Microglial control of neuronal development via somatic purinergic junctions

Csaba Cserép, Anett D. Schwarcz, Balázs Pósfai, Zsófia I. László, Anna Kellermayer, Zsuzsanna Környei, Máté Kisfali, Miklós Nyerges, Zsolt Lele, István Katona, Dénes Ádám Dénes (Lead / Corresponding author)

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    19 Citations (Scopus)
    82 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, play important roles during development. Although bi-directional communication between microglia and neuronal progenitors or immature neurons has been demonstrated, the main sites of interaction and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. By using advanced methods, here we provide evidence that microglial processes form specialized contacts with the cell bodies of developing neurons throughout embryonic, early postnatal, and adult neurogenesis. These early developmental contacts are highly reminiscent of somatic purinergic junctions that are instrumental for microglia-neuron communication in the adult brain. The formation and maintenance of these junctions is regulated by functional microglial P2Y12 receptors, and deletion of P2Y12Rs disturbs proliferation of neuronal precursors and leads to aberrant cortical cytoarchitecture during development and in adulthood. We propose that early developmental formation of somatic purinergic junctions represents an important interface for microglia to monitor the status of immature neurons and control neurodevelopment.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number111369
    Number of pages17
    JournalCell Reports
    Volume40
    Issue number12
    Early online date20 Sept 2022
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 20 Sept 2022

    Keywords

    • CP: Neuroscience
    • doublecortin
    • microglia
    • neuronal development
    • P2Y12R
    • purinergic
    • somatic junction

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology

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