Browse the corpus

Kupffer cells (also known as stellate sinusoidal macrophages or Kupffer-Browicz cells) are macrophages found in the sinusoids of the liver. (see Image. Hepatocyte Ultrastructure). Kupffer cells make up 80% to 90% of all the macrophages in the entire human body.[1] They are a component of the host immune system and metabolize various compounds. Once thought to be related to endothelial cells, it is now known that the Kupffer cells descend from their macrophage lineage, derived from the yolk sac rather than hematopoietic stem cells.[2] Differentiation of Kupffer cells is regulated by macrophage colony-stimulating factors (M-CSFs) found in the serum and liver, as well as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSFs).[3][4] Kupffer cells can be found in the liver's centrilobular and periportal regions, but they are typically more concentrated in the periportal regions. However, the cells in the 2 regions can differ in certain enzymes, receptors, and subcellular structures.[5]

Kupffer cells are involved in the pathogenesis of liver injury in response to sepsis. The liver macrophages release IL-1 and TNF-alpha, activating leukocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells to express ICAM-1.[14] The result is tissue damage to the endothelium due to oxygen radicals, proteases, prostanoids, and other substances from leukocytes.[17]