Involvement of the chemosensitive neurons in the retrotrapezoid nucleus for the control of postinspiratory activity

• Grant number: 18/13707-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal researcher: Thiago dos Santos Moreira
• Grantee: Karine Correa Flor
• 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

Abstract

The Retrotrapezoid Nucleus (RTN) neurons are involved in central chemoreception and the transcription factor Phox2b constitutes an important characteristics of these neurons. In adult’s rats, a subpopulation of cells in this region is silent in rest and becomes rhythmically active during hypercapnia or local disinhibitions. The RTN receives several projections of medulla and an anatomo-functional organization of this region indicate an integration between the central chemoreflex, central regulation of breathing and autonomous functions. Whereas the RTN is an important center in the CNS involved in the maintenance and modulation of the respiratory activity we believe that the neurons would also be involved in the post-inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle. We hypothesize that the RTN could control all phases of the respiratory cycle and maintain a stable eupneic pattern. Thus, through optogenetics tools and an electrophysiological approach we could be able to add one more important piece to this enigmatic and complex respiratory neural control. (AU)