A central role for P2X7 receptors in human microglia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The ATP-gated ionotropic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) has the unusual ability to function as a small cation channel and a trigger for permeabilization of plasmalemmal membranes. In murine microglia, P2X7R-mediated permeabilization is fundamental to microglial activation, proliferation, and IL-1β release. However, the role of the P2X7R in primary adult human microglia is poorly understood.

Methods

We used patch-clamp electrophysiology to record ATP-gated current in cultured primary human microglia; confocal microscopy to measure membrane blebbing; fluorescence microscopy to demonstrate membrane permeabilization, caspase-1 activation, phosphatidylserine translocation, and phagocytosis; and kit-based assays to measure cytokine levels.

Results

We found that ATP-gated

SUBMITTER: Janks L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6247771 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature