Culture and identification of neonate rat retinal microglia cells in vitro

• Aim: To establish a culture method of Long Evans neonate rat retinal microglia cells(RMGs) in vitro. • Methods: Mixed glial cells of Long Evans rats (postnatal <3d) were cultured for 10-12 days, then RMGs were purified by shaking in 37°C swing bed and identified by specific microglia marker IB-4 and CD11b, and cell surface of RMGs were observed by Scanning EM. • Results: Purity of RMGs were 94.5% and 95.8% by cell immunochemistry identification of IB-4 and CD11b, cell surface showed spinous processes of RMGs, contrasting the smooth surfaces of macrophages. • Conclusion: Based on these data, a method is presented that proposes to use the microglial cell to effectively deliver therapeutic compounds to retinal disease.