Role of adenosine and of astrocytes/neurons interaction in brainstem nuclei in charge of respiratory changes observed in mice exposed to sustained hypoxia

• Grant number: 24/17075-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Program to Stimulate Scientific Vocations
• Start date: January 10, 2025
• End date: February 26, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Benedito Honorio Machado
• Grantee: Antonio Carlos Albani de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In situations of sustained hypoxia (SH), peripheral chemoreceptors are stimulated and promote autonomic and respiratory responses to reestablish normal levels of O2 pressure in arterial blood. Stimulation of peripheral chemoreceptors, located in the carotid body, promotes the activation of neural endings whose afferents make the first synapse with neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), and higher order neurons send projections to the neural groups involved with generation and control of autonomic and respiratory activities located in the ventral region of the brainstem. In this project the focus will be on the participation of astrocytes, through gliotransmitters such as adenosine, in the modulation of synaptic transmission in the brainstem nuclei (Bot and pre-Bot) involved in the generation and control of respiratory activity in mice subjected to SH. For this, different experimental approaches, such as the working heart-braisntem preparation, will be used and fluorocitrate (astrocyte metabolic inhibitor) and adenosine purinergic receptor antagonists for adenosine A2A and A2B receptors will be used. Using these methods and procedures, we will evaluate the participation of purinergic gliotransmitters in the respiratory changes observed in mice exposed to SH. (AU)