Chapter 4: Neural Regulation of Lung Development

Abstract

The respiratory system, comprising the lungs, trachea, vasculature and associated neural tissues, is essential for terrestrial life. During early embryonic development, the lung primordium, originating from the ventral foregut endoderm, bifurcates ventrolaterally to form two primary lung buds. Within these developing buds, the lung mesoderm interacts with the endoderm to generate various lineages, including airway smooth muscle, vasculature and pericytes. As these buds progressively invade their surroundings to form the characteristic tree-like architecture of the lungs, an extensive neuronal network develops concomitantly. This developing neural network will become essential to control breathing, relay sensation and regulate inflammation. Here, we summarise what is known about the embryogenesis of intrinsic and extrinsic lung innervation and how it impacts on lung development. However, the precise ontogeny of the respiratory neuronal network and the signals by which it is regulated are, as yet, not fully elucidated.