Gadolinium and mechanotransduction of rat aortic baroreceptors

Andresen, MC; Yang, M

HERO ID

3056525

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1992

Language

English

PMID

1590446

HERO ID 3056525
In Press No
Year 1992
Title Gadolinium and mechanotransduction of rat aortic baroreceptors
Authors Andresen, MC; Yang, M
Journal American Journal of Physiology
Volume 262
Issue 5 Pt 2
Page Numbers H1415-H1421
Abstract The cellular mechanisms enabling baroreceptors to transduce wall distortion into axonal discharge are unknown but might involve stretch-activated ion channels. Gadolinium (Gd3+, 10 microM) blocks stretch-activated channels in several preparations. Here we tested Gd3+ effects on discharge responses of 15 single-fiber baroreceptors in vitro. We simultaneously measured discharge, pressure, and aortic diameter at Gd3+ concentrations from 0.001 to 400 microM. High levels of Gd3+ added to a bicarbonate-buffered perfusate (Krebs) slightly shifted the pressure-discharge relation (less than 4 mmHg, n = 3, P = 0.01) without affecting slope or discharge frequency at threshold. Gd3+ in Krebs variably altered the pressure-diameter relation. Because 500 microM Gd3+ produced visible precipitate in Krebs, we tested Gd3+ in a simpler perfusate using N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES). Gd3+ in HEPES (n = 10) induced minor, but statistically significant, average increases in threshold (less than +5-7%) and no changes in gain. However, prolonged HEPES exposure alone (n = 2) produced similar shifts. Electron microscopy verified that Gd3+ diffused from the lumen to reach extracellular locations near baroreceptor endings. We conclude that 1) HEPES perfusate alone reversibly depresses baroreceptor discharge and 2) Gd3+ has no direct effects on baroreceptors. Thus it appears that aortic baroreceptor mechanotransduction must utilize a different class of stretch-activated ion channels.
Doi 10.1152/ajpheart.1992.262.5.H1415
Pmid 1590446
Wosid WOS:A1992HV37200015
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword PRESSORECEPTORS; STRETCH-ACTIVATED CHANNELS; MECHANORECEPTORS; LANTHANIDES; SENSORY TRANSDUCTION; N-2-HYDROXYETHYLPIPERAZINE-N'-2-ETHANESULFONIC ACID