Microglia regulate basal cerebral blood flow and neurovascular coupling through ectonucleotidase CD39

Microglia tightly interact with brain capillaries and regulate blood brain barrel permeability in pathological conditions. However, it is still unknown whether and how microglia regulate CBF in homeostatic condition. Here we show microglia directly regulate cerebral blood flow (CBF) and neurovascular coupling. Conditional knockout of microglial CD39 resulted in CBF hyper perfusion, reduced ATP induced CBF increase, impaired neurovascular coupling by whisker stimulation and reduced whisker stimulation induced adenosine increase in barrel cortex. Out data suggest that microglia is an important player for CBF regulation. Two groups are included. Four mice were included in each group. One group is PLX3397 food treated mice group. In this group microglia were depleted by CSF1r inhibitor. The other group is control group, in which mice were treated with control food.