P2X7 receptors regulate engulfing activity of non-stimulated resting astrocytes

- ATP killed astrocytes, but inhibited their P2X7R basal activity.
- Non-stimulated astrocytes incorporated beads into the intracellular space.
- Cytocharasine D, and P2X7R agonists and antagonists inhibited the bead uptake.
- Down-regulation of astrocytic P2X7R decreased the bead uptake.
- Collectively, P2X7Rs in resting astrocytes regulates their engulfing activity.