Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will cover a selection of recent research topics and current review articles related to the role of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in the carotid body function and plasticity, also with reference to its more recent translational implications. Up-to-date review articles, commentaries, and experimental papers are all welcome.

The carotid body is the main peripheral arterial chemoreceptor, sensitive to hypoxia, hypercapnia and reduction in pH, but also to inflammatory and metabolic factors. Its stimulation induces increases in ventilatory frequency and volume, through activation of the medullary respiratory centers and sympathoactivation. The carotid body is structurally composed of chemosensitive type I cells and supportive type II cells, the latter being also identified as stem cell precursors for type I cells. A large number of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides (with their receptors) have been identified in the carotid body; they are involved in the modulation of chemoreception and in plasticity responses of the carotid body to environmental factors such as hypoxia (continuous or intermittent), hyperoxia or inflammation. Accordingly, a role for the carotid body has been suggested in various clinical conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, and sudden infant death syndrome.

Prof. Dr. Andrea Porzionato
Guest Editor

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• peripheral arterial chemoreceptors
• oxygen homeostasis
• neurotransmitters
• neuropeptides
• growth factors
• receptors
• hypoxia
• development
• plasticity