title: A novel primary culture method for rat choroidal epithelial cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish a method for the culture of primary choroidal epithelial cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive experimental study was carried out in Xi`an Jiaotong University, Xi`an, China from September 2009 to August 2012. Choroidal epithelial cells were isolated from the choroid plexus tissues of the lateral ventricles from neonatal rats (n=36). The tissues were dissociated into small cell aggregates by a mechanical method, and cultured on plastic culture dishes containing Dulbecco`s modified Eagle`s medium with 10% fetal bovine serum and 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor at 37 degrees C in an incubator with 5% humidified carbon dioxide. The cultured cells were examined by phase contrast microscope, electron microscopy, and immunocytochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cells showed typical morphologic characteristics of epithelial phenotypes with a cobblestone appearance in monolayer 7-9 days post-seeding. The electron microscopy spotted typical choroidal epithelial cells with microvilli on the cytomembrane, organelles in the cytoplasm, and tight junctions welding 2 adjacent cells. They were positive against anti-transthyretin immunostaining.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This culture technique, which does not require complex equipment and operation skills, might be a simple and efficient method for obtaining choroidal epithelial cells in sufficient number and purity from mixed primary cultures of rat tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi`an Jiaotong University, Xi`an, China.
authors.forename: Sheng-Li
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Xi-Jing
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Zong-Fang
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D002470:Cell Survival; D002831:Choroid Plexus / Q000166:cytology*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020547:Lateral Ventricles / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D061251:Primary Cell Culture / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003470:Culture Media