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Scavenger function of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells
Author(s) -
Smedsrod Bard
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.66.1
Subject(s) - scavenger receptor , endocytosis , microbiology and biotechnology , endocytic cycle , mononuclear phagocyte system , mannose receptor , phagocytosis , receptor mediated endocytosis , macrophage , receptor , endothelial stem cell , kupffer cell , liver cytology , endothelium , cell type , cell , chemistry , biology , immunology , biochemistry , endocrinology , cholesterol , lipoprotein , liver metabolism , in vitro
The lining of the liver sinusoid is made up of a specialized endothelium referred to as liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). These cells are the major site of clearance of an array of blood borne physiologic and foreign waste macromolecules. The LSECs are equipped with specific endocytosis receptors and an endocytic machinery that enables the cells to carry out endocytosis at a speed and capacity that surpass that of any other cell type in the body. By means of 3 major types of endocytosis receptors (scavenger receptor/stabilin, mannose receptor, and Fc gamma receptor) the cells are able to effectively clear most waste materials of colloidal and soluble macromoleculear nature from the blood. Although the liver macrophage was previously believed to make up the liver reticuloendothelial system (RES), we have established that the LSEC is as important. There is a clear division of work between the two cell types: the liver macrophages remove blood borne particles (roughly 200 nm and above) by phagocytosis, and the LSECs eliminate soluble macromolecules of size less than 200 nm. This share of work between macrophages and scavenger endothelial cells is the same in all vertebrates.