Molecular Characterization of Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporters in the Rat Carotid Body and Their Regulation by Chronic Hypoxia

The mammalian carotid body (CB) is the main peripheral arterial chemoreceptor organ that is excited by decreases in blood PO2 (hypoxia) and increases in blood PCO2/H+. An increase in CB afferent carotid sinus nerve (CSN) discharge results in respiratory and cardiovascular reflex responses that help maintain homeostasis. The CB consists mainly of innervated clusters of the chemoreceptive type I (glomus) cells that are associated with the …