Within the P2Y receptor family, both P2Y12 and P2Y6 receptors233 control microglia activation and migration to the injury site; however, P2Y12R expression is decreased, while P2Y6R expression is increased.294,295 P2Y12 receptor also participates in a crosstalk with A3R to perform the process extension of microglia,296 suggesting the nucleotides action on P2Y12 as a primary target to induce microglial chemotaxis early on in response to CNS injury. Therefore, P2Y12R can potentially be targeted for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.16
