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Organization of the core respiratory network: Insights from optogenetic and modeling studies
Journal article   Open access

Organization of the core respiratory network: Insights from optogenetic and modeling studies

Jessica Ausborn, Hidehiko Koizumi, William H Barnett, Tibin T John, Ruli Zhang, Yaroslav I Molkov, Jeffrey C Smith and Ilya A Rybak
PLoS computational biology, v 14(4), pp e1006148-e1006148
Apr 2018
PMID: 29698394
url
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006148View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Central Pattern Generators - physiology Computational Biology Mice, Transgenic Optogenetics Connectome Respiratory Center - cytology Respiratory Physiological Phenomena Animals Vesicular Inhibitory Amino Acid Transport Proteins - metabolism Computer Simulation Vesicular Inhibitory Amino Acid Transport Proteins - genetics Mice Electrophysiological Phenomena Models, Neurological Photic Stimulation Respiratory Center - physiology
The circuit organization within the mammalian brainstem respiratory network, specifically within and between the pre-Bötzinger (pre-BötC) and Bötzinger (BötC) complexes, and the roles of these circuits in respiratory pattern generation are continuously debated. We address these issues with a combination of optogenetic experiments and modeling studies. We used transgenic mice expressing channelrhodopsin-2 under the VGAT-promoter to investigate perturbations of respiratory circuit activity by site-specific photostimulation of inhibitory neurons within the pre-BötC or BötC. The stimulation effects were dependent on the intensity and phase of the photostimulation. Specifically: (1) Low intensity (≤ 1.0 mW) pulses delivered to the pre-BötC during inspiration did not terminate activity, whereas stronger stimulations (≥ 2.0 mW) terminated inspiration. (2) When the pre-BötC stimulation ended in or was applied during expiration, rebound activation of inspiration occurred after a fixed latency. (3) Relatively weak sustained stimulation (20 Hz, 0.5-2.0 mW) of pre-BötC inhibitory neurons increased respiratory frequency, while a further increase of stimulus intensity (> 3.0 mW) reduced frequency and finally (≥ 5.0 mW) terminated respiratory oscillations. (4) Single pulses (0.2-5.0 s) applied to the BötC inhibited rhythmic activity for the duration of the stimulation. (5) Sustained stimulation (20 Hz, 0.5-3.0 mW) of the BötC reduced respiratory frequency and finally led to apnea. We have revised our computational model of pre-BötC and BötC microcircuits by incorporating an additional population of post-inspiratory inhibitory neurons in the pre-BötC that interacts with other neurons in the network. This model was able to reproduce the above experimental findings as well as previously published results of optogenetic activation of pre-BötC or BötC neurons obtained by other laboratories. The proposed organization of pre-BötC and BötC circuits leads to testable predictions about their specific roles in respiratory pattern generation and provides important insights into key circuit interactions operating within brainstem respiratory networks.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Biochemical Research Methods
Mathematical & Computational Biology
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