Increase of breathing rate mediated by unilateral optogenetic inactivation of inhibitory neurons in the preBötzinger Complex in vivo

Behnam Vafadari; Charlotte Tacke; Ali Harb; Anja-Annett Grützner; Swen Hülsmann

doi:10.1016/j.resp.2023.104032

Increase of breathing rate mediated by unilateral optogenetic inactivation of inhibitory neurons in the preBötzinger Complex in vivo

Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2023 May:311:104032. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2023.104032. Epub 2023 Feb 8.

Authors

Behnam Vafadari¹, Charlotte Tacke², Ali Harb², Anja-Annett Grützner², Swen Hülsmann³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August University, Humboldtallee 23, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany. Electronic address: behnam.vafadari@med.uni-goettingen.de.
² Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August University, Humboldtallee 23, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany.
³ Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August University, Humboldtallee 23, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany. Electronic address: shuelsm2@uni-goettingen.de.

PMID: 36758781
DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2023.104032

Abstract

Brainstem neural circuits located in the preBötzinger complex (preBötC) and Bötzinger complex (BötC) play a critical role in the control of breathing. In this study, glycinergic preBötC and BötC neurons were inactivated with optogenetics in vivo using mice with Cre inducible expression of eNpHR3.0-EYFP. Unilateral inhibition of glycinergic neurons in the preBötC, and to a lower extend also in the BötC, led to a higher respiratory rate. It can be concluded that functional inactivation of inhibitory neurons leads to a disinhibition of preBötC excitatory neurons and thus an increase in the respiratory drive of the network.

Keywords: Control of breathing; GlyT2; Glycine; Halorhodopsin.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Mice
Neurons / metabolism
Optogenetics*
Respiration
Respiratory Center / physiology
Respiratory Rate*