Capillary-associated microglia regulate vascular structure and function through PANX1-P2RY12 coupling in mice.

ABSTRACT: Microglia are brain-resident immune cells with a repertoire of functions in the brain. However, the extent of their interactions with the vasculature and potential regulation of vascular physiology has been insufficiently explored. Here, we document interactions between ramified CX3CR1 ⁺myeloid cell somata and brain capillaries. We confirm that these cells are bona fide microglia by molecular, morphological and ultrastructural approaches. Then, we give a detailed spatio-temporal characterization of these capillary-associated microglia (CAMs) comparing them with parenchymal microglia (PCMs) in their morphological activities including during microglial depletion and repopulation. Molecularly, we identify P2RY12 receptors as a regulator of CAM interactions under the control of rel

SUBMITTER: Bisht K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8421455 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature