Sympathetic nerve fiber (pulmonary artery)

Sympathetic nerve fibers in the pulmonary artery are components of the pulmonary plexus, originating from the thoracic sympathetic ganglia, coursing with the vascular wall, and delivering adrenergic innervation. They regulate pulmonary arterial tone by releasing norepinephrine, causing vasoconstriction, and participate in physiological responses to stress. These nerve fibers have been investigated as potential targets for catheter-based denervation procedures, especially in the context of pulmonary arterial hypertension, where excessive sympathetic signaling is thought to contribute to high vascular resistance[1][2][5]. However, drug targeting is indirect and anatomical rather than molecular, making these fibers a target for interventional procedures rather than pharmacologic therapy. Note: - The entry does not represent a canonical molecule or receptor; it is an anatomical structure comprising neuronal tissue. - The correct canonical target would be a specific receptor (e.g., adrenergic receptor subtype) or enzyme in these nerve fibers, not the fibers themselves.

Other names

Sympathetic nervous innervation of pulmonary arteryPulmonary artery sympathetic nervesPulmonary plexus sympathetic fibers

Regional denervation (e.g., catheter-based ultrasound or radiofrequency ablation for PAH) attempts to disrupt sympathetic signaling to lessen vasoconstrictive tone