Name: efficient dissection and culture of primary mouse retinal pigment epithelial cells
Uploaded: 2021-02-10T14:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Efficient Dissection and Culture of Primary Mouse Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells at JoVE.com

This work was supported by the Ocular Genomics Institute at Massachusetts Eye and Ear.

The guidelines of the ARVO Statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research were followed.
NOTE: This method has been proven successful with mice of different genetic backgrounds, including C57BL/6J, B10.D2-Hco H2d H2-T18c/oSnJ, and albino mice, at various ages. Preferably use 8 to 12-week-old mice to obtain RPE cells. RPE cells from older mice proliferate less in culture and younger mice have fewer and smaller cells, which requires pooling ey...

<ol>
	<li>Fernandez-Godino, R., Garland, D. L., Pierce, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation,+culture+and+characterization+of+primary+mouse+RPE+cells.">Isolation, culture and characterization of primary mouse RPE cells.</a> Nature Protocols. 11 (7), 1206-1218 (2016).</li><li>Strauss, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+retinal+pigment+epithelium+in+visual+function.">The retinal pigment epithelium in visual function.</a> Physiological Reviews. 85 (3), 845-881 (2005).</li><li>Konari, 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=Development+of+the+blood-retinal+barrier+in+vitro:+Formation+of+tight+junctions+as+revealed+by+occludin+and+ZO-1+correlates+with+the+barrier+function+of+chick+retinal+pigment+epithelial+cells.">Development of the blood-retinal barrier in vitro: Formation of tight junctions as revealed by occludin and ZO-1 correlates with the barrier function of chick retinal pigment epithelial cells.</a> Experimental Eye Research. 61 (1), 99-108 (1995).</li><li>Kay, P., Yang, Y. C., Paraoan, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Directional+protein+secretion+by+the+retinal+pigment+epithelium:+Roles+in+retinal+health+and+the+development+of+age-related+macular+degeneration.">Directional protein secretion by the retinal pigment epithelium: Roles in retinal health and the development of age-related macular degeneration.</a> Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. 17 (7), 833-843 (2013).</li><li>Johnson, L. V., Leitner, W. P., Staples, M. K., Anderson, D. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Complement+activation+and+inflammatory+processes+in+drusen+formation+and+age+related+macular+degeneration.">Complement activation and inflammatory processes in drusen formation and age related macular degeneration.</a> Experimental Eye Research. 73 (6), 887-896 (2001).</li><li>Hageman, G. S., 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=An+integrated+hypothesis+that+considers+drusen+as+biomarkers+of+immune-mediated+processes+at+the+RPE-Bruch's+membrane+interface+in+aging+and+age-related+macular+degeneration.">An integrated hypothesis that considers drusen as biomarkers of immune-mediated processes at the RPE-Bruch's membrane interface in aging and age-related macular degeneration.</a> Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 20 (6), 705-732 (2001).</li><li>Lommatzsch, 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=Are+low+inflammatory+reactions+involved+in+exudative+age-related+macular+degeneration.">Are low inflammatory reactions involved in exudative age-related macular degeneration.</a> Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. 246 (6), 803-810 (2008).</li><li>Bandyopadhyay, M., Rohrer, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Matrix+metalloproteinase+activity+creates+pro-angiogenic+environment+in+primary+human+retinal+pigment+epithelial+cells+exposed+to+complement.">Matrix metalloproteinase activity creates pro-angiogenic environment in primary human retinal pigment epithelial cells exposed to complement.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 53 (4), 1953-1961 (2012).</li><li>Fernandez-Godino, R., Garland, D. L., Pierce, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+local+complement+response+by+RPE+causes+early-stage+macular+degeneration.">A local complement response by RPE causes early-stage macular degeneration.</a> Human Molecular Genetics. 24 (19), 5555-5569 (2015).</li><li>Fernandez-Godino, R., Bujakowska, K. M., Pierce, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Changes+in+extracellular+matrix+cause+RPE+cells+to+make+basal+deposits+and+activate+the+alternative+complement+pathway.">Changes in extracellular matrix cause RPE cells to make basal deposits and activate the alternative complement pathway.</a> Human Molecular Genetics. 27 (1), 147-159 (2018).</li><li>Fernandez-Godino, R., Pierce, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=C3a+triggers+formation+of+sub-retinal+pigment+epithelium+deposits+via+the+ubiquitin+proteasome+pathway.">C3a triggers formation of sub-retinal pigment epithelium deposits via the ubiquitin proteasome pathway.</a> Scientific Reports. 8 (1), 1-14 (2018).</li><li>Farkas, M. H., 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=Mutations+in+Pre-mRNA+processing+factors+3,+8,+and+31+cause+dysfunction+of+the+retinal+pigment+epithelium.">Mutations in Pre-mRNA processing factors 3, 8, and 31 cause dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium.</a> American Journal of Pathology. 184 (10), 2641-2652 (2014).</li><li>Geisen, P., Mccolm, J. R., King, B. M., Hartnett, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+Barrier+Properties+and+Inducible+VEGF+Expression+of+Several+Types+of+Retinal+Pigment+Epithelium+in+Medium-Term+Culture.">Characterization of Barrier Properties and Inducible VEGF Expression of Several Types of Retinal Pigment Epithelium in Medium-Term Culture.</a> Current Eye Research. 31, 739 (2006).</li><li>Sch&#252;tze, C., 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=Retinal+pigment+epithelium+findings+in+patients+with+albinism+using+wide-field+polarization-sensitive+optical+coherence+tomography.">Retinal pigment epithelium findings in patients with albinism using wide-field polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography.</a> Retina. 34 (11), 2208-2217 (2014).</li><li>Samuels, I. S., Bell, B. A., Pereira, A., Saxon, J., Peachey, N. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Early+retinal+pigment+epithelium+dysfunction+is+concomitant+with+hyperglycemia+in+mouse+models+of+type+1+and+type+2+diabetes.">Early retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction is concomitant with hyperglycemia in mouse models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.</a> Journal of Neurophysiology. 113 (4), 1085-1099 (2015).</li><li>Garland, D. L., 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=Mouse+genetics+and+proteomic+analyses+demonstrate+a+critical+role+for+complement+in+a+model+of+DHRD/ML,+an+inherited+macular+degeneration.">Mouse genetics and proteomic analyses demonstrate a critical role for complement in a model of DHRD/ML, an inherited macular degeneration.</a> Human Molecular Genetics. 23 (1), 52-68 (2014).</li><li>Fu, L., 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=The+R345W+mutation+in+EFEMP1+is+pathogenic+and+causes+AMD-like+deposits+in+mice.">The R345W mutation in EFEMP1 is pathogenic and causes AMD-like deposits in mice.</a> Human Molecular Genetics. 16 (20), 2411-2422 (2007).</li><li>Greenwald, S. H., 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=Mouse+Models+of+NMNAT1-Leber+Congenital+Amaurosis+(LCA9)+Recapitulate+Key+Features+of+the+Human+Disease.">Mouse Models of NMNAT1-Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA9) Recapitulate Key Features of the Human Disease.</a> American Journal of Pathology. 186 (7), 1925-1938 (2016).</li><li>Gupta, P. R., 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=Ift172+conditional+knock-out+mice+exhibit+rapid+retinal+degeneration+and+protein+trafficking+defects.">Ift172 conditional knock-out mice exhibit rapid retinal degeneration and protein trafficking defects.</a> Human Molecular Genetics. 27 (11), 2012-2024 (2018).</li><li>Gibbs, D., Williams, D. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+and+culture+of+primary+mouse+retinal+pigmented+epithelial+cells.">Isolation and culture of primary mouse retinal pigmented epithelial cells.</a> Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 533, 347-352 (2003).</li><li>Bonilha, V. L., Finnemann, S. C., Rodriguez-Boulan, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ezrin+promotes+morphogenesis+of+apical+microvilli+and+basal+infoldings+in+retinal+pigment+epithelium.">Ezrin promotes morphogenesis of apical microvilli and basal infoldings in retinal pigment epithelium.</a> Journal of Cell Biology. 147 (7), 1533-1547 (1999).</li><li>Nandrot, E. F., 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=Loss+of+synchronized+retinal+phagocytosis+and+age-related+blindness+in+mice+lacking+&#945;v&#946;5+integrin.">Loss of synchronized retinal phagocytosis and age-related blindness in mice lacking &#945;v&#946;5 integrin.</a> Journal of Experimental Medicine. 200 (12), 1539-1545 (2004).</li><li>Maminishkis, 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=Confluent+monolayers+of+cultured+human+fetal+retinal+pigment+epithelium+exhibit+morphology+and+physiology+of+native+tissue.">Confluent monolayers of cultured human fetal retinal pigment epithelium exhibit morphology and physiology of native tissue.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 47 (8), 3612-3624 (2006).</li><li>Maminishkis, A., Miller, S. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Experimental+models+for+study+of+retinal+pigment+epithelial+physiology+and+pathophysiology.">Experimental models for study of retinal pigment epithelial physiology and pathophysiology.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (45), (2010).</li><li>Brydon, E. 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=AAV-Mediated+Gene+Augmentation+Therapy+Restores+Critical+Functions+in+Mutant+PRPF31+/&#8722;+iPSC-Derived+RPE+Cells.">AAV-Mediated Gene Augmentation Therapy Restores Critical Functions in Mutant PRPF31+/&#8722; iPSC-Derived RPE Cells.</a> Molecular Therapy - Methods and Clinical Development. 15, 392-402 (2019).</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> Journal of Visualized Experiments. 2018 (133), (2018).</li><li>Bonilha, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Age+and+disease-related+structural+changes+in+the+retinal+pigment+epithelium.">Age and disease-related structural changes in the retinal pigment epithelium.</a> Clinical Ophthalmology. 2 (2), 413 (2008).</li></ol>

While several methods for mouse RPE cell isolation and culture had been developed before1,13,20,22,26,27, Fernandez-Godino&#39;s method first used membrane inserts allowing the efficient growth of the RPE cells in culture for weeks1,9. Another major change in their pr...

This protocol, which was originally reported by Fernandez-Godino et al. in 20161, describes a method to efficiently isolate and culture mouse retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which form a functional and polarized RPE monolayer within one week on Transwell plates. The&#160;RPE&#160;is a monolayer located in the eye between the neural retina and the Bruch&#39;s membrane. This single layer consists of highly polarized and pigmented epithelial cells joined by tight junctions, exhibiting a hexagonal shape that resembles a honeycomb2. Despite this apparent histological simplicity, the RPE performs a wide variety of functions critical to the retina and the normal visual cycle2,3,4. The main functions of the RPE monolayer include light absorption, nourishment and renewal of photoreceptors, removal of metabolic end products, control of the ion homeostasis in the subretinal space and maintenance of the blood-retinal barrier2,3. The RPE also has an important role in local modulation of the immune system in the eye5,6,7,8,9,10,11. Degeneration and/or dysfunction of the RPE are common features shared by many ocular disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, albinism, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration12,13,14,15. Unfortunately, the availability of human tissues is limited. Given their highly conserved genetic homology with humans, mouse models represent a suitable and useful tool for studying ocular disorders16,17,18,19. Furthermore, the use of cultured primary RPE cells provides advantages such as genetic manipulation and drug testing that can accelerate the development of new therapies for these vision-threatening disorders9,11.
Existing methods available for mouse RPE isolation and culture lack reproducibly and do not recapitulate the RPE features in vivo with enough reliability. Cells tend to lose pigmentation, hexagonal shape and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) within a few days in culture13, 20. Since establishing these primary RPE cell cultures from mice is a challenging process, this optimized protocol has been created based on other protocols to isolate RPE cells from rat and human eyes21,22,23 to dissect the mouse eyes, collect the RPE and culture the mouse RPE cells in vitro.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>10 ml BD Luer-Lok tip syringe, disposable</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>309604</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>15 ml centrifuge tube</td>
			<td>VWR International</td>
			<td>21008-103</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 ml centrifuge tube</td>
			<td>VWR International</td>
			<td>21008-951</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alpha Minimum Essential Medium</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>M4526-500ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Angled micro forceps</td>
			<td>WPI</td>
			<td>501727</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bench-top centrifuge</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CO2 incubator</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>HERA VIOS 160I CO2 SST TC 120V</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissecting microscope</td>
			<td>Any</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dulbecco&#8217;s Phospate Buffered Saline no Calcium, no Magnesium</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>14190144</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont #5 45&#176; Medical Biology tweezers, 0.05 x 0.01 mm tip, 11 cm length</td>
			<td>WPI</td>
			<td>14101</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethanol</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>E7023-500ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Falcon Easy-Grip Clear Polystyrene Cell Culture Dish, 35mm</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>353001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum</td>
			<td>Hyclone</td>
			<td>SH30071.03</td>
			<td>Heat inactivated.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hank&#8217;s Balanced Salt Solution plus Calcium and Magnesium, no Phenol Red</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>14175095</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hank&#8217;s Balanced Salt Solution plus Calcium and Magnesium, no Phenol Red B6</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>14025092</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES 1M</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15630106</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hyaluronidase</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>H-3506 1G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hydrocortisone</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>H-0396</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laminar flow hood</td>
			<td>Thermo</td>
			<td>CLASS II A2 4 115V PACKAGECLA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laminin 1mg/ml</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>L2020-1 MG</td>
			<td>Dilute in PBS at 37C to 1mg/ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>McPherson-Vannas Micro Scissors 8 cm long</td>
			<td>WPI</td>
			<td>503216</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Non-essential amino acids 100X</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>11140050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N1 Supplement 100X</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>N6530-5ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin-Streptomycin</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15140-148</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile Bard-Parker Carbon steel surgical blade size 11</td>
			<td>Fisher-Scientific</td>
			<td>08-914B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Taurine</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>T-0625</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue culture treated 12-well plates</td>
			<td>Fisher-Scientific</td>
			<td>08-772-29</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue culture treated 6-well plates</td>
			<td>Fisher-Scientific</td>
			<td>14-832-11</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Transwell supports 6.5 mm</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>CLS3470-48EA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triiodo-thyronin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>T-5516</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin-EDTA (0.25%), phenol red</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>25200056</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tweezer, Dumont #5 Medical Biology 11 cm, curved, stainless steel 0.02 x 0.06 mm Mod tips</td>
			<td>WPI</td>
			<td>500232</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vannas Scissors 8cm long, stainless steel</td>
			<td>WPI</td>
			<td>501790</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Whatman Puradisc 25mm Syringe Filters 0.45&#956;m pore size</td>
			<td>Fisher-Scientific</td>
			<td>6780-2504</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

efficient dissection and culture of primary mouse retinal pigment epithelial cells

Eye disorders affect millions of people worldwide, but the limited availability of human tissues hinders their study. Mouse models are powerful tools to understand the pathophysiology of ocular diseases because of their similarities with human anatomy and physiology. Alterations in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), including changes in morphology and function, are common features shared by many ocular disorders. However, successful isolation and culture of primary mouse RPE cells is very challenging. This paper is an updated audiovisual version of the protocol previously published by Fernandez-Godino et al. in 2016 to efficiently isolate and culture primary mouse RPE cells. This method is highly reproducible and results in robust cultures of highly polarized and pigmented RPE monolayers that can be maintained for several weeks on Transwells. This model opens new avenues for the study of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying eye diseases. Moreover, it provides a platform to test therapeutic approaches that can be used to treat important eye diseases with unmet medical needs, including inherited retinal disorders and macular degenerations.

This protocol has been used to isolate and culture RPE cells from genetically modified mice1. No differences have been observed between mouse strains or gender. The results have helped to understand some important aspects of the mechanism underlying ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, which is the most common cause of vision loss among the elderly9. RPE cells isolated following this protocol were completely attached to the membrane insert 24 hours afte...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Efficient Dissection and Culture of Primary Mouse Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells at JoVE.com

Efficient Dissection and Culture of Primary Mouse Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

This protocol, which was originally reported by Fernandez-Godino et al. in 20161, describes a method to efficiently isolate and culture mouse RPE cells, which form a functional and polarized RPE monolayer within one week on Transwell plates. The procedure takes approximately 3 hours.

Eye disorders affect millions of people worldwide, but the limited availability of human tissues hinders their study. Mouse models are powerful tools to ...

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Subretinal Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derived-retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells into a Large-eyed Model of Geographic Atrophy

Geographic atrophy (GA), the late stage of dry age-related macular degeneration is characterized by loss of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) layer, ...

Primary Cell Cultures from the Mouse Retinal Pigment Epithelium

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a highly polarized multi-functional epithelium that is located between the neural retina and the choroid of the ...

Isolation, Culture, and Genetic Engineering of Mammalian Primary Pigment Epithelial Cells for Non-Viral Gene Therapy

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most frequent cause of blindness in patients &#62;60 years, affecting ~30 million people worldwide. AMD is a ...

Primary Culture of Porcine Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer of polarized pigmented epithelial cells, located between the choroid and neuroretina in the retina. ...

Isolation of Primary Mouse Retinal Pigmented Epithelium Cells

The retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) layer lies immediately behind the photoreceptors and harbors a complex metabolic system that plays several critical ...