Glia contribute to the purinergic modulation of inspiratory rhythm-generating networks.
Glia modulate neuronal activity by releasing transmitters in a process called gliotransmission. The role of this process in controlling the activity of neuronal networks underlying motor behavior is unknown. ATP features prominently in gliotransmission; it also contributes to the homeostatic ventilatory response evoked by low oxygen through mechanisms that likely include excitation of preBötzinger complex (preBötC) neural networks, brainstem centers critical for breathing. We therefore inhibited glial function in rhythmically active inspiratory networks in vitro to determine whether glia contribute to preBötC ATP sensitivity. Glial toxins markedly reduced preBötC responses to ATP, but not other modulators. Furthermore, since preBötC glia responded to ATP with increased intracellular Ca(2+) and glutamate release, we conclude that glia contribute to the ATP sensitivity of preBötC networks, and possibly the hypoxic ventilatory response. Data reveal a role for glia in signal processing within brainstem motor networks that may be relevant to similar networks throughout the neuraxis.
Huxtable
Adrianne G
AG
Departments of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada. ahuxtable@wisc.edu
Zwicker
Jennifer D
JD
Alvares
Tucaauê S
TS
Ruangkittisakul
Araya
A
Fang
Xin
X
Hahn
Leanne B
LB
Posse de Chaves
Elena
E
Baker
Glen B
GB
Ballanyi
Klaus
K
Funk
Gregory D
GD
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D001239:Inhalation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010507:Periodicity; D058913:Purinergic Agonists; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic / Q000502:physiology*; D012125:Respiratory Center / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D058913:Purinergic Agonists; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate