Acute intermittent hypoxia-induced respiratory motor plasticity requires BDNF signaling.
Phrenic motor neurons express the high affinity BDNF receptor TrkB.
Intrapleural siRNA targeting TrkB receptors decreased TrkB receptor expression selectively on phrenic motor neurons.
Intrapleural siRNA targeting TrkB receptors abolished BDNF dependent, hypoxia-induced respiratory motor plasticity.
Phrenic motor neurons are a critical site for spinal respiratory motor plasticity.