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Encyclopedia > Kupffer cell

Kupffer cells or Browicz-Kupffer cells are specialized macrophages located in the liver that form part of the reticuloendothelial system. The cells were first observed by Karl Wilhelm von Kupffer in 1876.[1] The scientist called them "sternzellen" (star cells or stellate cells) but thought falsely that they were an integral part of the endothelium of the liver blood vessels and that they originated from it. In 1898, after several years of research, Tadeusz Browicz identified them correctly as macrophages. [2][3] A macrophage of a mouse stretching its arms to engulf two particles, possibly pathogens Macrophages (Greek: big eaters, makros = long, phagein = eat) are white blood cells, more specifically phagocytes, acting in the nonspecific defense as well as the specific defense system of vertebrate animals. ... The liver is an organ in living beings, including humans. ... The reticuloendothelial system (RES), part of the immune system, consists of the phagocytic cells located in reticular connective tissue, primarily monocytes and macrophages. ... The endothelium is the layer of thin, flat cells that lines the interior surface of blood vessels, forming an interface between circulating blood in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall. ... 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...


Their development begins in the bone marrow with the genesis of promonocytes and monoblasts into monocytes and then on to peripheral blood monocytes completing their differentiation into Kupffer cells.[4] Grays Anatomy illustration of cells in bone marrow. ... Promonocyte A promonocyte (or premonocyte) is a cell arising from a monoblast and developing into a monocyte. ... Monoblast Monoblasts are normally found in bone marrow and do not appear in the normal peripheral blood. ... Monocyte A monocyte is a leukocyte, part of the human bodys immune system that protect against blood-borne pathogens and move quickly to sites of infection in the tissues. ...


The primary function of Kupffer cells is to recycle old red blood cells that no longer are functional. The red blood cell is broken down by phagocytic action and the hemoglobin molecule is split. The globin chains are reutilized while the iron containing portion or heme is further broken down into iron which is reutilized and bilirubin, which is conjugated with glucuronic acid within hepatocytes and secreted into the bile. 3-dimensional structure of hemoglobin. ... Structure of Heme b A heme or haem is a prosthetic group that consists of an iron atom contained in the center of a large heterocyclic organic ring called a porphyrin. ... Bilirubin is a yellow breakdown product of heme catabolism. ... The α-D form of glucuronic acid. ... Hepatocytes make up 60-80% of the cytoplasmic mass of the liver. ... Bile (or gall) is a bitter, greenish-yellow alkaline fluid secreted by hepatocytes from the liver of most vertebrates. ...


Helmy et al. identified a receptor present in Kupffer cells, the complement receptor of the immunoglobulin family (CRIg). Mice without CRIg could not clear complement system-coated pathogens. CRIg is conserved in mice and humans and is a critical component of the innate immune system.[5] Complement receptor of the immunoglobulin family is a protein expressed in Kupffer cells. ... A complement protein attacking an invader. ...


References

  1. ^ Haubrich WS. Kupffer of Kupffer cells. Gastroenterology 2004;127:16. PMID 15236167.
  2. ^ Szymanska R, Schmidt-Pospula M. Studies of liver's reticuloendothelial cells by Tadeusz Browicz and Karl Kupffer. A historical outline. Arch Hist Med (Warsz). 1979;42(3):331-6. PMID 386989.
  3. ^ Stachura J, Galazka K. History and current status of Polish gastroenterological pathology. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2003 Dec;54 Suppl 3:183-92. PMID 15075472.
  4. ^ Naito M, Hasegawa G, Takahashi K. Development, differentiation, and maturation of Kupffer cells. Microsc Res Tech 1997;39:350-64. PMID 9407545.
  5. ^ Helmy K, Katschke K, Gorgani N, Kljavin N, Elliott J, Diehl L, Scales S, Ghilardi N, van Lookeren Campagne M (2006). "CRIg: a macrophage complement receptor required for phagocytosis of circulating pathogens.". Cell 124 (5): 915-27. PMID 16530040.

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  Results from FactBites:
 
Comparative Hepatology | Full text | Kupffer cells promote lead nitrate-induced hepatocyte apoptosis via oxidative ... (5844 words)
Since Kupffer cells play a key role in the maintenance of liver function, the aim of this study was to verify whether Kupffer cells are involved in the induction of liver apoptosis after i.v.
Studies reporting Kupffer cell activity against liver metastasis by induction of Fas and Fas ligand expression on malignant glioma cells [30], or to sensitive colon cancer cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis in cirrhotic rat livers [31] further support the beneficial effects of communication between Kupffer cells and parenchymal cells.
Cells deprived of GSH are much more prone to undergo oxidative stress since their redox balance is altered and, therefore, their ability to get rid of reactive oxygen species originated from cellular metabolism is compromised [34].
15.4.3.2.3 (1217 words)
Kupffer cells are ~15- to 20-micron stellate phagocytic cells with a 70 nm thick fuzzy coat including a 15 nm thick glycocalyx [2931], mechanically attached to the sinusoid (Section 15.4.2.2) endothelial cells of the liver.
Kupffer cells partially occlude the sinusoid lumen but have no functional attachments to the endothelial cells or to the underlying hepatocytes, and are partially motile [2932].
A particle ingested by an endothelial cell was surrounded by a large patch of bristle coat, whereas in Kupffer cells the particle was engulfed by the ruffled membranes or sank into the cytoplasm without a large patch of bristle coat, suggesting different endocytotic mechanisms for the two cell types [2930, 2939].
  More results at FactBites »

 

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