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Updated: Mar 24, 2026
Simultaneous Two-photon In Vivo Imaging of Synaptic Inputs and Postsynaptic Targets in the Mouse Retrosplenial Cortex
Published on: March 13, 2016
Microglial P2Y12 is necessary for synaptic plasticity in mouse visual cortex
G O Sipe1,2, R L Lowery1,2, M-È Tremblay1
1Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, box 603, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
Abstract:
Microglia are the resident immune cells of the brain. Increasingly, they are recognized as important mediators of normal neurophysiology, particularly during early development. Here we demonstrate that microglia are critical for ocular dominance plasticity. During the visual critical period, closure of one eye elicits changes in the structure and function of connections underlying binocular responses of neurons in the visual cortex. We find that microglia respond to monocular deprivation during the critical period, altering their morphology, motility and phagocytic behaviour as well as interactions with synapses. To explore the underlying mechanism, we focused on the P2Y12 purinergic receptor, which is selectively expressed in non-activated microglia and mediates process motility during early injury responses. We find that disrupting this receptor alters the microglial response to monocular deprivation and abrogates ocular dominance plasticity. These results suggest that microglia actively contribute to experience-dependent plasticity in the adolescent brain.
Insights
Microglia, the brain's immune cells, are crucial for ocular dominance plasticity. Disrupting the P2Y12 receptor in microglia blocks this experience-dependent brain plasticity during development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Microglia are brain-resident immune cells involved in neurophysiology and development.
- Ocular dominance plasticity involves changes in visual cortex connections during a critical period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microglia in ocular dominance plasticity.
- To explore the involvement of the P2Y12 receptor in microglial responses and plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Monocular deprivation in adolescent mice.
- Analysis of microglial morphology, motility, and synaptic interactions.
- Genetic disruption of the P2Y12 receptor.
Main Results:
- Microglia alter morphology, motility, and synaptic interactions during monocular deprivation.
- Disruption of the P2Y12 receptor impairs microglial response to deprivation.
- P2Y12 receptor disruption abrogates ocular dominance plasticity.
Conclusions:
- Microglia are essential for ocular dominance plasticity.
- The P2Y12 receptor mediates microglial functions critical for this plasticity.
- Microglia actively shape experience-dependent brain plasticity.
