This work was supported by National Eye Institute (NEI),The National Eye Institute (NEI) fund R01 EY029751-04. We would like to acknowledge Dr. Sylvia B. Smith as this protocol was modified version based on her protocol of M&#252;ller cell isolation.

All experiments with animals conformed to the ARVO statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research and were done following our animal protocol approved by the Institute for Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Oakland University policies (protocol number 2022-1160)
1. Media and solution preparation
<ol>
	<li>Prepare M&#252;ller cell eye solution by supplementing the Dulbecco Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM, details in the material table) with penicillin/s...

<ol>
	<li>Liu, Y., Wang, C., Su, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cellular+signaling+in+m&#252;ller+glia:+Progenitor+cells+for+regenerative+and+neuroprotective+responses+in+pharmacological+models+of+retinal+degeneration.">Cellular signaling in m&#252;ller glia: Progenitor cells for regenerative and neuroprotective responses in pharmacological models of retinal degeneration.</a> J Ophth. 2019, 5743109 (2019).</li><li>Goldman, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=M&#252;ller+glial+cell+reprogramming+and+retina+regeneration.">M&#252;ller glial cell reprogramming and retina regeneration.</a> Nat Rev Neurosci. 15 (7), 431-442 (2014).</li><li>Hamon, A., Roger, J. E., Yang, X. -. J., Perron, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=M&#252;ller+glial+cell-dependent+regeneration+of+the+neural+retina:+An+overview+across+vertebrate+model+systems.">M&#252;ller glial cell-dependent regeneration of the neural retina: An overview across vertebrate model systems.</a> Dev Dyn. 245 (7), 727-738 (2016).</li><li>Kobat, S. G., Turgut, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Importance+of+M&#252;ller+cells.">Importance of M&#252;ller cells.</a> Beyoglu Eye J. 5 (2), 59-63 (2020).</li><li>Liu, X., Tang, L., Liu, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mouse+M&#252;ller+cell+isolation+and+culture.">Mouse M&#252;ller cell isolation and culture.</a> Bio Protoc. 7 (15), e2429 (2017).</li><li>Bringmann, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=M&#252;ller+cells+in+the+healthy+and+diseased+retina.">M&#252;ller cells in the healthy and diseased retina.</a> Prog Ret Eye Res. 25 (4), 397-424 (2006).</li><li>de Melo Reis, R. A., Ventura, A. L. M., Schitine, C. S., de Mello, M. C. F., de Mello, F. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=M&#252;ller+glia+as+an+active+compartment+modulating+nervous+activity+in+the+vertebrate+retina:+neurotransmitters+and+trophic+factors.">M&#252;ller glia as an active compartment modulating nervous activity in the vertebrate retina: neurotransmitters and trophic factors.</a> Neurochem Res. 33 (8), 1466-1474 (2008).</li><li>Fischer, A. J., Reh, T. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=M&#252;ller+glia+are+a+potential+source+of+neural+regeneration+in+the+postnatal+chicken+retina.">M&#252;ller glia are a potential source of neural regeneration in the postnatal chicken retina.</a> Nat Neurosci. 4 (3), 247-252 (2001).</li><li>Vihtelic, T. S., Hyde, D. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Light-induced+rod+and+cone+cell+death+and+regeneration+in+the+adult+albino+zebrafish+(Danio+rerio)+retina.">Light-induced rod and cone cell death and regeneration in the adult albino zebrafish (Danio rerio) retina.</a> J of Neurobiol. 44 (3), 289-307 (2000).</li><li>Shang, P., Stepicheva, N. A., Hose, S., Zigler, J. S., Sinha, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Primary+cell+cultures+from+the+mouse+retinal+pigment+epithelium.">Primary cell cultures from the mouse retinal pigment epithelium.</a> J of Vis Exp. (133), 56997 (2018).</li><li>Sarthy, P. V., Bunt, A. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+ultrastructure+of+isolated+glial+(M&#252;ller)+cells+from+the+turtle+retina.">The ultrastructure of isolated glial (M&#252;ller) cells from the turtle retina.</a> Anat Rec. 202 (2), 275-283 (1982).</li><li>Shanmugam, A. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Progesterone+receptor+membrane+component+1+(PGRMC1)+expression+in+murine+retina.">Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) expression in murine retina.</a> Curr Eye Res. 41 (8), 1105-1112 (2016).</li><li>Moustafa, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=12-HETE+activates+M&#252;ller+glial+cells:+The+potential+role+of+GPR31+and+miR-29.">12-HETE activates M&#252;ller glial cells: The potential role of GPR31 and miR-29.</a> Prostag Oth Lipid M. 171, 106805 (2024).</li><li>Pereiro, X., Ruzafa, N., Acera, A., Urcola, A., Vecino, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Optimization+of+a+method+to+isolate+and+culture+adult+porcine,+rats+and+mice+m&#252;ller+glia+in+order+to+study+retinal+diseases.">Optimization of a method to isolate and culture adult porcine, rats and mice m&#252;ller glia in order to study retinal diseases.</a> Front Cell Neurosci. 14, 7 (2020).</li></ol>

The isolation of primary retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) from mice was previously documented by our lab. This manuscript describes a detailed demonstration protocol for primary M&#252;ller cells isolation. This procedure involves enucleation, treatment, dissection, collection, seeding, culture, and characterization of M&#252;ller cells isolated from mouse eyes. It is based on a previously successful protocol found in earlier publications&#160;and our modified protocol that we used in a recent publication<sup class="xr...

M&#252;ller cells (MCs) are the main and most abundant glial cells found in the retinal tissue. They are the key players in providing structural integrity and metabolic functions within the retina1. The strategic structure of MCs is spread across the entire retina thickness, thus providing support to the retina. In addition to their scaffold-like properties, they have metabolic functions for retinal neurons, supplying them with energy substrates, including glucose and lactate. These functions are crucial in order to maintain healthy neuronal function. Impaired MCs have been reported to contribute to various retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma2,3. MCs can be endogenous cellular sources for regenerative therapy in the retina1. They also comprise a significant portion of the retina, and strong evidence suggests that in several species, these cells can be stimulated to substitute missing neurons2. They collaborate beneficially with neurons, and the conically branching M&#252;ller cells&#39; endfeet densely unsheathe the blood vessels and connect the retina&#39;s neural components. In order to maintain neuronal development and neuronal plasticity, M&#252;ller cells act as a soft substrate for neurons, protecting them from mechanical trauma3. Additionally, under pathological circumstances, M&#252;ller cells may differentiate into neural progenitors or stem cells that replicate or regenerate the lost photoreceptors and neurons2,3,4. M&#252;ller cells retain the characteristics of retinal stem cells, including different levels of potential for self-renewal and differentiation5,6. The M&#252;ller glial cell has a significant retinal lineage that produces neurotrophic factors, uptakes and recycles neurotransmitters, spatially buffers ions, and maintains the blood-retinal barrier in order to keep the retina in homeostasis7,8,9. This highlights the potential of M&#252;ller cells as a promising tool in cell-based therapies for treating diseases related to retinal degeneration. M&#252;ller cells are the primary glia distributed throughout the retina, connecting to both neurons and blood vessels. They play a crucial protective role, providing essential structural and metabolic support to maintain the viability and stability of retinal cells. Unfortunately, very few protocols are found in the literature for primary M&#252;ller cell isolation from the retina10,11.
We present an enhanced approach to reliably isolating and culturing mouse primary M&#252;ller cells. This protocol was used in our group to isolate M&#252;ller cells from the wild-type C57BL/6 mice and transgenic mice12,13. Mice aged between 5 and 11 days, with no sex preference, are used for this protocol. Cells have been passaged up to 4 times; however, at P4 they stop adhering to the flask, and it becomes difficult to grow a healthy culture. The culture is often contaminated with Retinal Pigmented Epithelial (RPE) cells, so the cells should be passaged at least once before performing any additional experiments on the cell line. Passaging allows for further isolation from contaminants. Therefore, the protocol presented offers a quick and effective way to isolate mouse M&#252;ller cells, which can then be used as a reliable platform to research therapeutic targets and evaluate potential treatments for retinal diseases14.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Beaker : 100mL</td>
			<td>KIMAX</td>
			<td>14000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagenase IV&#160;</td>
			<td>Worthington&#160;</td>
			<td>LS004188</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Disposable Graduated Transfer Pipettes :3.2mL Sterile</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>13-711-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM (1X)&#160;</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>11885084</td>
			<td>Media to grow M&#252;ller cells&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)</td>
			<td>gibco</td>
			<td>26140079</td>
			<td>For complete Muller cell culture media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glutamine synthase</td>
			<td>Cell signalling</td>
			<td>80636</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heracell VISO 160i CO2 Incubator</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>50144906</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kimwipes</td>
			<td>Kimberly-Clark</td>
			<td>34155</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Luer-Lok Syringe with attached needle 21 G x 1 1/2 in., sterile, single use, 3 mL</td>
			<td>B-D</td>
			<td>309577</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro Centrifuge Tube: 2 mL</td>
			<td>Grainger</td>
			<td>11L819</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pen Strep</td>
			<td>gibco</td>
			<td>15140-122</td>
			<td>For complete M&#252;ller cell culture media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate Buffer saline (PBS)</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>J62851.AP</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Positive Action Tweezers, Style 5/45</td>
			<td>Dumont</td>
			<td>72703-DZ</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scissors Iris Standard Straight 11.5cm</td>
			<td>GARANA INDUSTRIES</td>
			<td>2595</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sorvall St8 Centrifuge</td>
			<td>ThermoScientific</td>
			<td>75007200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stemi 305 Microscope</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical Blade, #11, Stainless Steel</td>
			<td>Bard-Parker</td>
			<td>371211</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Suspension Culture Dish 60mm x 15mm Style</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430589</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue Culture Dish : 100x20mm style</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>353003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tornado Tubes: 15mL</td>
			<td>Midsci</td>
			<td>C15B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tornado Tubes: 50mL</td>
			<td>Midsci</td>
			<td>C50R</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tweezers 5MS, 8.2cm, Straight, 0.09x0.05mm Tips</td>
			<td>Dumont</td>
			<td>501764</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tweezers Positive Action Style 5, Biological, Dumostar, Polished Finish, 110 mm OAL</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences Dumont</td>
			<td>50-241-57</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Underpads, Moderate : 23&#34; X 36&#34;</td>
			<td>McKesson</td>
			<td>4033</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vannas Spring Scissors - 2.5mm Cutting Edge</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>15000-08</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vimentin&#160;</td>
			<td>invitrogen</td>
			<td>MA5-11883</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Zeiss AxioImager Z2</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Zeiss Zen Blue 2.6</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

isolation of primary mouse retinal glial m&#252;ller cells

The primary supporting cell of the retina is the retinal glial M&#252;ller cell. They cover the entire retinal surface and are in close proximity to both the retinal blood vessels and the retinal neurons. Because of their growth, M&#252;ller cells perform several crucial tasks in a healthy retina, including the uptake and recycling of neurotransmitters, retinoic acid compounds, and ions (like potassium K+). In addition to regulating blood flow and maintaining the blood-retinal barrier, they also regulate the metabolism and the supply of nutrients to the retina. An established procedure for isolating primary mouse M&#252;ller cells is presented in this manuscript. To better understand the underlying molecular processes involved in the various mouse models of ocular disorders, M&#252;ller cell isolation is an excellent approach. This manuscript outlines a detailed procedure for M&#252;ller cell isolation from mice. From enucleation to seeding, the entire process lasts about a few hours. For 5-7 days after seeding, the media shouldn&#39;t be changed in order to allow the isolated cells to grow unhindered. Cell characterization using morphology and distinct immunofluorescent markers comes next in the process. Maximum passages for cells are 3-4 times.

Validation of the specificity, purity, and barrier function of isolated M&#252;ller cells 
To confirm the viability, morphology, and distinctive qualities of the isolated M&#252;ller cells, the cells were examined under a light microscope. P0 and P1 images were recorded (Figure&#160;1A). To check the contamination of isolated M&#252;ller cells with RPE cells and confirm it&#39;s purity, immunofluorescence staining (IF) was performed using antibodies specific to RPE cell...

This manuscript describes a detailed protocol for isolating retinal glial M&#252;ller cells from mouse eyes. The protocol starts with enucleation and dissection of mouse eyes, followed by isolation, seeding, and culturing of M&#252;ller cells.

Isolation of Primary Mouse Retinal Glial M&#252;ller Cells

The primary supporting cell of the retina is the retinal glial M&#252;ller cell. They cover the entire retinal surface and are in close proximity to both ...

isolation-of-primary-mouse-retinal-glial-muller-cells

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

666 vistas.  Oakland University. Este manuscrito describe un protocolo detallado para aislar células de Müller gliales de la retina de ojos de ratón. El protocolo comienza con la enucleación y disección de los ojos de los ratones, seguida del aislamiento, la siembra y el cultivo de las células de Müller.