Phrenic motor neuron TrkB expression is necessary for acute intermittent hypoxia-induced phrenic long-term facilitation

Exp Neurol. 2017 Jan;287(Pt 2):130-136. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.05.012. Epub 2016 May 13.

Abstract

Phrenic long-term facilitation (pLTF) is a form of hypoxia-induced spinal respiratory motor plasticity that requires new synthesis of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and activation of its high-affinity receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB). Since the cellular location of relevant TrkB receptors is not known, we utilized intrapleural siRNA injections to selectively knock down TrkB receptor protein within phrenic motor neurons. TrkB receptors within phrenic motor neurons are necessary for BDNF-dependent acute intermittent hypoxia-induced pLTF, demonstrating that phrenic motor neurons are a critical site of respiratory motor plasticity.

Keywords: Intermittent hypoxia; Motor neuron; Phrenic; Plasticity; RNA interference; TrkB.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Carbon Dioxide / pharmacology
  • Cholera Toxin / pharmacology
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation / physiology
  • Hypoxia*
  • Long-Term Potentiation / drug effects
  • Long-Term Potentiation / physiology*
  • Male
  • Motor Neurons / drug effects
  • Motor Neurons / metabolism*
  • Phrenic Nerve / cytology*
  • Phrenic Nerve / drug effects
  • Phrenic Nerve / physiology*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptor, trkB / metabolism*
  • Time Factors
  • Transfection
  • Vagotomy

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Cholera Toxin
  • Receptor, trkB