Assessing Retinal Microglial Phagocytic Function In Vivo Using a Flow Cytometry-based Assay

Summary

Microglial phagocytosis is critical for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and inadequate phagocytic function has been implicated in pathology. However, assessing microglia function in vivo is technically challenging. We have developed a simple but robust technique for precisely monitoring and quantifying the phagocytic potential of microglia in a physiological setting.

Abstract

Microglia are the tissue resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS) and they perform a variety of functions that support CNS homeostasis, including phagocytosis of damaged synapses or cells, debris, and/or invading pathogens. Impaired phagocytic function has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases such as Alzheimer's and age-related macular degeneration, where amyloid-β plaque and drusen accumulate, respectively. Despite its importance, microglial phagocytosis has been challenging to assess in vivo. Here, we describe a simple, yet robust, technique for precisely monitoring and quantifying the in vivo phagocytic potential of retinal microglia. Previous methods have relied on immunohistochemical staining and imaging techniques. Our method uses flow cytometry to measure microglial uptake of fluorescently labeled particles after intravitreal delivery to the eye in live rodents. This method replaces conventional practices that involve laborious tissue sectioning, immunostaining, and imaging, allowing for more precise quantification of microglia phagocytic function in just under six hours. This procedure can also be adapted to test how various compounds alter microglial phagocytosis in physiological settings. While this technique was developed in the eye, its use is not limited to vision research.

Introduction

The overall goal of this method is to accurately assess and quantify in vivo microglial phagocytosis. Microglia are the tissue resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS). They perform a variety of functions to ensure maintenance of tissue homeostasis. These include immune surveillance, secretion of neurotrophic factors and, of pivotal importance, phagocytosis¹. Microglial phagocytosis is key in several important events during development of the brain and retina, such as phagocytosis of irrelevant synapses (synaptic pruning) and removal of apoptotic neurons^2-4. Furthermore, microglial phagocytosis of damaged or apoptotic neu....

Protocol

All animals were treated in accordance with the ethical guidelines established by the Scripps Research Institute.

1. Preparation of Materials for Injection

1. Sterilize a 33 G needle and syringe: disassemble and autoclave at 115  ^οC. Prepare needles for injection by rising in sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS).
2. Thaw fluorescently labeled particles at room temperature for 5 - 10 min. Prepare particle solution for injection by reconstituting to a 50 mg/ml solution in sterile PBS with Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺.
   NOTE: AF488-labeled particles of fungal origin that have been validated for phagocytosis assays a....

Results

Here we describe a method to rapidly and reliably quantify the number of phagocytic retinal microglia in a physiological setting using flow cytometric analysis (Figure 2). This method can be adapted to test the effect of compounds and/or genetic manipulation on the phagocytic capacity of microglia (Figures 3A, 3B). It can also be used in young (10 - 20 days postnatal) or adult mice (Figure 3C). Varying doses of lipopolysaccharide.......

Discussion

There are three critical steps in this method: (1) intravitreal injection of fluorescently labeled particles; (2) harvesting and preparation of retinal tissue; and (3) flow cytometric analysis. We recommend that researchers practice intravitreal injections prior to performing the method we present here. Albino mice (e.g., BALB/c) and a colored solution (e.g., fluorescently labeled particles) can be used for easy visualization of the needle and injected solution. Intravitreal injections are challenging a.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Stereomicroscope	Nikon	Discontinued
Hamilton syringe, 600 series	Sigma	26702
33 gauge, Small Hub RN NDL, 0.5 in, point style 4 - 12o	Hamilton	7803-05
Zymosan A (S. cerevisiae) BioParticles, Alexa Fluor 488 conjugate	ThermoFisher Scientific	Z-23373	Prepare immediately before injection
DPBS	Corning	21-030-CV
Dumont #5/45 Forceps	Fine Science Tools	11251-35	Need two
Dumont #5SF Forceps	Fine Science Tools	11252-00
Vannas Spring Scissors - 3 mm Cutting Edge	Fine Science Tools	15000-10	Curved
Neural Tissue Dissociation Kit – Postnatal Neurons	Miltenyi Biotec	130-094-802
5 ml Polystyrene Round-bottom Tube	Falcon	352054
96 well U-bottom plate	Falcon	353077
Stain Buffer (BSA)	BD Biosciences	554657
CD11b-BV650 Antibody	BioLegend	101259
Ly6C-APC-Cy7	BioLegend	128025
Ly6G-PE-Cy7	BioLegend	127617
Propidium Iodide	BD Biosciences	556463
Purified anti-mouse CD16/32 Antibody	BioLegend	101301