A rare and mysterious cell type in the lungs detects airway closure and relays the signal to the vagus nerve, then the brain, which is followed by a gasping reflex is initiated that helps the animal compensate for the lack of air.


RT’s Three Key Takeaways:

  1. New Respiratory Reflex Discovery: Harvard Medical School researchers have unveiled a novel vagus nerve reflex in mice triggered by airway closure, prompting a gasping response, illuminating previously unknown respiratory neural pathways.
  2. Role of Orphan Neurons in Respiration: The study highlights the identification of orphan neurons in the lungs, pivotal in sensing airway closure and initiating the gasping reflex, elucidating complexities in respiratory neural mechanisms.
  3. Implications for Human Health: Although conducted in mice, the findings lay groundwork for understanding human respiratory reflexes and exploring potential therapeutic avenues for respiratory disorders, underscoring the need for further research into these newfound neural pathways’ functions and clinical implications.


Unraveling the Body’s Response to Restricted Breathing

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have uncovered a fascinating mechanism the body employs to counteract restricted breathing, shedding light on a previously unknown reflex of the vagus nerve. This discovery, published in Nature, offers valuable insights into respiratory control and opens new avenues for understanding respiratory disorders.

The Vagus Nerve: A Key Player in Breathing Regulation

The study, conducted in mice, elucidates how a specialized cell type in the lungs detects airway closure and communicates this information to the vagus nerve. This nerve serves as a crucial pathway connecting the brain to various organs, including the lungs. Upon receiving signals from the lungs, the brain triggers a gasping reflex, enabling the organism to compensate for diminished airflow.

Unveiling Orphan Neurons: Exploring the Unknown

Lead author Michael Schappe, PhD, along with senior author Stephen Liberles, PhD, embarked on this research journey intrigued by enigmatic lung neurons known as “orphan neurons.” These neurons, whose functions have long eluded scientists, presented an exciting opportunity to uncover hidden respiratory reflexes.

Exploring Respiratory Reflexes: Beyond the Hering-Breuer Reflex

Building upon the well-known Hering-Breuer reflex, which safeguards the lungs from over-inflation, the researchers hypothesized the existence of an inverse reflex triggered by airway restriction. This reflex, activated when neurons detect reduced lung volume, prompts a sensation of breathlessness, a phenomenon still poorly understood.

A Reflex Against Air Hunger: Unraveling the Mechanism

Through meticulous experiments in mice, Schappe and his team demonstrated the existence of a reflexive response to airway closure. By manipulating the activity of specific lung neurons, they confirmed these neurons’ role in initiating gasping behavior. Remarkably, deactivating these neurons abolished the gasping reflex, highlighting their pivotal role in respiratory control.

NEBs: The Enigmatic Cellular Players

Further investigation unveiled the involvement of neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs), poorly understood cell clusters in the respiratory tract. These NEBs, expressing a force-sensing protein called PIEZO2, were found crucial for eliciting the gasping reflex. This discovery provides critical insights into NEBs’ function and their potential implications for respiratory diseases.

Pioneering Basic Research: Charting New Frontiers

While the study primarily delves into fundamental research, it lays the groundwork for comprehending respiratory physiology in humans. By deciphering the roles of various lung neurons, including orphan neurons, researchers aim to decode the internal sensations experienced by humans during respiratory challenges.

Unveiling the Mysteries Ahead: Future Directions

As the research progresses, the team aims to unravel remaining mysteries surrounding NEBs and other orphan neurons. Their focus lies on understanding how these neurons contribute to respiratory reflexes and their implications for respiratory disorders. By bridging the gap between basic research and clinical applications, they strive to enhance our understanding of respiratory health.

Empowering Future Discoveries: A Call to Action

This groundbreaking research underscores the importance of basic science in unraveling the complexities of human physiology. As we delve deeper into the mechanisms governing respiratory control, we pave the way for innovative therapies and interventions for respiratory disorders. Stay tuned as we continue to unravel the mysteries of the human body’s remarkable resilience in the face of respiratory challenges.

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