When the levee of sympathetic outflow breaks.

ABSTRACT

In this issue of Immunity, Bi et al. identify a microglia-neuron signaling axis that is critical for maintaining central control of the sympathetic nervous system. They find that platelet growth factor B released by microglia acts on neurons via PDGFRα to regulate sympathetic outflow. Disrupting this pathway leads to neuronal excitability, highlighting a promising therapeutic target to modulate sympathetic outflow and reduce hypertension.