title: Glia-Neuron Interactions in the Retina Can Be Studied in Cocultures of Müller Cells and Retinal Ganglion Cells.
abstract: Glia-neuron partnership is important for inner retinal homeostasis and any disturbances may result in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Müller cells support RGCs with essential functions such as removing excess glutamate and providing energy sources. The aim was to explore the impact of Müller cells on RGC survival. To investigate the Müller cell/RGC interactions we developed a coculture model, in which primary Müller cells were grown in inserts on top of pure primary RGC cultures. The impact of starvation and mitochondrial inhibition on the Müller cell ability to protect RGCs was studied. Moreover, the ability of Müller cells to remove glutamate from the extracellular space was investigated. RGC survival was evaluated by cell viability assays and glutamate uptake was assessed by kinetic uptake assays. We demonstrated a significantly increased RGC survival in presence of untreated and prestarved Müller cells. Additionally, prestarved Müller cells significantly increased RGC survival after mitochondrial inhibition. Finally, we revealed a significantly increased ability to take up glutamate in starved Müller cells. Overall, our study confirms essential roles of Müller cells in RGC survival. We suggest that targeting Müller cell function could have potential for future treatment strategies to prevent blinding neurodegenerative retinal diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Skytt
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Toft-Kehler
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Brændstrup
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cejvanovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Gurubaran
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Brain and Muscle Energy Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Institute of Oral Biology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1152, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; Center of Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Bergersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Center of Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Zealand University Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Vestermarksvej 23, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kolko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D063928:Ependymoglial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism