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Biomedical subjects

L Stensaas

Publications and source records attributed to L Stensaas.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The role of NADPH oxidase in carotid body arterial chemoreceptors.

O(2)-sensing in the carotid body occurs in neuroectoderm-derived type I glomus cells where hypoxia elicits a complex chemotransduction cascade involving membrane depolarization, Ca(2+) entry and the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. Efforts to understand the exquisite O(2)-sensitivity of these cells currently focus on the coupling between local P(O2) and the open-closed state of K(+)-channels. Amongst multiple competing hypotheses is the notion that K(+)-channel activity is mediated by a phagocytic-like multisubunit enzyme, NADPH oxidase, which produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in proportion to the prevailing P(O2). In O(2)-sensitive cells of lung neuroepithelial bodies (NEB), multiple studies confirm that ROS levels decrease in hypoxia, and that E(M) and K(+)-channel activity are indeed controlled by ROS produced by NADPH oxidase. However, recent studies in our laboratories suggest that ROS generated by a non-phagocyte isoform of the oxidase are important contributors to chemotransduction, but that their role in type I cells differs fundamentally from the mechanism utilized by NEB chemoreceptors. Data indicate that in response to hypoxia, NADPH oxidase activity is increased in type I cells, and further, that increased ROS levels generated in response to low-O(2) facilitate cell repolarization via specific subsets of K(+)-channels.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Effect of chronic hypoxia on purinergic synaptic transmission in rat carotid body.

Recent studies indicate that chemoafferent nerve fiber excitation in the rat carotid body is mediated by acetylcholine and ATP, acting at nicotinic cholinergic receptors and P2X2 purinoceptors, respectively. We previously demonstrated that, after a 10- to 14-day exposure to chronic hypoxia (CH), the nicotinic cholinergic receptor blocker mecamylamine no longer inhibits rat carotid sinus nerve (CSN) activity evoked by an acute hypoxic challenge. The present experiments examined the effects of CH (9-16 days at 380 Torr) on the expression of P2X2 purinoceptors in carotid body and chemoafferent neurons, as well as the effectiveness of P2X2 receptor blocking drugs on CSN activity evoked by hypoxia. In the normal carotid body, immunocytochemical studies demonstrated a dense plexus of P2X2-positive nerve fibers penetrating lobules of type I cells. In addition, type I cells were lightly stained, indicating P2X2 receptor expression. After CH, the intensity of P2X2 receptor immunostaining was maintained in chemosensory type I cells and in the soma of chemoafferent neurons. P2 receptor expression on type I cells was confirmed by demonstrations of ATP-evoked increased intracellular Ca2+; this response was modulated by simultaneous exposure to hypoxia. In normal preparations, CSN activity evoked by hypoxia in vitro was 65% inhibited in the presence of specific P2X2 receptor antagonists. However, unlike the absence of mecamylamine action after CH, P2X2 antagonists remained effective against hypoxia-evoked activity after CH. Our findings indicate that ATP acting at P2X2 receptors contributes to adjusted chemoreceptor activity after CH, indicating a possible role for purinergic mechanisms in the adaptation of the carotid body in a chronic low-O2 environment.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Effect of p47phox gene deletion on ROS production and oxygen sensing in mouse carotid body chemoreceptor cells.

Membrane potential in oxygen-sensitive type I cells in carotid body is controlled by diverse sets of voltage-dependent and -independent K(+) channels. Coupling of Po(2) to the open-closed state of channels may involve production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NADPH oxidase. One hypothesis suggests that ROS are produced in proportion to the prevailing Po(2) and a subset of K(+) channels closes as ROS levels decrease. We evaluated ROS levels in normal and p47(phox) gene-deleted [NADPH oxidase knockout (KO)] type I cells using the ROS-sensitive dye dihydroethidium (DHE). In normal cells, hypoxia elicited an increase in ROS, which was blocked by the specific NADPH oxidase inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF, 3 mM). KO type I cells did not respond to hypoxia, but the mitochondrial uncoupler azide (5 microM) elicited increased fluorescence in both normal and KO cells. Hypoxia had no effect on ROS production in sensory and sympathetic neurons. Methodological control experiments showed that stimulation of neutrophils with a cocktail containing the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (1 microM), arachidonic acid (10 microM), and cytochalasin B (5 microg/ml) elicited a rapid increase in DHE fluorescence. This response was blocked by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (10 microM). KO neutrophils did not respond; however, azide (5 microM) elicited a rapid increase in fluorescence. Physiological studies in type I cells demonstrated that hypoxia evoked an enhanced depression of K+ current and increased intracellular Ca2+ levels in KO vs. normal cells. Moreover, AEBSF potentiated hypoxia-induced increases in intracellular Ca2+ and enhanced the depression of K+ current in low O(2). Our findings suggest that local compartmental increases in oxidase activity and ROS production inhibit the activity of type I cells by facilitating K+ channel activity in hypoxia.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Role of endothelin and endothelin A-type receptor in adaptation of the carotid body to chronic hypoxia.

Chronic exposure in a low-PO(2) environment (i.e., chronic hypoxia, CH) elicits an elevated hypoxic ventilatory response and increased hypoxic chemosensitivity in arterial chemoreceptors in the carotid body. In the present study, we examine the hypothesis that changes in chemosensitivity are mediated by endothelin (ET), a 21-amino-acid peptide, and ET(A) receptors, both of which are normally expressed by O(2)-sensitive type I cells. Immunocytochemical staining showed incremental increases in ET and ET(A) expression in type I cells after 3, 7, and 14 days of CH (380 Torr). Peptide and receptor upregulation was confirmed in quantitative RT-PCR assays conducted after 14 days of CH. In vitro recordings of carotid sinus nerve activity after in vivo exposure to CH for 1-16 days demonstrated a time-dependent increase in chemoreceptor activity evoked by acute hypoxia. In normal carotid body, the specific ET(A) antagonist BQ-123 (5 microM) inhibited 11% of the nerve discharge elicited by hypoxia, and after 3 days of CH the drug diminished the hypoxia-evoked discharge by 20% (P < 0.01). This inhibitory effect progressed to 45% at day 9 of CH and to nearly 50% after 12, 14, and 16 days of CH. Furthermore, in the presence of BQ-123, the magnitude of the activity evoked by hypoxia did not differ in normal vs. CH preparations, indicating that the increased activity was the result of endogenous ET acting on an increasing number of ET(A). Collectively, our data suggest that ET and ET(A) autoreceptors on O(2)-sensitive type I cells play a critical role in CH-induced increased chemosensitivity in the rat carotid body.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2002

Chronic hypoxia upregulates connexin43 expression in rat carotid body and petrosal ganglion.

Recent studies have demonstrated that oxygen-sensitive type I cells in the carotid body express the gap junction-forming protein connexin43 (Cx43). In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that chronic exposure to hypoxia increases Cx43 expression in type I cells as well as in chemoafferent neurons in the petrosal ganglion. Immunocytochemical studies in tissues from normal rats revealed diffuse and granular Cx43-like immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm of type I cells and dense punctate spots of immunoreactive product at the margins of type I cells and near the borders of chemosensory cell lobules. Cx43-like immunoreactivity was not detectable in petrosal ganglion neurons from normal animals. After a 2-wk exposure to hypobaric (380 Torr) hypoxia, Cx43 immunostaining was substantially enhanced in and around type I cells. Moreover, chronic hypoxia elicited the expression of Cx43-like immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm of afferent neurons throughout the petrosal ganglion. Quantitative RT-PCR studies indicate that chronic hypoxia evokes a substantial increase in Cx43 mRNA levels in the carotid body, along with a marked elevation of Cx43 expression in the petrosal ganglion. Increased Cx43 expression and gap junction formation in type I cells and sensory neurons may contribute to carotid body adaptation during sustained stimulation in extreme physiological conditions.

Actins↗
PubMed1991

Chronically implanted intrafascicular recording electrodes.

A newly designed intrafascicular electrode for chronic neural recording was studied by implanting 12 electrodes in the radial nerves of 6 cats for 6 months. Action potentials were monitored at specified intervals throughout the experiment. The number and size of the signals recorded suggest that this type of electrode provides information that is appropriate for feedback control in functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems. Histology of the nerve revealed that the implants are biocompatible and that little damage is caused by the presence of the electrode.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1989

Snug tubular enclosures reduce extrafascicular axonal escape at peripheral nerve repair sites.

A method of fascicular nerve repair utilizing silicone rubber tubes has been developed and tested in the dog whose nerves, like those of man, have a thick epineurial sheath. The closely fitting tubes provide a noncompressive enclosure which minimizes axonal escape and facilitates axon regeneration in at least two ways: First, they provide an impermeable conduit for endoneurial fluid whose constituents create an environment favoring the regeneration of axons and Schwann cells. Second, the biocompatible tube induces rapid development of a highly organized capsule which isolates the repair site, prevents adhesions, and strengthens the discontinuity. Enclosure of coapted fascicles also improves alignment of endoneurial components while providing space for the resolution of edema. The inert, noncompressive enclosures appear to minimize unregulated axonal growth at the site of injury by providing a qualitatively distinct environment from that in loose or open tubes.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Cytospecific properties of arterial chemosensory neurons.

The carotid body of the cat was reinnervated either by the carotid branch or by the glossal branch of the IXth nerve and evaluated histologically and neurophysiologically. Regenerating foreign fibers re-established 90% fewer specialized terminals on glomus cells and displayed a greatly diminished chemosensory response, compared to axons of the regenerating carotid branch. Regenerating sensory neurons appear to develop chemosensitivity as a consequence of contact with glomus cells.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Protein phosphorylation signaling mechanisms in carotid body chemoreception.

Chemotransduction in the carotid body occurs in specialized type I cells and likely involves a complex series of regulated events which culminates in the release of neurotransmitter agents and the excitation of afferent nerve fibers. Previous studies have shown that multiple factors, including the levels of calcium and cyclic nucleotide second messengers, are important regulators of the chemoreceptor transduction cascade in type I cells. In addition, increases in electrical excitability induced in type I cells by chronic exposure to hypoxia are mimicked by agents which elevate intracellular cyclic AMP levels [Stea et al., J Neurosci 1995;15:2192-2202]. These and other findings suggest that protein kinases, and the phosphorylation of specific protein targets are important components of the hypoxic transduction machinery. Moreover, protein kinase-mediated cascades may participate in the well-known physiological adjustments which occur in the carotid body during prolonged stimulation. In the current study, our data demonstrate (1) the presence of specific protein kinases and target phosphoproteins in the carotid body, and also in the morphologically similar small intensely fluorescent cells of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglia. (2) Nitric oxide production and efferent inhibition in the chemosensory tissue is reduced in the presence of the specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor, lavendustin A. (3) Hypoxia-induced catecholamine release from type I cells is inhibited by the protein kinase A antagonist, Rp-cAMPs. And finally (4), exposure to chronic hypoxia up-regulates the expression of the tyrosine kinase, fyn, and an important growth regulatory phosphoprotein, growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43). These findings suggest that second messenger-mediated phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of specific protein targets is a mechanism capable of regulating diverse cellular functions in the carotid body during acute and chronic stimulation.

Animals↗