Detection of activated caspase-8 in injured spinal axons by using fluorochrome-labeled inhibitors of caspases (FLICA)

Methods Mol Biol. 2015:1254:329-39. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2152-2_23.

Abstract

Here, we present a detailed protocol for the detection of activated caspase-8 in axotomized axons of the whole-mounted lamprey spinal cord. This method is based on the use of fluorochrome -labeled inhibitors of caspases (FLICA) in ex vivo tissue. We offer a very convenient vertebrate model to study the retrograde degeneration of descending pathways after spinal cord injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / enzymology*
  • Axons / pathology
  • Caspase 8 / genetics*
  • Caspase 8 / isolation & purification
  • Caspase Inhibitors*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Lampreys
  • Molecular Biology / methods
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / enzymology*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / pathology

Substances

  • Caspase Inhibitors
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Caspase 8