part of part of has part capable of has characterizing marker set NS forest marker set of pulmonary neuroendocrine cell (Human lung). neuronal receptor cell sensory epithelial cell neuroendocrine cell chemoreceptor cell serotonin secreting cell pulmonary neuroendocrine cell https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_1000223 Lung neuroendocrine cells, also commonly known as pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs), are predominantly located in the respiratory epithelium of the bronchial and bronchiolar airways in the lungs. These cells, characterised by their small size and granular appearance, have a distinctive morphology that sets them apart from other lung cells. They are considered part of the diffuse neuroendocrine system due to their scattered distribution through the epithelium and have been classified into solitary cells and clustered forms known as neuroepithelial bodies. The primary function of PNECs is linked to regulation and maintenance of the lung environment. They are sensory in nature and can secrete various bioactive substances such as serotonin, calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptides, and bombesin-like peptides which modulate airway smooth muscle tone and influence gut motility. For example, they act as oxygen sensors in response to hypoxia and are responsible for releasing neuropeptides that can induce responses. Moreover, PNECs provide an afferent function as they are equipped with long microvilli that project into the lumen of the bronchus and react to changes in the chemical composition of the luminal content. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) lung neuroendocrine cell PNEC The marker set CHGA, GRP can identify the Human cell type pulmonary neuroendocrine cell in the lung with a confidence of 0.94 (NS-Forest FBeta value). A neuroendocrine cell that is part of respiratory epithelium of the lung and is involved in the sensory detection of environmental stimuli, including hypoxia, nicotine and air pressure. Ultrastructurally, this cell type is characterized by the presence of cytoplasmic dense core granules, which are considered the storage sites of amine and peptide hormones. Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells are innervated and appear as solitary cells or as clustered masses, localized at airway bifurcation sites, called neuroepithelial bodies that can release serotonin in response to hypoxia and interact with sensory nerve terminals. Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells also function as reserve stem cells that repair the surrounding epithelium after injury. lung secretory cell dense core granule detection of hypoxia Homo sapiens lung