCs decreased the toxicity induced by Aβ, suggesting that this treatment may be a promising candidate for treatment of the neuroinflammation processes closely associated with AD.…”

HIV-1 Tat Protein Promotes Amyloid β Generation and Tau Phosphorylation in Rat Hippocampal Slices

“…Hippocampal slice cultures were prepared from 10-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups (Harlan, Indianapolis, IN, USA) as previously described (17,18). In hippocampal slices, cells, synapses, and neuronal connectivity mature in parallel with their counterparts in vivo (19). Thus, these preparations are deemed appropriate for studies of prolonged pharmacological treatment and recovery without blood flow, which would be difficult to perform in an intact animal system.…”