![]() ![]() While peripheral organs allow less restricted entry and exit of substances in the blood circulation, the brain’s vasculature is protected structurally by components of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) that allow very restricted entry of blood contents into the brain 5, 6, 7. The brain is an energy-demanding organ 1, 2, 3 and its energy demands are met by a rich and dense supply of blood vessels 4. ![]() Furthermore, microglial elimination triggered capillary dilation, blood flow increase, and impaired vasodilation that were recapitulated in P2RY12 −/− and PANX1 −/− mice suggesting purines released through PANX1 channels play important roles in activating microglial P2RY12 receptors to regulate neurovascular structure and function. Molecularly, we identify P2RY12 receptors as a regulator of CAM interactions under the control of released purines from pannexin 1 (PANX1) channels. Then, we give a detailed spatio-temporal characterization of these capillary-associated microglia (CAMs) comparing them with parenchymal microglia (PCMs) in their morphological activities including during microglial depletion and repopulation. We confirm that these cells are bona fide microglia by molecular, morphological and ultrastructural approaches. Here, we document interactions between ramified CX3CR1 + myeloid cell somata and brain capillaries. However, the extent of their interactions with the vasculature and potential regulation of vascular physiology has been insufficiently explored. Microglia are brain-resident immune cells with a repertoire of functions in the brain. Nature Communications volume 12, Article number: 5289 ( 2021) Capillary-associated microglia regulate vascular structure and function through PANX1-P2RY12 coupling in mice
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