Ribo-tag Analysis of OPRM1 in PBel/PBN brain regions. Mus musculus musculus

We report that neurons expressing Oprm1 gene, which encode an opioid receptor in the lateral subdivision of parabrachial nucleus (PBLOprm1 neurons) is necessary and sufficient for the pathogenesis of OIRD. We show that neural activity of PBLOprm1 neurons is tightly correlated with respiratory rate in awake behaving mice, and this correlation is abolished by morphine injection. Chemogenetic inactivation of these neurons without morphine administration mimics OIRD, and chemogenetic activation of these neurons in mice with OIRD completely rescues their decreased respiratory rate to normal. Furthermore, activation of endogenous Gq-protein coupled receptor identified by transcriptome profiling in the PBLOprm1 neurons increased breathing rate. Taken together, this study shows that PBLOprm1 neurons are critical for both respiratory control and OIRD pathogenesis.