Reply to Yu

Recent advances and contraversies on the role of pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies as airway sensors

Pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies are polymodal sensors widely distributed within the airway mucosa of mammals and other species. Neuroepithelial body cells store and most likely release serotonin and peptides as transmitters. Neuroepithelial bodies have a complex innervation that includes vagal sensory afferent fibers and dorsal root ganglion fibers. Neuroepithelial body cells respond to a number of intraluminal airway stimuli, including hypoxia, hypercarbia, and mechanical stretch. This article reviews recent findings in the cellular and molecular biology of neuroepithelial body cells and their potential role as airway sensors involved in the control of respiration, particularly during the perinatal period. Alternate hypotheses and areas of controversy regarding potential function as mechanosensory receptors involved in pulmonary reflexes are discussed.

Pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies as airway sensors: putative role in the generation of dyspnea

The neuroepithelial bodies (NEB) of the intrapulmonary airways (AW) are multimodal AW sensors responding to a variety of stimuli including hypoxia, hypercarbia, and mechanical stretch. NEBs are richly innervated by a diverse population of mostly vagal afferent nerve fibers and owing to their early developmental maturation may be especially important during the perinatal period. This article reviews recent findings of NEB functional morphology and innervation, and postulates a role in the generation of dyspnea. This is based on their potential for transduction of dyspneic stimuli and findings of NEB cell abnormalities in a number of pulmonary disorders presenting with this symptom.