Figure 4.

Cellular and molecular commonalities between the brain and the retina. Scheme identifying main microglial functions under the control of A_2AR: release of inflammatory mediators and cellular proliferation. It remains to clarify if process extension/retraction (which supports the homeostatic surveying role of microglia), phagocytosis, and cellular migration are directly regulated by A_2AR modulation (question marks). A_2AR modulation is proposed as a promising pharmacological tool in the control of the chronic inflammatory process underlying degenerative conditions of the retina, based on similarities with microglia-mediated inflammation in brain disorders.