Table 61-1.
Cells of the Liver and Their Functions
| Cell Type | Other Names | Functions | Cell Markers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatocytes | Liver cells | Intermediary metabolism | Albumin, cytokeratin 8 and 18 |
| Cholangiocytes | Biliary epithelial cells | Line the bile ducts, secretion | Cytokeratin 7 and 19 |
| Kupffer cells | Browicz-Kupffer cells, stellate macrophages | Phagocytosis of pathogens and particles | ED-1 and ED-2 |
| Stellate cells | Ito cells, vitamin A–storing cells, lipocytes | Storage of vitamin A; production of myofibroblasts in injury | GFAP, desmin; α-smooth muscle actin |
| Natural killer (NK) cells | Pit cells, large granular lymphocytes, γδ T cells | Immune surveillance—infection, cancer | CD3 |
| Vascular endothelial cells | Endothelial cells | Line blood vessels | CD34 and CD31 |
| Lymphatic endothelial cells | Endothelial cells | Line lymphatic vessels | Podoplanin |
| Smooth muscle cells | Myocytes | Regulation of microcirculation | Myocardin, α-smooth muscle actin |
| Portal tract fibroblast | Fibroblasts | Integrity of portal triads, supporting function | Vimentin |
| Stem cells | Progenitor cells, oval cells | Bi-potential progenitor cell for hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells | α-Fetoprotein |
GFAP, Glial fibrillary acidic protein.
Adapted from Wallace K, Burt AD, Wright M: Liver fibrosis. Biochem J 411:1, 2008.