Host: The 93rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Pharmacological Society
Name : The 93rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Pharmacological Society
Number : 93
Location : Yokohama
Date : March 16, 2020 - March 18, 2020
Microglia are thought to work as immunocompetent cells in central nervous system. Microglia are also thought to be derived from primitive macrophages in the yolk sac. In normal conditions, microglia are ubiquitously distributed in the spinal cord and brain, and have small cell bodies bearing branched and motile processes, which seem to monitor the local environment. In the pathophysiological condition, microglia are activated, change morphologically, increase in cell number, and alter the expression of genes, including neurotransmitter receptors, such as P2 purinergic receptors. Activated microglia express several subtypes of ionotropic (P2XRs) and metabotropic P2 receptors (P2YRs). Extracellular ATP stimulates microglial P2 receptors to evoke various cellular responses. For example, P2X4Rs play a key role in evoking and maintaining neuropathic pain. P2Y12Rs and P2Y6Rs play very important role for microglial trafficking and phagocytosis, respectively. These findings will open new strategy for drug development. Indeed, the inhibitor of P2X4R has a high potential for being a first in class medicine against neuropathic pain. I think that Pharmacologists are essential for drug discovery.
