Respiratory changes elicit by neurokinin receptors at the level of the retrotrapezoid nucleus

• Grant number: 19/20504-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: January 01, 2021
• End date: October 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Thiago dos Santos Moreira
• Grantee: Octávio Augusto de Carvalho Maia
• Host 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

Ventilation is a physiological process that depends on the integration of neural networks, which is essential for maintaining the internal physiological balance. All this mechanism has the main objective to maintain adequate levels of O2 and CO2 in the blood and tissues. It is well established that central and peripheral chemoreceptors detect changes in arterial blood gas concentrations and transmit this information to respiratory centers in order to regulate respiratory activity. There are many important regions in chemoreception, including the Retrotrapezoid Nucleus (RTN). In the RTN, the central chemoreception mechanism involves activation of chemosensitive neurons, which detect changes in CO2/pH, possibly being modulated by neurokinin signaling. Thus, the main objective of this project will be to investigate the participation of neurokinin receptors, located in the region of the RTN, in the central and/or peripheral chemoreceptors stimulation and a possible integration with serotonergic signaling. The experiments developed in this project will use genetically modified mice, as well as the injection of viral vectors and techniques for recording respiratory activity through whole body plethysmography. (AU)