The rapidly adapting receptors in mammalian airways and their responses to changes in extravascular fluid volume

In this short review, we shall focus on some recent findings on the physiological stimulus for the rapidly adapting receptors (RAR) of the airways. They are readily activated by a sustained inflation of the lungs and they are usually identified by their rapid adaptation to this stimulus. They are al...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental physiology 2006-07, Vol.91 (4), p.647-654
Main Authors: Kappagoda, C. Tissa, Ravi, Krishnan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Physiological - physiology
Animals
Body Fluids - physiology
Extracellular Space - physiology
Humans
Kinetics
Lung - innervation
Lung - physiology
Lymphatic System - physiology
Mechanoreceptors - physiology
Mechanotransduction, Cellular - physiology
Models, Biological
Pulmonary Stretch Receptors - physiology
Pulmonary Ventilation - physiology
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Summary:In this short review, we shall focus on some recent findings on the physiological stimulus for the rapidly adapting receptors (RAR) of the airways. They are readily activated by a sustained inflation of the lungs and they are usually identified by their rapid adaptation to this stimulus. They are also activated by both tactile stimuli and irritant gases applied to the epithelium of the airways. The investigations reviewed here suggest that these receptors are activated by changes in extravascular fluid volume. The principal factors governing fluid flux from the microcirculation are identified in the Starling equation. These are the hydrostatic pressure, plasma oncotic pressure and capillary permeability. Findings from recent studies suggest that all these factors increase the activity of RAR. In addition, these receptors are also activated by obstruction of lymph drainage from the lung. Evidence is presented to show that manipulation of Starling forces also increases the extravascular fluid volume of the airways in areas where the RAR are located. On the basis of these findings, it is suggested that, along with mechanosensitivity to stimuli such as stretch, inflation and deflation, another physiological stimulus to the RAR is a change in extravascular fluid volume in the regions of the airways where these receptors are located.
ISSN:0958-0670
1469-445X
DOI:10.1113/expphysiol.2006.033209