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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1975

Electron microscopy of Kupffer cells in the orthotopic porcine liver homograft during the late stage after transplantation (phagocytosis of host cells by Kupffer cells).

Electron microscopical observations of macrophages (Kupffer cells) in the orthotopic porcine liver homograft in later stages after transplantation are described and demonstrated. The findings show close topographical relations between the Kupffer cells and hepatocyte debris, erythrocytes, thrombocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes. Besides an uptake of hepatocyte debris, a phagocytosis and degradation of apparently unaltered erythrocytes, thrombocytes and probably also lymphocytes by the macrophages were observed. The possible significance of these findings is discussed with regard to the immunological interactions between macrophages and lymphocytes, to the course of the rejection in the liver homograft, to the effect on the blood cells and platelets of the host organism, and thus to the long-term prognosis of liver transplantation.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Identification of G6PDH-active sinusoidal cells as Kupffer cells in the rat liver.

The aim of this study was to identify the G6PDH-active sinusoidal cells in the rat liver described by Rieder et al. (1978). Because of their number and distribution in the liver parenchyma, endothelial cells and pit cells could be excluded. Fat-storing cells were specifically marked by vital staining with vitamin A and identified by fluorescence microscopy. Kupffer cells could be detected after vital staining with carmine. Both staining methods allowed a subsequent incubation for the demonstration of G6PDH activity in the same unfixed cryostat section. Whereas more than 80% of the fluorescent particles were found outside the enzyme-positive cells, all G6PDH-active cells contained carmine particles. After counting the G6PDH-active cells, an estimation of 0.217 x 10(8) cells/g liver tissue was obtained. The results indicate that high G6PDH activity is common to all Kupffer cells, and is therefore a highly specific marker enzyme for this class of sinusoidal liver cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Stimulation of adenylate cyclase from isolated hepatocytes and Kupffer cells.

Hepatocytes and Kupffer cells were separated from rat liver after prelabeling the Kupffer cells with colloidal iron and perfusion of the liver with digestive enzymes. The activity of several enzymes from Kupffer cells and hepatocytes was compared to validate this method of cell separation. The ratios of hepatocyte to Kupffer cell specific activities of glucose-6-phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase, adenylate cyclase, and acid phosphatase were 20, 0.39, 0.18, and 0.078, respectively. Adenylate cyclases from hepatocytes and Kupffer cells were stimulated by fluoride ion, GTP, and catecholamines. Hepatocyte adenylate cyclase was also stimulated by glucagon, secretin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and by prostaglandin E1, whereas, the Kupffer cell enzyme was completely insensitive to these hormones. The stimulation of hepatocyte adenylate cyclase by combinations of glucagon plus secretin, or glucagon plus vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, were equivalent to the sum of the individual stimulations. This suggests that the hepatocyte has specific receptors for glucagon and for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and secretin. Prostaglandin E1 stimulation of hepatocyte adenylate cyclase was not additive to the stimulation caused by polypeptide hormones or catecholamines, nor did prostaglandin E1 decrease stimulation caused by these hormones. Although prostaglandin-sensitive adenylate cyclase was recovered with hepatocytes, 40 to 50% of the total liver prostaglandin-sensitive activity was recovered in a fraction of cell debris mixed with small cells which did not phagocytize colloidal iron.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1979

The murine Kupffer cell. I. Characterization of the cell serving accessory function in antigen-specific T cell proliferation.

Murine Kupffer cells, the tissue macrophages of the liver, were isolated by collagenase digestion, differential sedimentation over Metrizamide, and glass adherence. The resultant cell population was more than 86% phagocytic, and 95% of cells stained positively for alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase activity. The cells also had cell surface receptors for complement (C) and the Fc portion of IgG. In addition, a large proportion of Kupffer cells was shown to bear Ia antigens: about half of the cells bore I-A subregion-encoded antigens and about half bore I-BJE or I-EC subregion-encoded antigens. Kupffer cell populations were capable of reconstituting antigen-stimulated proliferative responses of antigen-primed, macrophage-depleted, lymph node T cells. The ability to reconstitute proliferation was enriched in the adherent population and was resistant to radiation and treatment with an anti-Thy antiserum and C. We conclude that isolated murine Kupffer cells bear the Ia phenotype of accessory cells that function in antigen presentation and that Kupffer cells can participate in the induction of antigen-specific immune responses. These data suggest that Kupffer cells may play a role in modulating responses to enterically derived antigens.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Isolation and characterization of hepatocytes and Kupffer cells.

Simplified isolation procedures are described for the parenchymal cell of the liver and the major non-parenchymal cell, the Kupffer cell. Hepatocytes are obtained in a purity of approximately 100%; a yield 10 X 10(6) cells/g liver tissue and the viability is greater than 85%. The recovery of Kupffer cells is 82%, viability 87% and purity 67%. Characterization of Kupffer cells is by the peroxidatic reaction, of hepatocytes by gluconeogenesis and also culture on collagen plates in a non-protein medium yielding albumin.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Kupffer cells. Ultrastructural and functional features.

The Kupffer cells, as fixed macrophages, belong to the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), the former reticulo-endothelial system (RES). Their ultrastructure has some characteristics, i.e. ergastroplasmic peroxidase activity and worm-like structures, which allow a very sharp identification. Some particular "bridge-like" arrangements of Kupffer cells in the capillary lumen seem to provide them with a special ability of "trapping" the passing white blood cells. The important endocytotic function is analysed from the viewpoint of ultrastructural features, and with particular reference to the phagocytosis of damaged red blood cells. Several drugs and particulate substances acting as Kupffer cells stimulants are presented. This stimulation reaction concerns woth increased number and enhanced endocytotic activity. The origin and kinetics of Kupffer cells are discussed, with reference to own results which substantiate the theory of local proliferation and blood supply, the bone marrow being however the main source of hepatic macrophages. A few ultrastructural data on Kupffer cells involved in pathological processes are presented.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1979

The development of the sinusoids of fetal rat liver: localization of endogenous peroxidase in fetal Kupffer cells.

Endogenous peroxidase is the cytochemical marker used to identify Kupffer cells in the adult liver. In this study, we show by ultrastructural cytochemistry that Kupffer cells of the fetal rat liver are endogenous peroxidase positive. The reaction product is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum including the perinuclear cisternae and in a few lysosome-like dense bodies. Serial sections of Golgi regions suggest that GERL and not the Golgi stacks, is peroxidase positive. As in the adult liver, peroxidase is not localized in endothelial cells. Kupffer cells do not appear to transform from endothelial or extravascular developing monocytic cells and are present prior to bone marrow formation. The relevance of these observations with respect to the possible origin of the Kupffer cell is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Kupffer cell suspensions and cultures as a tool in experimental carcinogenesis.

Approximately one-third of the cells in the liver are nonhepatocytes. Of these, the Kupffer cells, or phagocytes lining the sinusoids, are of particular significance since environmental carcinogens must first traverse a Kupffer cell barrier before reaching the liver parenchyma. Phagocytosis and subsequent degradation of carcinogens by Kupffer cells lead to their permanent removal. Factors such as membrane receptors, which determine the avidity of Kupffer cells for various substances, would consequently have a decisive role in the primary interaction between carcinogens and Kupffer cells. Likewise, the intracellular lysosomal apparatus, which determines the ability of these cells to degrade various substances, would determine whether these substances can persist in an active form. In vivo data on Kupffer cell clearance of various substances are plentiful. However, to dissect the complex problem of Kupffer cell interaction with carcinogens, a clear-cut in vitro system would certainly be useful. A system for separating Kupffer cells from other types of liver cells and maintaining pure Kupffer cell cultures has been achieved in recent years. Some basic cell biological studies--such as studies of membrane receptors and lysosomal enzyme apparatus--have already been carried out. It could now be rewarding to adopt the system for in vitro studies of Kupffer cell interactions with carcinogens.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

The origin, kinetics, and characteristics of the Kupffer cells in the normal steady state.

Enzymatic digestion with pronase and DNAase was used to isolate Kupffer cells from mouse liver. The characteristics of these cells were found to be similar to those of peritoneal macrophages, except that in the initial suspension the percentage of Kupffer cells with Fc receptors was low, C receptors were absent and the ingestion of opsenized bacteria was very poor, because of the effect of pronase on the cell membrane. After 24 h incubation in vitro all these characteristics return. The in vitro and 1 h-pulse [(3)H]thymidine labeling of the Kupffer cells is low (0.8 and 1 percent, respectively) indicating that in essence these cells do not divide. It was also shown that the small percentage of in vitro labeled Kupffer cells was recently derived from the circulation. After an intravenous injection of zymosan the in vitro labeling index of the Kupffer cells increased 16-fold, but it was proven that these dividing cells were immature mononuclear phagocytes very recently recruited from the bone marrow. The labeling of Kupffer cells aider one or four injections of [(3)H]thymidine reached a peak of 10.4 percent at 48 h or 24.1 percent at 60 h, respectively, indicating that these cells are derived from labeled monocytes. Further evidence for this conclusion was obtained by the absence of an increase of labeled Kupffer cells during treatment with hydrocortisone, which causes a monocytopenia during which no circulating monocytes are available to migrate to the tissues. Labeling studies in animals X-irradiated with hind-limb shielding gave a Kupffer cell labeling index of 5-10 percent of the normal values, which confirms their bone marrow origin. A quantitative study on the production of labeled monocytes in the bone marrow and their transit through the circulation showed that in the normal steady state at least 56.4 percent of the monocytes leaving the circulation become Kupffer cells. Considering the Kupffer cells as kinetically homogeneous this gives a mean turnover time of the total population of Kupffer cells of 21 days.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Mammary-carcinoma cells in mouse liver: infiltration of liver tissue and interaction with Kupffer cells.

Interactions between TA3 mammary-carcinoma cells and liver cells were studied with the electron microscope in mouse livers that had been perfused with a defined medium containing the tumour cells. Infiltration of liver tissue by the TA3 cells proceeded in the following steps. First, numerous small protrusions were extended through endothelial cells and into hepatocytes. Next, some cells had larger processes deeply indenting hepatocytes. Finally a few tumour cells became located outside the blood vessels. Two variant cell lines, TA3/Ha and TA3/St, differing in cell coat and surface charge, did not differ in the extent of infiltration. TA3/Ha cells were often encircled by thin processes of liver macrophages (Kupffer cells). Encircled cells were initially intact, but later some of them degenerated. These observations suggest that TA3/Ha cells were phagocytized by the Kupffer cells. Encirclement appeared to be inhibited after only 30 min, when many cells were still partly surrounded. Encirclement of TA3/St was much less frequent. After injection of tumour cells intra-portally in vivo, similar results were obtained, which demonstrated the validity of the perfused liver model. TA3/Ha cells formed much fewer tumour nodules in the liver than TA3/St cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1978

Bone marrow origin of hepatic macrophages (Kupffer cells) in humans.

Hepatic macrophages (Kupffer cells) from two male recipients of bone marrow transplants from females were studied for fluorescent Y body staining and sex chromatin (Barr body). After the transplant, macrophages had the sex karyotype of the donor, indicating that human hepatic macrophages originate in bone marrow.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Surface features and ultrastructure of isolated Kupffer cells as seen by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

The present report describes ultrastructural and surface features of hepatic Kupffer cells, with particular emphasis on the characteristics of these cells in suspension, as seen under the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), after their successful isolation by pronase digestion of liver tissue. Kupffer cells were readily recognized in sections of the liver examined by transmission electron microscopy, particularly after tagging by carbon, heat-damaged erythrocytes, and latex spheres. Their ultrastructural features in suspension and in liver sections were similar to those described for peritoneal macrophages. In the present study, a high yield of well-preserved Kupffer cells was obtained after selective enzymatic digestion of intact rat liver. Kupffer cells were readily distinguished from lymphocytes and hepatocytes on the basis of their surface architecture, and showed transverse ridge-like profiles and ruffled folds which became more prominent during phagocytosis. The sequence of events during the various stages of latex bead phagocytosis was well visualized with the SEM. Kupffer cells in suspension, during spreading and attachment to glass and during phagocytosis, resembled peritoneal macrophages isolated from rats, providing further evidence that these cell types are closely related.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Isolation and identification of rat Kupffer cells.

Preservation of liver for transplantation into allogeneic recipient affects the integrity and function of Kupffer cells. Rapid method for obtaining pure macrophages by dispersing the liver with collagenase and pronase would open possibility for different investigations. The experiments concerning morphology and phagocytic function were performed on Kupffer cells after 21 hours in vitro culture in Eagle medium with 20% inactivated calf serum. Studies on endocytosis using human red cells and colloidal carbon indicated that Kupffer cells revealed high phagocytic activity after culture.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

The appearance of transition forms between monocytes and Kupffer cells in the liver of rats treated with glucan. A cytochemical and ultrastructural study.

A massive accumulation of mononuclear phagocytes in the rat liver was found after the injection of glucan, a beta-1,3-polyglucose. Portal vessels and central veins contained large numbers of rounded and elongated cells which were adherent to the endothelium. By scanning electron microscopy most of these cells exhibited prominent lemellopodia, raised ridge-like profiles and blebs, the typical features of mononuclear phagocytes. Peroxidase cytochemistry revealed that whereas most cells in portal vessels were monocytes with peroxidase positive and negative granules, the majority of cells in central veins were macrophages exhibiting peroxidase activity in nuclear envelope (NE) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In sinusoids monocytes and macrophages were seen side by side. The major finding of the present study was that some cells, adherent to the endothelium or portal vessels or to the lining of sinusoids, exhibited a peroxidase pattern intermediate between monocytes and Kupffer cells, i.e. strong peroxidase activity in cytoplasmic granules, as well as a weak to moderately positive peroxidase reaction in NE and ER. These intermediate cells also contained peroxidase-negative granules with halo, which are usually seen in monocytes. Furthermore, examination of serial ultrathin sections of typical Kupffer cells revealed numerous peroxidase-positive granules and peroxidase-negative granules with halo in their cytoplasm. Finally, dividing Kupffer cells with positive peroxidase reaction in ER were found. These in vivo observations provide ultrastructural and cytochemical evidence in support of the concept of derivation of Kupffer cells from monocytes, demonstrating in addition that Kupffer cells are capable of self-replication in situ.

Animals↗