Does arteries / veins have nociceptors?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around whether arteries and veins contain nociceptors and the implications of this for sensing hypothetical nanobots in the circulatory system. Participants explore the anatomical and physiological aspects of nociceptors, their association with different tissue types, and the potential sensory experiences related to nanotechnology in the body.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that nociceptors are primarily associated with epithelial tissues, leading to the hypothesis that arteries and veins may not have nociceptors.
  • One participant notes that while vasculature is lined by epithelial cells, it is actually endothelial cells that line blood vessels, raising questions about the presence of nociceptors.
  • Another participant speculates that if nanobots were introduced into the bloodstream, the sensation of their presence would likely be indirect, through effects such as inflammation rather than direct sensory input from the bots themselves.
  • There is a mention of certain drugs causing a burning sensation when administered intravenously, suggesting that some sensation might occur under specific conditions.
  • Concerns are raised about the design of nanobots, with the implication that they would need to avoid interacting with sensory receptors to prevent unwanted sensations.
  • One participant compares white blood cells to nanobots, suggesting that while the biological machines in the body are not typically felt, their effects can be noticeable.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the presence of nociceptors in blood vessels and whether sensations would be felt from nanobots. There are multiple competing views on the relationship between nociceptors, endothelial cells, and the potential sensory experiences related to nanobots.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on assumptions about the nature and design of nanobots, as well as the specific biological mechanisms involved in sensation and immune response. The discussion does not resolve these assumptions or the definitions of the involved terms.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring the intersection of biology and technology, particularly in the fields of biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, and sensory physiology.

algis.j
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Does arteries / veins have nociceptors?

i.e.:if an army of 'nanobots' ramble in my circulatory system; would I occasionally "feel" them??

Thank you :)
 
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Nociceptors seem to be mainly associated with epithelia (although there are nociceptors in muscle and joint tissue), so I would guess no. OTOH, if they crossed the slit diaphragm into the glomerulus and renal nephron (which is epithelia), you may feel them.

Sounds like the beginning of a bad R01 application...
 


Thank you :)

Sounds like the beginning of a bad R01 application...

Why "bad"?
 


Andy Resnick said:
Nociceptors seem to be mainly associated with epithelia (although there are nociceptors in muscle and joint tissue), so I would guess no.
Vasculature is lined by epithelial cells too, though.

But, I'm not sure. The only thing that comes to mind that might help toward answering this question is that there are some drugs that give a burning sensation when administered i.v., though this is pretty rare.

On the other hand, when I think little nanotech stuff administered into circulation, I presume it would be designed so it isn't non-specifically attaching to receptors, so only the potential for bumping mechanoreceptors would be an issue (something that responds to pressure or touch rather than chemical binding). I don't think such a receptor would be present inside blood vessels, otherwise people developing blood clots my have more of a warning of their presence before they blocked off circulation to some part of the body.
 


algis.j said:
Thank you :)
Why "bad"?

because it's based on pure speculation- the nanobots do not exist.
 


Moonbear said:
Vasculature is lined by epithelial cells too, though.
<snip>.

Are you sure? I thought it was endothelial cells.
 


I would guess you have a better chance of feeling the effects rather than the bots themselves.
However, the real answer would have to do with how small the bots are and what they are designed to do.
Your blood vessels are filled with little biological machines. You don't normally notice them.
I'll explain. Cells can be considered machines in that they perform a function. And they do it independantly for the most part. Some perform more complicated funtions than others. White blood cells are almost independent entities. Scouring the body for stuff that doesn't belong and then removing it. (Sounds like a nanobot to me)

You don't feel white blood cells in your body (unless they aren't working properly) so I wouldn't imagine you would feel nanobots.

But you might feel the changes they make. Inflamation being one sign of white blood cells attacking things they shouldn't.
Similar reactions might be noticable for Nanobots.
Particularly if they had an affinity for something like nerve cells. (Or a particular type of fat used to line nerve cells)
 


Thank you.

They would have to be 'transparent' tho; for the immune system.
 

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