Superoxide dismutase 2 deficiency is associated with enhanced central chemoreception in mice: Implications for...

In mammals, central chemoreception plays a crucial role in the regulation of breathing function in both health and disease conditions. Recently, a correlation between high levels of superoxide anion (O₂^.-) in the Retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN), a main brain chemoreceptor area, and enhanced central chemoreception has been found in rodents. Interestingly, deficiency in superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) expression, a pivotal antioxidant enzyme, has been linked to the development/progression of several diseases. Despite, the contribution of SOD2 on O₂^.- regulation on central chemoreceptor function is unknown. Accordingly, we sought to determine the impact of partial deletion of SOD2 expression on i) O₂^.-accumulation in the RTN, ii) central ventilatory chemoreflex function, and iii) disordered-breathing. Finally, we study cellular localization of SOD2 in the RTN of healthy mice.

Central chemoreflex drive and breathing function were assessed in freely moving heterozygous SOD2 knockout mice (SOD2^+/- mice) and age-matched control wild type (WT) mice by whole-body plethysmography. O₂^.- levels were determined in RTN brainstem sections and brain isolated mitochondria, while SOD2 protein expression and tissue localization were determined by immunoblot, RNAseq and immunofluorescent staining, respectively.

Our results showed that SOD2^+/- mice displayed reductions in SOD2 levels and high O₂^.- formation and mitochondrial dysfunction within the RTN compared to WT. Additionally, SOD2^+/- mice displayed a heightened ventilatory response to hypercapnia and exhibited overt signs of altered breathing patterns. Both, RNAseq analysis and immunofluorescence co-localization studies showed that SOD2 expression was confined to RTN astrocytes but not to RTN chemoreceptor neurons. Finally, we found that SOD2^+/- mice displayed alterations in RTN astrocyte morphology compared to RTN astrocytes from WT mice.

These findings provide first evidence of the role of SOD2 in the regulation of O₂^.- levels in the RTN and its potential contribution on the regulation of central chemoreflex function. Our results suggest that reductions in the expression of SOD2 in the brain may contribute to increase O₂^.- levels in the RTN being the outcome a chronic surge in central chemoreflex drive and the development/maintenance of altered breathing patterns. Overall, dysregulation of SOD2 and the resulting increase in O₂^.- levels in brainstem respiratory areas can disrupt normal respiratory control mechanisms and contribute to breathing dysfunction seen in certain disease conditions characterized by high oxidative stress.