Pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies as airway sensors: putative role in the generation of dyspnea

The neuroepithelial bodies (NEB) of the intrapulmonary airways (AW) are multimodal AW sensors responding to a variety of stimuli including hypoxia, hypercarbia, and mechanical stretch. NEBs are richly innervated by a diverse population of mostly vagal afferent nerve fibers and owing to their early developmental maturation may be especially important during the perinatal period. This article reviews recent findings of NEB functional morphology and innervation, and postulates a role in the generation of dyspnea. This is based on their potential for transduction of dyspneic stimuli and findings of NEB cell abnormalities in a number of pulmonary disorders presenting with this symptom.

► Neuroepithelial bodies are multimodal airway sensors producing diverse secretory products. ► Rich innervation of neuroepithelial bodies suggests a role in respiratory signal integration. ► Neuroepithelial bodies are altered in many dyspneic respiratory disorders. ► We postulate that neuroepithelial bodies contribute to the generation of dyspnea.