Snapshots in Neuroscience: Paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus

These images have been selected to showcase the art that neuroscience research can create.

As described by the authors: “The image highlights GCaMP6-expressing astrocytes (green) and RCaMP2-expressing oxytocin neurons (red) in the mouse paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. DAPI staining (blue) was used to mark cellular nuclei, providing morphological reference.

“These genetically encoded calcium indicators, GCaMP6 and RCaMP2, were used in our study to monitor real-time calcium dynamics in oxytocin neurons and adjacent astrocytes in freely behaving mice when exposed to social interaction and looming shadow stress task.

“To create this image, we prepared fixed brain sections from mice previously injected with viral vectors to enable targeted expression of GCaMP6 in astrocytes and RCaMP2 in oxytocin neurons. Then, we performed immunofluorescence staining in the hypothalamic brain sections of these mice to enhance the native fluorescence of GCaMP6 and RCaMP2 expression using anti-green fluorescent protein (GFP) and anti-red fluorescent protein (RFP) antibodies, respectively. The stained brain sections were then imaged using a Nikon inverted confocal microscopy using a 20x objective.”

Confocal image of a coronal mouse brain section showing GCaMP6-expressing astrocytes (green) and RCaMP2-expressing oxytocin neurons (red) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. DAPI (blue) nuclear staining provides anatomical reference. Image credit: Katrina Choe.

Read the full article:

Calcium Dynamics in Hypothalamic Paraventricular Oxytocin Neurons and Astrocytes Associated with Social and Stress Stimuli
Katy Celina Sandoval, Joshua Rychlik, and Katrina Y. Choe