perisinusoidal

Perisinusoidal describes a location around a sinusoid, most commonly in the liver where it refers to the perisinusoidal space surrounding hepatic sinusoids. The hepatic sinusoids are large, fenestrated capillaries that lie between the sinusoidal endothelium and the plasma membranes of hepatocytes. The perisinusoidal space, also known as the space of Disse, sits between these endothelial cells and hepatocytes.

The perisinusoidal space contains extracellular matrix components, reticular fibers, and resident cell types such as hepatic stellate (Ito) cells, which store vitamin A in lipid droplets. It is a dynamic zone for exchange between blood and liver cells: nutrients, hormones, and other solutes move across the endothelium and diffuse through the space of Disse to hepatocytes, while plasma components and metabolites move in the opposite direction. Kupffer cells and other immune cells can also interact within this region.

Pathologically, the perisinusoidal space is important in liver disease. Chronic injury can activate stellate cells, leading to increased deposition of extracellular matrix within the space of Disse. This perisinusoidal fibrosis impairs diffusion between blood and hepatocytes and contributes to the architectural changes seen in cirrhosis. The process often accompanies “capillarization” of sinusoids, where fenestrations diminish and exchange efficiency declines.

In summary, perisinusoidal describes the region surrounding hepatic sinusoids, most notably the space of Disse, a critical microanatomical compartment for substance exchange and a key player in liver fibrosis and disease progression. The term is used primarily in hepatic anatomy, with less frequent application in other vascular beds.