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

Mouse Retina Isolation and Methanol Treatment for Studying Retinal Ganglion Cells

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.

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

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

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  

After fixing the enucleated eyeball of the euthanized mouse, transfer it to a glass slide and place it under a dissecting microscope. Using forceps, clamp the margin of the cornea to prevent eyeball movement. With the dissecting scissors, cut around the cornea at a depth of approximately one millimeter through the cornea scleral limbus, and then remove the lens and vitreous body.Holding the optic disc at the center, cut the retina radially along the four quadrants, reaching approximately 2/3 of the retina's radius. Clamp one of the scleral edges using toothed forceps. Hold the sclera edge with untoothed forceps and move from the toothed forceps toward the sclera base.Carefully peel the retina. Wet the retina with 200 microliters of PBS using a pipette. Remove excess PBS using absorbent paper, and flatten the retina with a small bristle brush if needed.Slowly add cold methanol drop-by-drop onto the retina's inner surface until it covers completely. Once the retina turns white and develops increased tenacity, gently flatten the retina and remove impurities, such as residual pigment membranes and the vitreous body, with a small bristle brush. After inverting the retina, treat it with methanol as previously demonstrated, and transfer it into a well of 24 well plate, Soak it in methanol and store it at 20 degrees Celsius for one to two hours for immediate immunostaining.Then rinse the retina with PBS after removing methanol from the plate. The retinol ganglion cells of the retinas before and after methanol treatment were visualized using confocal microscopy, which indicated that the 12 months of methanol preservation did not affect the RGC immunostaining.

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

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