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Cell-cell coupling in CO(2)/H(+)-excited neurons in brainstem slices
J B Dean1, E A Kinkade, R W Putnam
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Environmental and Hyperbaric Cell Biology Facility, Wright State University School of Medicine, Room 160 Biological Science Building, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435, USA. jay.dean@wright.edu
Respiration Physiology
|December 12, 2001
Summary
Central chemoreceptor neurons in the brainstem are coupled by gap junctions. This coupling is largely unaffected by changes in intracellular pH until it drops significantly, which abolishes the connection.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- Central chemoreceptor neurons in the dorsal brainstem, including the solitary complex (SC) and locus coeruleus (LC), are crucial for respiratory regulation.
- Gap junctions facilitate intercellular communication, potentially influencing neuronal excitability and respiratory chemosensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critique and review the evidence for gap junction coupling between central chemoreceptor neurons.
- To examine the role of gap junctions in modulating neuronal activity during respiratory acidosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of indirect and direct electrical and anatomical evidence.
- Analysis of methods used to study gap junctions in brain slices.
- Evaluation of the influence of intracellular pH on junctional conductance.
Main Results:
- Indirect measures indicate that gap junction conductance between chemosensitive neurons is stable across a wide range of intracellular pH (approx. 7.49 to 6.71).
- Further decreases in intracellular pH (below approx. 6.67) abolish indirect measures of electrical coupling.
Conclusions:
- Gap junction coupling in the SC and LC is a potential mechanism for modulating respiratory chemosensitivity.
- This coupling is robust to moderate intracellular acidosis but is abolished by severe acidosis.