Identification of neurotransmitters and co-localization of transmitters in brainstem respiratory neurons

Abstract

Identifying the major ionotropic neurotransmitter in a respiratory neuron is of critical importance in determining how the neuron fits into the respiratory system, whether in producing or modifying respiratory drive and rhythm. There are now several groups of respiratory neurons whose major neurotransmitters have been identified and in some of these cases, more than one transmitter have been identified in particular neurons. This review will describe the physiologically identified neurons in major respiratory areas that have been phenotyped for major ionotropic transmitters as well as those where more than one transmitter has been identified. Although the purpose of the additional transmitter has not been elucidated for any of the respiratory neurons, some examples from other systems will be discussed.

Central chemoreceptors and neural mechanisms of cardiorespiratory control

“…The respiratory control network consists of a long column of cells in the lateral brainstem that extends from the caudal medulla, along the ventrolateral medulla, to the dorsolateral pons, as well as to the NTS. A similar, if not overlapping, distribution of neurons has been identified for the cardiovascular control system (10,11). On the basis of functional and anatomical criteria, cardiovascular physiologists have divided the ventrolateral medulla into three rostrocaudal regions, whereas respiratory physiologists have divided the same area into four regions (Figure 1).…”

Blockade of neurokinin-1 receptors in the ventral respiratory column does not affect breathing but alters neurochemical release

“…We previously proposed that the increase in inhibitory neurotransmitters with 50 mM atropine was a secondary compensatory response to increases in 5-HT and/or SP (28). Another possibility is that the increase in GLY may have been the result of enhanced activity of inhibitory inputs to the preBötC, such as the expiratory neurons of the Bötzinger complex (37,42). These Bötzinger neurons are proposed to be part of a ring of mutual inhibitory interactions with the preBötC (37), critical for coordinated inspiratory and expiratory activity.…”

Peptides, Serotonin, and Breathing

“…Serotonin was one of the earliest neurotransmitters examined in this way and, along with substance P, was one of the first antigens to benefit from the monoclonal antibody revolution (Panguluri et al, 2009). The "YC5/45" IgG 2c antiserotonin antibody and the NCl/34 (Cl as in clone) (Kinkead, 2009) substance P antibody continue to be sold and used widely more than 30 years after their cell lines were "immortalized" in 1981 (Stornetta, 2008).…”