Kupffer Cells

It has been over 100 years since the discovery of phagocytic mesenchymal cells in the liver. Kupffer and other early histologists observed these cells lining of the hepatic sinusoids (2:495). Because of their ability to take up vital dyes, they were grouped together with the reticular cells, the histiocytes, and the monocytes. Collectively, all of these cells were called the reticuloendothelial system (2:495).

It wasn't until perfusion fixation techniques, however, that the different sinusoidal cells could be further identified. Perfusion fixation preserved the delicate structure of the sinusoids. When used with electron microscopy, the technique allowed researchers to distinguish the endothelial cells from the true Kupffer cells.

Embryonic Kupffer cells probably start as macrophages and originate in the yolk sac (2:495502). In the fetal liver, the cells appear to be a separate line distinct from other hepatic sinusoidal cells (3:509).

In the adult, Kupffer cells may self replicate. By analyzing thymidine uptake and studying mitotic indices, Bouwens and others have shown that rat liver cells do multiply on their own (5:38). Altho

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. In general, the Kupffer cell has most of the morphological characteristics common to all macrophages (3:508). Its cytoplasm is bulky and contains abundant, welldeveloped lysosomes and pinocytotic vesicles. Indeed, the volumetric composition of the Kupffer cell is 13.5% lysosome and 2% pinocytotic vesicle. These cells tend to be stellate in shape and of relatively large diameter (8.7 to 9.1 micrometers). When observed by scanning electron microscope, they may also exhibit surface membrane structures such as lamellopodia, filopodia, and microvilli. The individual Kupffer cells themselves each have a cell coat that consists of two layers. The inner layer, which lies close to the plasma membrane, may consist of glycoproteins and glycolipids. The thick outer layer, which reacts for protein, is 50 to 70 nanometers wide. It is often described as being filamentous or fuzzy. This texture may promote the adhesion of particles prior to phagocytosis. Various investigators have also suggested that these cell coats contain receptors which recognize antibodies and complement. Two other characteristic structures of Kupffer cells include bristlecoated micropinocytotic vesicles and wormlike structures. The micropinocytoti
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Approximate Word count = 1922
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)

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