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Updated: May 26, 2026
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Two-photon Imaging of Microglial Processes' Attraction Toward ATP or Serotonin in Acute Brain Slices
Published on: January 31, 2019
Microglial migration mediated by ATP-induced ATP release from lysosomes
Ying Dou1, Hang-jun Wu, Hui-quan Li
1Institute of Neuroscience and Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
Cell Research
|January 11, 2012
Summary
Microglia use lysosomal exocytosis to release ATP, creating a positive feedback loop. This mechanism drives long-range microglial cell migration to injury sites in the central nervous system.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglia are the primary immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS).
- They migrate to injury sites, participating in tissue repair and debris clearance.
- The mechanism for long-range microglial migration is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of ATP release from microglia in their long-range migration.
- To elucidate the mechanism of ATP release and its contribution to microglial chemotaxis.
Main Methods:
- Developed an in vitro chemotaxis assay for microglia.
- Investigated ATP content in microglia lysosomes.
- Examined Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis of lysosomes in response to stimuli.
- Utilized lysosome osmodialysis agents and Rab 27a-deficient (ashen) mice.
Main Results:
- Microglia lysosomes contain significant amounts of ATP.
- Microglia exhibit Ca(2+)-dependent lysosomal exocytosis.
- Endogenously released ATP from microglia is crucial for long-range chemotaxis.
- Inhibition of lysosomal exocytosis (via osmodialysis or Rab 27a deficiency) significantly reduced microglial migration.
Conclusions:
- Microglia release ATP via lysosomal exocytosis in response to stimuli.
- This ATP release acts as a positive feedback signal, attracting distant microglia.
- Lysosomal exocytosis of ATP is essential for generating long-range chemotactic signals in the CNS.
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