Abstract
Activated hepatic macrophages (Mp) were shown to injure hepatocytes (Hc)in vitro by producing active oxygen radicals. In this study, cocultured Hc and hepatic Mp were observed using scanning electron microscopy in order to investigate the mechanism of hepatocellular injury by Mp. Activated hepatic Mp appeared to be irregular in shape with long pseudopodia, as opposed to inactivated Mp, which were oval in shape with a small number of short cytoplasmic processes. The former frequently touched the surfaces of the Hc, most of which were injured. The addition of an antioxidant into the medium seemed to block contact of the hepatic Mp and the Hc, and protected the Hc. These observations indicate that activated hepatic Mp may cause hepatocellular injuryin vivo in various liver diseases.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Funatsu, K., Ueno, M., Mizuno, Y., Nishida, J., Oda, M. andTsuchiya, M.: Hepatocellular injury due to active oxygen radicals produced by rat liver macrophages.In: Cells of the Hepatic Sinusoid Vol. 3 (Wisse, E., Knook, D.L. andMcCuskey, R.S. ed.), p. 73–77, Kupffer Cell Foundation, Leiden, The Netherlands, 1991.
Funatsu, K., Itsuji, S., Matsumaru, A., Ueno, M., Mizuno, Y., Oda, M. andTsuchiya, M.: Subcellular localization of hydrogen peroxide in hepatocellular injury due to active oxygen radicals produced by rat liver macrophages.J. Clin. Electron Microsc. 25, 87–94 (1992).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Funatsu, K., Itsuji, S., Ueno, M. et al. An electron microscopic study of hepatocellular injury due to activated hepatic macrophagesin vitro . Med Electron Microsc 26, 219–222 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348005
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348005