Abstract

The expiratory neurons of the Botzinger complex (BotC) provide inhibitory inputs to the respiratory network, which, during eupnea, are critically important for respiratory phase transition and duration control. Herein, we investigated how the BotC neurons interact with the expiratory oscillator located in the parafacial respiratory group (pFRG) and control the abdominal activity during active expiration. Using the decerebrated, arterially perfused in situ rat preparations, we recorded the neuronal activity and performed pharmacological manipulations of the BotC and pFRG during hypercapnia or after the exposure to short-term sustained hypoxia - conditions that generate active expiration. The experimental data were integrated in a mathematical model to gain new insights in the inhibitory connectome within the respiratory central pattern generator. Our results reveal a complex inhibitory circuitry within the BotC that provides inhibitory inputs to the pFRG thus restraining abdominal activity under resting conditions and contributing to abdominal expiratory pattern formation during active expiration.