ABSTRACT
Coordinated development of the alveolar microvasculature and alveolar airspaces is critical for normal gas exchange at birth. Both processes are complex, interactive, and disrupted in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Much is known about distal lung epithelial development; however, the development of the microvasculature and alterations resulting from BPD are poorly understood. The potential for innovative therapeutic approaches to BPD may result from investigating mechanisms of lung microvascular development and its interaction with the distal epithelium. The following sections will briefly review normal lung vascular development and its regulation, critically evaluate evidence for interdependence of distal microvascular and epithelial development, describe changes that occur in BPD, and introduce potential therapies for BPD.
