Biomaterial Database

Non-adrenergic non-cholinergic nervous control of airways. 1989

N Crimi, and A Mistretta

Institute of Respiratory Diseases, University of Catania, Italy.

Traditionally, the tone of bronchial smooth muscle is mediated through the balance of two autonomic nervous systems. The existence of a third non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) nervous system in the lung has been demonstrated in animals. In contrast to high density parasympathetic innervation of smooth muscle, no evidence of adrenergic nerves was found in human airways. Electrical field stimulation of tracheal strips in guinea-pig produced an initial contraction followed by a relaxation. The contraction was blocked by atropine but the relaxation was not inhibited by a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. Immunohistochemical studies have shown that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-like immunoreactive nerves are present in the central nervous system and in the peripheral neuronal system of mammals including the human respiratory tract. Autoradiographic and immunocytochemical studies have demonstrated a high density of VIP receptors in airway epithelium, submucosal glands, pulmonary vessels and smooth muscle, especially in large airways. Functional studies in humans have confirmed the regulating role of VIP principally in the large airway.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
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
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
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014660	Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide	A highly basic, 28 amino acid neuropeptide released from intestinal mucosa. It has a wide range of biological actions affecting the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems and is neuroprotective. It binds special receptors (RECEPTORS, VASOACTIVE INTESTINAL PEPTIDE).	VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide),Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide,Vasointestinal Peptide,Intestinal Peptide, Vasoactive,Intestinal Polypeptide, Vasoactive,Peptide, Vasoactive Intestinal,Peptide, Vasointestinal,Polypeptide, Vasoactive Intestinal
D017981	Receptors, Neurotransmitter	Cell surface receptors that bind signalling molecules released by neurons and convert these signals into intracellular changes influencing the behavior of cells. Neurotransmitter is used here in its most general sense, including not only messengers that act to regulate ion channels, but also those which act on second messenger systems and those which may act at a distance from their release sites. Included are receptors for neuromodulators, neuroregulators, neuromediators, and neurohumors, whether or not located at synapses.	Neurohumor Receptors,Neuromediator Receptors,Neuromodulator Receptors,Neuroregulator Receptors,Receptors, Neurohumor,Receptors, Synaptic,Synaptic Receptor,Synaptic Receptors,Neuromediator Receptor,Neuromodulator Receptor,Neuroregulator Receptor,Neurotransmitter Receptor,Receptors, Neuromediators,Receptors, Neuromodulators,Receptors, Neuroregulators,Receptors, Neurotransmitters,Neuromediators Receptors,Neuromodulators Receptors,Neuroregulators Receptors,Neurotransmitter Receptors,Neurotransmitters Receptors,Receptor, Neuromediator,Receptor, Neuromodulator,Receptor, Neuroregulator,Receptor, Neurotransmitter,Receptor, Synaptic,Receptors, Neuromediator,Receptors, Neuromodulator,Receptors, Neuroregulator