New aspects of neuroinflammation and neuroimmune crosstalk in the airways

Abstract

Neuroimmune interaction has long been discussed in the pathogenesis of allergic airway diseases, such as allergic asthma. Mediators released during inflammation can alter the function of both sensory and parasympathetic neurons innervating the airways. Evidence has been provided that the inflammatory response can be altered by various mediators that are released by sensory and parasympathetic neurons and vice versa. Our aim is to demonstrate recent developments in the reciprocal neuroimmune interaction and to include, if available, data from in vivo and clinical studies.

Keywords: Allergic asthma; C-fibers; airway innervation; neurogenic inflammation; nucleus of the solitary tract; parasympathetic neurons; vagal ganglia.