In mammal lungs different compartments for leukocytes can be identified during health and disease, e.g. lung interstitium, bronchoalveolar space, the epithelium and lamina propria of the air-conducting part. A so far neglected compartment is the space around the branches of the pulmonary arteries, characterized by a unique architecture of capillaries running in parallel to the pulmonary artery. This compartment – the periarterial space – is described and its phyiological and pathophysiological role reviewed. The periarterial space is infiltrated by different leukocyte subsets during edema formation in the early stages of a lung transplant rejection and, in particular, during inflammatory and allergic reactions. The periarterial compartment seems to be of major relevance in all these situations.

Keywords:
Lung, Compartments, Periarterial space, Edema, Inflammation
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© 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
2004
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