Involvement of platelet-derived growth factor-BB and its receptor-beta in hypoxia-induced depression of excitatory synaptic transmission in the nucleus tractus solitarius of mice.

The role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB / PDGF receptor (PDGFR)-beta signal in inhibition of synaptic transmission by hypoxia is unclear. In the nucleus tractus solitarius neurons, hypoxia with N(2) or NaCN decreased the amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) similarly in wild type (WT) and PDGFR-beta gene-knockout (KO) mice. Recovery of EP SCs after a high concentration of NaCN in KO mice was significantly faster than that in WT mice, while recovery after a low concentration of NaCN or N(2) was not different between both mice. These results suggest that the PDGF-BB / PDGFR-beta signal modulates the excitatory synaptic transmission during hypoxia.