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L L Odette

Publications and source records attributed to L L Odette.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Model of potassium dynamics in the central nervous system.

A one-dimensional numerical model of potassium dynamics in the central nervous system is developed. The model incorporates the following physiological processes in computing spatial and temporal changes in extracellular K+ concentration, [K+]o: 1) the release of K+ from K+ sources into extracellular space, 2) diffusion of K+ through extracellular space, 3) active uptake of K+ into cells and blood vessels, 4) passive uptake of K+ into a cellular distribution space, and 5) the transfer of K+ by K+ spatial buffer current flow in glial cells. The following tissue parameters can be specified along the single spatial dimension of the model: 1) the volume fraction and tortuosity of extracellular and glial cell spaces, 2) the volume fraction of the cellular distribution space, 3) rate constants of active uptake and passive uptake processes, and 4) glial cell membrane conductance. The model computes variations in [K+]o and current flow through glial cells for three tissue geometries: 1) planar geometry (the retina and the surface of the brain), 2) cylindrical geometry (tissue surrounding a blood vessel), and 3) spherical geometry (tissue surrounding a point source of K+). For simple sources of K+, the performance of the model matches that predicted from analytical equations. Simulations of previous ion dynamics experiments indicate that the model can accurately predict ion diffusion and K+ current flow in the brain. Simulations of electroretinogram generation and K+ siphoning onto blood vessels suggest that unanticipated K+ dynamics mechanisms may be operating in the central nervous system.

Animals↗

Control of extracellular potassium levels by retinal glial cell K+ siphoning.

Efflux of K+ from dissociated salamander Müller cells was measured with ion-selective microelectrodes. When the distal end of an isolated cell was exposed to high concentrations of extracellular K+, efflux occurred primarily from the endfoot, a cell process previously shown to contain most of the K+ conductance of the cell membrane. Computer simulations of K+ dynamics in the retina indicate that shunting ions through the Müller cell endfoot process is more effective in clearing local increases in extracellular K+ from the retina than is diffusion through extracellular space.

Ambystoma↗

Ferritin conjugates as specific magnetic labels. Implications for cell separation.

Concanavalin A coupled to the naturally occurring iron storage protein ferritin is used to label rat erythrocytes and increase the cells' magnetic susceptibility. Labeled cells are introduced into a chamber containing spherical iron particles and the chamber is placed in a uniform 5.2 kG (gauss) magnetic field. The trajectory of cells in the inhomogeneous magnetic field around the iron particles and the polar distributions of cells bound to the iron particles compare well with the theoretical predictions for high gradient magnetic systems. On the basis of these findings we suggest that ferritin conjugated ligands can be used for selective magnetic separation of labeled cells.

Animals↗

Model of electroretinogram b-wave generation: a test of the K+ hypothesis.

Generation of the electroretinogram b-wave is simulated with a computer model representing a dark-adapted amphibian retina. The simulation tests the K+ hypothesis of b-wave generation, which holds that b-wave currents arise from localized Müller cell depolarizations generated by light-evoked increases in extracellular K+ concentration, [K+]o. The model incorporates the following components and processes quantitatively: 1) two time-dependent K+ sources representing the light-evoked [K+]o increases in the inner and outer plexiform layers, 2) a time- and [K+]o-dependent K+ sink representing the [K+]o decrease in the rod inner segment layer, 3) diffusion of released K+ through extracellular space, 4) active K+ reuptake and passive K+ drift across the Müller cell membrane, 5) spatial variations in the tortuosity factor and the volume fraction of extracellular space, 6) an extraretinal shunt resistance. Müller cells are modeled with 1) cytoplasmic resistance, 2) spatial variations in membrane permeability to K+, and 3) a membrane potential specified by the Nernst equation and transmembrane current flow. For specified K+ source and sink densities, the model computes [K+]o variations in time and retinal depth. Based on these [K+]o distributions, Müller cell potentials, current source-density profiles, and intraretinal and transretinal voltages are calculated. Imposed [K+]o distributions similar to those seen experimentally during the b-wave lead to the generation of a transient b-wave response and to a prolonged Müller response in the model system. These response time courses arise because the b-wave is dominated by the short-lived distal [K+]o increase, while the Müller response primarily reflects the long-lived proximal [K+]o increase. Current source-density distributions and intraretinal voltage profiles that are generated by the model at the peak of the b-wave closely resemble experimental results. The model generates a realistic slow PIII potential in response to prolonged [K+]o decreases in the distal retina and reproduces the K+ ejection results of Yanagida and Tomita (50) accurately. Simulations also suggest that tissue damage caused by K+-selective micropipettes in experimental preparations can lead to an underestimation of the distal [K+]o increase. The simulations demonstrate that the spatiotemporal properties of intraretinal b-wave voltages and currents and Müller cell responses can be generated according to the K+ hypothesis: by passive Müller cell depolarization driven by variations in [K+]o.

Animals↗