Method Article

Developing a Neuron and Macrophage Coculture In Vitro

July 8th, 2025

In This Article

Abstract

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Source:Yun, H. J., et al. Neuron-Macrophage Co-cultures to Activate Macrophages Secreting Molecular Factors with Neurite Outgrowth Activity. J. Vis. Exp. (2018).

This video shows the co-culturing of murine dorsal root ganglion neurons and macrophages. Neurons are seeded on a coated plate, while macrophages are collected from an euthanized mouse, treated, and added to the culture insert. Treatment with db-cAMP activates neurons and prompts macrophages to adopt a pro-regenerative phenotype to support neuronal outgrowth.

Protocol

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1. Culture Preparation of Dissociated Adult dorsal root ganglion Neuron or DRG Neuron

  1. Before setting up the culture, pre-coat a 6-well plate with poly-D-lysine and laminin. Incubate a 6-well plate with 0.01% poly-D-lysine at 37°C for 2 h or at 4°C overnight. Then, wash the plate twice with distilled water.
  2. Incubate the plate with laminin solution at a concentration of 3 µg/mL for 2 h at room temperature, and then wash the plate twice with distilled water. Dry the plate at room temperature for at least 1 h.
  3. Euthanize a mouse in a transparent CO2 chamber connected to a compressed CO2 gas cylinder. Inci....

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Disclosures

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No conflicts of interest declared.

Materials

List of materials used in this article
NameCompanyCatalog NumberComments
Cell culture insert transparent PET membrane 0.4μm pore size   Corning,Falcon353090Transparent PET membrane with 0.4-μm pore size, for 6-well plate
70-μm nylon cell strainer Corning, Falcon352350
Red blood cell lysis buffer Qiagen158904
Neurobasal medium   Thermo Fisher Scientific, Gibco21103-049Containing 1% glutamax and 1% penicilin-streptomycin
Poly-D-lysine Hydrobromide Sigma-AldrichP6407-5MG
Laminin Thermo Fisher Scientific,  Invitrogen23017-015
Adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate, N6 ,O2'-dibutyryl-, sodium salt Merck Millipore Corporation, Calbiochem28745
Cell culture CO2  incubator PanasonicN/A

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Tags

Neuron Macrophage CocultureDorsal Root GanglionPeritoneal Macrophage IsolationPoly D Lysine CoatingLaminin CoatingDb cAMP TreatmentCell Culture InsertNeurobasal MediumCollagenase DigestionRed Blood Cell Lysis

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