Figure 1.

Anatomy of antigen presentation in the sinusoid. Plates of hepatocytes are separated from the blood flowing in the sinusoids by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. In the blood space are recirculating natural killer cells, natural killer T cells, monocytes–macrophages and, adherent to the endothelial wall, the Kupffer cells. To interact directly with hepatocytes, CD8+ T cells must cross the endothelial barrier and enter the space of Disse. CD4+ T cells also enter this space but cannot directly interact with hepatocytes. However, they find other interaction partners such as DCs and stellate cells.