Non-adrenergic non-cholinergic neural control of human airways. 1986

P J Barnes

In addition to classical cholinergic and adrenergic neural mechanisms, a third division of autonomic control has been recognised in human airways. Non-adrenergic inhibitory nerves are the dominant inhibitory neural pathway in human airway smooth muscle and there is increasing evidence that VIP and a related peptide, PHM, may be the neurotransmitters. These peptides are probably cotransmitters of acetylcholine in the airways and may modulate cholinergic effects. A defect in this system could occur in asthma because inflammation may more rapidly inactivate these neurotransmitter peptides. Non-cholinergic excitatory nerves have also been described in animal airways, although their existence in human airways is less certain. The neurotransmitter may be substance P or a related peptide neurokinin A, which could be released by axon reflex. Another peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide, is colocalized with substance P and appears to be much more potent in human airways. Non-adrenergic non-cholinergic mechanisms may also regulate mucus secretion and the bronchial microvasculature. The role of this nervous system in health and disease is still uncertain as there are no specific blockers available.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008168 Lung Either of the pair of organs occupying the cavity of the thorax that effect the aeration of the blood. Lungs
D009130 Muscle, Smooth Unstriated and unstriped muscle, one of the muscles of the internal organs, blood vessels, hair follicles, etc. Contractile elements are elongated, usually spindle-shaped cells with centrally located nuclei. Smooth muscle fibers are bound together into sheets or bundles by reticular fibers and frequently elastic nets are also abundant. (From Stedman, 25th ed) Muscle, Involuntary,Smooth Muscle,Involuntary Muscle,Involuntary Muscles,Muscles, Involuntary,Muscles, Smooth,Smooth Muscles
D009419 Nerve Tissue Proteins Proteins, Nerve Tissue,Tissue Proteins, Nerve
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D010451 Peptide PHI A 27-amino acid peptide with histidine at the N-terminal and isoleucine amide at the C-terminal. The exact amino acid composition of the peptide is species dependent. The peptide is secreted in the intestine, but is found in the nervous system, many organs, and in the majority of peripheral tissues. It has a wide range of biological actions, affecting the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and central nervous systems. Neuropeptide PHI 27,PHI Peptide,Peptide Histidine-Isoleucine,Peptide PHM,Human PHI,PHM Neuropeptide,PHM-27,Peptide HI,Peptide Histidine Methionine,Peptide PHI-27,Peptide-Histidine-Isoleucinamide,Porcine Intestinal Heptacosapeptide,Pro-Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide,Heptacosapeptide, Porcine Intestinal,Histidine Methionine, Peptide,Histidine-Isoleucine, Peptide,Intestinal Heptacosapeptide, Porcine,Intestinal Peptide, Pro-Vasoactive,Methionine, Peptide Histidine,Neuropeptide, PHM,PHI, Human,PHM, Peptide,Peptide Histidine Isoleucinamide,Peptide Histidine Isoleucine,Peptide PHI 27,Peptide, PHI,Peptide, Pro-Vasoactive Intestinal,Pro Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
D010455 Peptides Members of the class of compounds composed of AMINO ACIDS joined together by peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids into linear, branched or cyclical structures. OLIGOPEPTIDES are composed of approximately 2-12 amino acids. Polypeptides are composed of approximately 13 or more amino acids. PROTEINS are considered to be larger versions of peptides that can form into complex structures such as ENZYMES and RECEPTORS. Peptide,Polypeptide,Polypeptides
D012137 Respiratory System The tubular and cavernous organs and structures, by means of which pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange between ambient air and the blood are brought about. Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Systems,Respiratory Tracts,System, Respiratory,Tract, Respiratory
D012143 Respiratory Physiological Phenomena Physiological processes and properties of the RESPIRATORY SYSTEM as a whole or of any of its parts. Respiratory Physiologic Processes,Respiratory Physiological Processes,Respiratory Physiology,Physiology, Respiratory,Pulmonary Physiological Phenomena,Pulmonary Physiological Phenomenon,Pulmonary Physiological Process,Pulmonary Physiological Processes,Respiratory Physiological Concepts,Respiratory Physiological Phenomenon,Respiratory Physiological Process,Concept, Respiratory Physiological,Concepts, Respiratory Physiological,Phenomena, Pulmonary Physiological,Phenomena, Respiratory Physiological,Phenomenas, Pulmonary Physiological,Phenomenas, Respiratory Physiological,Phenomenon, Pulmonary Physiological,Phenomenon, Respiratory Physiological,Phenomenons, Pulmonary Physiological,Phenomenons, Respiratory Physiological,Physiologic Processes, Respiratory,Physiological Concept, Respiratory,Physiological Concepts, Respiratory,Physiological Phenomena, Pulmonary,Physiological Phenomena, Respiratory,Physiological Phenomenas, Pulmonary,Physiological Phenomenas, Respiratory,Physiological Phenomenon, Pulmonary,Physiological Phenomenon, Respiratory,Physiological Phenomenons, Pulmonary,Physiological Phenomenons, Respiratory,Physiological Process, Pulmonary,Physiological Process, Respiratory,Physiological Processes, Pulmonary,Physiological Processes, Respiratory,Process, Pulmonary Physiological,Process, Respiratory Physiological,Processes, Pulmonary Physiological,Pulmonary Physiological Phenomenas,Pulmonary Physiological Phenomenons,Respiratory Physiological Concept,Respiratory Physiological Phenomenas,Respiratory Physiological Phenomenons
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000109 Acetylcholine A neurotransmitter found at neuromuscular junctions, autonomic ganglia, parasympathetic effector junctions, a subset of sympathetic effector junctions, and at many sites in the central nervous system. 2-(Acetyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium,Acetilcolina Cusi,Acetylcholine Bromide,Acetylcholine Chloride,Acetylcholine Fluoride,Acetylcholine Hydroxide,Acetylcholine Iodide,Acetylcholine L-Tartrate,Acetylcholine Perchlorate,Acetylcholine Picrate,Acetylcholine Picrate (1:1),Acetylcholine Sulfate (1:1),Bromoacetylcholine,Chloroacetylcholine,Miochol,Acetylcholine L Tartrate,Bromide, Acetylcholine,Cusi, Acetilcolina,Fluoride, Acetylcholine,Hydroxide, Acetylcholine,Iodide, Acetylcholine,L-Tartrate, Acetylcholine,Perchlorate, Acetylcholine
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