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

The overall goal of this procedure is to assess the phagocytic function of retinal microglia in vivo. This method can help answer key questions in the ophthalmology field, such as whether certain compounds alter microglia phagocytic function in a physiological setting. The main advantage of this technique is that it uses flow cytometry, allowing a fast and precise quantitative analysis of microglial phagocytosis.

Helping me to demonstrate the procedure will be Susumu Sakimoto, a postdoc from my laboratory. Begin by loading a 33-gauge needle and syringe with 0.5 microliters of fluorescently labeled particle solution. Then place an anesthetized mouse sideways on soft material under a surgical microscope and confirm the appropriate level of sedation by a lack of response to toe pinch.