Neural receptors and asthma.

Abstract

Neurotransmitters released from sensory, parasympathetic, and sympathetic nerves regulate epithelial, vascular, glandular, and contractile processes in the human respiratory tract. The actions of these neurotransmitters are dependent upon the distribution and subtypes of their specific receptors expressed on the resident cells in the respiratory tract. The distributions of these receptors, and their potential activities in asthma, will be investigated with the hope of discriminating between the pharmacological and physiological actions of mediators and neurotransmitters in normal and asthmatic airways.