The Normal and Abnormal Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Cell

Cholinergic‐nicotinic control of growth and secretion of cultured pulmonary neuroendocrine cells

“…Evidence suggesting a physiological role of pulmonary neuroendocrine (PNE) cells includes the strategic location of PNE clusters (neuroepithelial bodies) in the bronchial bifurcations (Lauweryns et al, 1972), the complex motor and sensory pattern of innervation (Lauweryns et al, 1985), and their synthesis and secretion of biogenic amines and several bioactive peptides (Becker et al, 1980;Cutz et al, 1981;Dey et al, 1981). These cells may also be involved in various lung disorders (Becker and Gazdar, 1984;Becker et al, 1989;Johnson et al, 1982;Miller, 1989). PNE cell immunoreactive calcitonin (iCT) is both a marker for PNE cells and a n indicator of PNE cell activity, ranging from acute peptide secretion to the chronic hyperplastic response to several noxious stimuli (e.g., cigarette smoke and diethylnitrosamine) Linnoila et al, 1984;Nylen et al, 1988Nylen et al, , 1990aTabassian et al, 1988Tabassian et al, , 1990.…”