Involvement of Capsaicin-Sensitive Lung Vagal Neurons and TRPA1 Receptors in Airway Hypersensitivity Induced by 1,3-β-D-Glucan in Anesthetized Rats.

Airway exposure to 1,3-β-D-glucan (β-glucan), an essential component of the cell wall of several pathogenic fungi, causes various adverse responses, such as pulmonary inflammation and airway hypersensitivity. The former response has been intensively investigated; however, the mechanism underlying β-glucan-induced airway hypersensitivity is unknown. Capsaicin-sensitive lung vagal (CSLV) afferents are very chemosensitive and stimulated by various insults to the lungs.