P2Y6 receptor-dependent microglial phagocytosis of synapses mediates synaptic and memory loss in aging

Aging causes loss of brain synapses and memory, and microglial phagocytosis of synapses may contribute to this loss. Stressed neurons can release the nucleotide UTP, which is rapidly converted into UDP, that in turn activates the P2Y(6) receptor (P2Y(6)R) on the surface of microglia, inducing microglial phagocytosis of neurons. However, whether the activation of P2Y(6)R affects microglial phagocytosis of synapses is unknown. We show here that inactivation of P2Y(6)R decreases microglial phagocytosis of isolated synapses (synaptosomes) and synaptic loss in neuronal-glial co-cultures. In vivo, wild-type mice aged from 4 to 17months exhibited reduced synaptic density in cortical and hippocampal regions, which correlated with increased internalization of synaptic material within microglia. However, this aging-induced synaptic loss and internalization were absent in P2Y(6)R knockout mice, and these mice also lacked any aging-induced memory loss. Thus, P2Y(6)R appears to mediate aging-induced loss of synapses and memory by increasing microglial phagocytosis of synapses. Consequently, blocking P2Y(6)R has the potential to prevent age-associated memory impairment.

Automated summary

Aging leads to loss of brain synapses and memory, possibly due to microglial phagocytosis of synapses. Activation of P2Y(6) receptor (P2Y(6)R) by UDP released from stressed neurons induces microglial phagocytosis. Inactivation of P2Y(6)R decreases microglial phagocytosis of synapses and prevents age-induced synaptic loss and memory impairment.