The retrotrapezoid nucleus and breathing.
The retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) is located in the rostral medulla oblongata close to the ventral surface and consists of a bilateral cluster of glutamatergic neurons that are non-aminergic and express homeodomain transcription factor Phox2b throughout life. These neurons respond vigorously to increases in local pCO(2) via cell-autonomous and paracrine (glial) mechanisms and receive additional chemosensory information from the carotid bodies. RTN neurons exclusively innervate the regions of the brainstem that contain the respiratory pattern generator (RPG). Lesion or inhibition of RTN neurons largely attenuates the respiratory chemoreflex of adult rats whereas their activation increases respiratory rate, inspiratory amplitude and active expiration. Phox2b mutations that cause congenital central hypoventilation syndrome in humans prevent the development of RTN neurons in mice. Selective deletion of the RTN Phox2b-VGLUT2 neurons by genetic means in mice eliminates the respiratory chemoreflex in neonates.In short, RTN Phox2b-VGLUT2 neurons are a major nodal point of the CNS network that regulates pCO(2) via breathing and these cells are probable central chemoreceptors.
Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0735, USA. pgg@virginia.edu
Patrice G
PG
Guyenet
Ruth L
RL
Stornetta
Stephen B G
SB
Abbott
Seth D
SD
Depuy
Roy
R
Kanbar
D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000502:physiology*; D012018:Reflex; D012119:Respiration; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D050599:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 2 / Q000502:physiology
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C109220:NBPhox protein; D014157:Transcription Factors; D050599:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 2; D002245:Carbon Dioxide