Carr Michael J, Undem Bradley J
UCB Research Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Respirology. 2003 Sep;8(3):291-301. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1843.2003.00473.x.
Vagal afferent nerves are the primary communication pathways between the bronchopulmonary system and the central nervous system. Input from airway afferent nerves to the CNS is integrated in the brainstem and ultimately leads to sensations and various reflex outputs. Afferent nerves innervating the airways can be classified into various distinct phenotypes. However, there is no single classification scheme that takes all features, including conduction velocity, cell body diameter, ganglionic origin, and stimuli to which they respond (modality) into account. At present, bronchopulmonary afferent nerves are typically considered to belong to one of three general categories, namely C-fibres, rapidly adapting stretch receptors (RARs), and slowly adapting stretch receptors (SARs). As our understanding of bronchopulmonary afferent nerves continues to deepen, we are likely to see more sophisticated classification schemes emerge. It is clear that the function of afferent fibres can be substantively influenced by airway inflammation and remodelling. The perturbations and perversions of afferent nerve function that occur during these states almost certainly contributes to many of the signs and symptoms of inflammatory airway disease. A more lucid characterization of bronchopulmonary afferent nerves, and a better understanding of the mechanisms by which these nerves influence pulmonary physiology during health and disease anticipates future research.
迷走传入神经是支气管肺系统与中枢神经系统之间的主要通信通路。气道传入神经向中枢神经系统的输入在脑干中整合，最终导致感觉和各种反射输出。支配气道的传入神经可分为多种不同的表型。然而，没有一种单一的分类方案能兼顾所有特征，包括传导速度、细胞体直径、神经节起源以及它们所响应的刺激（模式）。目前，支气管肺传入神经通常被认为属于三大类之一，即C纤维、快速适应性牵张感受器（RARs）和慢速适应性牵张感受器（SARs）。随着我们对支气管肺传入神经的理解不断深入，可能会出现更复杂的分类方案。显然，传入纤维的功能会受到气道炎症和重塑的实质性影响。在这些状态下发生的传入神经功能紊乱和异常几乎肯定会导致炎症性气道疾病的许多体征和症状。对支气管肺传入神经进行更清晰的表征，以及更好地理解这些神经在健康和疾病状态下影响肺生理的机制，是未来研究的方向。
