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Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Cell-based Assay to Study Antibody-mediated Tau Clearance by Microglia
07:18

Cell-based Assay to Study Antibody-mediated Tau Clearance by Microglia

Published on: November 9, 2018

G-Protein coupled receptor-mediated internalization and endosomal sorting of Tau-GPCR complex in microglia

Hariharakrishnan Chidamabram1, Vaishnavi Ananathanarayana1, Subashchandrabose Chinnathambi1

  • 1Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Hospital (NIMHANS), Institute of National Importance, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

Advances in Immunology
|August 21, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, clear toxic Tau protein in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The P2Y12 receptor (P2Y12R) on microglia is key to Tau internalization and clearance, offering therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Microglia are central nervous system (CNS) immune cells crucial for brain homeostasis.
  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β plaques and Tau protein aggregates.
  • Tau pathology contributes to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in AD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of the P2Y12 receptor (P2Y12R) in microglial Tau clearance.
  • To explore mechanisms of Tau internalization and clearance by microglia.
  • To identify P2Y12R as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on microglia, Alzheimer's disease, and Tau pathology.
  • Focus on purinergic signaling and P2Y12R function in the CNS.
  • Analysis of microglial mechanisms for clearing aggregated Tau protein.

Main Results:

  • Microglia actively clear toxic Tau species from the brain environment.
  • P2Y12R, a microglial-specific purinergic receptor, facilitates Tau internalization.
  • Various microglial receptors, including P2Y12R, are involved in sensing and clearing Tau.

Conclusions:

  • P2Y12R plays a significant role in microglial-mediated Tau clearance.
  • Understanding Tau transmission mechanisms via receptors like P2Y12R is vital.
  • Targeting microglial receptors may offer novel therapeutic strategies against Tau pathology.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseaseEndocytosisG-protein coupled receptorMicrogliaTau

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