Involvement of platelet-derived growth factor-BB and its receptor-β in hypoxia-induced depression of excitatory synaptic transmission in the nucleus tractus solitarius of mice

Abstract

The role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB / PDGF receptor (PDGFR)-β signal in inhibition of synaptic transmission by hypoxia is unclear. In the nucleus tractus solitarius neurons, hypoxia with N2 or NaCN decreased the amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) similarly in wild type (WT) and PDGFR-β gene-knockout (KO) mice. Recovery of EP SCs after a high concentration of NaCN in KO mice was significantly faster than that in WT mice, while recovery after a low concentration of NaCN or N2 was not different between both mice. These results suggest that the PDGF-BB / PDGFR-β signal modulates the excitatory synaptic transmission during hypoxia. ©2010 The Japanese Pharmacological Society.