About this Research Topic

Background

Chemo and mechanotransduction by peripheral sensory endings mediate a variety of cardiovascular responses in the physiological and pathophysiological states. These sensory endings are located in multiple organs including the heart, lungs, great vessels, skeletal muscle and the GI tract and may have multimodal effects. Spinal and vagal reflexes have been well studied. However, a wide array of pathological and therapeutic effects remains to be identified. For instance, vagal stimulation results in anti-inflammatory effects and is therapeutic in heart failure. While cardiac spinal afferents have been most associated with nociception and pain, more recent studies have shown that they are involved in a variety of modalities that play a role in pathophysiological processes in cardiovascular diseases (e.g. hypertension and heart failure). These processes include neuroinflammation, cardiac remodeling, arrhythmogenesis and vascular regulation.

This Research Topic will seek to publish original research and reviews related to the mechanisms and modulation of peripheral sensory nerves and their pathophysiological roles. As the NIH initiated the SPARC (Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions) program approximately 4 years ago, the field is growing and there should be great interest from basic scientists and clinicians as a way of treating cardiovascular disease and the mechanisms involved. An understanding of the mechanisms involved in the activation of these sensory endings and the role played in cardiovascular function will guide clinicians and basic scientists towards novel therapeutic options.

Keywords: cardiovascular physiology, peripheral sensory nerves, neuroinflammation, cardiac remodeling, arrhythmogenesis

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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