Lewis R, Smith C, Burd E, Nichols N (2025) Phrenic motor nucleus astrocytic density and morphology in a rodent model of respiratory motor neuron death. Am Physiol Soc 40(S1) doi: 10.1152/physiol.2025.40.S1.1115
Objective: Authors hypothesized that astrocytic density would be increased and astrocytic morphology would be altered in the phrenic motor nucleus over the course of motor neuron death in CTB-SAP rats vs. controls.
Summary: The number of astrocytes was significantly increased in CTB-SAP-treated rats. Furthermore, an astrocytic morphological analysis revealed that CTB-SAP rats have significantly increased branch number, number of endpoints, filament volume, and number of intersections, as well as significantly decreased branch volume and branch length inside the phrenic motor nucleus. Additionally, astrocytic number in the non-phrenic motor nucleus region immediately outside of the phrenic motor nucleus was significantly increased while branch length was significantly decreased in CTB-SAP treated rats. Collectively, these findings are indicative of a reactive morphological state in the phrenic motor nucleus in CTB-SAP rats and suggest that astrocytes may also be an origin of TNF-α to impact phrenic plasticity and ultimately breathing.
Usage: Intrapleural injection of CTB-SAP (IT-14) in rat
Related Products: CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14)