Cell
Volume 161, Issue 3, 23 April 2015, Pages 622-633
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Article
Vagal Sensory Neuron Subtypes that Differentially Control Breathing

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2015.03.022Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Genetic tools deconstruct the vagus nerve into several co-fasciculating labeled lines

  • Two vagal sensory neuron types evoke powerful and distinct effects on breathing

  • P2ry1 and Npy2r neurons differentially innervate the lung and brainstem

  • P2ry1 neurons trap breathing in exhalation and do not impact heart rate

Summary

Breathing is essential for survival and under precise neural control. The vagus nerve is a major conduit between lung and brain required for normal respiration. Here, we identify two populations of mouse vagus nerve afferents (P2ry1, Npy2r), each a few hundred neurons, that exert powerful and opposing effects on breathing. Genetically guided anatomical mapping revealed that these neurons densely innervate the lung and send long-range projections to different brainstem targets. Npy2r neurons are largely slow-conducting C fibers, while P2ry1 neurons are largely fast-conducting A fibers that contact pulmonary endocrine cells (neuroepithelial bodies). Optogenetic stimulation of P2ry1 neurons acutely silences respiration, trapping animals in exhalation, while stimulating Npy2r neurons causes rapid, shallow breathing. Activating P2ry1 neurons did not impact heart rate or gastric pressure, other autonomic functions under vagal control. Thus, the vagus nerve contains intermingled sensory neurons constituting genetically definable labeled lines with different anatomical connections and physiological roles.

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