The pulmonary neuroendocrine system: the past decade

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Cell Biology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• The pulmonary neuroendocrine system comprises specialized airway endocrine epithelial cells and associated nerve fibers.
• Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNEC) exist solitarily or in clusters forming neuroepithelial bodies (NEB).
• This system is recognized for its role as an oxygen-sensitive chemoreceptor and regulator of airway development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in understanding the pulmonary neuroendocrine system over the past decade.
• To highlight key discoveries refining the known functions and components of this system.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on research from the last ten years.
• Synthesis of findings related to phylogeny, cell content, ontogeny, stimuli response, immunomodulation, innervation, and pathology.

Main Results:

• The fundamental understanding of the pulmonary neuroendocrine system as an oxygen sensor and regulator remains consistent.
• Recent research has provided additional evidence for the sensory nature of the neural component.
• Experimental data supports PNEC's role in stimulating airway epithelial cell differentiation.
• A specific membrane oxygen receptor in PNEC has been identified.

Conclusions:

• The pulmonary neuroendocrine system's role as an oxygen-sensitive chemoreceptor is further substantiated.
• PNEC are confirmed to influence airway epithelial cell differentiation and lung development.
• The discovery of a specific oxygen receptor advances our understanding of pulmonary sensory mechanisms.