Figure 2.

Role of microglia in age-related macular degeneration. Microglia can be activated in response to pathological stimuli. CX3CL1 binds to CX3CR1, the only receptor on the cell membrane, and inhibits the processing and release of mature IL-1β by caspase-1 with the active form; Extracellular ATP accelerates K⁺ efflux through ATP-gated P2X7 receptor, decreases intracellular potassium concentration, triggers activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and mediates caspase-1 activation; The activation of NF-kB promotes the transcription release of IL-1β. ROS, reactive oxygen species; NFAT, activated nuclear factor; NF-kB, The nuclear Factor Kappa-beta; NLRP3, PYD domains-containing protein 3 inflammasome; P2X7R, P2X7 receptor; IL-1β, Interleukin-1β.