title: A primary culture technique of adult retina for regeneration studies on adult CNS neurons.
abstract: This protocol details a tissue culture technique that allows for quantified regeneration studies on adult retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), that is, CNS neurons. The method may also allow for elucidation of molecular cues, for example of signals relevant in neuronal survival and axon regeneration. The procedure relies on fractioned stripe culture of previously injured retina in defined culture media. Naive dendritic cell contacts of RGCs are preserved, and the system is independent of growth factors. In contrast to other techniques, the protocol is based on tissue grown from adult animals; it dispenses immature co-cultures and evaluates the outgrowth of unmyelinated neurites in a milieu lacking CNS myelin. The technique is suitable for rodent retina from mouse or rat. A growth-conditioning injury of the optic nerve is set 10 days before retinal explantation. Explants are cultured for 5-7 days. Mere preparation of a single retina should be completed within 20 min.
authors.affiliation: Neuroregeneration Laboratory, Department of Neurology, University of Jena Medical School, Erlanger Allee 101, D-07747 Jena, Germany. alexandra.kretz@med.uni-jena.de
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kretz
authors.forename: Julia K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Marticke
authors.forename: Caroline J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Happold
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmeer
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Isenmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003470:Culture Media; D005260:Female; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media