Isolation and Characterization of Mouse Choroidal Melanocytes and Their Proinflammatory Characteristics

Melanocytes are a major cellular component of the choroid which aids in the maintenance of choroidal integrity and vision. Unfortunately, our knowledge regarding the cell autonomous melanocyte function, in preserving choroidal health and the ocular pathologies associated with choroidal dysfunction, remain largely unknown. The ability to culture melanocytes has advanced our knowledge regarding the origin and function of these cells in choroidal homeostasis and vision. However, the culture of murine choroid melanocytes has not been previously reported. Here, we describe a method for the isolation of melanocytes from the mouse choroid, as well as the delineation of many of their cellular characteristics, including the expression of various cell-specific markers, cell adhesion molecules, melanogenic capacity, and inflammatory responses to various extracellular stressors. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms that regulate melanocyte functions will advance our understanding of their role in choroidal homeostasis and how alterations in these functions impact ocular diseases that compromise vision.