Mitochondrial Content of Carotid Body Type I Cells Decreases During the Maturation of the Hypoxic Response
Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: Carotid body (CB) responses to hypoxia are low at birth and increase over time to mature responses. Using an in vitro rat CB‐carotid sinus nerve (CSN) preparation, Kholwadwala and Donnelly (1992) demonstrated that the CSN activity in response to hypoxia increased from low levels to a robust adult response after two weeks. This time course of maturation was paralleled by an increase in TASK channel sensitivity to hypoxia (Kim et al, 2011). The mechanism(s) which underpin this increase in O 2 ‐sensitivity has not been addressed. However, a body of evidence suggest mitochondria in Type I cells are critical for O 2 ‐sensing by the CB. We tested the hypothesis that changes occur in mitochondrial organization during development of O 2 ‐sensitivity in CBs. Type I cells were isolated from juvenile (4–6 days) and mature rats (14–16 days). Cells were stained with Mitotracker and Celltracker. Total mitochondrial volume in juvenile Type I cells was 100.3 ± 13.6 μm 3 (n = 23) and this was significantly smaller in mature cells, 22.6 ± 3.4 μm 3 (n = 17, P<0.00003). This decrease in mitochondrial volume was not observed in non‐oxygen sensing cells (superior cervical ganglion cells). These data demonstrate significant reductions in the mitochondrial content of mature Type I cells. This will likely impact the metabolic setting of the cell and may underpin the development of O 2 ‐sensitivity. Supported in part by an NIH grant 1RO1HL091836
Source: The FASEB Journal
Institution: Wright State University
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Award: G9000052737
OpenAlex ID: W1570771458