Microglia take control Changes in the activity of microglia, the primary immune cells of the central nervous system, are linked with major human diseases, including stroke, epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, and neurodegeneration. Cserép et al. identified a specialized morphofunctional communication site between microglial processes and neuronal cell bodies in the mouse and the human brain (see the Perspective by Nimmerjahn). These junctions are formed at specific areas of the neuronal somatic membranes and possess a distinctive nanoarchitecture and specialized molecular composition linked to mitochondrial signaling. The junctions appear to provide a major site for microglia-neuron communication and may help to mediate the neuroprotective effects of microglia after acute brain injury. Science, this issue p. 528; see also p. 510 Neuronal somata possess specialized, preformed sites through which microglia monitor their status and exert neuroprotection. 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.

中文翻译：

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小胶质细胞通过专门的体细胞嘌呤能连接监测和保护神经元功能

小胶质细胞控制中枢神经系统的主要免疫细胞小胶质细胞活性的变化与人类重大疾病有关，包括中风、癫痫、精神疾病和神经变性。Cserép 等。确定了小鼠和人脑中小胶质细胞过程和神经元细胞体之间的特殊形态功能通讯位点（参见 Nimmerjahn 的观点）。这些连接在神经元体膜的特定区域形成，并具有独特的纳米结构和与线粒体信号相关的特殊分子组成。这些连接处似乎为小胶质细胞-神经元通讯提供了一个主要场所，可能有助于调节急性脑损伤后小胶质细胞的神经保护作用。科学，这个问题 p。528; 另见第。510 神经元胞体拥有专门的、预先形成的位点，小胶质细胞通过这些位点监测其状态并发挥神经保护作用。小胶质细胞是大脑中的主要免疫细胞，在大脑稳态和神经系统疾病中发挥作用。小胶质细胞-神经元通讯的潜在机制仍然难以捉摸。在这里，我们确定了小鼠和人脑中神经元细胞体和小胶质细胞过程之间的相互作用位点。体细胞小胶质细胞-神经元连接处具有专门针对嘌呤能信号进行优化的纳米结构。神经元线粒体的活动与小胶质细胞连接处的形成有关，小胶质细胞连接处的形成是对神经元激活的反应迅速诱导的，并被 P2Y12 受体的抑制所阻断。脑损伤引起的体细胞连接处的变化触发了 P2Y12 受体依赖性小胶质细胞神经保护作用，调节神经元钙负荷和功能连接。因此，这些连接处的小胶质细胞过程可能会监测和保护神经元功能。