In a recent study published in Cell, Professor of Anesthesiology, Qin Liu, PhD, and her team at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified the specific neurons that trigger sneezing and coughing in mice. This discovery marks a significant advancement in our understanding of these fundamental reflexes, with potential implications for managing respiratory symptoms in humans.
Sneezing and coughing are reflexes that protect our respiratory system by expelling irritants, allergens, and pathogens. However, these reflexes also play a role in the spread of infectious diseases, as demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite their importance, the precise neuronal mechanisms underlying sneezing and coughing have remained elusive—until now.
Liu’s study reveals that sneezing and coughing are driven by distinct neuronal populations. The research team found that the nasal mucosa, which is the tissue lining the nasal cavity, is innervated by several distinct groups of sensory neurons. These neurons (MrgprC11+MrgprA3-) were found to be uniquely responsible for initiating sneezes in response to a variety of nasal irritants, allergens, and viruses. When the neurons were silenced in influenza-infected mice, the animals stopped sneezing altogether.