title: Neuroregulation of human nasal mucosa.
abstract: Multiple subsets of nociceptive, parasympathetic, and sympathetic nerves innervate human nasal mucosa. These play carefully coordinated roles in regulating glandular, vascular, and other processes. These functions are vital for cleaning and humidifying ambient air before it is inhaled into the lungs. The recent identification of distinct classes of nociceptive nerves with unique patterns of transient receptor potential sensory receptor ion channel proteins may account for the polymodal, chemo- and mechanicosensitivity of many trigeminal neurons. Modulation of these families of proteins, excitatory and inhibitory autoreceptors, and combinations of neurotransmitters introduces a new level of complexity and subtlety to nasal innervation. These findings may provide a rational basis for responses to air-temperature changes, culinary and botanical odorants ("aromatherapy"), and inhaled irritants in conditions as diverse as allergic and nonallergic rhinitis, occupational rhinitis, hyposmia, and multiple chemical sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007-2197, USA. baraniuj@georgetown.edu
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Baraniuk
authors.forename: Samantha J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Merck
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D050916:TRPV Cation Channels; C494482:TRPV1 protein, human
references.citation: J Hepatol. 2008 Apr;48(4):681-3
references.pmid: 18280606
references.citation: Trends Pharmacol Sci. 1994 Jun;15(6):190-7
references.pmid: 8091514
references.citation: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1999 Aug;160(2):655-62
references.pmid: 10430743
references.citation: Rhinology. 2007 Jun;45(2):102-11
references.pmid: 17708456
references.citation: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2005 Jan 1;171(1):5-11
references.pmid: 15477496
references.citation: Toxicol Sci. 2006 Oct;93(2):411-21
references.pmid: 16840565
references.citation: Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2002 Feb;2(1):11-9
references.pmid: 11964745
references.citation: Novartis Found Symp. 2008;289:222-33; discussion 233-40
references.pmid: 18497106
references.citation: Eur J Biochem. 2004 May;271(10):1827-34
references.pmid: 15128293
references.citation: Neuroscience. 2008 Jun 23;154(2):832-8
references.pmid: 18485604
references.citation: J Clin Invest. 1990 Apr;85(4):998-1005
references.pmid: 2318984
references.citation: Sci STKE. 2004 Oct 05;2004(253):re15
references.pmid: 15467096
references.citation: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1998 Jun;157(6 Pt 1):1748-55
references.pmid: 9620901
references.citation: Nat Neurosci. 2001 Jan;4(1):72-7
references.pmid: 11135647
references.citation: Chem Senses. 2006 Nov;31(9):807-12
references.pmid: 16908491
references.citation: Mol Pain. 2008 Apr 18;4:14
references.pmid: 18419827
references.citation: Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2004 Jul;113(7):552-7
references.pmid: 15274415
references.citation: Neuropeptides. 2004 Dec;38(6):351-8
references.pmid: 15567471
references.citation: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2007 Jan;264(1):33-7
references.pmid: 17043856
references.citation: Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2004 Jun;14(3):362-9
references.pmid: 15194117
references.citation: Nature. 1997 Oct 23;389(6653):816-24
references.pmid: 9349813
references.citation: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1995 Dec;152(6 Pt 1):1757-64
references.pmid: 8520734
references.citation: J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1992 May;89(5):1032-9
references.pmid: 1583245
references.citation: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2007 Aug 15;176(4):327-32
references.pmid: 17575093