Peripheral cough sensory nerves

Peripheral cough sensory nerves are the primary afferent neurons, primarily vagal Aδ-fibers and C-fibers, that innervate the respiratory tract to detect mechanical and chemical stimuli [Mazzone & Undem, 2016]. These nerves play a critical role in the cough reflex by transducing sensory signals into action potentials that travel to the brainstem cough center [Canning, 2014]. In pathological states such as chronic cough or cough hypersensitivity syndrome, these nerves exhibit increased sensitivity, known as peripheral sensitization, leading to cough in response to normally innocuous stimuli [Chung, 2014]. Pharmacological intervention typically targets specific ion channels and receptors expressed on these nerve terminals, such as P2X3 purinergic receptors, TRPV1, and TRPA1 [Morice et al., 2021]. By modulating these peripheral pathways, drugs like gefapixant aim to reduce the excessive neural firing associated with chronic cough while minimizing the central side effects of traditional opioid-based antitussives [Smith et al., 2020].

Other names

Vagal afferent nervesAirway sensory nervesCough receptorsPulmonary sensory afferentsCough-sensitive afferents

Inhibition of sensory nerve activation via antagonism of P2X3 receptors, blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels, or modulation of TRP channels.