Airway sensory nerve C-fiber terminals (Airway C-fibers)

Airway sensory nerve C-fiber terminals are non-myelinated afferent nerve endings that play a critical role in sensing chemical and mechanical irritants within the respiratory tract. These terminals express a variety of excitatory receptors and ion channels, most notably TRPV1, TRPA1, and P2X3, which trigger action potentials in response to noxious stimuli. Upon activation, they not only transmit sensory information to the central nervous system to induce the cough reflex but also release neuropeptides like Substance P and CGRP locally, leading to neurogenic inflammation, vasodilation, and mucus secretion. In pathological conditions such as chronic cough and asthma, these terminals often exhibit hypersensitivity, making them a primary therapeutic target for antitussive and anti-inflammatory agents. Pharmacological intervention typically focuses on desensitizing these terminals or blocking the specific receptors that mediate their activation to alleviate symptoms of airway hyperreactivity.

Other names

Bronchial C-fibersPulmonary C-fibersNociceptive airway nerve endingsVagal C-fiber afferentsNon-myelinated airway afferents

Modulation of ion channels (TRPV1, TRPA1) and P2X3 receptors located on the terminal membrane to inhibit depolarization and subsequent neurotransmitter release (Substance P, CGRP).