Protocol for induction and quantification of injury-primed axon outgrowth in adult mouse DRG neurons

Abstract

Adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons provide a powerful model to study axon growth. Dissociated lumbar L3-L5 DRG neurons extend axons de novo in culture, enabling the measurement of baseline outgrowth. Here, we present a protocol for inducing and quantifying injury-primed axon outgrowth in adult mouse DRG neurons. We describe steps for sciatic nerve conditioning injury, isolating and culturing injured L3-L5 DRG neurons, and quantifying axon outgrowth. This protocol is compatible with cytoskeletal imaging and molecular profiling of injury-induced changes.