Update: the search for the human cough receptor.
Despite the best efforts of basic and applied science, the identity of the human "cough receptor" remains elusive. The attraction of identifying a single "catch all" cough receptor is obvious, although such an objective is unlikely to be realised given the concept of "cough hypersensitivity," which is now considered the most clinically relevant description of what underlies problem coughing. One means of progressing this area is to join the thinking and experimental effort of basic science and clinical research in an effective manner. Some of the best examples of cooperative and translational research over the years together with an update on the most recent work will be discussed in this article.
Centre for Infection and Immunity, Queens University Belfast, Health Sciences Building, Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, l.mcgarvey@qub.ac.uk.
Lorcan
L
McGarvey
D000818:Animals; D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012018:Reflex; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
D000996:Antitussive Agents; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels