Peripheral effector functions of sensory axons
- 1epartment of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
Abstract
Traditionally regarded as conduits for afferent information, selected sensory axons can also act as peripheral effector units by releasing neurotransmitters and neuropeptides from their peripheral terminals. These local actions can regulate vascular tone, vascular permeability, immune-cell activity, inflammation, tissue repair, and, in specific organs, contractile function. This mini-review builds on the presentation “The Motor Function of the Sensory Axon,” delivered at the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, held in San Diego, California, on September 4th, 2025. As part of a collection documenting scientific contributions from the meeting, it preserves and shares the key concepts presented on the peripheral effector functions of sensory axons. This review explores the efferent-like functions of sensory axons in biological processes, including neurogenic inflammation, peripheral immune modulation, and vascular control, in the context of animal physiology and disease. These actions are distinguished from the conventional sensory contribution to reflexes and motor control, which requires central synaptic processing and motor-neuron output.
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BibTeX
@article{moradourbina2026peripheral,
title = {{Peripheral effector functions of sensory axons}},
author = {Carlos E. Morado-Urbina and Tony L. Yaksh},
journal = {Frontiers in Pain Research},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3389/fpain.2026.1898579},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2026.1898579},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Peripheral effector functions of sensory axons
AU - Carlos E. Morado-Urbina
AU - Tony L. Yaksh
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/04
JO - Frontiers in Pain Research
DO - 10.3389/fpain.2026.1898579
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2026.1898579
AB - Traditionally regarded as conduits for afferent information, selected sensory axons can also act as peripheral effector units by releasing neurotransmitters and neuropeptides from their peripheral terminals. These local actions can regulate vascular tone, vascular permeability, immune-cell activity, inflammation, tissue repair, and, in specific organs, contractile function. This mini-review builds on the presentation “The Motor Function of the Sensory Axon,” delivered at the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, held in San Diego, California, on September 4th, 2025. As part of a collection documenting scientific contributions from the meeting, it preserves and shares the key concepts presented on the peripheral effector functions of sensory axons. This review explores the efferent-like functions of sensory axons in biological processes, including neurogenic inflammation, peripheral immune modulation, and vascular control, in the context of animal physiology and disease. These actions are distinguished from the conventional sensory contribution to reflexes and motor control, which requires central synaptic processing and motor-neuron output.
SN - 2673-561X
ER -