Neural regulation of inflammation in the airways and lungs

Abstract

Many pulmonary diseases are characterized by inflammatory pathologies which in turn are responsible for obstruction, mucus hypersecretion, dyspnea, cough and other clinical symptoms of lung disease. Understanding processes that regulate inflammation will therefore provide insights into mechanisms that contribute to pulmonary dysfunction. The airways and lungs are densely innervated by autonomic and sensory nerves which might regulate aspects of pulmonary inflammation. In this review we provide a critical appraisal of the available literature on the topic of neuro-immune interactions in the airways and ask the question 'how strong is the evidence that pulmonary nerves regulate inflammation?'

Keywords: Airway reflexes; Asthma; Autonomic; Immune synapse; Neuro-immune.