<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Vagal afferent nerves provide an airway defense mechanism which is ensured by their activation. These nerves can be activated mechanically mainly through mechanosensitive Aβ fibers which are divided into slowly adapting (SARs) and rapidly adapting stretch receptors (RARs). Chemical activation is provided by an interaction of chemical substances with specific receptors. C-fibers are highly sensitive to a direct chemical stimulation accomplished by an activation of ligand-gated ion channels. According to the large influence and mechanisms of vagal afferent nerves, there is a probability that an inappropriate activity of these nerves can cause the symptoms of the respiratory diseases, e.g. cough, dyspnoea, or airway hyperreactivity. The aim of this review is to summarize the physiology of airway afferent nerves and point out the role of vagal sensory nerves dysfunction in the pathogenesis of some respiratory diseases. The understanding of its mechanism could lead to new therapeutic strategies in patients with airway-related pathology.</p>
</abstract>

Vagal afferent nerves provide an airway defense mechanism which is ensured by their activation. These nerves can be activated mechanically mainly through mechanosensitive Aβ fibers which are divided into slowly adapting (SARs) and rapidly adapting stretch receptors (RARs). Chemical activation is provided by an interaction of chemical substances with specific receptors. C-fibers are highly sensitive to a direct chemical stimulation accomplished by an activation of ligand-gated ion channels. According to the large influence and mechanisms of vagal afferent nerves, there is a probability that an inappropriate activity of these nerves can cause the symptoms of the respiratory diseases, e.g. cough, dyspnoea, or airway hyperreactivity. The aim of this review is to summarize the physiology of airway afferent nerves and point out the role of vagal sensory nerves dysfunction in the pathogenesis of some respiratory diseases. The understanding of its mechanism could lead to new therapeutic strategies in patients with airway-related pathology.

Pathophysiology of Airway Afferent Nerves

Department of Pathological Physiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin

Acta Medica Martiniana

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Pathophysiology of Airway Afferent Nerves"}

Vagal afferent nerves provide an airway defense mechanism which is ensured by their activation. These nerves can be activated mechanically mainly through...

Pathophysiology of Airway Afferent Nerves

Published Online: May 09, 2022

Page range: 1 - 7

Received: Feb 01, 2022

Accepted: Feb 21, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acm-2022-0001

Keywords
A-fibers, C-fibers, Vagal nerves, Cough receptors

© 2022 Jakusova Janka et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Pathophysiology of Airway Afferent Nerves

Published Online: May 09, 2022

Page range: 1 - 7

Received: Feb 01, 2022

Accepted: Feb 21, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acm-2022-0001

KeywordsA-fibers, C-fibers, Vagal nerves, Cough receptors

© 2022 Jakusova Janka et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
A-fibers, C-fibers, Vagal nerves, Cough receptors