Do monoamine-synthesizing cells constitute a complex network of oxygen sensors?

Oxygen represents an essential molecule for organisms. Because of this, sophisticated systems of sensors have evolved to monitor oxygenation of tissues. We propose that monoamine-synthesizing cells represent an important part of this system. It is well known that the carotid body, which contains chromaffin cells, serves as a chemical sensor of blood oxygenation. Similarly, the activity of adrenal medullary chromaffin cells is increased during hypoxia. Moreover, neurons located in the central nervous system containing catecholamines, serotonin, and histamine are also sensitive to hypoxia. On the basis of this common sensitivity of monoamine-synthesizing cells to changes in oxygenation we propose the hypothesis that these cells constitute a widely distributed network of sensors that monitor oxygen levels. The role of monoamine-synthesizing cells in monitoring tissue oxygen supply during both physiological and pathological conditions is also discussed. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.