Fluorescence imaging of active respiratory networks

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Physiology
• Respiratory Control

Background:

• Mammalian breathing is governed by brainstem neural networks, including the pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC) and parafacial respiratory group (pFRG).
• Understanding these rhythmogenic networks and their interactions is crucial for respiratory control research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review findings from various live fluorescence imaging approaches used to study respiratory control mechanisms in rodent models.
• To highlight potential challenges and future perspectives in optical recording for respiratory research.

Main Methods:

• Live fluorescence imaging techniques are employed in various in situ rodent preparations, such as medullary slices and "en bloc" brainstem-spinal cord preparations.
• Voltage and Ca2+ sensitive dyes are utilized to assess respiratory population activities in both perinatal and mature respiratory networks.
• Fluorescence tagging of respiratory neurons allows for analysis of (sub)cellular signaling and membrane properties.

Main Results:

• Live imaging enables detailed analysis of spatiotemporal patterns of respiratory population activities.
• It facilitates the study of (sub)cellular signaling within identified respiratory neurons.
• The technique allows for the characterization of membrane properties of fluorescence-tagged respiratory neurons.

Conclusions:

• Live fluorescence imaging is a powerful tool for exploring mammalian respiratory control networks.
• Diverse in situ models, from slices to working-heart-brainstem preparations, are suitable for these optical recordings.
• Continued development and application of these imaging methods will advance our understanding of respiratory regulation and related disorders.