Purpose: To isolate and characterize primary retinal endothelial cells (REC) from wild type and transgenic mice to facilitate the study of their properties in vitro.

Methods: REC were isolated from wild type or transgenic-immortomouse by collagenase digestion of retina and affinity purification using magnetic beads coated with platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (anti-PECAM-1). The bound cells were plated on fibronectin-coated wells and expanded. The REC were characterized for expression and localization of endothelial cell markers by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis and indirect immunofluorescence staining. The ability of these cells to form capillary like networks was assessed on Matrigel while the migration properties were examined in wound closure assays.

Results: Isolation of REC from mouse has been very difficult and has not been previously reported. Here, we describe a method for isolation of retinal endothelial cells from wild type and thrombospondin-1 deficient (TSP1-/-) immortomice. Our results indicate that nearly 100% of selected cells express the endothelial cell marker PECAM-1 and vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin). The cells were successfully passaged and maintained in culture for several months without a significant loss in expression of endothelial cell markers. The wild type REC, like most primary endothelial cells, formed capillary-like networks on Matrigel. The ability of the REC from TSP1-/-mice to form capillary-like networks on Matrigel was severely compromised. This may be attributed, at least in part, to the enhanced migratory and less differentiated phenotype of these cells.

Conclusions: The retinal endothelial cells can be readily obtained from wild type and transgenic mice, which facilitate the comparison and identification of the physiologic role of specific genes in endothelial cell function.