Activation of Adenosine Triphosphate-Gated Purinergic 2 Receptor Channels by Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Subtype 4 in Cough Hypersensitivity

The TRPV4-mediated purinergic signaling pathway was identified to be involved in the development of cough hypersensitivity in guinea pigs with chronic cough; i.e., TRPV4 can lead to the release of airway epithelial ATP, which can stimulate P2X receptors on the cough receptor, and further activate the sensory afferent nerves in the peripheral airway, leading to increased cough sensitivity.