Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Author Spotlight: Using Zebrafish to Explore Microglia Migration During Brain Development
07:45

Author Spotlight: Using Zebrafish to Explore Microglia Migration During Brain Development

Published on: May 17, 2024

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Live Imaging and Characterization of Microglia Dynamics and Interactions with Synapses in Diseased Murine Retina

Camille Fang1, Subramanian Dharmarajan1, Colin Germer2

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco.

Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|February 2, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces a novel ex vivo method to visualize microglia dynamics in mouse retinas, revealing their role in synaptic pruning during neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Microglia are central nervous system macrophages involved in inflammation and synaptic pruning.
  • Mechanisms of microglia-mediated synaptic pruning in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate an ex vivo protocol for studying microglia dynamics and synaptic pruning in the mouse retina.
  • To investigate microglia motility and interactions with postsynaptic proteins in homeostatic and injury conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a mouse retina explant model for ex vivo analysis.
  • Labeled synapses with AAV-PSD95-RFP.
  • Recorded time-lapse videos using spinning disk confocal microscopy.
  • Employed image analysis software for surface and spot reconstructions of microglia and PSD95.

Main Results:

  • Quantified microglia displacement length, process speed, and contact with postsynaptic puncta.
  • Visualized microglia interactions with postsynaptic proteins in detail.
  • Established a method to analyze microglia behavior in both homeostatic and injured states.

Conclusions:

  • The developed protocol enables detailed examination of microglia dynamics in the retina.
  • This method can elucidate the role of microglia in synaptic pruning relevant to retinal neurodegenerative diseases.

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