Stephen B. Abbott

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  • Phone: 434- 924-5849
  • Fax: 434-982-3878

Primary Appointment

Assistant Professor, Pharmacology

Education

  • BS, Physiology, Psychology, University of Sydney
  • PhD, Medicine, Macquarie University
  • Post-Doc, University of Virginia
  • Post-Doc, Sleep-wake systems, autonomic neurobiology, Harvard University

Research Disciplines

Biotechnology, Cardiovascular Biology, Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Molecular Pharmacology, Neuroendocrinology, Neuroscience, Physiology

Research Interests

Neurobiology of the cardiovascular and respiratory system, Central mechanisms linking cardiorespiratory function with affective state and emotion

Research Description

Our goal is to understand how the brain integrates sensory feedback to control specific autonomic responses that restore physiologic balance. We are also interested in the cross-talk between cardiorespiratory physiology and affective state. To address these issues, we combine use a systems neuroscience approach such as optogenetics, electrophysiology, and calcium imaging, RNA sequencing and rodent genetics together with surgical manipulations and pharmacology. Through the use of these approaches, we aim to identify the cell types and network interactions that regulate the homeostatic of breathing and cardiovascular function, and characterize how changes in the function of this system lead to cardiovascular disease and affective disorders.

Personal Statement

Our goal is to understand how the brain integrates sensory feedback to control specific autonomic responses that restore physiologic balance. We are also interested in the cross-talk between cardiorespiratory physiology and affective state. To address these issues, we combine use a systems neuroscience approach such as optogenetics, electrophysiology, and calcium imaging, RNA sequencing and rodent genetics together with surgical manipulations and pharmacology. Through the use of these approaches, we aim to identify the cell types and network interactions that regulate the homeostatic of breathing and cardiovascular function, and characterize how changes in the function of this system lead to cardiovascular disease.

Selected Publications

2024

Schwalbe, D. C., Stornetta, D. S., Abraham-Fan, R. -J., Souza, G. M. P. R., Jalil, M., Crook, M. E., . . . Abbott, S. B. G. (2024). Molecular Organization of Autonomic, Respiratory, and Spinally-Projecting Neurons in the Mouse Ventrolateral Medulla. JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, 44(31). doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2211-23.2024

Kharel, Y., Huang, T., Dunnavant, K., Foster, D., Souza, G., Nimchuk, K. E., . . . Lynch, K. R. (2024). Assessing Spns2-dependent S1P Transport as a Prospective Therapeutic Target.. bioRxiv. doi:10.1101/2024.03.26.586765

Strain, M. M., Conley, N. J., Kauffman, L. S., Espinoza, L., Fedorchak, S., Martinez, P. C., . . . Boychuk, C. R. (2024). Dorsal motor vagal neurons can elicit bradycardia and reduce anxiety-like behavior. ISCIENCE, 27(3). doi:10.1016/j.isci.2024.109137

Souza, G. M. P. R., & Abbott, S. B. G. (2024). Loss-of-function of chemoreceptor neurons in the retrotrapezoid nucleus: What have we learned from it?. RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY, 322. doi:10.1016/j.resp.2024.104217

Stocker, S. D., Ferreira, C. B., Souza, G. M. P. R., & Abbott, S. B. G. (2024). Brain Pathways in Blood Pressure Regulation. HYPERTENSION, 81(3), 383-386. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.21723

2023

Li, K., Abbott, S. B. G., Guyenet, P. G., & Bayliss, D. A. (2023). JP-RL-2023-285396: Reply to 'Letter to the Editor' (JP-LE-2023-285385). JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, 601(18), 4173-4175. doi:10.1113/JP285396

Coverdell, T. C., Abbott, S. B. G., & Campbell, J. N. (2024). Molecular cell types as functional units of the efferent vagus nerve. SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY, 156, 210-218. doi:10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.07.007

Li, K., Gonye, E. C., Stornetta, R. L., Bayliss, C. B., Yi, G., Stornetta, D. S., . . . Bayliss, D. A. (2023). The astrocytic Na+-HCO3- exchanger NBCe1 is dispensable for respiratory chemosensitivity. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, 601(16), 3667-3686. doi:10.1113/JP284960

Souza, G. M. P. R., Stornetta, D. S., Shi, Y., Lim, E., Berry, F. E., Bayliss, D. A., & Abbott, S. B. G. (2023). Neuromedin B-Expressing Neurons in the Retrotrapezoid Nucleus Regulate Respiratory Homeostasis and Promote Stable Breathing in Adult Mice. JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, 43(30), 5501-5520. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0386-23.2023

2022

Souza, G. M. P. R., Stornetta, D. S., Vitali, A. J., Wildner, H., Zeilhofer, H. U., Campbell, J. N., & Abbott, S. B. G. (2022). Chemogenetic activation of noradrenergic A5 neurons increases blood pressure and visceral sympathetic activity in adult rats. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-REGULATORY INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY, 323(4), R512-R531. doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00119.2022

Shi, Z., Stornetta, R. L., Stornetta, D. S., Abbott, S. B. G., & Brooks, V. L. (2022). The arcuate nucleus: A site of synergism between Angiotensin II and leptin to increase sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure in rats. NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS, 785. doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136773

Coverdell, T. C., Abraham-Fan, R. -J., Wu, C., Abbott, S. B. G., & Campbell, J. N. (2022). Genetic encoding of an esophageal motor circuit. CELL REPORTS, 39(11). doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110962

Souza, G. M., Stornetta, D. S., & Abbott, S. B. (2022). The activation of C1 neurons during REM sleep is dependent on the arterial baroreflex.. FASEB J, 36 Suppl 1. doi:10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R6010

Souza, G. M. P. R., Stornetta, R. L., Stornetta, D. S., Guyenet, P. G., & Abbott, S. B. G. (2022). Adrenergic C1 neurons monitor arterial blood pressure and determine the sympathetic response to hemorrhage. CELL REPORTS, 38(10). doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110480

Salvati, K. A., Souza, G. M. P. R., Lu, A. C., Ritger, M. L., Guyenet, P., Abbott, S. B., & Beenhakker, M. P. (2022). Respiratory alkalosis provokes spike-wave discharges in seizure-prone rats. ELIFE, 11. doi:10.7554/eLife.72898

2021

Abbott, S. B. G., & Souza, G. M. P. R. (2021). Chemoreceptor mechanisms regulating CO2-induced arousal from sleep. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, 599(10), 2559-2571. doi:10.1113/JP281305

Tanaka, S., Abe, C., Abbott, S. B. G., Zheng, S., Yamaoka, Y., Lipsey, J. E., . . . Okusa, M. D. (2021). Vagus nerve stimulation activates two distinct neuroimmune circuits converging in the spleen to protect mice from kidney injury. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 118(12). doi:10.1073/pnas.2021758118

Li, K., Abbott, S. B. G., Shi, Y., Eggan, P., Gonye, E. C., & Bayliss, D. A. (2021). TRPM4 mediates a subthreshold membrane potential oscillation in respiratory chemoreceptor neurons that drives pacemaker firing and breathing. CELL REPORTS, 34(5). doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108714

2020

Souza, G. M. P. R., Stornetta, R. L., Stornetta, D. S., Abbott, S. B. G., & Guyenet, P. G. (2020). Differential Contribution of the Retrotrapezoid Nucleus and C1 Neurons to Active Expiration and Arousal in Rats. JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, 40(45), 8683-8697. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1006-20.2020

Guyenet, P. G., Stornetta, R. L., Souza, G. M. P. R., Abbott, S. B. G., & Brooks, V. L. (2020). Neuronal Networks in Hypertension Recent Advances. HYPERTENSION, 76(2), 300-311. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.14521

Machado, N. L. S., Bandaru, S. S., Abbott, S. B. G., & Saper, C. B. (2020). EP3R-Expressing Glutamatergic Preoptic Neurons Mediate Inflammatory Fever. JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, 40(12), 2573-2588. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2887-19.2020

2019

Souza, G. M. P. R., Stornetta, R. L., Stornetta, D. S., Abbott, S. B. G., & Guyenet, P. G. (2019). Contribution of the Retrotrapezoid Nucleus and Carotid Bodies to Hypercapnia- and Hypoxia-induced Arousal from Sleep. JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, 39(49), 9725-9737. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1268-19.2019

Guyenet, P. G., Stornetta, R. L., Souza, G. M. P. R., Abbott, S. B. G., Shi, Y., & Bayliss, D. A. (2019). The Retrotrapezoid Nucleus: Central Chemoreceptor and Regulator of Breathing Automaticity. TRENDS IN NEUROSCIENCES, 42(11), 807-824. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2019.09.002

2018

Guyenet, P. G., Stornetta, R. L., Holloway, B. B., Souza, G. M. P. R., & Abbott, S. B. G. (2018). Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla and Hypertension. HYPERTENSION, 72(3), 559-566. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.10921

Machado, N. L. S., Abbott, S. B. G., Resch, J. M., Zhu, L., Arrigoni, E., Lowell, B. B., . . . Saper, C. B. (2018). A Glutamatergic Hypothalamomedullary Circuit Mediates Thermogenesis, but Not Heat Conservation, during Stress-Induced Hyperthermia. CURRENT BIOLOGY, 28(14), 2291-+. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2018.05.064

Souza, G. M. P. R., Kanbar, R., Stornetta, D. S., Abbott, S. B. G., Stornetta, R. L., & Guyenet, P. G. (2018). Breathing regulation and blood gas homeostasis after near complete lesions of the retrotrapezoid nucleus in adult rats. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, 596(13), 2521-2545. doi:10.1113/JP275866

Kim, S. J., Fong, A. Y., Pilowsky, P. M., & Abbott, S. B. G. (2018). Sympathoexcitation following intermittent hypoxia in rat is mediated by circulating angiotensin II acting at the carotid body and subfornical organ. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, 596(15), 3217-3232. doi:10.1113/JP275804

Abbott, S. B. G., & Saper, C. B. (2018). Role of the median preoptic nucleus in the autonomic response to heat-exposure.. Temperature (Austin, Tex.), 5(1), 4-6. doi:10.1080/23328940.2017.1413155

2017

Guyenet, P. G., Bayliss, D. A., Stornetta, R. L., Kanbar, R., Shi, Y., Holloway, B. B., . . . Wenker, I. C. (2018). Interdependent feedback regulation of breathing by the carotid bodies and the retrotrapezoid nucleus. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, 596(15), 3029-3042. doi:10.1113/JP274357

Pedersen, N. P., Ferrari, L., Venner, A., Wang, J. L., Abbott, S. B. G., Vujovic, N., . . . Fuller, P. M. (2017). Supramammillary glutamate neurons are a key node of the arousal system. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 8. doi:10.1038/s41467-017-01004-6

Abbott, S. B. G., & Saper, C. B. (2017). Median preoptic glutamatergic neurons promote thermoregulatory heat loss and water consumption in mice. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, 595(20), 6569-6583. doi:10.1113/JP274667

2016

Abbott, S. B. G., Machado, N. L. S., Geerling, J. C., & Saper, C. B. (2016). Reciprocal Control of Drinking Behavior by Median Preoptic Neurons in Mice. JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, 36(31), 8228-8237. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1244-16.2016

2015

Geerling, J. C., Kim, M., Mahoney, C. E., Abbott, S. B. G., Agostinelli, L. J., Garfield, A. S., . . . Scammell, T. E. (2016). Genetic identity of thermosensory relay neurons in the lateral parabrachial nucleus. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-REGULATORY INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY, 310(1), R41-R54. doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00094.2015

Kumar, N. N., Velic, A., Soliz, J., Shi, Y., Li, K., Wang, S., . . . Bayliss, D. A. (2015). Regulation of breathing by CO2 requires the proton-activated receptor GPR4 in retrotrapezoid nucleus neurons. SCIENCE, 348(6240), 1255-1260. doi:10.1126/science.aaa0922

2014

Burke, P. G. R., Abbott, S. B. G., Coates, M. B., Viar, K. E., Stornetta, R. L., & Guyenet, P. G. (2014). Optogenetic Stimulation of Adrenergic C1 Neurons Causes Sleep State-Dependent Cardiorespiratory Stimulation and Arousal with Sighs in Rats. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE, 190(11), 1301-1310. doi:10.1164/rccm.201407-1262OC

2013

Abbott, S. B. G., Holloway, B. B., Viar, K. E., & Guyenet, P. G. (2014). Vesicular glutamate transporter 2 is required for the respiratory and parasympathetic activation produced by optogenetic stimulation of catecholaminergic neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of mice in vivo. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, 39(1), 98-106. doi:10.1111/ejn.12421

Guyenet, P. G., Stornetta, R. L., Bochorishvili, G., DePuy, S. D., Burke, P. G. R., & Abbott, S. B. G. (2013). C1 neurons: the body's EMTs. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-REGULATORY INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY, 305(3), R187-R204. doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00054.2013

Guyenet, P. G., & Abbott, S. B. G. (2013). Chemoreception and asphyxia-induced arousal. RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY, 188(3), 333-343. doi:10.1016/j.resp.2013.04.011

Abbott, S. B. G., Coates, M. B., Stornetta, R. L., & Guyenet, P. G. (2013). Optogenetic Stimulation of C1 and Retrotrapezoid Nucleus Neurons Causes Sleep State-Dependent Cardiorespiratory Stimulation and Arousal in Rats. HYPERTENSION, 61(4), 835-+. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.00860

Abbott, S. B. G., Depuy, S. D., Thanh, N., Coates, M. B., Stornetta, R. L., & Guyenet, P. G. (2013). Selective Optogenetic Activation of Rostral Ventrolateral Medullary Catecholaminergic Neurons Produces Cardiorespiratory Stimulation in Conscious Mice. JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, 33(7), 3164-3177. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1046-12.2013

2012

Guyenet, P. G., Abbott, S. B. G., & Stornetta, R. L. (2013). The respiratory chemoreception conundrum: Light at the end of the tunnel?. BRAIN RESEARCH, 1511, 126-137. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2012.10.028

Abbott, S. B., Kanbar, R., Bochorishvili, G., Coates, M. B., Stornetta, R. L., & Guyenet, P. G. (2012). C1 neurons excite locus coeruleus and A5 noradrenergic neurons along with sympathetic outflow in rats. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, 590(12), 2897-2915. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2012.232157

Derecki, N. C., Cronk, J. C., Lu, Z., Xu, E., Abbott, S. B. G., Guyenet, P. G., & Kipnis, J. (2012). Wild-type microglia arrest pathology in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. NATURE, 484(7392), 105-+. doi:10.1038/nature10907

Guyenet, P. G., Stornetta, R. L., Abbott, S. B. G., Depuy, S. D., & Kanbar, R. (2012). The Retrotrapezoid Nucleus and Breathing. ARTERIAL CHEMORECEPTION: FROM MOLECULES TO SYSTEMS, 758, 115-122. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-4584-1_16

2011

Abbott, S. B. G., Stornetta, R. L., Coates, M. B., & Guyenet, P. G. (2011). Phox2b-Expressing Neurons of the Parafacial Region Regulate Breathing Rate, Inspiration, and Expiration in Conscious Rats. JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, 31(45), 16410-16422. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3280-11.2011

2010

Burke, P. G. R., Abbott, S. B. G., McMullan, S., Goodchild, A. K., & Pilowsky, P. M. (2010). SOMATOSTATIN SELECTIVELY ABLATES POST-INSPIRATORY ACTIVITY AFTER INJECTION INTO THE BOTZINGER COMPLEX. NEUROSCIENCE, 167(2), 528-539. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.01.065

Guyenet, P. G., Stornetta, R. L., Abbott, S. B. G., Depuy, S. D., Fortuna, M. G., & Kanbar, R. (2010). Central CO2 chemoreception and integrated neural mechanisms of cardiovascular and respiratory control. JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY, 108(4), 995-1002. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00712.2009

Abbott, S. B. G., Stornetta, R. L., West, G. H., & Guyenet, P. G. (2010). PHOTOSTIMULATION OF CHANNELRHODOPSIN2-TRANSFECTED C1 NEURONS ACTIVATES PERIPHERAL SYMPATHETIC VASOMOTOR AFFERENTS AND NEURONS IN THE LOCUS COERULEUS AND A5 REGION IN SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS. HYPERTENSION, 55(6), 1493. Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/