The nervous system mediates key airway protective behaviors, including cough, mucus
secretion, and airway smooth muscle contraction. Thus, its involvement and potential …

There has been increasing interest in the last decade in the role of regulatory peptides as
both neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. Initially, neuropeptides were described in the …

Many neuropeptides are localized to sensory, parasympathetic, and sympathetic neurons in
the airways 1-3. These peptides have potent effects on bronchomotor tone, airway …

Nerve fibers containing neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide/peptide histidine
isoleucine, substance P/neurokinin A (NKA), calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP), and …

Sensory nerves synthesize tachykinins and calcitonin-gene related peptide and package
these neuropeptides together in synaptic vesicles. Stimulation of these C-fibers by a range …

The first bronchoactive (and vasoactive) peptide to be discovered in the lung was isolated
and characterized in 1970 from an embryologically related organ, the small intestine. Since …

Since the earliest descriptions of airway innervation over 300 years ago, it has been
suggested that asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness might beexplained by some …

Many neuropeptides have recently been identified in airways and have potent effects on
airway calibre and secretions, raising the possibility that they may be involved in airway …

This chapter discusses effects of airway neuropeptides that are relevant to the
pathophysiology of asthma and whether this might lead to new therapeutic approaches in …

The airway mucosal epithelium is permanently exposed to airborne particles. A network of
immune cells patrols at this interface to the environment. The interplay of immune cells is …