The role of astrocytes in the nucleus Tractus Solitarii in maintaining central control of autonomic function

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Martinez ◽  
David D. Kline
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Autonomic Function ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Nucleus Tractus Solitarii ◽  
Central Control ◽  
Sensory Afferents ◽  
Hypoxic Conditions ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Reflexes

The nucleus Tractus Solitarii (nTS) is the first central site for the termination and integration of autonomic and respiratory sensory information. Sensory afferents terminating in the nTS as well as the embedded nTS neurocircuitry release and utilize glutamate that is critical for maintenance of baseline cardiorespiratory parameters and initiating cardiorespiratory reflexes, including those activated by bouts of hypoxia. nTS astrocytes contribute to synaptic and neuronal activity through a variety of mechanisms, including gliotransmission and regulation of glutamate in the extracellular space via membrane-bound transporters. Here, we aim to highlight recent evidence for the role of astrocytes within the nTS and their regulation of autonomic and cardiorespiratory processes under normal and hypoxic conditions.

scholarly journals Cortical regulation of dopaminergic neurons: role of the midbrain superior colliculus

2014 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 755-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Bertram ◽  
L. Dahan ◽  
L. W. Boorman ◽  
S. Harris ◽  
N. Vautrelle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Superior Colliculus ◽  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Barrel Cortex ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Complex Stimulus ◽  
Stimulus Properties ◽  
Pulse Trains ◽  
Wide Range

Dopaminergic (DA) neurons respond to stimuli in a wide range of modalities, although the origin of the afferent sensory signals has only recently begun to emerge. In the case of vision, an important source of short-latency sensory information seems to be the midbrain superior colliculus (SC). However, longer-latency responses have been identified that are less compatible with the primitive perceptual capacities of the colliculus. Rather, they seem more in keeping with the processing capabilities of the cortex. Given that there are robust projections from the cortex to the SC, we examined whether cortical information could reach DA neurons via a relay in the colliculus. The somatosensory barrel cortex was stimulated electrically in the anesthetized rat with either single pulses or pulse trains. Although single pulses produced small phasic activations in the colliculus, they did not elicit responses in the majority of DA neurons. However, after disinhibitory intracollicular injections of the GABAA antagonist bicuculline, collicular responses were substantially enhanced and previously unresponsive DA neurons now exhibited phasic excitations or inhibitions. Pulse trains applied to the cortex led to phasic changes (excitations to inhibitions) in the activity of DA neurons at baseline. These were blocked or attenuated by intracollicular administration of the GABAA agonist muscimol. Taken together, the results indicate that the cortex can communicate with DA neurons via a relay in the SC. As a consequence, DA neuronal activity reflecting the unexpected occurrence of salient events and that signaling more complex stimulus properties may have a common origin.

Pulvino-cortical interaction: an integrative role in the control of attention

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexia Bourgeois ◽  
Carole Guedj ◽  
Emmanuel Carrera ◽  
Patrik Vuilleumier
Keyword(s):  
Executive Control ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Cortical Circuits ◽  
Attention And Executive Control ◽  
Neural Communication ◽  
Subcortical Regions ◽  
Theoretical Proposal ◽  
Selection Of

Selective attention is a fundamental cognitive function that guides behavior by selecting and prioritizing salient or relevant sensory information of our environment. Despite early evidence and theoretical proposal pointing to an implication of thalamic control in attention, most studies in the past two decades focused on cortical substrates, largely ignoring the contribution of subcortical regions as well as cortico-subcortical interactions. Here, we suggest a key role of the pulvinar in the selection of salient and relevant information via its involvement in priority maps computation. Prioritization may be achieved through a pulvinar- mediated generation of alpha oscillations, which may then modulate neuronal gain in thalamo-cortical circuits. Such mechanism might orchestrate the synchrony of cortico-cortical interaction, by rendering neural communication more effective, precise and selective. We propose that this theoretical framework will support a timely shift from the prevailing cortico- centric view of cognition to a more integrative perspective of thalamic contributions to attention and executive control processes.

scholarly journals Loss of Calretinin in L5a impairs the formation of the barrel cortex leading to abnormal whisker-mediated behaviors

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingzhao Su ◽  
Junhua Liu ◽  
Baocong Yu ◽  
Kaixing Zhou ◽  
Congli Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Integration ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Barrel Cortex ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Membrane Excitability ◽  
Novelty Preference ◽  
Layer 4 ◽  
Dendritic Complexity ◽  
Cortex System

AbstractThe rodent whisker-barrel cortex system has been established as an ideal model for studying sensory information integration. The barrel cortex consists of barrel and septa columns that receive information input from the lemniscal and paralemniscal pathways, respectively. Layer 5a is involved in both barrel and septa circuits and play a key role in information integration. However, the role of layer 5a in the development of the barrel cortex remains unclear. Previously, we found that calretinin is dynamically expressed in layer 5a. In this study, we analyzed calretinin KO mice and found that the dendritic complexity and length of layer 5a pyramidal neurons were significantly decreased after calretinin ablation. The membrane excitability and excitatory synaptic transmission of layer 5a neurons were increased. Consequently, the organization of the barrels was impaired. Moreover, layer 4 spiny stellate cells were not able to properly gather, leading to abnormal formation of barrel walls as the ratio of barrel/septum size obviously decreased. Calretinin KO mice exhibited deficits in exploratory and whisker-associated tactile behaviors as well as social novelty preference. Our study expands our knowledge of layer 5a pyramidal neurons in the formation of barrel walls and deepens the understanding of the development of the whisker-barrel cortex system.

scholarly journals Genetic and Phenotypic Analyses of therdx Locus of Rhodobacter sphaeroides2.4.1

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (12) ◽  
pp. 3475-3481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Hyeob Roh ◽  
Samuel Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Rhodobacter Sphaeroides ◽  
Redox Protein ◽  
Deletion Mutations ◽  
Metal Transporter ◽  
New Class ◽  
Mutant Strains ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Photosynthesis Gene

ABSTRACT Previously, we reported that rdxB, encoding a likely membrane-bound two [4Fe-4S]-containing center, is involved in the aerobic regulation of photosystem gene expression in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1. To further investigate the role ofrdxB as well as other genes of the rdxBHISoperon on photosystem gene expression, we constructed a series of nonpolar, in-frame deletion mutations in each of the rdxgenes. Using both puc and puf operonlacZ fusions to monitor photosystem gene expression, under aerobic conditions, in each of the mutant strains revealed significant increased photosynthesis gene expression. In the case of mutations in either rdxH, rdxI, or rdxS, the aerobic induction of photosystem gene expression is believed to be indirect by virtue of a posttranscriptional effect oncbb 3 cytochrome oxidase structure and integrity. For RdxB, we suggest that this redox protein has a more direct effect on photosystem gene expression by virtue of its interaction with the cbb 3 oxidase. An associated phenotype, involving the enhanced conversion of the carotenoid spheroidene to spheroidenone, is also observed in the RdxB, -H, -I, and -S mutant strains. This phenotype is also suggested to be the result of the role of the rdxBHIS locus incbb 3 oxidase activity and/or structure. RdxI is suggested to be a new class of metal transporter of the CPx-type ATPases.

scholarly journals Advances in understanding the role of cardiac glycosides in control of sodium transport in renal tubules

2014 ◽  
Vol 222 (1) ◽  
pp. R11-R24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Jalal Khundmiri
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Cardiac Contractility ◽  
Myocardial Cell ◽  
Renal Tubules ◽  
Intracellular Signaling Pathway ◽  
Body Sodium ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Total Body

Cardiotonic steroids have been used for the past 200 years in the treatment of congestive heart failure. As specific inhibitors of membrane-bound Na+/K+ATPase, they enhance cardiac contractility through increasing myocardial cell calcium concentration in response to the resulting increase in intracellular Na concentration. The half-minimal concentrations of cardiotonic steroids required to inhibit Na+/K+ATPase range from nanomolar to micromolar concentrations. In contrast, the circulating levels of cardiotonic steroids under physiological conditions are in the low picomolar concentration range in healthy subjects, increasing to high picomolar levels under pathophysiological conditions including chronic kidney disease and heart failure. Little is known about the physiological function of low picomolar concentrations of cardiotonic steroids. Recent studies have indicated that physiological concentrations of cardiotonic steroids acutely stimulate the activity of Na+/K+ATPase and activate an intracellular signaling pathway that regulates a variety of intracellular functions including cell growth and hypertrophy. The effects of circulating cardiotonic steroids on renal salt handling and total body sodium homeostasis are unknown. This review will focus on the role of low picomolar concentrations of cardiotonic steroids in renal Na+/K+ATPase activity, cell signaling, and blood pressure regulation.

scholarly journals The Role of Purinergic Receptors in Cancer-Induced Bone Pain

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Falk ◽  
Maria Uldall ◽  
Anne-Marie Heegaard
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Pain ◽  
Bone Pain ◽  
Purinergic Receptors ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Pain State ◽  
Current Therapies ◽  
Peripheral Site

Cancer-induced bone pain severely compromises the quality of life of many patients suffering from bone metastasis, as current therapies leave some patients with inadequate pain relief. The recent development of specific animal models has increased the understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cancer-induced bone pain including the involvement of ATP and the purinergic receptors in the progression of the pain state. In nociception, ATP acts as an extracellular messenger to transmit sensory information both at the peripheral site of tissue damage and in the spinal cord. Several of the purinergic receptors have been shown to be important for the development and maintenance of neuropathic and inflammatory pain, and studies have demonstrated the importance of both peripheral and central mechanisms. We here provide an overview of the current literature on the role of purinergic receptors in cancer-induced bone pain with emphasis on some of the difficulties related to studying this complex pain state.

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