Open AccessP2Y receptors in microglia and neuroinflammation
Author(s) -
Hidetoshi TozakiSaitoh,
Makoto Tsuda,
Inoue Kazuhide
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
wiley interdisciplinary reviews: membrane transport and signaling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2190-4618
pISSN - 2190-460X
DOI - 10.1002/wmts.46
Subject(s) - microglia , receptor , purinergic receptor , neuroinflammation , microbiology and biotechnology , extracellular , signal transduction , biology , neuroscience , chemotaxis , p2y receptor , neuroimmunology , intracellular , central nervous system , inflammation , immunology , biochemistry
Microglia are surveillants in the central nervous system. Once they find abnormal or emergency signals, microglia can migrate to the site of the injury, release pro‐inflammatory and/or neurotrophic substances, and phagocytose damaged cells and their remnants. Extracellular nucleotides act through purinoceptors and have been implicated as signaling molecules used by microglia to sense adverse physiological conditions. The P2Y 12 receptor is responsible for microglial chemotactic function toward an ATP source. The P2Y 6 receptor stimulates phagocytic activity of microglia in response to extracellular UDP. Each receptor elicits transient intracellular calcium elevation and this may induce the expression of several genes related to microglial activation. Both receptor‐mediated signaling and cellular functions may be involved in the pathology occurring in the central nervous system. Therefore, determining the definitive microglial functions mediated by P2Y receptors supports understanding the pathological cascade and finding new therapeutic targets related to microglia. WIREs Membr Transp Signal 2012, 1:493–501. doi: 10.1002/wmts.46 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website . Conflict of interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.