Heteroreceptors Modulating CGRP Release at Neurovascular Junction: Potential Therapeutic Implications on Some Vascular-Related Diseases

Figure 1

Vascular sympathetic and CGRPergic neurotransmission. The vascular tone is mainly regulated by the autonomic nervous system (ANS) innervation, but the sensory nerves play a pivotal role not only as sensors but also as effector. In the case of the ANS, the sympathetic branch exerts a tonic vasoconstriction by noradrenaline release whereas the sensory fibers release the calcitonin gene-related peptide and evokes vasodilatation. It is interesting to note that CGRP release from sensory nerves could be induced by (i) an axonal reflex and (ii) a dorsal root reflex inducing an antidromic conduction on the primary afferent fiber.