Hypoxia-sensitive neuro-epithelial bodies intrapulmonary secretory neuroreceptors, modulated by the CNS

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP)-Immunoreactive Nerve Terminals in the Whole Mount Preparations of the Dog Urethra.

“…A second possibility is that the paraneurons may receive the luminal stimuli and transmit excitation to the underlying nerves. This afferent function possibly performed by an urethral paraneuro-neural complex, which well correspond to the function of the neuroepithelial body in the lung (LAUWERYNS and COKELAERE, 1973) 114: 61-66 (1985). GAMEE, R., P. HoLZER and F. LEMBECK: Decrease of substance P in primary afferent neurones and impairment of neurogenic plasma extravasation by capsaicin.…”

Neuroendocrinelike (Small Granule) Epithelial Cells of the Lung

“…4 (24,55,56). Innervation of the NEB has been demonstrated by light and electron microscopy and serves as a key morphological trait to identify these organoids in the lung epithelium (34,55,59,74). Lauweryns and Cokelaere (34) found that the cell cytoplasm and nerve endings in rabbit NEBs stained for acetylcholinesterase.…”

“…Unmyelinated fibers have been traced from the lamina propria and into the NEB in newborn humans (11), fetal rabbits (100), and neonatal mice (55) where the fibers ramified between granulated cells. It has been proposed that the NEB is innervated by both afferent and efferent fibers (34,74 of the taste bud and the carotid body, known peripheral chemoreceptors. This makes it reasonable to propose that common functional properties, as well, may be found among these neuroendocrine organoids.…”

“…Serotonin can produce constriction of pulmonary blood vessels (42,123,124) and it is conceivable, although unlikely, that hypoxia-induced degranulation of a NEB can release enough (42) of this amine into the local pulmonary vascular bed to modulate lung perfusion and function. Accordingly, this notion has been used to explain the chronic pulmonary vasoconstriction in fetal lung, the rapid pulmonary vasodilation at birth, and pulmonary hypoperfusion associated with the respiratory distress syndrome (34). Said et al (125) proposed that alveolar hypoxia may provoke the synthesis and release of prostaglandins and additional mediators, such as lung peptides, which add to the pulmonary vascular response to hypoxia.…”

Phylogenetic aspects of the neuroepithelial bodies.

“…It has been suggested, and there is evidence, that this variability is related to the distribution of serotonin; it may also indicate stages in granule maturation, planes of section and distribution of peptides (LAUWERYNS et al, 1977). Experimental studies of induced hypoxia and hypercapnia in neonatal rabbits (LAUWERYNS and COKELAERE, 1973;LAUWERYNS et al, 1977) revealed changes in the appearance and number of DCV coincident with evidence for exocytosis at the basal pole and a decrease in serotonin content.…”