Optimized protocol for obtaining and characterizing primary neuron-enriched cultures from embryonic chicken brains

Abstract

We present here an optimized protocol to obtain primary neuron-enriched cultures from embryonic chicken brains with no need for an animal facility. The protocol details the steps to isolate a neuron-enriched cell fraction from chicken embryos, followed by characterization of the chicken neurons with mass spectrometry proteomics and cell staining. Because of the high homology between chicken and human amyloid precursor protein processing machinery, these chicken neurons can be used as an alternative to rodent models for studying Alzheimer disease.

Keywords: Cell biology; Cell culture; Cell isolation; Cell-based assays; Mass spectrometry; Microscopy; Model organisms; Neuroscience; Proteomics.