{"title":"Comparison of methods for the preparation of single-cell suspensions of rat retina and immunophenotyping by flow cytometry","authors":"Qingyao Wang , Xiandan Zhu , Xing Zhang , Yong Xia , Xuesong Tian","doi":"10.1016/j.jneumeth.2025.110384","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Although the eye has traditionally been considered an immune-privileged organ, progressive studies have re-evaluated the role of the immune response in retinopathy. The application of flow cytometry for immunophenotyping analysis of retinal single-cell suspensions has gradually attracted attention.</div></div><div><h3>New methods</h3><div>We dissociated the retinal tissue using trypsin digestion, papain digestion, mechanical grinding treatment and liberase + DNase Ⅰ digestion, respectively. Subsequently we assessed the quality of cell suspension (clumping rate, concentration and viability) with two different dyes, Trypan Blue (TPB) and Acridine Orange/Propidium Iodide (AO/PI). We distinguished T cells and their sub-populations by flow cytometry. Furthermore, we analyzed their immune responses to evaluate those four methods for preparing retinal single-cell suspension.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The AO/PI staining method enables a rapid and precise evaluation of cell quality of retinal single cell suspensions, while TPB staining has limitations. Flow cytometric analysis showed that single cell suspensions dispersed with papain and trypsin exhibited reduced cell adhesion. However, trypsin digestion may affect antibody binding. The mechanical grinding treatment reduced cell yield and was prone to double-positivity. The number of cells within the cell-circle gate is significantly limited in the Liberase + DNase I digestion method.</div></div><div><h3>Comparison with existing methods</h3><div>The AO/PI staining method was employed to assess the quality of retinal single-cell suspensions. T cells and their subpopulations in retinal tissues were analyzed by flow cytometry. These results were integrated to evaluate the optimal preparation protocol for retinal single-cell suspensions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Papain digestion is a superior method for preparing retinal single-cell suspensions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16415,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Neuroscience Methods","volume":"417 ","pages":"Article 110384"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Neuroscience Methods","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165027025000251","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Although the eye has traditionally been considered an immune-privileged organ, progressive studies have re-evaluated the role of the immune response in retinopathy. The application of flow cytometry for immunophenotyping analysis of retinal single-cell suspensions has gradually attracted attention.
New methods
We dissociated the retinal tissue using trypsin digestion, papain digestion, mechanical grinding treatment and liberase + DNase Ⅰ digestion, respectively. Subsequently we assessed the quality of cell suspension (clumping rate, concentration and viability) with two different dyes, Trypan Blue (TPB) and Acridine Orange/Propidium Iodide (AO/PI). We distinguished T cells and their sub-populations by flow cytometry. Furthermore, we analyzed their immune responses to evaluate those four methods for preparing retinal single-cell suspension.
Results
The AO/PI staining method enables a rapid and precise evaluation of cell quality of retinal single cell suspensions, while TPB staining has limitations. Flow cytometric analysis showed that single cell suspensions dispersed with papain and trypsin exhibited reduced cell adhesion. However, trypsin digestion may affect antibody binding. The mechanical grinding treatment reduced cell yield and was prone to double-positivity. The number of cells within the cell-circle gate is significantly limited in the Liberase + DNase I digestion method.
Comparison with existing methods
The AO/PI staining method was employed to assess the quality of retinal single-cell suspensions. T cells and their subpopulations in retinal tissues were analyzed by flow cytometry. These results were integrated to evaluate the optimal preparation protocol for retinal single-cell suspensions.
Conclusions
Papain digestion is a superior method for preparing retinal single-cell suspensions.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Neuroscience Methods publishes papers that describe new methods that are specifically for neuroscience research conducted in invertebrates, vertebrates or in man. Major methodological improvements or important refinements of established neuroscience methods are also considered for publication. The Journal''s Scope includes all aspects of contemporary neuroscience research, including anatomical, behavioural, biochemical, cellular, computational, molecular, invasive and non-invasive imaging, optogenetic, and physiological research investigations.