# Enhanced central chemoreception contributes to breathing problems in hypertension

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS · 2024 · $48,713

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Central chemoreception is the mechanism by which the brain regulates breathing in response to changes in
blood CO2/H+. The retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) is an important site for central respiratory chemoreception, and
there is evidence suggesting RTN chemoreception is hyper-active in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs)
and this contributes to unstable periodic breathing. This is significant because breathing abnormalities can lead
to enhanced sympathetic outflow, which further exacerbates the progression of hypertension. Despite this
significance, the cellular and molecular basis for disordered breathing in hypertension is unclear. My central
hypothesis is that over-activation of RTN chemoreception contributes to disordered breathing in hypertension,
and treatments that limit RTN chemoreception will improve cardiorespiratory function in SHRs. To test this, I will:
use a combination of electrophysiology and imaging approaches to characterize the CO2/H+ response of RTN
neurons, astrocytes, and arterioles in slices from SHRs and control rats (Aim 1) and determine whether key
elements of RTN chemoreception can be targeted to improve breathing and blood pressure in SHRs (Aim 2).
Important outcomes of this work include 1) determining the cellular and molecular basis of RTN dysfunction in
SHRs, 2) identifying candidate therapeutic targets for the treatment of unstable breathing in hypertension, and
3) providing valuable training in the molecular, cellular, and whole-animal approaches which will poise me to
achieve my goal of becoming an independent investigator.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10997026
- **Project number:** 1F31HL172642-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael Allen Jolly
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $48,713
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10997026

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10997026, Enhanced central chemoreception contributes to breathing problems in hypertension (1F31HL172642-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10997026. Licensed CC0.

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