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Role of Kupffer cells in host defense and liver disease
Author(s) -
Bilzer Manfred,
Roggel Frigga,
Gerbes Alexander L.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2006.01342.x
Subject(s) - immune system , kupffer cell , pathogenesis , nitric oxide , liver injury , biology , phenotype , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , inflammation , macrophage , hepatic stellate cell , liver cytology , liver disease , tumor necrosis factor alpha , in vitro , biochemistry , liver metabolism , gene , endocrinology , pharmacology
Kupffer cells (KC) constitute 80–90% of the tissue macrophages present in the body. They reside within the lumen of the liver sinusoids, and are therefore constantly exposed to gut‐derived bacteria, microbial debris and bacterial endotoxins, known to activate macrophages. Upon activation KC release various products, including cytokines, prostanoides, nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species. These factors regulate the phenotype of KC themselves, and the phenotypes of neighboring cells, such as hepatocytes, stellate cells, endothelial cells and other immune cells that traffic through the liver. Therefore, KC are intimately involved in the liver's response to infection, toxins, ischemia, resection and other stresses. This review summarizes established basic concepts of KC function as well as their role in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases.