articleScienceDec 12, 2019GREEN OA

Microglia monitor and protect neuronal function through specialized somatic purinergic junctions

CCCsaba CserépBPBalázs PósfaiNLNikolett LénártRFRebeka FeketeZIZsófia I. László

HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine · Semmelweis University · +10 more institutions

PubMed
Indexed incrossrefpubmed

Abstract

Microglia are the main immune cells in the brain and have roles in brain homeostasis and neurological diseases. Mechanisms underlying microglia-neuron communication remain elusive. Here, we identified an interaction site between neuronal cell bodies and microglial processes in mouse and human brain. Somatic microglia-neuron junctions have a specialized nanoarchitecture optimized for purinergic signaling. Activity of neuronal mitochondria was linked with microglial junction formation, which was induced rapidly in response to neuronal activation and blocked by inhibition of P2Y12 receptors. Brain injury-induced changes at somatic junctions triggered P2Y12 receptor-dependent microglial neuroprotection, regulating…

Citation impact

691
total citations
FWCI
31.48
Percentile
100%
References
66
Citations per year

Authors

30

Topics & keywords

Topics
Keywords
  • Purinergic receptor
  • Microglia
  • Neuroscience
  • Neuroprotection
  • Purinergic signalling
  • Premovement neuronal activity
  • Biology
  • Somatic cell
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Good health and well-being
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