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Published on: March 9, 2018
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An immortalized microglial cell line (Mocha) derived from rat cochlea
G M Seigel1, S Manohar1, Y Y Bai2
1University at Buffalo, Center For Hearing & Deafness, 3435 Main Street, Cary 137, Buffalo, NY 14214, United States.
Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences
|November 8, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed Mocha, a novel cell line from cochlear microglia, to study auditory system immune responses. This new model aids in understanding cochlear microglial behavior and function in vitro and in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Microglia are crucial glial-immune cells for central nervous system health, development, and repair.
- Their specific biology within the cochlea, the inner ear's auditory component, remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize microglial cells within the rat cochlea.
- To establish a novel immortalized microglial cell line from the cochlea for research purposes.
Main Methods:
- Detection of microglial markers (TMEM119+, CD11b+, CD45+, Iba1+) in rat cochlea.
- Isolation and immortalization of CD11b+ cochlear cells using adenovirus to create the Mocha cell line.
- Analysis of Mocha cell marker expression, response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and phagocytic activity.
Main Results:
- TMEM119+, CD11b+, CD45+, and Iba1+ cells were identified in specific cochlear regions.
- The novel Mocha cell line was successfully derived and confirmed to express microglial markers.
- Mocha cells demonstrated LPS-induced gene upregulation, cytokine release, and temperature-dependent phagocytosis.
Conclusions:
- Mocha cells exhibit key microglial characteristics and represent a valuable in vitro and in vivo model system.
- This cell line facilitates the study of cochlear microglial behavior and function.
- Further research can leverage Mocha cells to investigate auditory system immunity and pathology.
