匈牙利实验医学研究所Ádám Dénes研究组在研究中取得进展。他们的最新工作发现，小胶质细胞通过专门的体嘌呤能神经连接监测和保护神经元功能。 相关论文于2020年1月31日发表在《科学》杂志上。

Title: Microglia monitor and protect neuronal function through specialized somatic purinergic junctions

Author: Csaba Cserép, Balázs Pósfai, Nikolett Lénárt, Rebeka Fekete, Zsófia I. László, Zsolt Lele, Barbara Orsolits, Gábor Molnár, Steffanie Heindl, Anett D. Schwarcz, Katinka Ujvári, Zsuzsanna Krnyei, Krisztina Tóth, Eszter Szabadits, Beáta Sperlágh, Mária Baranyi, László Csiba, Tibor Hortobágyi, Zsófia Maglóczky, Bernadett Martinecz, Gábor Szabó, Ferenc Erdélyi, Róbert Szipcs, Michael M. Tamkun, Benno Gesierich, Marco Duering, István Katona, Arthur Liesz, Gábor Tamás, ádám Dénes

Issue&Volume: 2020/01/31

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 neuronal calcium load and functional connectivity. Thus, microglial processes at these junctions could potentially monitor and protect neuronal functions.

DOI: 10.1126/science.aax6752

Source: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/367/6477/528