Breathing is critically depending on a variety of sensory feedbacks from multiple sources for its optimal performance. The sensory information from the lung and airways probably provides one of the most important feedbacks to adjust the respiratory controller to generate optimal breathing movements. Since Breuer and Hering made the seminal report regarding role of the vagus nerve in control of breathing in 1868, airway sensory receptors have been a subject for intensive and extensive studies. After more than a century investigation, our knowledge accumulates immensely, however, our understanding of the nature of these sensory receptors is still far from complete. This brief review provides an overview on this topic.
Humans ; Lung ; innervation ; physiology ; Mechanoreceptors ; physiology ; Neuroepithelial Bodies ; physiology ; Pulmonary Stretch Receptors ; physiology ; Reflex ; physiology ; Respiratory System ; innervation ; Vagus Nerve ; physiology

Pulmonary vagal afferents provide some of the most important breathing control inputs to the respiratory center. However, the structure of vagal receptors is not yet well known. Lack of an available and effective method to identify pulmonary receptors is the major limiting factor. Here we describe a new approach using confocal microscopy to examine the structure of immunohistochemically stained airway receptors by using Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase as a marker. This method permits detailed observation of pulmonary receptor structures and their relationship to target tissue in the rabbit. The parent axon has multiple branches that supply the receptor structure. Each structure has multiple endings that form leaf-like terminals. This technique permits examining pulmonary receptor structures in detail, and should assist in identifying the morphology of the receptors and the mechanisms of receptor activation.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Bronchi ; innervation ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Mechanoreceptors ; physiology ; Neuroepithelial Bodies ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Respiratory System ; innervation ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; analysis