It takes a lot of nerve to form the lung alveolus

Article Physiology

Identification of lung innervating sensory neurons and their target specificity

Yujuan Su et al.

Summary: The lung, known as the gas exchange organ, plays a critical role in responding to the aerosol environment through the interaction with the nervous system. However, the diversity and specificity of lung innervating neurons are not well understood. In this study, the researchers investigated the cell body location, molecular signature, and projection pattern of lung innervating sensory neurons. Their findings provide a foundation for understanding the function of these neurons in the lung.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LUNG CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY (2022)

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Review Neurosciences

Review Internal senses of the vagus nerve

Sara L. Prescott et al.

Summary: The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in controlling autonomic physiological activities and survival behaviors. Vagal sensory neurons innervate different internal organs, but many cell types remain poorly understood. In this review, we focus on the cell types, response properties, physiological/behavioral roles, neural circuits, and sensory receptors of vagal sensory neurons that innervate the respiratory, cardiovascular, and digestive systems. However, the signal transduction mechanisms of vagal sensory neurons and upstream sentinel cells still require further investigation to achieve the same level of mechanistic understanding as our external senses.

NEURON (2022)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

A multidimensional coding architecture of the vagal interoceptive system

Qiancheng Zhao et al.

Summary: This study reveals a multidimensional coding architecture of the mammalian vagal interoceptive system, in which VSNs code signals in different dimensions such as visceral organs, tissue layers, and stimulus modalities, enabling complex projections of VSNs in the brainstem.

NATURE (2022)

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Article Cell Biology

A functional circuit formed by the autonomic nerves and myofibroblasts controls mammalian alveolar formation for gas exchange

Kuan Zhang et al.

Summary: The autonomic nerve and alveolar myofibroblast form a functional unit in mice, where myofibroblasts secrete neurotrophins to promote neurite extension/survival and neurotransmitters released from autonomic terminals are necessary for myofibroblast proliferation and migration. Planar cell polarity signaling regulates the cytoskeleton and neurotransmitter trafficking/release from autonomic nerves.

DEVELOPMENTAL CELL (2022)

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Article Medicine, Research & Experimental

Macrophage-derived netrin-1 drives adrenergic nerve associated lung fibrosis

Ruijuan Gao et al.

Summary: The study reveals that macrophage-derived netrin-1 stimulates lung fibrosis through its neuronal guidance functions, indicating potential for α(1) blockers as a new fibrotic therapy.

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION (2021)

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Article Developmental Biology

A single-cell atlas of mouse lung development

Nicholas M. Negretti et al.

Summary: This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to explore the dynamic alterations in parenchymal cells during lung organogenesis in mice. The research revealed lineage relationships of epithelial, endothelial, and mesenchymal cells at different developmental stages, providing a comprehensive view of cellular dynamics in lung organogenesis. The findings highlighted the complexity of type 1 pneumocyte function and characterized the expression patterns of mesenchymal Wnt during crucial stages of lung development.

DEVELOPMENT (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Genomic, epigenomic, and biophysical cues controlling the emergence of the lung alveolus

Jarod A. Zepp et al.

Summary: Through a multimodal approach, AT1 epithelial cells were identified as a signaling hub in the transition to air breathing at birth, aligning with force-exerting myofibroblasts to drive alveolar formation. Biophysical forces and AT1-derived paracrine signals together drive the alignment of cell fates, leading to extensive tissue remodeling required for postnatal respiration.

SCIENCE (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences