Purinergic signaling and microglia

Microglial cells are considered as the pathologic sensors of the brain. In this paper, we review mechanisms of purinergic signaling in microglia. As ATP is not only considered as a physiological signaling substance but is also elevated in pathology, it is not surprising that microglia express a vari...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pflügers Archiv 2006-08, Vol.452 (5), p.615-621
Main Authors: Färber, Katrin, Kettenmann, Helmut
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adenosine Triphosphate - metabolism
Animals
Brain - physiology
Calcium - metabolism
Humans
Ion Channel Gating - physiology
Microglia - cytology
Microglia - physiology
Models, Neurological
Nervous system
Receptors, Purinergic P2 - metabolism
Signal Transduction - physiology
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Summary:Microglial cells are considered as the pathologic sensors of the brain. In this paper, we review mechanisms of purinergic signaling in microglia. As ATP is not only considered as a physiological signaling substance but is also elevated in pathology, it is not surprising that microglia express a variety of P2X, P2Y and adenosin receptors. As a rapid physiological event, ATP triggers a cationic conductance, increases the potassium conductance and also elicits a calcium response. As a long-term effect, purinergic receptor activation is linked to the movement of microglial processes and, in the context of pathology, to chemotaxis. The purinoreceptors also modulate the release of substances from microglia, such as cytokines, nitric oxide, or superoxide, which are important in the context of a pathologic response.
ISSN:0031-6768
1432-2013
DOI:10.1007/s00424-006-0064-7