Effects of Chronic Hypercapnia on Chemosensitive Neurons

Wright State University, Dayton OH

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long term goals of this work are to understand the cellular mechanisms involved in the hypercapnic response of central chemosensite neurons involved in cardiorespiratory control. Chemosensitive neurons from neonatal rats that have been adapted to chronic hypercapnia, which have reduced ventilatory responses to acute hypercapnia, will be studied. The response of these chemosensitive neurons is presumably mediated by a sustained hypercapnia-induced intracellular acidification that results in increased excitability due to inhibition of K+ channels, resulting in an increased firing rate. Using fluorescence imaging microscopy to study intracellular pH and whole cell patch electrodes to study firing rate in these neurons, the hypothesis will be tested that the reduced ventilatory response to CO2 in rats adapted to chronic hypercapnia is due to an increase in pH regulating membrane transporters (especially Na/H exchangers), that are up-regulated by chronic acidosis. Reduced excitability of these neurons may also be due to altered expression of acid-sensitive ion channels. The findings will be of relevance to pathological conditions that involve chronic hypercapnia, such as heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.