2019/12/12 by Csaba Cserép, Balázs Pósfai, Nikolett Lénárt +27 · 2 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Immunology and Microbiology · Neuroscience · #Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling #Adenosine receptor #Biology #Cell biology #Extracellular #Immune cells in cancer #Immunology #Inflammation #Microglia #Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms #Neuron #Neuroprotection #Neuroscience #Premovement neuronal activity #Purinergic receptor #Purinergic signalling #Receptor #Somatic cell
paper · doi:10.1126/science.aax6752
openalex publication_date 2019/12/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06
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 neuronal calcium load and functional connectivity. Thus, microglial processes at these junctions could potentially monitor and protect neuronal functions.