Kupffer cell
Also known as: stellate macrophage, hepatic macrophage, Kupffer cells
Kupffer cells are the resident macrophages of the liver sinusoids. They are the largest fixed population of tissue macrophages in the body and act as a filter for portal blood.
Overview
Kupffer cells sit in the sinusoidal lumen, anchored to the endothelium. They are concentrated in the periportal zone, the first tissue that blood from the gut reaches. They come mainly from embryonic (yolk-sac and fetal-liver) precursors and renew themselves locally, with some input from circulating monocytes.
They phagocytose bacteria and endotoxin (LPS) that cross the gut wall into the portal blood, along with aged or damaged erythrocytes, immune complexes and particles. They break down haem to bilirubin and recycle iron. When activated they release cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6), chemokines and reactive oxygen species. These signals start hepatic inflammation and the acute-phase response and activate stellate cells. Under normal conditions they also promote immune tolerance to the many harmless food and microbial antigens arriving from the gut.
- Location
Lumen of the hepatic sinusoids, most numerous periportally.
Anatomy
- Histology
Irregular, stellate cells bulging into the sinusoidal lumen. They contain phagocytosed material and haemosiderin (Perls-positive) and are best shown with macrophage markers (CD68).
Function
- Clear gut-derived bacteria and endotoxin from portal blood.
- Remove senescent red cells; recycle haem iron.
- Initiate inflammation and acute-phase signalling.
- Promote tolerance to gut antigens.
Clinical significance
Alcohol-related and endotoxin-driven injury
In alcohol-related liver disease and cirrhosis, gut permeability rises and more LPS reaches the liver. Kupffer cells activated through TLR4 drive TNF-mediated hepatocyte injury and stellate-cell fibrosis.
Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Digestive System sources. For education only; not medical advice.