title: Control by cholinergic mechanisms.
abstract: In the respiratory tract acetylcholine is neurotransmitter in ganglia and postganglionic parasympathetic nerves, but in addition is paracrine mediator released from various non-neuronal cells. Almost every cell type present in the respiratory tract expresses nicotinic and muscarinic receptors and therefore appears to be a target for acetylcholine. The present review describes the mechanisms of synthesis and release of acetylcholine from neuronal and non-neuronal cells and the differential control mechanisms. The different cholinoceptors, multiple nicotinic and muscarinic receptors and their signalling are outlined and their involvement in the modulation of the function of various target cells, smooth muscles, nerves, surface epithelial, secretory cells, fibroblasts and inflammatory cells is discussed in detail.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Bonn, Reuterstrasse 2b, D-53113 Bonn, Germany. racke.kurt@uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Racké
authors.forename: Uwe R
authors.initials: UR
authors.lastname: Juergens
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matthiesen
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D016084:Bronchoconstriction; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D005726:Ganglia, Parasympathetic / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism; D019899:Paracrine Communication; D017777:Parasympathetic Fibers, Postganglionic / Q000378:metabolism*; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000378:metabolism; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000378:metabolism; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
chemical_list: D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D000109:Acetylcholine