Confocal calcium imaging analysis of respiratory-related burst activity in the parafacial region

Brain Res Bull. 2018 May:139:16-20. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.01.013. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Abstract

The parafacial respiratory group (pFRG) surrounding the ventrolateral part of the facial motor nucleus is one of respiratory rhythm generators that consists of pre-inspiratory (Pre-I) neurons. Previous studies showed that most of the Pre-I neurons locating in the Phox2b cluster of the rostral ventral medulla were also Phox2b positive and intrinsically CO2 sensitive. However, it is not clear what percentage of Phox2b-expressing cells in the pFRG of the ventral medulla are Pre-I neurons. To address this issue, we analyzed the activity of Phox2b-positive cells by calcium imaging using a confocal laser microscope in transgenic rats in which Phox2b-positive cells expressed EYFP. We found that more than 60% of the EYFP/Phox2b-positive cells showed Pre-I neuron-like rhythmic burst activity in the parafacial region of newborn rat.

Keywords: Calcium imaging; EYFP; Parafacial respiratory group; Phox2b; Transgenic rat.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Facial Nucleus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Facial Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Facial Nucleus / physiopathology
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Transgenic
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Respiration*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • NBPhox protein
  • Transcription Factors
  • yellow fluorescent protein, Bacteria
  • Calcium