Sensory Systems in the Peripheral and Central Nervous Systems Shape Host Response During Infections.

🤖 Plain-English Summary

The function of sensory cells has been largely investigated in the field of neuroscience for how they report the physical and chemical changes of the environment ("exteroception") and of internal physiology ("interoception"). The corresponding neuronal activation associated with the presence of pathogens can impact their classical functions within the nervous system and trigger the release of compounds modulating the response to intruders, either triggering pain to raise awareness, enhancing hos...

🔑 Key Findings

• Investigations over the last century have largely focused on the morphological, electrical and receptor properties of sensory cells in the nervous system focusing on conscious perception of external cues or homeostatic regulation upon detection of internal cues.
• Research in the last decade has uncovered that sensory cells can often sense polymodal cues, such as mechanical, chemical, and/ or thermal.
• Additionally, sensory cells in the peripheral as well as in the central nervous system can detect evidence associated with the invasion of pathogenic bacteria or viruses.

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