The overall objective of this proposal is to determine the existence and physiological significance of interdependence of ventilatory stimuli between central chemoreceptive/integrative centers and other peripheral and central ventilatory-related afferent inputs. Such interdependence is predicted by a recent model of ventilatory control based on newer neuroanatomical knowledge of the ventilatory control system. Our approach will be to quantify the interaction (hyperadditive, hypoadditive, or additive - i.e. no interaction) of the central chemoreceptors with key afferent inputs predicted to modulate the putative central chemosensors/integrator. Specifically, we will test the effect on the gain of the central chemoreceptors of: a) acute stimulation and inhibition of carotid body (CB) chemoreceptors during wakefulness and sleep;b) chronic hypoxic stimulation of carotid body (CB) chemoreceptors during wakefulness (acclimatization);c) normal physiological exercise with CB chemoreceptors held normocapnic and normoxic. To achieve this we will use our unique unanesthetized animal preparation, which allows separation of the environments of the central and peripheral chemoreceptors by means of reversible isolation and perfusion of the CB chemoreceptors. Using this preparation we can stimulate, inhibit, or maintain normal the carotid body chemoreceptors independently from the central chemoreceptors. We predict that we will observe hyperadditive interaction of the central chemoreceptors with all key afferent inputs thus confirming an interdependence between them. If confirmed, this concept will have a significant impact on our current understanding of the control of breathing in both health and disease. Our findings could be of particular importance in understanding: a) if the normal drive to spontaneous eupnea at rest in a normoxic environment depends critically on a gain-setting effect on the central chemoreceptor/integrator by the level of tonic sensory input from the CB chemoreceptors;b) the genesis of sleep apnea;c) the periodic breathing of heart failure;d) any pathological or environmental situation where chronic hypoxia is present;e) whether increased central chemosensitivity contributes significantly to exercise hyperpnea in health and especially in the presence of heart failure or chronic hypoxia, i.e., under conditions where CB chemoreceptor sensitivity is known to be upregulated.

Public Health Relevance

This study is relevant to public health because it will attempt to explain some of the fundamental mechanisms underlying the control of breathing in health and disease. It is hoped that better understanding of these mechanisms will lead to better solutions for prevention and/or treatment of breathing disorders, particularly that of sleep apnea, as well as exercise intolerance in cardiovascular diseases such as congestive heart failure.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL050531-14
Application #
8056598
Study Section
Respiratory Integrative Biology and Translational Research Study Section (RIBT)
Program Officer
Laposky, Aaron D
Project Start
1995-04-05
Project End
2014-03-31
Budget Start
2011-04-01
Budget End
2012-03-31
Support Year
14
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$371,250
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Smith, Curtis A; Blain, Grégory M; Henderson, Kathleen S et al. (2015) Peripheral chemoreceptors determine the respiratory sensitivity of central chemoreceptors to CO2 : role of carotid body CO2. J Physiol 593:4225-43
Dempsey, Jerome A; Smith, Curtis A (2014) Pathophysiology of human ventilatory control. Eur Respir J 44:495-512
Dempsey, Jerome A; Veasey, Sigrid C; Morgan, Barbara J et al. (2010) Pathophysiology of sleep apnea. Physiol Rev 90:47-112
Smith, Curtis A; Forster, Hubert V; Blain, Gregory M et al. (2010) An interdependent model of central/peripheral chemoreception: evidence and implications for ventilatory control. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 173:288-97
Forster, H V; Smith, C A (2010) Contributions of central and peripheral chemoreceptors to the ventilatory response to CO2/H+. J Appl Physiol 108:989-94
Chenuel, Bruno J; Smith, Curtis A; Skatrud, James B et al. (2006) Increased propensity for apnea in response to acute elevations in left atrial pressure during sleep in the dog. J Appl Physiol 101:76-83
Smith, C A; Rodman, J R; Chenuel, B J A et al. (2006) Response time and sensitivity of the ventilatory response to CO2 in unanesthetized intact dogs: central vs. peripheral chemoreceptors. J Appl Physiol 100:13-9
Nakayama, Hideaki; Smith, Curtis A; Rodman, Joshua R et al. (2003) Carotid body denervation eliminates apnea in response to transient hypocapnia. J Appl Physiol 94:155-64
Rodman, J R; Curran, A K; Henderson, K S et al. (2001) Carotid body denervation in dogs: eupnea and the ventilatory response to hyperoxic hypercapnia. J Appl Physiol 91:328-35
Curran, A K; Rodman, J R; Eastwood, P R et al. (2000) Ventilatory responses to specific CNS hypoxia in sleeping dogs. J Appl Physiol 88:1840-52

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