CO2/pH Chemosensory Signaling in Co-Cultures of Rat Carotid Body Receptors and Petrosal Neurons: Role of ATP and ACh

The neurotransmitter mechanisms that process acid hypercapnia in the mammalian carotid body (CB) are poorly understood. Using a co-culture model containing rat CB chemoreceptor (type 1 cell) clusters and petrosal neurons (PN), we tested the hypothesis that co-released ACh and ATP was an important mechanism. Sensory transmission from type I clusters to PN in co-culture occurred at chemical synapses via co-release of ATP and ACh because isohydric …