Circuit-Specific Control of Blood Pressure by PNMT‑Expressing Nucleus Tractus Solitarii Neurons

The nucleus tractus solitarii(NTS)is one of the morphologically and functionally defined centers that engage in the autonomic regulation of cardiovascular activity.Phenotypically-characterized NTS neurons have been implicated in the differential regulation of blood pressure(BP).Here,we investigated whether phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase(PNMT)-expressing NTS(NTS^(PNMT))neurons contribute to the control of BP.We demonstrate that photostimulation of NTS^(PNMT)neurons has variable effects on BP.A depressor response was produced during optogenetic stimulation of NTS^(PNMT)neurons projecting to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus,lateral parabrachial nucleus,and caudal ventrolateral medulla.Conversely,photostimulation of NTS^(PNMT)neurons projecting to the rostral ventrolateral medulla produced a robust pressor response and bradycardia.In addition,genetic ablation of both NTS^(PNMT)neurons and those projecting to the rostral ventrolateral medulla impaired the arterial baroreflex.Overall,we revealed the neuronal phenotype-and circuit-specific mechanisms underlying the contribution of NTS^(PNMT)neurons to the regulation of BP.

Respiratory Control by Phox2b-expressing Neurons in a Locus Coeruleus–pre B?tzinger Complex Circuit

The locus coeruleus(LC) has been implicated in the control of breathing.Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome results from mutation of the paired-like homeobox 2 b(Phox2 b) gene that is expressed in LC neurons.The present study was designed to address whether stimulation of Phox2 b-expressing LC(Phox2 b~(LC)) neurons affects breathing and to reveal the putative circuit mechanism.A Cre-dependent viral vector encoding a Gqcoupled human M3 muscarinic receptor(hM3 Dq) was delivered into the LC of Phox2 b-Cre mice.The hM3 Dqtransduced neurons were pharmacologically activated while respiratory function was measured by plethysmography.We demonstrated that selective stimulation of Phox2 b~(LC) neurons significantly increased basal ventilation in conscious mice.Genetic ablation of these neurons markedly impaired hypercapnic ventilatory responses.Moreover,stimulation of Phox2 b~(LC) neurons enhanced the activity of preBotzinger complex neurons.Finally,axons of Phox2 b~(LC) neurons projected to the preBotzinger complex.Collectively,Phox2 b~(LC) neurons contribute to the control of breathing most likely via an LC-preBotzinger complex circuit.

A Neural Circuit Mechanism Controlling Breathing by Leptin in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarii

Leptin,an adipocyte-derived peptide hormone,has been shown to facilitate breathing.However,the central sites and circuit mechanisms underlying the respiratory effects of leptin remain incompletely understood.The present study aimed to address whether neurons expressing leptin receptor b(LepRb)in the nucleus tractus solitarii(NTS)contribute to respiratory control.Both chemogenetic and optogenetic stimulation of LepRb-ex-pressing NTS(NTS^(LepRb))neurons notably activated breathing.Moreover,stimulation of NTS^(LepRb) neurons projecting to the lateral parabrachial nucleus(LPBN)not only remarkably increased basal ventilation to a level similar to that of the stimulation of all NTS^(LepRb) neurons,but also activated LPBN neurons projecting to the preBotzinger complex(preBotC).By contrast,ablation of NTS^pRb neurons projecting to the LPBN notably eliminated the enhanced respiratory effect induced by NTSLepRb neuron stimulation.In brainstem slices,bath application of leptin rapidly depolarized the membrane potential,increased the spontaneous firing rate,and accelerated the Ca2+transients in most NTSLepRb neurons.Therefore,leptin potentiates breathing in the NTS most likely via an NTS-LPBN-preBdtC circuit.