The pontine Kölliker-Fuse nucleus (KFn) is a core nucleus of respiratory network that mediates the inspiratory-expiratory phase transition and gates eupneic motor discharges in the vagal and hypoglossal nerves. In the present study, we investigated whether the same KFn circuit may also gate motor activities that control the resistance of the nasal airway, which is of particular importance in rodents. To do so, we simultaneously recorded phrenic, facial, vagal and hypoglossal cranial nerve activity in an in situ perfused brainstem preparation before and after bilateral injection of the GABA-receptor agonist isoguvacine (50–70 nl, 10 mM) into the KFn (n = 11). Our results show that bilateral inhibition of the KFn triggers apneusis (prolonged inspiration) and abolished pre-inspiratory discharge of facial, vagal and hypoglossal nerves as well as post-inspiratory discharge in the vagus. We conclude that the KFn plays a critical role for the eupneic regulation of naso-pharyngeal airway patency and the potential functions of the KFn in regulating airway patency and orofacial behavior is discussed.

脑桥 Kölliker-Fuse 核 (KFn) 是呼吸网络的核心核，它介导吸气-呼气相变并控制迷走神经和舌下神经中的平稳运动放电。在本研究中，我们调查了相同的 KFn 回路是否也可以控制控制鼻气道阻力的运动活动，这在啮齿动物中尤其重要。为此，我们在原位同时记录了膈神经、面部神经、迷走神经和舌下神经活动。在双侧注射 GABA 受体激动剂异甘氨酸（50-70 nl，10 mM）到 KFn（n = 11）之前和之后灌注脑干制剂。我们的结果表明，双侧抑制 KFn 会引发呼吸暂停（延长吸气时间）并消除面部、迷走神经和舌下神经的吸气前放电以及迷走神经中的吸气后放电。我们得出结论，KFn 在鼻咽气道通畅的调节中起关键作用，并讨论了 KFn 在调节气道通畅和口面部行为方面的潜在功能。