Hypoxia augments TRPM3-mediated calcium influx in vagal sensory neurons.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 3 (TRPM3) channels contribute to nodose afferent and brainstem nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS) activity. Exposure to short, sustained hypoxia (SH) and chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) enhances nTS activity, although the mechanisms are unknown. We hypothesized TRPM3 may contribute to increased neuronal activity in nTS-projecting nodose ganglia viscerosensory neurons, and its influence is elevated following hypoxia.