| First Author | Li F | Year | 2021 |
| Journal | Cell | Volume | 184 |
| Issue | 14 | Pages | 3762-3773.e10 |
| PubMed ID | 34133943 | Mgi Jnum | J:314455 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6728428 | Doi | 10.1016/j.cell.2021.05.017 |
| Citation | Li F, et al. (2021) Sneezing reflex is mediated by a peptidergic pathway from nose to brainstem. Cell 184(14):3762-3773.e10 |
| abstractText | Sneezing is a vital respiratory reflex frequently associated with allergic rhinitis and viral respiratory infections. However, its neural circuit remains largely unknown. A sneeze-evoking region was discovered in both cat and human brainstems, corresponding anatomically to the central recipient zone of nasal sensory neurons. Therefore, we hypothesized that a neuronal population postsynaptic to nasal sensory neurons mediates sneezing in this region. By screening major presynaptic neurotransmitters/neuropeptides released by nasal sensory neurons, we found that neuromedin B (NMB) peptide is essential for signaling sneezing. Ablation of NMB-sensitive postsynaptic neurons in the sneeze-evoking region or deficiency in NMB receptor abolished the sneezing reflex. Remarkably, NMB-sensitive neurons further project to the caudal ventral respiratory group (cVRG). Chemical activation of NMB-sensitive neurons elicits action potentials in cVRG neurons and leads to sneezing behavior. Our study delineates a peptidergic pathway mediating sneezing, providing molecular insights into the sneezing reflex arc. |
