- 2PLSM optical workstation and computer with imaging softwares (see below)
- 488nm LED light source (or alternative light source to excite GFP)
- Artificial cerebro-spinal fluid (aCSF) (see below)
- Blood-gas mixture (95% O2, 5% CO2) tank connected to bubblers.
- Brain slices expressing genetically encoded Ca2+ probes “GECI” (e.g.: GCaMP6, mito-GCaMP6, G-CEPIA1-er) in holding chamber with aCSF (see protocols on stereotaxic surgeries for intracranial viral injections and ex vivo slice preparation)
- Peristaltic pump with tubing and connectors, including inlet and outlet to microscope’s imaging chamber
- Microscope heating system with probe
- Ca2+-free aCSF (see below)
- Waste solution collector
- 10% Ethanol in water (wash solution)
- 4% BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) solution in water
(wash solution for ionomycin)
- Image analysis software (FIJI)
2PLSM optical workstation:
The laser scanning optical workstation embodies an Ultima dual-excitation-channel scan head (Bruker Nano Fluorescence Microscopy Unit). The foundation of the system is the Olympus BX-51WIF upright microscope with a LUMPFL 60X/1.0NA water-dipping objective lens. The automation of the XY stage motion, lens focus, and manipulator XYZ movement was provided by FM-380 shifting stage, axial focus module for Olympus scopes, and manipulators (Luigs & Neumann). Cell visualization and patching were made possible by a variable magnification changer, calibrated to
2x (100 µm FOV) as defined by the LSM bright-field transmission image, supporting a 1 Mpixel USB3.0 CMOS camera (DCC3240M; Thor Labs) with ~30% quantum efficiency around 770 nm. Olympus NIR-1 bandpass filter, 770 nm/100 nm, and microManager software were used with the patch camera. The electrical signals were sent and collected with a 700B patch clamp amplifier and MultiClamp Commander software with computer input and output signals were controlled by Prairie View 5.3-5.5 using a National Instruments PCI6713 output card and PCI6052e input card.
The 2P excitation (2PE) imaging source was a Chameleon Ultra1 series tunable wavelength (690-1040 mm, 80 MHz, ~250 fs at sample) Ti:sapphire laser system (Coherent Laser Group); the excitation wavelength was selected based on the probe being imaged (see below). Each imaging laser output is shared (equal power to both sides) between two optical workstations on a single anti-vibration table (TMC). Workstation laser power attenuation was achieved with two Pockels' cell electro-optic modulators (models M350-80-02-BK and M350-50-02-BK, Con Optics) controlled by Prairie View 5.3–5.5 software. The two modulators were aligned in series to provide enhanced modulation range for fine control of the excitation dose (0.1% steps over five decades), to limit the sample maximum power, and to serve as a rapid shutter during line scan or time series acquisitions.
The 2PE generated fluorescence emission was collected by non–de-scanned photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). Green channel (490–560 nm) signals were detected by a Hamamatsu H7422P-40 select GaAsP PMT. Red channel (580–630
nm) signals were detected by a Hamamatsu R3982 side on PMT. Dodt-tube-based transmission detector with Hamamatsu R3982 side on PMT (Bruker Nano Fluorescence) allowed cell visualization during laser scanning. Scanning signals were sent and received by the NI PCI-6110 analog-to-digital converter card in the system computer (Bruker Nano Fluorescence).
Different types of aCSF are adopted by different groups and are optimized for different for different preparations.
The procedure here described refers to experiments on substantia nigra pars compacta dopaminergic neurons.
The aCSF adopted for these experiments has the following composition: 135.75 mM NaCl, 2.5mM KCl, 1.25mM NaH2PO4, 25 mM NaHCO3, 2 mM CaCl2, 1 mM MgCl2, 3.5 mM glucose.
For Ca2+-free aCSF, CaCl2 is entirely substituted with MgCl2, for a total of 3mM MgCl2.
All aCSF solutions are constantly bubbled with 95% O2/5% CO2 blood gas mixture.
Ionomycin is prepared as a 10mM stock solution in DMSO.
10% Ethanol wash solution is prepared diluting Ethanol in water.
BSA wash solution is prepared as a 4% BSA dissolved in water.