What is the glomus cell hypoxic response?

Glomus type I cells are secretory sensory neurons that release neurotransmitters in response to hypoxemia (low pO2), hypercapnia (high pCO2) or acidosis (low pH). Signals are transmitted to the afferent nerve fibers of the sinus nerve and may include dopamine, acetylcholine, and adenosine.

What is the function of glomus cells?

The glomus cell is the site of transduction of changes in plasma pO2, pCO2 and pH into changes in electrical activity of the afferent carotid sinus nerve.

What is glomus Caroticum?

The carotid body (carotid glomus or glomus caroticum) is a small cluster of chemoreceptors and supporting cells located near the bifurcation of the carotid artery. The carotid body detects changes in the composition of arterial blood flowing through it, mainly the partial pressure of oxygen, but also of carbon dioxide.

Are chemoreceptors sensitive to hypoxia?

Chronic hypoxia causes plasticity in O2-sensitive chemoreceptors and the hypoxic ventilatory response reflex. Ventilatory acclimatization to hours to months of hypoxia is a robust and universal response that reduces the impact of chronic hypoxia on oxygen levels in the body.

How are glomus cells affected by hypoxia?

Recent data suggest that carotid body glomus cells from animals raised under hypoxic conditions show blunted electrophysiologic responses to hypoxia compared to cells from healthy animals.

Can a glomus cell cause sudden infant death syndrome?

In infants, prolonged apnea despite persistent hypoxia or hypercarbia can culminate in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Recent data suggest that carotid body glomus cells from animals raised under hypoxic conditions show blunted electrophysiologic responses to hypoxia compared to cells from healthy animals.

How does vasopressin inhibit the response of glomus cells?

Vasopressin has been found to inhibit the response of glomus cells to hypoxia, presumably because the usual response to hypoxia is vasodilation, which in case of hypovolemia should be avoided.

How are glomus cells identified by electrophysiology?

Glomus cells can be identified based on electrophysiological characteristics (Fig. 3 ). Glomus cells, but not type II, express a fast, inward Na + current followed by a large (nA), outward K + current. With a little practice, inadvertent sealing of type II cells is rarely a problem. Fig. 3. Membrane current recording in rat carotid body section.

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