Name: organotypic retinal explant cultures from macaque monkey
Uploaded: 2022-08-24T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Organotypic Retinal Explant Cultures from Macaque Monkey at JoVE.com

This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81960180), the Zinke heritage foundation, and the Charlotte and Tistou Kerstan Foundation, Yunnan Eye Disease Clinical Medical Center (ZX2019-02-01). We thank Prof. Longbao Lv (Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China) for sharing the monkey eyeballs used in this study.

The animal study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Review Committee of Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IACUC-PE-2022-06-002), and animal ethics review and animal protocol of Yunnan University (YNU20220149).
1. Preparation of retinal explants
<ol>
	<li>Obtain primate eyeballs from wild-type macaques, aged 1 to 3 years old, store in tissue storage solution, and transport on ice within 3 h of enucleation after the monkeys were sacrificed or after natura...

<ol>
	<li>O'Neal, T. B., Luther, E. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> StatPearls. , (2022).</li><li>Power, 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=Cellular+mechanisms+of+hereditary+photoreceptor+degeneration+-+Focus+on+cGMP.">Cellular mechanisms of hereditary photoreceptor degeneration - Focus on cGMP.</a> Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 74, 100772 (2020).</li><li>Paquet-Durand, F., Hauck, S. M., van Veen, T., Ueffing, M., Ekstr&#246;m, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PKG+activity+causes+photoreceptor+cell+death+in+two+retinitis+pigmentosa+models.">PKG activity causes photoreceptor cell death in two retinitis pigmentosa models.</a> Journal of Neurochemistry. 108 (3), 796-810 (2009).</li><li>Tolone, A., Belhadj, S., Rentsch, A., Schwede, F., Paquet-Durand, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+cGMP+pathway+and+inherited+photoreceptor+degeneration:+Targets,+compounds,+and+biomarkers.">The cGMP pathway and inherited photoreceptor degeneration: Targets, compounds, and biomarkers.</a> Genes (Basel). 10 (6), 453 (2019).</li><li>Arango-Gonzalez, B., 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=Identification+of+a+common+non-apoptotic+cell+death+mechanism+in+hereditary+retinal+degeneration.">Identification of a common non-apoptotic cell death mechanism in hereditary retinal degeneration.</a> PLoS One. 9 (11), 112142 (2014).</li><li>Mencl, S., Trifunovi&#263;, D., Zrenner, E., Paquet-Durand, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PKG-dependent+cell+death+in+661W+cone+photoreceptor-like+cell+cultures+(experimental+study).">PKG-dependent cell death in 661W cone photoreceptor-like cell cultures (experimental study).</a> Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 1074, 511-517 (2018).</li><li>Power, M. J., 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=Systematic+spatiotemporal+mapping+reveals+divergent+cell+death+pathways+in+three+mouse+models+of+hereditary+retinal+degeneration.">Systematic spatiotemporal mapping reveals divergent cell death pathways in three mouse models of hereditary retinal degeneration.</a> Journal of Comparative Neurology. 528 (7), 1113-1139 (2020).</li><li>Sancho-Pelluz, J., 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=Excessive+HDAC+activation+is+critical+for+neurodegeneration+in+the+rd1+mouse.">Excessive HDAC activation is critical for neurodegeneration in the rd1 mouse.</a> Cell Death &amp; Disease. 1 (2), 24 (2010).</li><li>Kulkarni, M., Trifunovi&#263;, D., Schubert, T., Euler, T., Paquet-Durand, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Calcium+dynamics+change+in+degenerating+cone+photoreceptors.">Calcium dynamics change in degenerating cone photoreceptors.</a> Human Molecular Genetics. 25 (17), 3729-3740 (2016).</li><li>Trifunovi&#263;, D., 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=cGMP-dependent+cone+photoreceptor+degeneration+in+the+cpfl1+mouse+retina.">cGMP-dependent cone photoreceptor degeneration in the cpfl1 mouse retina.</a> Journal of Comparative Neurology. 518 (17), 3604-3617 (2010).</li><li>Samardzija, 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=HDAC+inhibition+ameliorates+cone+survival+in+retinitis+pigmentosa+mice.">HDAC inhibition ameliorates cone survival in retinitis pigmentosa mice.</a> Cell Death &amp; Differentiation. 28 (4), 1317-1332 (2021).</li><li>Sch&#246;n, 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=Gene+therapy+successfully+delays+degeneration+in+a+mouse+model+of+PDE6A-linked+Retinitis+Pigmentosa+(RP43).">Gene therapy successfully delays degeneration in a mouse model of PDE6A-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP43).</a> Human Gene Therapy. 28 (12), 1180-1188 (2017).</li><li>McGregor, J. E., 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=Optogenetic+therapy+restores+retinal+activity+in+primate+for+at+least+a+year+following+photoreceptor+ablation.">Optogenetic therapy restores retinal activity in primate for at least a year following photoreceptor ablation.</a> Molecular Therapy. 30 (3), 1315-1328 (2022).</li><li>Lingam, 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=cGMP-grade+human+iPSC-derived+retinal+photoreceptor+precursor+cells+rescue+cone+photoreceptor+damage+in+non-human+primates.">cGMP-grade human iPSC-derived retinal photoreceptor precursor cells rescue cone photoreceptor damage in non-human primates.</a> Stem Cell Research &amp; Therapy. 12 (1), 464 (2021).</li><li>Das, 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=The+role+of+cGMP-signalling+and+calcium-signalling+in+photoreceptor+cell+death:+perspectives+for+therapy+development.">The role of cGMP-signalling and calcium-signalling in photoreceptor cell death: perspectives for therapy development.</a> Pflugers Archiv. 473 (9), 1411-1421 (2021).</li><li>Hoon, M., Okawa, H., Della Santina, L., Wong, R. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+architecture+of+the+retina:+Development+and+disease.">Functional architecture of the retina: Development and disease.</a> Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 42, 44-84 (2014).</li><li>Schnichels, 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=Retina+in+a+dish:+Cell+cultures,+retinal+explants+and+animal+models+for+common+diseases+of+the+retina.">Retina in a dish: Cell cultures, retinal explants and animal models for common diseases of the retina.</a> Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 81, 100880 (2021).</li><li>Maryam, 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=The+molecular+organization+of+human+cGMP+specific+Phosphodiesterase+6+(PDE6):+Structural+implications+of+somatic+mutations+in+cancer+and+retinitis+pigmentosa.">The molecular organization of human cGMP specific Phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6): Structural implications of somatic mutations in cancer and retinitis pigmentosa.</a> Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal. 17, 378-389 (2019).</li><li>Huang, L., Kutluer, M., Adani, E., Comitato, A., Marigo, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=New+in+vitro+cellular+model+for+molecular+studies+of+retinitis+pigmentosa.">New in vitro cellular model for molecular studies of retinitis pigmentosa.</a> International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 22 (12), 6440 (2021).</li><li>Zhou, J., Rasmussen, M., Ekstr&#246;m, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=cGMP-PKG+dependent+transcriptome+in+normal+and+degenerating+retinas:+Novel+insights+into+the+retinitis+pigmentosa+pathology.">cGMP-PKG dependent transcriptome in normal and degenerating retinas: Novel insights into the retinitis pigmentosa pathology.</a> Experimental Eye Research. 212, 108752 (2021).</li></ol>

Visual phototransduction refers to the biological process by which light signals are converted to electrical signals by photoreceptor cells within the retina of the eye. Photoreceptor cells are polarized neurons capable of phototransduction, and there are two different types of photoreceptors termed rods and cones after the shapes of their outer segments. Rods are responsible for the scotopic vision and cones are responsible for photopic and high acuity vision. Hereditary RD relates to neurodegenerative diseases characte...

Hereditary retinal degeneration (RD) is characterized by progressive photoreceptor cell death and is caused by mutations in a wide variety of pathogenic genes1. The end result of RD is vision loss and in the vast majority of cases the disease remains untreatable to this day. Therefore, it is important to study the cellular mechanisms leading to photoreceptor death using models that faithfully represent the human disease condition. Here, primate-based models are of particular interest due to their closeness to humans. Notably, such models may advance the development of appropriate therapeutic interventions that can halt or delay photoreceptor cell death.
Previous research on the mechanisms of cell death in RD has demonstrated that the decrease or loss of phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) activity caused by RD-triggering gene mutations leads to reduced hydrolysis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)2,3. cGMP is a specific agonist of the cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels (CNGCs) in the rod outer segments (ROSs) and is also a key molecule responsible for the conversion of light signals into electrical signals in vertebrate photoreceptor cells4. Reduced cGMP hydrolysis causes the accumulation of cGMP in ROSs, leading to the opening of CNGCs 5. Consequently, the phototransduction pathways are activated, resulting in an increase in cation concentrations in photoreceptor cells. This process imposes a metabolic burden on photoreceptors, which when overactivated, for instance, by mutations in PDE6, may cause cell death.
Many studies have shown that a significant overaccumulation of cGMP in photoreceptors of mouse models with different RD gene mutations may cause the activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG)3,6. This leads to a substantial increase in dying, TUNEL-positive cells and a gradual thinning of the photoreceptor cell layer. Previous studies suggest that PKG overactivation caused by elevated cGMP levels is a necessary and sufficient condition for the induction of photoreceptor cell death2,5. Studies on different mouse models of RD have also shown that PKG activation induced by elevated cGMP levels in photoreceptors, leads to overactivation of downstream effectors such as poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1), histone deacetylase (HDAC), and calpain2,7,8,9. This implies causal associations between these different target proteins and photoreceptor cell death.
However, previous research on the pathology, toxicopharmacology, and therapy of RD was mainly based on mouse models for RD10,11,12. Nevertheless, immense difficulties remain in the clinical translation of these results. This is owing to the considerable genetic and physiological differences between mice and humans, especially with respect to the retinal structure. In contrast, non-human primates (NHPs) also share a high degree of similarity with humans with respect to genetic characteristics, physiological patterns, and environmental factor regulation. For example, optogenetic therapy was investigated as a means to restore retinal activity in an NHP model13. Lingam and colleagues demonstrated that good manufacturing practice-grade human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal photoreceptor precursor cells may rescue cone photoreceptor damage in NHP14. Therefore, NHP models are important for the exploration of RD pathogenesis and the development of effective treatment methods. In particular, NHP models of RD, exhibiting pathogenic mechanisms similar to those in humans, could play a critical role in studies on the development and in vivo toxicopharmacology analysis of new drugs.
In view of the long life-cycle, high level of technical difficulties, and high cost involved in establishing in vivo primate models, we established an in vitro non-human primate (NHP) model using cultures of explanted macaque retina. First, wild-type macaques aged 1-3 years were selected for in vitro culture of retinal explants, which included the retina-RPE-choroid complex. Explants were then treated with different concentrations of the PDE6 inhibitor zaprinast (100 &#181;M, 200 &#181;M, and 400 &#181;M) to induce the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway. Photoreceptor cell death was quantified and analyzed using the TUNEL assay, and cGMP accumulation in explants was verified via immunofluorescence. Given the high degree of similarity with respect to cell distribution and morphology, retinal layer thickness, and other physiological characteristics of the retina between monkeys and humans, the establishment of the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway in the in vitro retinal model may facilitate future research on the pathogenesis of RD as well as studies into the development and toxicopharmacology of new drugs for RD treatment.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>B2064</td>
			<td>Blocking solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corticosterone</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C2505</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DL-tocopherol</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T1539</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey anti sheep, Alxea Fluor 488</td>
			<td>Life technologies corporation</td>
			<td>A11015</td>
			<td>Secondary antibody of cGMP</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethanol-acetic acid solution</td>
			<td>Shyuanye</td>
			<td>R20492</td>
			<td>Fixing liquid</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum</td>
			<td>Gemini</td>
			<td>900-108</td>
			<td>Blocking solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescence microscope</td>
			<td>Carl Zeiss</td>
			<td>Axio Imager.M2</td>
			<td>Immunofluorescence imaging</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glutamine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G8540</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glutathione</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G6013</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>In Situ Cell Death Detection Kit, TMR red</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>12156792910</td>
			<td>TUNEL assay</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Insulin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>16634</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>L-cysteine HCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C7477</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Linoleic acid</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>L1012</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MACS Tissue Storage Solution</td>
			<td>Miltenyi</td>
			<td>130-100-008</td>
			<td>Optimized storage of fresh organ and tissue samples</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Normal Donkey Serum</td>
			<td>Solarbio</td>
			<td>SL050</td>
			<td>Blocking solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde(PFA)</td>
			<td>Biosharp</td>
			<td>BL539A</td>
			<td>Fixing agent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PEN. / STREP. 100&#215;</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>TMS-AB2-C</td>
			<td>Penicillin / Streptomycin antibiotics</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate buffer saline(PBS)</td>
			<td>Solarbio</td>
			<td>P1010</td>
			<td>Buffer solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Povidone-iodine</td>
			<td>Shanghailikang</td>
			<td>310411</td>
			<td>Disinfector agent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Progesterone</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P8783</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Proteinase K</td>
			<td>Millpore</td>
			<td>539480</td>
			<td>Break down protein</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>R16 medium</td>
			<td>Life technologies corporation</td>
			<td>074-90743A</td>
			<td>Basic medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Retinol</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>R7632</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Retinyl acetate</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>R7882</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sheep anti-cGMP</td>
			<td>Jan de Vente, Maastricht University, the Netherlands</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Primary antibody of cGMP</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sucrose</td>
			<td>GHTECH</td>
			<td>57-50-1</td>
			<td>Dehydrating agent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T3</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T6397</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue-Tek medium (O.C.T. Compound)</td>
			<td>SAKURA</td>
			<td>4583</td>
			<td>Embedding medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tocopheryl acetate</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T1157</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Transferrin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T1283</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Transwell</td>
			<td>Corning Incorporated</td>
			<td>3412</td>
			<td>Cell / tissue culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tris-buffer (TBS)</td>
			<td>Solarbio</td>
			<td>T1080</td>
			<td>Blocking buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Solarbio</td>
			<td>9002-93-1</td>
			<td>Surface active agent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>VECTASHIELD Medium with DAPI</td>
			<td>Vector</td>
			<td>H-1200</td>
			<td>Mounting medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vitamin B1</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T1270</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vitamin B12</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>V6629</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vitamin C</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A4034</td>
			<td>Supplements of Complete Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Zaprinast</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>Z0878</td>
			<td>PDE6 inhibitor</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Zeiss Imager M2 Microscope</td>
			<td>&#160;Zeiss, Oberkochen,Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>upright microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LSM 900 Airyscan</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>high resolution laser scanning microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Zeiss Axiocam</td>
			<td>&#160;Zeiss, Oberkochen,Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>digital camera</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Zeiss Axiovision4.7</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Adobe</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Illustrator CC 2021 (Adobe Systems Incorporated, San Jose, CA)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Primate eyeballs from wildtype macaque</td>
			<td>KUNMING INSTITUTE OF ZOOLOGY</td>
			<td>SYXK (<img alt="Equation 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/64178/64178eq01.jpg" style="margin: auto;" />) K2017 -0008</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Super Pap Pen Pen (Liquid Blocker, Diado, 0010, Japan</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TUNEL kit solution (REF12156792910, Roche,Germany),</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

organotypic retinal explant cultures from macaque monkey

Hereditary retinal degeneration (RD) is characterized by progressive photoreceptor cell death. Overactivation of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKG) pathway in photoreceptor cells causes photoreceptor cell death, especially in models harboring phosphodiesterase 6b (PDE6b) mutations. Previous studies on RD have used mainly murine models such as rd1 or rd10 mice. Given the genetic and physiological differences between mice and humans, it is important to understand to which extent the retinas of primates and rodents are comparable. Macaques share a high level of genetic similarity with humans. Therefore, wild-type macaques (aged 1-3 years) were selected for the in vitro culture of retinal explants that included the retina-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid complex. These explants were treated with different concentrations of the PDE6 inhibitor zaprinast to induce the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway and simulate RD pathogenesis. cGMP accumulation and cell death in primate retinal explants were subsequently verified using immunofluorescence and the TUNEL assay. The primate retinal model established in this study may serve for relevant and effective studies into the mechanisms of cGMP-PKG-dependent RD, as well as for the development of future treatment approaches.

In this study, Macaque monkey retinal explant culture was performed using explants containing the retina-RPE-choroid complex (Figure 1, Supplementary Figure S1). Compared with the in vitro culture of retinal cells using the retina without the attached RPE and choroid, our explant culture facilitates better cell survival and accordingly, prolongs the survival of photoreceptor cells.
We used different concentrations of the PDE6 inhibitor za...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Organotypic Retinal Explant Cultures from Macaque Monkey at JoVE.com

Organotypic Retinal Explant Cultures from Macaque Monkey

Retinal explants obtained from wild-type macaques were cultured in vitro. Retinal degeneration and the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway was induced using the PDE6 inhibitor zaprinast. cGMP accumulation in the explants at different zaprinast concentrations was verified using immunofluorescence.

Hereditary retinal degeneration (RD) is characterized by progressive photoreceptor cell death. Overactivation of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures

The hippocampus, a component of the limbic system, plays important roles in long-term memory and spatial navigation 1. Hippocampal neurons can modify the ...

Organotypic Cerebellar Cultures: Apoptotic Challenges and Detection

Organotypic cultures of neuronal tissue were first introduced by Hogue in 1947 1,2 and have constituted a major breakthrough in the field of neuroscience. ...

Multi-electrode Array Recordings of Neuronal Avalanches in Organotypic Cultures

The cortex is spontaneously active, even in the absence of any particular input or motor output.  During development, this activity is important for the ...

Organotypic Slice Cultures of Embryonic Ventral Midbrain: A System to Study Dopaminergic Neuronal Development in vitro

Organotypic Slice Cultures of Embryonic Ventral Midbrain: A System to Study Dopaminergic Neuronal Development in vitro

The  mouse is an excellent model organism to study mammalian brain development due  to the abundance of molecular and genetic data. However, the ...

The Analysis of Purkinje Cell Dendritic Morphology in Organotypic Slice Cultures

Purkinje cells are an attractive model system for studying dendritic development, because they have an impressive dendritic tree which is strictly ...

Neural Explant Cultures from Xenopus laevis

Neural Explant Cultures from Xenopus laevis

The complex process of axon guidance is largely driven by the growth cone, which is the dynamic motile structure at the tip of the growing axon. During ...

Organotypic Slice Cultures to Study Oligodendrocyte Dynamics and Myelination

NG2 expressing cells (polydendrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursor cells) are the fourth major glial cell population in the central nervous system. During ...

The Analysis of Neurovascular Remodeling in Entorhino-hippocampal Organotypic Slice Cultures

Ischemic brain injury is among the most common and devastating conditions compromising proper brain function and often leads to persisting functional ...

Investigating Functional Regeneration in Organotypic Spinal Cord Co-cultures Grown on Multi-electrode Arrays

Adult higher vertebrates have a limited potential to recover from spinal cord injury. Recently, evidence emerged that propriospinal connections are a ...