Cell types and synchronous-activity patterns of inspiratory neurons in the preBotzinger complex of mouse medullary slices during early postnatal development

To examine whether and how the inspiratory neuronal network in the preBotzinger complex (preBotC) develops during the early postnatal period, we quantified the composition of the population of inspiratory neurons between postnatal day 1 (p1) and p10 by applying calcium imaging to medullary transverse slices in double-transgenic mice expressing fluorescent marker proteins. We found that putative excitatory and glycinergic neurons formed a majority of the population of inspiratory neurons, and the composition rates of these two inspiratory neurons inverted at p5-6. We also found that the activity patterns of these two types of inspiratory neurons became significantly well-synchronized with the inspiratory rhythmic bursting pattern in the preBotC within the first postnatal week. GABAergic and GABA-glycine cotransmitting inspiratory neurons formed only a small population just after birth, which almost disappeared until p10. In conclusion, the inspiratory neuronal network in the preBotC matures at the level of both neuronal population and neuronal activities during early postnatal development.

Automated summary

By using calcium imaging in double-transgenic mice expressing fluorescent marker proteins, we found that the inspiratory neuronal network in the preBotC develops during the early postnatal period. Excitatory and glycinergic neurons formed the majority of inspiratory neurons, and their composition rates inverted at p5-6. The activity patterns of these two types of inspiratory neurons became synchronized with the inspiratory rhythmic bursting pattern in the preBotC within the first postnatal week. GABAergic and GABA-glycine cotransmitting inspiratory neurons were present in a small population just after birth, but almost disappeared until p10.