title: The airway cholinergic system: physiology and pharmacology.
abstract: The present review summarizes the current knowledge of the cholinergic systems in the airways with special emphasis on the role of acetylcholine both as neurotransmitter in ganglia and postganglionic parasympathetic nerves and as non-neuronal paracrine mediator. The different cholinoceptors, various nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, as well as their signalling mechanisms are presented. The complex ganglionic and prejunctional mechanisms controlling the release of acetylcholine are explained, and it is discussed whether changes in transmitter release could be involved in airway dysfunctions. The effects of acetylcholine on different target cells, smooth muscles, nerves, surface epithelial and secretory cells as well as mast cells are described in detail, including the receptor subtypes involved in signal transmission.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Bonn, Reuterstrasse 2b, D-53113 Bonn, Germany. racke.kurt@uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Racké
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matthiesen
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D005726:Ganglia, Parasympathetic / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D019899:Paracrine Communication / Q000502:physiology; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000502:physiology*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D000109:Acetylcholine