title: Role of parasympathetic nerves and muscarinic receptors in allergy and asthma.
abstract: Parasympathetic nerves control the symptoms and inflammation of allergic diseases primarily by signaling through peripheral muscarinic receptors. Parasympathetic signaling targets classic effector tissues such as airway smooth muscle and secretory glands and mediates acute symptoms of allergic disease such as airway narrowing and increased mucus secretion. In addition, parasympathetic signaling modulates inflammatory cells and non-neuronal resident cell types such as fibroblasts and smooth muscle contributing to chronic allergic inflammation and tissue remodeling. Importantly, muscarinic antagonists are experiencing a rebirth for the treatment of asthma and may be useful for treating other allergic diseases.
authors: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
authors: Gregory D
authors: GD
authors: Scott
authors: Allison D
authors: AD
authors: Fryer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005123:Eye / Q000503:physiopathology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000503:physiopathology; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism; D009666:Nose / Q000503:physiopathology; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic