Co-Culture of Neurons and Microglia

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, have been implicated in numerous neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases. Activation of microglia by a variety of stimuli induces the release of factors, including pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species, that contribute to modulating neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress, two crucial processes linked to disorders of the central nervous system. The in vitro techniques described here will provide a set of protocols for the isolation and plating of primary cerebellar granule neurons, primary cortical microglia from a mixed glia culture, and methods for co-culturing both cell types. These methods allow the study of how microglia and the factors they release in this shared environment mediate the effects of toxicants on neuronal function and survival. The protocols presented here allow for flexibility in experimental design, the study of numerous toxicological endpoints, and the opportunity to explore neuroprotective strategies. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.