Changes in phagocytosis and potassium channel activity in microglia of 5xFAD mice indicate alterations in purinergic signaling in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

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Item Type:	Article
Title:	Changes in phagocytosis and potassium channel activity in microglia of 5xFAD mice indicate alterations in purinergic signaling in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Creators Name:	Wendt, S., Maricos, M., Vana, N., Meyer, N., Guneykaya, D., Semtner, M. and Kettenmann, H.
Abstract:	As the immunocompetent cells of the central nervous system, microglia accumulate at amyloid beta plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and acquire a morphological phenotype of activated microglia. Recent functional studies, however, indicate that in mouse models of amyloidosis and AD, these cells are rather dysfunctional indicated by a reduced phagocytic activity. Here, we report that this reduction in phagocytic activity is associated with perturbed purinergic receptor signaling, since phagocytosis could be stimulated by P2Y6 receptor activation in control, but not in 5xFAD transgenic animals, an animal model of amyloid deposition. Impaired phagocytosis is not innate, and develops only at later stages of amyloidosis. Furthermore, we show that membrane currents induced by uridine diphosphate, a ligand activating P2Y6 receptors, are altered in response rate and amplitude in microglia in close vicinity to plaques, but not in plaque-free areas of 5xFAD animals. These changes were accompanied by changes in membrane properties and potassium channel activity of plaque-associated microglia in early and late stages of amyloidosis. As a conclusion, the physiological properties of plaque-associated microglia are altered with a strong impact on purinergic signaling.
Keywords:	Alzheimer, Microglia, 5xFAD, Phagocytosis, Membrane Currents, Purinergic Responses, UDP, ATP, Abeta Plaque, Animals, Mice
Source:	Neurobiology of Aging
ISSN:	0197-4580
Publisher:	Elsevier
Volume:	58
Page Range:	41-53
Date:	October 2017
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.05.027
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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