Inspiratory bursts in the preBotzinger complex depend on a calcium-activated non-specific cation current linked to glutamate receptors in neonatal mice.

摘要

Inspiratory neurons of the preBotzinger complex (preBotC) form local excitatory networks and display 10-30 mV transient depolarizations, dubbed inspiratory drive potentials, with superimposed spiking. AMPA receptors are critical for rhythmogenesis under normal conditions in vitro but whether other postsynaptic mechanisms contribute to drive potential generation remains unknown. We examined synaptic and intrinsic membrane properties that generate inspiratory drive potentials in preBotC neurons using neonatal mouse medullary slice preparations that generate respiratory rhythm. We found that NMDA receptors, group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), but not group II mGluRs, contributed to inspiratory drive potentials. Subtype 1 of the group I mGluR family (mGluR1) probably regulates a K+ channel, whereas mGluR5 operates via an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor-dependent mechanism to augment drive potential generation. We tested for and verified the presence of a Ca2+-activated non-specific cation current (I(CAN)) in preBotC neurons. We also found that high concentrations of intracellular BAPTA, a high-affinity Ca2+ chelator, and the I(CAN) antagonist flufenamic acid (FFA) decreased the magnitude of drive potentials. We conclude that I(CAN) underlies robust inspiratory drive potentials in preBotC neurons, and is only fully evoked by ionotropic and metabotropic glutamatergic synaptic inputs, i.e. by network activity.