The Space of Disse: The Liver Hub in Health and Disease

Since it was first described by the German anatomist and histologist, Joseph Hugo Vincenz Disse, structure functions of space a thin perisinusoidal area between endothelial cells hepatocytes filled with blood plasma, have acquired great importance in liver disease. The Disse is home for hepatic stellate (HSCs), major fibrogenic players liver. Quiescent HSCs (qHSCs) store vitamin A, upon activation they lose their retinol reservoir become activated. Activated (aHSCs) are responsible secretion extracellular matrix (ECM) into Disse. This early event injury accompanied loss pores—known as fenestrations—of cells, triggering balance flow hepatocyte, underlies link fibrosis organ dysfunction. If imbalance persists, expansion fibrotic scar followed vascularized septae leads to cirrhosis and/or end-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, researchers been focused on finding therapeutic targets that reduce fibrosis. provides perfect microenvironment stem niche interchange nutrients cells. In present review article, we its components leading role disease development.