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Neutrophil‐Kupffer cell interaction: a critical component of host defenses to systemic bacterial infections
Author(s) -
Gregory Stephen H.,
Wing Edward J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.72.2.239
Subject(s) - kupffer cell , biology , phagocytosis , innate immune system , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , macrophage , immunity , function (biology) , immune system , in vitro , biochemistry
Most bacteria that enter the bloodstream are taken up and eliminated within the liver. The specific mechanisms that underlie the role of the liver in the resolution of systemic bacterial infections remain to be determined. The vast majority of studies undertaken to date have focused on the function of resident tissue macrophages (Kupffer cells) that line the liver sinusoids. Indeed, it is often reported that Kupffer cells ingest and kill the bulk of organisms taken up by the liver. Recent studies indicate, however, that phagocytosis by Kupffer cells is not the principal mechanism by which organisms are eliminated. Rather, elimination depends on the complex interaction of Kupffer cells and bactericidal neutrophils that immigrate rapidly to the liver in response to infection. We discuss the critical role of neutrophil‐Kupffer cell interaction in innate host defenses and, conceivably, the development and expression of adaptive immunity in the liver.