Pedunculo pontine tegmental nucleus and brainstem respiratory interactions in breathing

• Grant number: 17/01380-2
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal researcher: Thiago dos Santos Moreira
• Grantee: Janayna Dias Lima
• Home Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/23376-1 - Retrotrapezoid nucleus, respiratory chemosensitivity and breathing automaticity, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 18/12834-7 - Respiratory and sleep effects produced by pharmacogenetic stimulation of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus that project to the lateral parabrachial nucleus, BE.EP.DD

Abstract

The proper functioning of the respiratory system depends of neural inputs originated in specific regions of the Central Nervous System (CNS). The Retrotrapezoid Nucleus (RTN) comprises a set of neurons located ventrally to the facial motor nucleus and has the ability to detect increased levels of CO2 in the plasma as well as the changes in pH, creating rapidly increase in respiratory activity; this phenomenon is called central chemoreception. Central chemoreceptors are neurons with chemosensitive features, which are able to detect changes in CO2 concentrations and plasma pH, promoting an appropriate adjustment in ventilation to restore blood gas homeostasis, among which the RTN receives prominent role. A recent work from our laboratory found that the RTN neurons are highly responsive to acetylcholine (Ach), by a muscarinic cholinergic receptors activation. It was also described that the Ach application in RTN increases the ventilation and blood pressure in unanesthetized male Wistar rats. We also demonstrated that a subset group of cholinergic neurons located in the Pedunculopontine Tegmental Nucleus (PPT) project to RTN. According to the literature, stimulation of the PPT produces respiratory changes; however, there is no evidence that indicates any direct relationship between PPT and RTN or with the neurons located in the pre-Botzinger complex. In this project, we intend to conduct a series of neuroanatomical and physiological experiment in order to identify the role PPT in the regulation of respiratory activity. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

LIMA, JANAYNA D.; SOBRINHO, CLEYTON R.; SANTOS, LEONARDO K.; TAKAKURA, ANA C.; MOREIRA, THIAGO S. M4-muscarinic acetylcholine receptor into the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus mediates respiratory modulation of conscious rats. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, v. 269, NOV 2019. Web of Science Citations: 0.

LIMA, JANAYNA D.; SOBRINHO, CLEYTON R.; FALQUETTO, BARBARA; SANTOS, LEONARDO K.; TAKAKURA, ANA C.; MULKEY, DANIEL K.; MOREIRA, THIAGO S. Cholinergic neurons in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus modulate breathing in rats by direct projections to the retrotrapezoid nucleus. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, v. 597, n. 7, p. 1919-1934, APR 2019. Web of Science Citations: 2.