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Method Article

Isolation of Gingival Immune Cell Network from Murine Teeth Blocks

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July 8th, 2025

In This Article

Abstract

Source: Dutzan, N. et al., Isolation, Characterization and Functional Examination of the Gingival Immune Cell Network. J. Vis. Exp. (2016)

This video demonstrates the isolation procedure of the gingival immune cell network from a mouse model. The enzymatic digestion releases the gingival tissue from the attached teeth and bone, which is further mechanically digested, releasing immune cells from the gingiva. The isolated cells are ready for immunological experiments.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Prepare in Advance

  1. Prepare Complete media: RPMI supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 units/ml penicillin, 100 ug/ml streptomycin, and 10% FBS.
  2. Prepare DNase media: 50 ml of RPMI media supplemented with 7.5 µg DNase (Make fresh, keep on ice at all times).
  3. Prepare Collagenase-DNase media: 5 ml of DNase media plus 3.2 mg/ml of Collagenase Type IV (Make fresh, keep on ice at all times).
  4. Pre-cool centrifuge to 4 °C.
  5. War....

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Results

Tooth extraction, cross-section diagram, and histological slides at 4x and 10x magnification.
Figure 1: Isolation of murine gingiva. Illustration demonstrating the borders of dissection in the maxilla and the isolated gingival segment to be used for gingival tissue dissection. (B) Segment of the murine maxilla (molar area) with an outline for block dissection, and isolated block. Hema.......

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Disclosures

No conflicts of interest declared.

Materials

List of materials used in this article
NameCompanyCatalog NumberComments
Fine ScissorsFine science tools14058-11
Scalpel Handle #3Fine science tools10003-12
Scalpel Blades #10Fine science tools10010-00Sterile
Splinter ForcepsIntegra Miltex6-304
Needles with regular bevel BD Medical30510927G, 12.7 mm length
Monoject syringesCovidien8881513934Luer-lock tip, 3mL
PBS, pH 7.4Life Technologies10010-049Without Calcium and Magnesium
RPMI 1640Lonza12-167FWithout L-glutamine
DNase I from bovine pancreasSigma-AldrichDN25-1G
Collagenase type IVGibco (by Life technologies)17104-019
Fetal Bovine SerumGemini Bio-products100-106
Gentamicin 50 mg/mlQuality biological120-098-661EA
Pen StrepGibco (by Life technologies)15140-122
L-GlutamineGibco (by Life technologies)25030-081
0.5M EDTA pH 8.0Quality biological351-027-721EA
50 mL tubesCorning352070Polypropylene, sterile
70 μM Cell StrainersCorning352350
Petri dishesCorning351029Sterile

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