Name: Mouse Retina Isolation and Flattening
Uploaded: 2023-04-07T12:20:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Mouse Retina Isolation and Flattening at JoVE.com

mouse retina isolation and flattening

Isolement de la rétine de souris et traitement au méthanol pour l’étude des cellules ganglionnaires de la rétine

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the only projection neurons in the retina, and they integrate and transmit outside visual information to the brain1. Many neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma and traumatic optic neuropathy are characterized by irreversible damage and loss of RGCs2,3. Analyzing the morphological and quantitative changes of RGCs is a crucial step in determining how neurodegenerative diseases develop and advance4,5.
Indirect immunofluorescence assay is a widely accepted method to monitor the distribution of proteins and cell counting. In the laboratory, whole-mount retinal immunostaining is commonly used in experimental studies on RGCs to evaluate the physiological and pathological conditions of the retina6. The most common markers used for RGC quantification in the whole retina include Brn3a, RNA binding protein with multiple splicing (RBPMS), and so on7,8. Characterizing the amount and distribution of RGCs requires high-quality whole-mount retinal immunostaining. Generally, in immunostaining protocols, the retina is immersed in chemical fixatives before being incubated in antibodies. Ideal fixatives should not change the shape of cells, the accessibility or affinity of the epitopes for antibodies, or the linear dimensions of the tissue9,10. 
Due to the complex structure of the retina, problems such as retinal fragility and folding, as well as some common difficulties including cell shrinkage and unclear nuclei, are prone to occur when making a whole-mount retinal patch, which has a negative impact on experimental research. In addition, not all retinas are immunostained immediately, especially when it comes to the retinas of transgenic mice with expensive prices that are of precious origin, necessitating the preservation of the extra retinal samples for further use.
The appropriate fixative solution can fix the tissue quickly, avoid tissue autolysis, preserve the normal morphology and structure of the tissue cells, and keep the antigenicity of proteins and other substances10. At present, formaldehyde-based fixation has been widely used in various tissues, including separated retinas, hemisected eyecups, and whole eyeballs10. Tissue shrinkage and the morphological alteration of cells are the two critical challenges encountered following immersion in formaldehyde11. In addition, modified fixation formulations are increasingly emerging to maximize the retention of the original properties of the retina and the target cells9,10. Different retinal fixation treatments may affect the retinal structure, protein immunogenicity, fluorescence excitation , and attenuation quenching cycle differently12,13. Retinas fixed with Davidson's solution are more morphologically intact compared to those fixed with formalin, but Davidson's solution is less compatible with some antibodies, such as microglial marker-ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 112. Considering the fragile nature of retinas, researchers would naturally wonder whether the retinal integrity, as well as the properties and morphology of the target cells, will change after long-term storage. However, the possible effects of fixation solution on retinal and RGC cell morphology after storage for several months have rarely been reported. The optimization of retinal fixation is critical for the evaluation and preservation of RGCs. 
We provide a detailed description of a reliable and technically straightforward method that we use for whole-mount murine retinal staining. Our method emphasizes the proper preparation and storage of retinas for RGC investigation, taking into account the need for the long-term storage of retinal tissue as well as specific aspects of fluorophore formation or degradation.

Pleins feux sur l’auteur : Préparation à montage entier à base de méthanol pour l’étude des cellules ganglionnaires rétiniennes  

PRÉPARATION À MONTAGE ENTIER À BASE DE MÉTHANOL POUR L’ÉTUDE DES CELLULES GANGLIONNAIRES DE LA RÉTINE

The research aims to provide a modified retina isolation workflow and tissue sample storage protocol, which is useful and practical for investigating RGCs. Retinas are fragile and folding, which limits experimental research when making a whole-mount retinal patch. In addition, all retinas do not require immediate immunostain.Sometimes, extra retina samples need preservation for further use. We provide a detailed description of a reliable and technically straightforward method of whole-mount retina stain that emphasizes the proper preparation and the need for the long-term storage of retinas for RGC investigation. We will continue to work on the basic research of degenerative optic neuropathies.Further, the molecular mechanism of optic nerve injury and accident regeneration and potential clinical targets for diagnosing and treating neurodegenerative disease will be explored.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Mouse Retina Isolation and Flattening at JoVE.com

Mouse Retina Isolation and Flattening  

Isolement et aplatissement de la rétine de souris

Après avoir fixé le globe oculaire énucléé de la souris euthanasiée, transférez-le sur une lame de verre et placez-le sous un microscope à dissection. À l’aide de pinces, serrez la marge de la cornée pour empêcher le mouvement du globe oculaire. Avec les ciseaux à dissection, coupez autour de la cornée à une profondeur d’environ un millimètre à travers le limbe scléral de la cornée, puis retirez le cristallin et le corps vitré.En tenant le disque optique au centre, coupez la rétine radialement le long des quatre quadrants, atteignant environ 2/3 du rayon de la rétine. Serrez l’un des bords scléraux à l’aide d’une pince dentée. Tenez le bord de la sclérotique avec une pince non dentée et déplacez-vous de la pince dentée vers la base de la sclérotique.Pelez soigneusement la rétine. Mouillez la rétine avec 200 microlitres de PBS à l’aide d’une pipette. Enlevez l’excès de PBS à l’aide de papier absorbant et aplatissez la rétine avec une petite brosse à poils si nécessaire.Ajouter lentement du méthanol froid goutte à goutte sur la surface interne de la rétine jusqu’à ce qu’elle se couvre complètement. Une fois que la rétine devient blanche et développe une ténacité accrue, aplatissez doucement la rétine et éliminez les impuretés, telles que les membranes pigmentaires résiduelles et le corps vitré, avec une petite brosse à poils. Après avoir inversé la rétine, traitez-la avec du méthanol comme démontré précédemment, et transférez-la dans un puits de plaque de 24 puits, trempez-la dans du méthanol et stockez-la à 20 degrés Celsius pendant une à deux heures pour une immunomarquage immédiate.Ensuite, rincez la rétine avec du PBS après avoir retiré le méthanol de la plaque. Les cellules ganglionnaires du rétinol des rétines avant et après le traitement au méthanol ont été visualisées par microscopie confocale, ce qui a indiqué que les 12 mois de conservation du méthanol n’affectaient pas l’immunomarquage du CGR.

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Mouse Retina Isolation and Flattening

Methanol-Based Whole-Mount Preparation for the Investigation of Retinal Ganglion Cells

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which are the projection neurons of the retina, propagate external visual information to the brain. Pathological changes in ...