| Grant number: | 11/13462-7 |
| Support type: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |
| Effective date (Start): | December 01, 2011 |
| Effective date (End): | November 30, 2015 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems |
| Principal Investigator: | Thiago dos Santos Moreira |
| Grantee: | Cleyton Roberto Sobrinho |
| Home Institution: | Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
| Associated scholarship(s): | 13/02350-9 - Regulation of ventral surface CO2/H+-sensitive neurons by purinergic signalling in newborn rats, BE.EP.DR |
Abstract The retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN), which is located ventrally to the facial motor nucleus, very close to the ventrolateral medulla surface, represents the main cluster of cells with chemosensitive characteristics. These neurons are highly sensitive even to an increased CO2 partial pressure or a reduction in pH. In these conditions, the RTN neurons leading to an increased respiratory activity, restoring blood gas homeostasis. However, the mechanisms by which these neurons detect these changes are not entirely clear, and in this sense, a series of studies have attributed part of chemosensitivity in the region of RTN. The glial cells (astrocytes), which would promote the release of neurotransmitters such as ATP, would also lead the activation of neurons and consequently increasing the respiratory activity. Therefore, the aim of this project is to elucidate the possible interaction between astrocytes and neurons of the RTN in the respiratory responses evoked by activation of central chemoreceptors. Thus, the protocols proposed in this project will evaluate: 1) the activation pattern of astrocytes by the analysis of Fos protein expression in awake animals subjected to hypercapnia, 2) the pattern of respiratory activity promoted by astrocytes after local administration of the RTN fluorocitrato gliotoxin and 3) the role of purinergic signaling in this context inserted through the local application of the RTN purinergic receptor antagonists. | |