The Role of Astrocytes in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarii in Maintaining Central Control of Autonomic Function

Overview

Journal Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol

Publisher American Physiological Society

Specialty Physiology

Date 2021 Jan 13

PMID 33439770

Citations 10

Authors

Diana Martinez

David D Kline

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

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.

Citing Articles

Vermian multinodular and vacuolating lesion of unknown significance discovered following syncope: a case report.

Passanisi M, Marrone S, Scalia G, Cicero S, Chaurasia B, Umana G Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2024; 86(10):6231-6235.

PMID: 39359824 PMC: 11444541. DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000002493.

Neonatal Chlamydia muridarum respiratory infection causes neuroinflammation within the brainstem during the early postnatal period.

Hedley K, Gomez H, Kecelioglu E, Carroll O, Jobling P, Horvat J J Neuroinflammation. 2024; 21(1):158.

PMID: 38879567 PMC: 11179230. DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03150-3.

The relationship between SGLT2 and systemic blood pressure regulation.

Ahwin P, Martinez D Hypertens Res. 2024; 47(8):2094-2103.

PMID: 38783146 PMC: 11298408. DOI: 10.1038/s41440-024-01723-6.

Glycemic Challenge Is Associated with the Rapid Cellular Activation of the Locus Ceruleus and Nucleus of Solitary Tract: Circumscribed Spatial Analysis of Phosphorylated MAP Kinase Immunoreactivity.

Tapia G, Agostinelli L, Chenausky S, Padilla J, Navarro V, Alagh A J Clin Med. 2023; 12(7).

PMID: 37048567 PMC: 10095283. DOI: 10.3390/jcm12072483.

The ins and outs of the caudal nucleus of the solitary tract: An overview of cellular populations and anatomical connections.

Holt M J Neuroendocrinol. 2022; 34(6):e13132.

PMID: 35509189 PMC: 9286632. DOI: 10.1111/jne.13132.

References

Baude A, Strube C, Tell F, Kessler J . Glutamatergic neurotransmission in the nucleus tractus solitarii: structural and functional characteristics. J Chem Neuroanat. 2009; 38(3):145-53. DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2009.03.004. View

Zurak N, Bilic E . Syncope: facts and fiction. Med Hypotheses. 2004; 63(3):394-401. DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2004.02.045. View

Franchini K, Krieger E . Cardiovascular responses of conscious rats to carotid body chemoreceptor stimulation by intravenous KCN. J Auton Nerv Syst. 1993; 42(1):63-9. DOI: 10.1016/0165-1838(93)90342-r. View

Barres B . The mystery and magic of glia: a perspective on their roles in health and disease. Neuron. 2008; 60(3):430-40. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2008.10.013. View

Mei L, Zhang J, Mifflin S . Hypertension alters GABA receptor-mediated inhibition of neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2003; 285(6):R1276-86. DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00255.2003. View

Powell F, Milsom W, Mitchell G . Time domains of the hypoxic ventilatory response. Respir Physiol. 1998; 112(2):123-34. DOI: 10.1016/s0034-5687(98)00026-7. View

Halassa M, Fellin T, Haydon P . The tripartite synapse: roles for gliotransmission in health and disease. Trends Mol Med. 2007; 13(2):54-63. DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2006.12.005. View

Vidruk E, Olson Jr E, Ling L, Mitchell G . Responses of single-unit carotid body chemoreceptors in adult rats. J Physiol. 2001; 531(Pt 1):165-70. PMC: 2278456. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.2001.0165j.x. View

Austgen J, Fong A, Foley C, Mueller P, Kline D, Heesch C . Expression of Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors on phenotypically different cells within the nucleus of the solitary tract in the rat. Neuroscience. 2008; 159(2):701-16. PMC: 2841035. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.09.060. View

10.

Powell F, Huey K, Dwinell M . Central nervous system mechanisms of ventilatory acclimatization to hypoxia. Respir Physiol. 2000; 121(2-3):223-36. DOI: 10.1016/s0034-5687(00)00130-4. View

11.

Matott M, Kline D, Hasser E . Glial EAAT2 regulation of extracellular nTS glutamate critically controls neuronal activity and cardiorespiratory reflexes. J Physiol. 2017; 595(17):6045-6063. PMC: 5577520. DOI: 10.1113/JP274620. View

12.

Verkhratsky A, Nedergaard M . Physiology of Astroglia. Physiol Rev. 2018; 98(1):239-389. PMC: 6050349. DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00042.2016. View

13.

Yamamoto K, Mifflin S . Inhibition of glial glutamate transporter GLT1 in the nucleus of the solitary tract attenuates baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve activity and heart rate. Physiol Rep. 2018; 6(18):e13877. PMC: 6144441. DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13877. View

14.

Bonham A, McCrimmon D . Neurones in a discrete region of the nucleus tractus solitarius are required for the Breuer-Hering reflex in rat. J Physiol. 1990; 427:261-80. PMC: 1189930. DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.1990.sp018171. View

15.

Koizumi S . Synchronization of Ca2+ oscillations: involvement of ATP release in astrocytes. FEBS J. 2009; 277(2):286-92. DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07438.x. View

16.

Almado C, Machado B, Leao R . Chronic intermittent hypoxia depresses afferent neurotransmission in NTS neurons by a reduction in the number of active synapses. J Neurosci. 2012; 32(47):16736-46. PMC: 6621780. DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2654-12.2012. View

17.

Peng Y, Overholt J, Kline D, Kumar G, Prabhakar N . Induction of sensory long-term facilitation in the carotid body by intermittent hypoxia: implications for recurrent apneas. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003; 100(17):10073-8. PMC: 187770. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1734109100. View

18.

Storck T, Schulte S, Hofmann K, STOFFEL W . Structure, expression, and functional analysis of a Na(+)-dependent glutamate/aspartate transporter from rat brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1992; 89(22):10955-9. PMC: 50461. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.89.22.10955. View

19.

Ling L, Fuller D, Bach K, Kinkead R, Olson Jr E, Mitchell G . Chronic intermittent hypoxia elicits serotonin-dependent plasticity in the central neural control of breathing. J Neurosci. 2001; 21(14):5381-8. PMC: 6762841. View

20.

Stokes J, Arbogast T, Moya E, Fu Z, Powell F . Minocycline blocks glial cell activation and ventilatory acclimatization to hypoxia. J Neurophysiol. 2017; 117(4):1625-1635. PMC: 5380779. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00525.2016. View