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D-serine released by astrocytes in brainstem regulates breathing response to CO2 levels.

ABSTRACT: Central chemoreception is essential for adjusting breathing to physiological demands, and for maintaining CO2 and pH homeostasis in the brain. CO2-induced ATP release from brainstem astrocytes stimulates breathing. NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonism reduces the CO2-induced hyperventilation by unknown mechanisms. Here we show that astrocytes in the mouse caudal medullary brainstem can synthesize, store, and release D-serine, an agonist for the glycine-binding site of the NMDAR, in response to elevated CO2 levels. We show that systemic and raphe nucleus D-serine administration to awake, unrestrained mice increases the respiratory frequency. Application of D-serine to brainstem slices also increases respiratory frequency, which was prevented by NMDAR blockade. Inhibition of D-serine synthesis, enzymatic degradation of D-serine, or the sodium fluoroacetate-induced impairment of astrocyte functions decrease the basal respiratory frequency and the CO2-induced respiratory response in vivo and in vitro. Our findings suggest that astrocytic release of D-serine may account for the glutamatergic contribution to central chemoreception.Astrocytes are involved in chemoreception in brainstem areas that regulate breathing rhythm, and astrocytes are known to release D-serine. Here the authors show that astrocyte release of D-serine contributes to CO2 sensing and breathing in brainstem slices, and in vivo in awake unrestrained mice.

SUBMITTER: Beltran-Castillo S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5635109 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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D-serine released by astrocytes in brainstem regulates breathing response to CO2 levels.

Beltrán-Castillo S S Olivares M J MJ Contreras R A RA Zúñiga G G Llona I I von Bernhardi R R Eugenín J L JL

Nature communications 20171010 1

Central chemoreception is essential for adjusting breathing to physiological demands, and for maintaining CO2 and pH homeostasis in the brain. CO2-induced ATP release from brainstem astrocytes stimulates breathing. NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonism reduces the CO2-induced hyperventilation by unknown mechanisms. Here we show that astrocytes in the mouse caudal medullary brainstem can synthesize, store, and release D-serine, an agonist for the glycine-binding site o ...[more]

PMID: 29018191

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Project description:Prolonged high-fat diet (HFD) exposure is associated with hyperphagia, excess caloric intake and weight gain. After initial exposure to a HFD, a brief (24-48 h) period of hyperphagia is followed by the regulation of caloric intake and restoration of energy balance within an acute (3-5 day) period. Previous studies have demonstrated this occurs via a vagally mediated signalling cascade that increases glutamatergic transmission via activation of NMDA receptors located on gastric-projecting neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). The present study used electrophysiological recordings from thin brainstem slice preparations, in vivo recordings of gastric motility and tone, measurement of gastric emptying rates, and food intake studies to investigate the hypothesis that activation of brainstem astrocytes in response to acute HFD exposure is responsible for the increased glutamatergic drive to DMV neurons and the restoration of caloric balance. Pharmacological and chemogenetic inhibition of brainstem astrocytes reduced glutamatergic signalling and DMV excitability, dysregulated gastric tone and motility, attenuated the homeostatic delay in gastric emptying, and prevented the decrease in food intake that is observed during the period of energy regulation following initial exposure to HFD. Understanding the mechanisms involved in caloric regulation may provide critical insights into energy balance as well as into the hyperphagia that develops as these mechanisms are overcome. KEY POINTS: Initial exposure to a high fat diet is associated with a brief period of hyperphagia before caloric intake and energy balance is restored. This period of homeostatic regulation is associated with a vagally mediated signalling cascade that increases glutamatergic transmission to dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) neurons via activation of synaptic NMDA receptors. The present study demonstrates that pharmacological and chemogenetic inhibition of brainstem astrocytes reduced glutamatergic signalling and DMV neuronal excitability, dysregulated gastric motility and tone and emptying, and prevented the regulation of food intake following high-fat diet exposure. Astrocyte regulation of glutamatergic transmission to DMV neurons appears to involve release of the gliotransmitters glutamate and ATP. Understanding the mechanisms involved in caloric regulation may provide critical insights into energy balance as well as into the hyperphagia that develops as these mechanisms are overcome.

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D-serine released by astrocytes in brainstem regulates breathing response to CO2 levels.

Publications

D-serine released by astrocytes in brainstem regulates breathing response to CO<sub>2</sub> levels.

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