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Neurokinin receptors subserving airways secretion
1Department of Thoracic Medicine, National Heart & Lung Institute, London, United Kingdom.
Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic nerves trigger airway mucus secretion. The tachykinin NK1 receptor is key in this response, particularly in inflammatory airway diseases like asthma.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Respiratory Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Airway mucus secretion is primarily mediated by cholinergic nerves.
- A residual nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) neural pathway contributes to mucus secretion.
- The exact mechanisms of NANC neural secretion are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying NANC-mediated airway mucus secretion.
- To identify the specific receptors involved in the sensory-efferent pathway.
- To assess the role of NANC pathways in airway inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Pharmacological blockade of adrenoceptors and cholinoceptors.
- Investigation of capsaicin-sensitive sensory-efferent pathways.
- Utilizing receptor antagonists (NK1 and NK2) to determine pathway mediation.
Main Results:
- A significant NANC mucus secretion response was observed after cholinergic and adrenergic blockade.
- The tachykinin NK1 receptor was identified as the primary mediator of NANC mucus secretion.
- NK2 receptors showed minimal to no contribution to this secretory response.
Conclusions:
- The tachykinin NK1 receptor is crucial for NANC-mediated airway mucus secretion.
- The sensory-efferent pathway, involving NK1 receptors, may play a significant role in mucus hypersecretion in chronic inflammatory airway diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis.