The role of myo-inositol as an osmolyte was studied in cultured rat liver macrophages (Kupffer cells). Hyperosmotic exposure of Kupffer cells stimulated myo-inositol uptake and led to an increase in the mRNA levels for the sodium/myo-inositol cotransporter (SMIT). Conversely, hypo-osmotic (205 m-osM) exposure diminished myo-inositol uptake when compared with normo-osmotic (305 m-osM) control in...

BACKGROUND & AIMS CD95 (Apo-1/Fas) ligand suppresses inflammatory responses in immune-privileged organs. In this study, modulation of the hepatic CD95 receptor/ligand system by interferon gamma and cyclosporin A was investigated. METHODS CD95 receptor and ligand expression were measured at the messenger RNA level by using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immuno...

During acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity, increased expression of multidrug resistance-associated proteins 2, 3, and 4 (Mrp2-4) occurs. Mrp4 is the most significantly upregulated transporter in mouse liver following APAP treatment. Although the expression profiles of liver transporters following APAP hepatotoxicity are well characterized, the regulatory mechanisms contributing to these change...

OBJECTIVE Proinflammatory activation of Kupffer cells is implicated in the effect of high-fat feeding to cause liver insulin resistance. We sought to determine whether reduced endothelial nitric oxide (NO) signaling contributes to the effect of high-fat feeding to increase hepatic inflammatory signaling and if so, whether this effect 1) involves activation of Kupffer cells and 2) is ameliorated...

The liver contains two types of galactose receptors, specific for Kupffer and parenchymal cells respectively. These receptors are only expressed in the liver, and therefore are attractive targets for the specific delivery of drugs. We provided low-density lipoprotein (LDL), a particle with a diameter of 23 nm in which a variety of drugs can be incorporated, with terminal galactose residues by l...

Kupffer cells reside within the liver sinusoid and serve as gatekeepers. They produce pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and other biologically important molecules upon the engagement of pattern recognition receptors such as Toll-like receptors. Kupffer cell-ablated mice established by in vivo treatment with clodronate liposomes have revealed many important features of Kupffer cells. In this ...

The interaction of apolipoprotein (apo) E-free high-density lipoprotein (HDL) with parenchymal, endothelial and Kupffer cells from liver was characterized. At 10 min after injection of radiolabelled HDL into rats, 1.0 +/- 0.1% of the radioactivity was associated with the liver. Subfractionation of the liver into parenchymal, endothelial and Kupffer cells, by a low-temperature cell-isolation pro...