Calcitonin gene-related peptide: role in airway homeostasis.
The lung is an important source of sensory neuropeptides that modulate airway function in health and disease. Among these neuropeptides, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a prominent role. CGRP is constitutively expressed in normal lungs where it localizes to a specialized subset of epithelial cells (neuroendocrine cells) and sensory C fibers distributed to pulmonary airways, blood vessels and lymphoid tissue. CGRP can mediate multiple effects, some of which have potential implications in airway homeostasis. These include vasoregulation, bronchoprotection, anti-inflammatory actions and tissue repair. Targeting these effects of CGRP could be a future avenue for modulation of certain aspects of airway diseases.
Dakhama
Azzeddine
A
National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Denver, CO 80206, USA. Dakhamaa@njc.org
Larsen
Gary L
GL
Gelfand
Erwin W
EW
D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D018015:Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
D018015:Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide