Nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) expression of GAD67 and neurokinin receptors (NK1-R) in transgenic GAD67-eGFP mice

Abstract

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) and NK1‐R are important components of autonomic circuits controlling cardiorespiratory function. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of GAD67 neurons in the NTS using transgenic mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) controlled by the GAD67 promoter. Adult mice (n=2) were anesthetized and transcardially‐perfused. Cryostat sections (30μm) containing the NTS were stained with a polyclonal antibody against NK1‐Rs and visualized with Cy3 secondary antibody. GAD67 and NK1‐R expressing cells were counted and sections reconstructed using Neurolucida software. A total of 15,404 medullary neurons were counted. Of the total..