Lm. Montuenga et al., PRODUCTION OF REGULATORY FACTORS IN THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM OF VERTEBRATES, Netherlands journal of zoology, 45(1-2), 1995, pp. 33-37
Among the different cell types present in the respiratory tract of the
vertebrates, some (epithelial, endothelial, neural) specialise in the
production of regulatory factors. Endocrine cells occur either single
, spread throughout the epithelial lining, or in innervated groups, ca
lled 'neuroepithelial bodies' (NEBs). In mammals, these endocrine cell
s may be involved in lung maturation during perinatal life and in chem
oreception. A neuroendocrine diffuse system is present in the respirat
ory organs of ail classes of vertebrates. In amphibians and reptiles,
single endocrine cells as well as NEBs are located in the apices of th
e lung septa. The respiratory tract shows nerve fibres immunoreactive
to several neuropeptides. Since some neurons and fibres contain NO syn
thase a broad evolutionary presence of NO-releasing neurons, probably
involved in the control of relaxation, is suggested.