Transmission electron microscopic analysis of myelination in the murine central nervous system

STAR Protoc. 2022 Apr 18;3(2):101304. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101304. eCollection 2022 Jun 17.

Abstract

Myelin provides physical, neurotrophic, and metabolic support for axonal integrity. The thickness of CNS (central nervous system) myelin sheath is usually < one micrometer, which is under or near the detection threshold of the conventional light microscopy. Here, we present a high-resolution transmission electron microscopy-based protocol to assess myelination at the ultrastructural level. We describe sample preparation from mouse tissue, followed by electron microscopic imaging and CNS myelination analysis. This protocol is also useful for analyzing murine PNS myelination. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Wang et al. (2021).

Keywords: Developmental biology; Microscopy; Model Organisms; Neuroscience.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System* / diagnostic imaging
  • Electrons*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Myelin Sheath / metabolism