Purification and culture of retinal ganglion cells.

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the neurons that extend axons through the optic nerve, connecting and transmitting information from the retina to the brain. In mammals, RGCs receive information from bipolar and amacrine cells and synapse onto target cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) as well as the superior colliculus. Methods for acute purification of RGCs from rodent retina by immunopanning followed by culture in a serum-free medium have facilitated the study of neuronal biology and function in a defined environment. These methods are introduced here, and modifications for achieving optimal RGC purity and culture are described.