Müller cells are glial cells in the vertebrate retina responsible for the homeostatic and metabolic support of retinal neurons. Under pathological conditions, a subset of Müller cells may differentiate to neural progenitor/stem cells which regenerate lost photoreceptors and neurons.
The rMC-1 cell line is derived from stable transformation of SV40 antigen into primary rat retinal Müller cells. The rMC-1 cells resembles its primary counterpart and expresses reactive gliosis marker GFAP and Müller cell-specific marker CRALBP, though at lower levels when compared to the primary cells. This cell line enables mammalian retinal function research, as well as facilitates gene expression studies in Müller cells-neuron and/or Müller cells-endothelial cell interactions.Immortalization Method: Serial passaging and Calcium Phosphate mediated transfection with simian virus 40 (SV40) DNABioSafety Level: IISpecies: RatSource Organ: RetinaGrowth Properties: AdherentMorphology: FlattenedPopulation Doubling: 12 - 22 hoursSeeding Density: 10,000 - 30,000 cells/cm²Markers: GFAP, CRALBPDonor Age: N/ADonor Gender: N/ADonor Ethnicity: N/APropagation: The base medium for this cell line is Prigrow III medium available at abm (TM003). To make the completed growth medium, add the following components to the base medium: fetal bovine serum (TM999)* to a final concentration of 10% and Penicillin/Streptomycin Solution (G255) to a final concentration of 1%. Carbon dioxide (CO2): 5%, Temperature: +37.0°C.* abm does not recommend to use heat-inactivated FBS for cell culture unless specified otherwise.Quality Control: 1) Immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting were used to detect the presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP); 2) Immunocytochemistry was used to confirm the nuclear expression of SV40-LTA in the immortalized cells.Shipping Condition: Dry IceStorage Condition: liquid nitrogen or -180°C