Optical perturbation of Agtr1a-containing neurons and afferents within the caudal nucleus of the solitary tract modulates sodium intake

Angiotensin-II (Ang-II) production is driven by deviations in blood volume and osmolality, and serves the role of regulating blood pressure and fluid intake to maintain cardiovascular and hydromineral homeostasis. These actions are mediated by Ang-II acting on its type 1a receptor (AT1aR) within the central nervous system and periphery. Of relevance, AT1aR are expressed on sensory afferents responsible for conveying cardiovascular information to the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). We have previously determined that optical excitation of neurons and vagal afferents within the NTS that express AT1aR (referred to as NTS^AT1aR) mimics the perception of increased vascular stretch and induces compensatory responses to restore blood pressure. Here, we test whether NTS^AT1aR are also involved in the modulation of water and sodium intake. We directed the light-sensitive excitatory channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) or inhibitory halorhodopsin (Halo) to Agtr1a-containing neurons and measured water and sodium chloride (NaCl) intake in the presence and absence of optical stimulation within the NTS during various challenges to fluid homeostasis. Optical perturbation of NTS^AT1aR modulates NaCl intake, such that excitation attenuates, whereas inhibition increases intake. This effect is only observed in the water-deprived condition, suggesting that NTS^AT1aR are involved in the regulation of sodium intake during an imbalance in both the intracellular and extracellular fluid compartments. Furthermore, optical excitation of NTS^AT1aR increases c-Fos expression within oxytocinergic neurons of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), indicating that the regulation of sodium intake by NTS^AT1aR may be mediated by oxytocin. Collectively, these results reveal that NTS^AT1aR are sufficient and necessary to modulate sodium intake relative to perceived changes in vascular stretch.