1
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Bishop M, SheikhBahei S. Brainstem astrocytes regulate breathing and may affect arousal state in rats. Physiol Behav 2024; 275:114457. [PMID: 38184289 PMCID: PMC10853942 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Variations in arousal levels can impact respiratory patterns. The mechanisms by which breathing behaviors can influence arousal state is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the role of astrocytes in the preBötzinger complex (preBötC) in modulating arousal states via breathing in adult conscious rats. Using viral vector tools, we selectively interfered with astrocytic signaling in the preBötC. Rats with inhibited astrocytic signaling exhibited slower breathing rates and behaviors indicative of a calmer state, whereas enhanced purinergic signaling in preBötC astrocytes led to faster breathing and heightened arousal. Our findings reveal a key role for an astrocyte-mediated mechanism in the preBötC that influences both respiratory behaviors and higher-order brain functions like arousal, suggesting a bidirectional link between breathing behaviors and mental states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell Bishop
- Neuron-Glia Signaling and Circuits Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, 20892 MD, USA
| | - Shahriar SheikhBahei
- Neuron-Glia Signaling and Circuits Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, 20892 MD, USA.
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2
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Severs LJ, Bush NE, Quina LA, Hidalgo-Andrade S, Burgraff NJ, Dashevskiy T, Shih AY, Baertsch NA, Ramirez JM. Purinergic signaling mediates neuroglial interactions to modulate sighs. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5300. [PMID: 37652903 PMCID: PMC10471608 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40812-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Sighs prevent the collapse of alveoli in the lungs, initiate arousal under hypoxic conditions, and are an expression of sadness and relief. Sighs are periodically superimposed on normal breaths, known as eupnea. Implicated in the generation of these rhythmic behaviors is the preBötzinger complex (preBötC). Our experimental evidence suggests that purinergic signaling is necessary to generate spontaneous and hypoxia-induced sighs in a mouse model. Our results demonstrate that driving calcium increases in astrocytes through pharmacological methods robustly increases sigh, but not eupnea, frequency. Calcium imaging of preBötC slices corroborates this finding with an increase in astrocytic calcium upon application of sigh modulators, increasing intracellular calcium through g-protein signaling. Moreover, photo-activation of preBötC astrocytes is sufficient to elicit sigh activity, and this response is blocked with purinergic antagonists. We conclude that sighs are modulated through neuron-glia coupling in the preBötC network, where the distinct modulatory responses of neurons and glia allow for both rhythms to be independently regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza J Severs
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Nicholas E Bush
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Lely A Quina
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Skyler Hidalgo-Andrade
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Nicholas J Burgraff
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Tatiana Dashevskiy
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Andy Y Shih
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Nathan A Baertsch
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jan-Marino Ramirez
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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3
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Tacke C, Bischoff AM, Harb A, Vafadari B, Hülsmann S. Fiber optical imaging of astroglial calcium signaling in the respiratory network in the working heart brainstem preparation. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1237376. [PMID: 37693007 PMCID: PMC10484401 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1237376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuronal activity in the respiratory network strongly depends on a variety of different neuromodulators. Given the essential role of astrocytes in stabilizing respiratory network activity generated by neurons in the preBötzinger complex (preBötC), our aim was to investigate astrocytic calcium signaling in the working heart brainstem preparation using fiber-optical imaging. By using transgenic mice that express GCaMP6s specifically in astrocytes, we successfully recorded astrocytic calcium signals in response to norepinephrine from individual astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Swen Hülsmann
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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4
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Tacke C, Bischoff AM, Harb A, Vafadari B, Hülsmann S. Angiotensin II increases respiratory rhythmic activity in the preBötzinger complex without inducing astroglial calcium signaling. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1111263. [PMID: 36816850 PMCID: PMC9932970 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1111263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the primary modulator of the renin-angiotensin system and has been widely studied for its effect on the cardiovascular system. While a few studies have also indicated an involvement of Ang II in the regulation of breathing, very little is known in this regard and its effect on brainstem respiratory regions such as the preBötzinger complex (preBötC), the kernel for inspiratory rhythm generation, has not been investigated yet. This study reports that Ang II temporarily increases phrenic nerve activity in the working heart-brainstem preparation, indicating higher central respiratory drive. Previous studies have shown that the carotid body is involved in mediating this effect and we revealed that the preBötC also plays a part, using acute slices of the brainstem. It appears that Ang II is increasing the respiratory drive in an AT1R-dependent manner by optimizing the interaction of inhibitory and excitatory neurons of the preBötC. Thus, Ang II-mediated effects on the preBötC are potentially involved in dysregulating breathing in patients with acute lung injury.
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Fischer T, Prey J, Eschholz L, Rotermund N, Lohr C. Norepinephrine-Induced Calcium Signaling and Store-Operated Calcium Entry in Olfactory Bulb Astrocytes. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:639754. [PMID: 33833669 PMCID: PMC8021869 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.639754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well-established that astrocytes respond to norepinephrine with cytosolic calcium rises in various brain areas, such as hippocampus or neocortex. However, less is known about the effect of norepinephrine on olfactory bulb astrocytes. In the present study, we used confocal calcium imaging and immunohistochemistry in mouse brain slices of the olfactory bulb, a brain region with a dense innervation of noradrenergic fibers, to investigate the calcium signaling evoked by norepinephrine in astrocytes. Our results show that application of norepinephrine leads to a cytosolic calcium rise in astrocytes which is independent of neuronal activity and mainly mediated by PLC/IP3-dependent internal calcium release. In addition, store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) contributes to the late phase of the response. Antagonists of both α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors, but not β-receptors, largely reduce the adrenergic calcium response, indicating that both α-receptor subtypes mediate norepinephrine-induced calcium transients in olfactory bulb astrocytes, whereas β-receptors do not contribute to the calcium transients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Fischer
- Division of Neurophysiology, Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Prey
- Division of Neurophysiology, Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lena Eschholz
- Division of Neurophysiology, Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Natalie Rotermund
- Division of Neurophysiology, Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Lohr
- Division of Neurophysiology, Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Bellot-Saez A, Stevenson R, Kékesi O, Samokhina E, Ben-Abu Y, Morley JW, Buskila Y. Neuromodulation of Astrocytic K + Clearance. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052520. [PMID: 33802343 PMCID: PMC7959145 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Potassium homeostasis is fundamental for brain function. Therefore, effective removal of excessive K+ from the synaptic cleft during neuronal activity is paramount. Astrocytes play a key role in K+ clearance from the extracellular milieu using various mechanisms, including uptake via Kir channels and the Na+-K+ ATPase, and spatial buffering through the astrocytic gap-junction coupled network. Recently we showed that alterations in the concentrations of extracellular potassium ([K+]o) or impairments of the astrocytic clearance mechanism affect the resonance and oscillatory behavior of both the individual and networks of neurons. These results indicate that astrocytes have the potential to modulate neuronal network activity, however, the cellular effectors that may affect the astrocytic K+ clearance process are still unknown. In this study, we have investigated the impact of neuromodulators, which are known to mediate changes in network oscillatory behavior, on the astrocytic clearance process. Our results suggest that while some neuromodulators (5-HT; NA) might affect astrocytic spatial buffering via gap-junctions, others (DA; Histamine) primarily affect the uptake mechanism via Kir channels. These results suggest that neuromodulators can affect network oscillatory activity through parallel activation of both neurons and astrocytes, establishing a synergistic mechanism to maximize the synchronous network activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Bellot-Saez
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (A.B.-S.); (R.S.); (O.K.); (E.S.); (J.W.M.)
| | - Rebecca Stevenson
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (A.B.-S.); (R.S.); (O.K.); (E.S.); (J.W.M.)
| | - Orsolya Kékesi
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (A.B.-S.); (R.S.); (O.K.); (E.S.); (J.W.M.)
| | - Evgeniia Samokhina
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (A.B.-S.); (R.S.); (O.K.); (E.S.); (J.W.M.)
| | - Yuval Ben-Abu
- Projects and Physics Section, Sapir Academic College, D.N. Hof Ashkelon, Sderot 79165, Israel;
| | - John W. Morley
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (A.B.-S.); (R.S.); (O.K.); (E.S.); (J.W.M.)
| | - Yossi Buskila
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (A.B.-S.); (R.S.); (O.K.); (E.S.); (J.W.M.)
- International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems, The MARCS Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-246203853
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7
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Wahis J, Holt MG. Astrocytes, Noradrenaline, α1-Adrenoreceptors, and Neuromodulation: Evidence and Unanswered Questions. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:645691. [PMID: 33716677 PMCID: PMC7947346 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.645691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Noradrenaline is a major neuromodulator in the central nervous system (CNS). It is released from varicosities on neuronal efferents, which originate principally from the main noradrenergic nuclei of the brain - the locus coeruleus - and spread throughout the parenchyma. Noradrenaline is released in response to various stimuli and has complex physiological effects, in large part due to the wide diversity of noradrenergic receptors expressed in the brain, which trigger diverse signaling pathways. In general, however, its main effect on CNS function appears to be to increase arousal state. Although the effects of noradrenaline have been researched extensively, the majority of studies have assumed that noradrenaline exerts its effects by acting directly on neurons. However, neurons are not the only cells in the CNS expressing noradrenaline receptors. Astrocytes are responsive to a range of neuromodulators - including noradrenaline. In fact, noradrenaline evokes robust calcium transients in astrocytes across brain regions, through activation of α1-adrenoreceptors. Crucially, astrocytes ensheath neurons at synapses and are known to modulate synaptic activity. Hence, astrocytes are in a key position to relay, or amplify, the effects of noradrenaline on neurons, most notably by modulating inhibitory transmission. Based on a critical appraisal of the current literature, we use this review to argue that a better understanding of astrocyte-mediated noradrenaline signaling is therefore essential, if we are ever to fully understand CNS function. We discuss the emerging concept of astrocyte heterogeneity and speculate on how this might impact the noradrenergic modulation of neuronal circuits. Finally, we outline possible experimental strategies to clearly delineate the role(s) of astrocytes in noradrenergic signaling, and neuromodulation in general, highlighting the urgent need for more specific and flexible experimental tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Wahis
- Laboratory of Glia Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthew G. Holt
- Laboratory of Glia Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
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8
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Shen Y, Ma HX, Lu H, Zhao HT, Sun JL, Cheng Y, Zhang HH. Central deficiency of norepinephrine synthesis and norepinephrinergic neurotransmission contributes to seizure-induced respiratory arrest. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 133:111024. [PMID: 33232929 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the leading cause of mortality in patients with intractable epilepsy. However, the pathogenesis of SUDEP seems to be poorly understood. Our previous findings showed that the incidence of seizure-induced respiratory arrest (S-IRA) was markedly reduced by atomoxetine in a murine SUDEP model. Because the central norepinephrine α-1 receptor (NEα-1R) plays a vital role in regulating respiratory function, we hypothesized that the suppression of S-IRA by atomoxetine was mediated by NE/NEα-1R interactions that can be reversed by NEα-1R antagonism. We examined whether atomoxetine-mediated suppression of S-IRA evoked by either acoustic stimulation or pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in DBA/1 mice can be reversed by intraperitoneal (IP) and intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of prazosin, a selective antagonist of NEα-1R. The content and activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a rate-limiting enzyme for NE synthesis, in the lower brainstem was measured by ELISA. Electroencephalograms (EEG) were obtained from using the PTZ-evoked SUDEP model. In our models, atomoxetine-mediated suppression of S-IRA evoked by either acoustic stimulation or PTZ was significantly reversed by low doses of IP and ICV prazosin. Neither repetitive acoustic stimulation nor S-IRA reduced TH levels in lower brainstem. However, the enzyme activity of TH levels in lower brainstem was significantly increased by mechanical ventilation with DBA/1 mice, which makes the dying DBA/1 mice suffering from S-IRA and SUDEP recover. EEG data showed that although the protective effect of atomoxetine was reversed by prazosin, neither drug suppressed EEG activity. These data suggest that deficient synthesis of NE and norepinephrinergic neurotransmission contributed to S-IRA and that the NEα-1R is a potential therapeutic target for the prevention of SUDEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Shen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Hai Xiang Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Clinical School of Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Han Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai Ting Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Jian Liang Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Yuan Cheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Hong Hai Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Hangzhou, 310006, China; Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Clinical School of Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
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9
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Comparison of GCaMP3 and GCaMP6f for studying astrocyte Ca2+ dynamics in the awake mouse brain. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181113. [PMID: 28742117 PMCID: PMC5524333 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years it has become increasingly clear that astrocytes play a much more active role in neural processes than the traditional view of them as supporting cells suggests. Although not electrically excitable, astrocytes exhibit diverse Ca2+ dynamics across spatial and temporal scales, more or less dependent on the animal's behavioral state. Ca2+ dynamics range from global elevations lasting multiple seconds encompassing the soma up to the finest processes, to short elevations restricted to so-called microdomains within fine processes. Investigations of astrocyte Ca2+ dynamics have particularly benefitted from the development of Genetically-Encoded Calcium Indicators (GECIs). GECI expression can be achieved non-invasively in a cell type-specific manner and it can be genetically targeted to subcellular domains. The GCaMP family, a group of GECIs derived from the green fluorescent protein, has experienced some of the fastest advancements during the past decade. As a consequence we are now facing the challenge of needing to compare published data obtained with different versions of GECIs. With the intention to provide some guidance, here we compared Ca2+ dynamics across scales in awake transgenic mice expressing either the well-established GCaMP3, or the increasingly popular GCaMP6f, specifically in astrocytes. We found that locomotion-induced global Ca2+ elevations in cortical astrocytes displayed only minor kinetic differences and their apparent dynamic ranges for Ca2+ sensing were not different. In contrast, Ca2+ waves in processes and microdomain Ca2+ transients were much more readily detectable with GCaMP6f. Our findings suggest that behavioral state-dependent global astrocyte Ca2+ responses can be studied with either GCaMP3 or GCaMP6f whereas the latter is more appropriate for studies of spatially restricted weak and fast Ca2+ dynamics.
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10
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Pilowsky PM. Foreword. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2016; 226:1-2. [PMID: 27305188 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2016.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Pilowsky
- University of Sydney, 7 Eliza St, Newtown, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia.
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11
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Oliveira LM, Moreira TS, Kuo FS, Mulkey DK, Takakura AC. α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors in the retrotrapezoid nucleus differentially regulate breathing in anesthetized adult rats. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:1036-48. [PMID: 27306670 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00023.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Norepinephrine (NE) is a potent modulator of breathing that can increase/decrease respiratory activity by α1-/α2-adrenergic receptor (AR) activation, respectively. The retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) is known to contribute to central chemoreception, inspiration, and active expiration. Here we investigate the sources of catecholaminergic inputs to the RTN and identify respiratory effects produced by activation of ARs in this region. By injecting the retrograde tracer Fluoro-Gold into the RTN, we identified back-labeled catecholaminergic neurons in the A7 region. In urethane-anesthetized, vagotomized, and artificially ventilated male Wistar rats unilateral injection of NE or moxonidine (α2-AR agonist) blunted diaphragm muscle activity (DiaEMG) frequency and amplitude, without changing abdominal muscle activity. Those inhibitory effects were reduced by preapplication of yohimbine (α2-AR antagonist) into the RTN. Conversely, unilateral RTN injection of phenylephrine (α1-AR agonist) increased DiaEMG amplitude and frequency and facilitated active expiration. This response was blocked by prior RTN injection of prazosin (α1-AR antagonist). Interestingly, RTN injection of propranolol (β-AR antagonist) had no effect on respiratory inhibition elicited by applications of NE into the RTN; however, the combined blockade of α2- and β-ARs (coapplication of propranolol and yohimbine) revealed an α1-AR-dependent excitatory response to NE that resulted in increase in DiaEMG frequency and facilitation of active expiration. However, blockade of α1-, α2-, or β-ARs in the RTN had minimal effect on baseline respiratory activity, on central or peripheral chemoreflexes. These results suggest that NE signaling can modulate RTN chemoreceptor function; however, endogenous NE signaling does not contribute to baseline breathing or the ventilatory response to central or peripheral chemoreceptor activity in urethane-anesthetized rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz M Oliveira
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago S Moreira
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; and
| | - Fu-Shan Kuo
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Daniel K Mulkey
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Ana C Takakura
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil;
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12
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Kuo FS, Falquetto B, Chen D, Oliveira LM, Takakura AC, Mulkey DK. In vitro characterization of noradrenergic modulation of chemosensitive neurons in the retrotrapezoid nucleus. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:1024-35. [PMID: 27306669 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00022.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemosensitive neurons in the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) regulate breathing in response to CO2/H(+) changes and serve as an integration center for other autonomic centers, including brain stem noradrenergic neurons. Norepinephrine (NE) contributes to respiratory control and chemoreception, and, since disruption of NE signaling may contribute to several breathing disorders, we sought to characterize effects of NE on RTN chemoreception. All neurons included in this study responded similarly to CO2/H(+) but showed differential sensitivity to NE; we found that NE activated (79%), inhibited (7%), or had no effect on activity (14%) of RTN chemoreceptors. The excitatory effect of NE on RTN chemoreceptors was dose dependent, retained in the presence of neurotransmitter receptor blockers, and could be mimicked and blocked by pharmacological manipulation of α1-adrenergic receptors (ARs). In addition, NE-activation was blunted by XE991 (KCNQ channel blocker), and partially occluded the firing response to serotonin, suggesting involvement of KCNQ channels. However, in whole cell voltage clamp, activation of α1-ARs decreased outward current and conductance by what appears to be a mixed effect on multiple channels. The inhibitory effect of NE on RTN chemoreceptors was blunted by an α2-AR antagonist. A third group of RTN chemoreceptors was insensitive to NE. We also found that chemosensitive RTN astrocytes do not respond to NE with a change in voltage or by releasing ATP to enhance activity of chemosensitive neurons. These results indicate NE modulates subsets of RTN chemoreceptors by mechanisms involving α1- and α2-ARs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Shan Kuo
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut; and
| | - Bárbara Falquetto
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dawei Chen
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut; and
| | - Luiz M Oliveira
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana C Takakura
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel K Mulkey
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut; and
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