Purified retinal ganglion cells cultured in serum-free neurobasal medium / 中华眼底病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To establish a purified model of rat retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) cultured by serum-free medium,and provide a good cell model to investigate the damage of RGCs in glaucoma,retinal ischemia,and degenerative retinopathy. Methods Two monoclonal antibodies,anti-rat SIRP (OX-41) against rat macrophage and antibody against rat Thy-1 (OX-7),were used to purify and characterize RGCs from 1-3-day old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by means of two-step filtration.Purified RGCs were cultured in serum-free neurobasal medium containing B27 and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) meeting the neuronal cell's special requirements.Photomicrographs illustration,immunfluorescence staining of Thy-1,calcein-acetoxymethyl ester (calcein-AM) fluorescence images were used to observe and identify cultured retinal cells and purified RGCs. Results Among the primary cultured rat retinal cells,91% were retinal neurons.Protuberances of RGCs were seen after cultured for 24 hours.At the4th to 8th day,many cells had uniform configuration,large body,and long protuberances. At the 14th day,over 60% cells maintained viability.Immunoflurescence staining of Thy-1 showed the purity of RGCs was about 90%. The results of calcein-AM staining,which stained the living cells only,showed large cell body of RGCs and most of RGCs had a protuberance whose length was twice longer than the diameter of the cells. Conclusion RGCs cultured by serum-free medium has uniform size,good configuration,and high purity,which is adapt to the research of damage of RGCs caused by various factors and to evaluate the protective effects of neuroprotective agents.