Glia-Neuron Interactions in the Retina Can Be Studied in Cocultures of Müller Cells and Retinal Ganglion Cells

• Published in: BioMed research international Vol. 2016; no. 2016; pp. 1 - 10
• Main Authors: Kolko, M., Gurubaran, I. S., Cejvanovic, S., Brændstrup, C. T., Toft-Kehler, A. K., Skytt, D. M., Bergersen, L. H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Norwegian
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 01.01.2016; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Analysis; Animals; Cell culture; Cell Survival; Coculture Techniques; Ependymoglial Cells - cytology; Ependymoglial Cells - metabolism; Gene expression; Homeostasis; Laboratories; Medical research; Metabolism; Mice; Mitochondria - metabolism; Neuroglia; Neurons; Observations; Physiological aspects; Retina; Retinal ganglion cells; Retinal Ganglion Cells - cytology; Retinal Ganglion Cells - metabolism; Studies
• ISSN: 2314-6133; 2314-6141
• DOI: 10.1155/2016/1087647

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.