Innervation of the sinusoidal wall: regulation of the sinusoidal diameter.
In the livers of humans, cats, guinea pigs, and tupaia, nerve endings are distributed all over the hepatic lobules. Nerve endings in the intralobular spaces are localized mainly in the Disse spaces and are oriented toward the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), sinusoidal endothelial cells, and hepatocytes. They are especially closely related to HSCs. Various neurotransmitters such as substance P exist in the nerve endings. In addition, HSCs possess endothelin (ET) and adrenergic receptors and contract in response to the corresponding agonists. In contrast, nitric oxide (NO) inhibits the contraction of HSCs. HSCs thus appear to be involved in the regulation of hepatic sinusoidal microcirculation by contraction and relaxation. In the cirrhotic liver, intralobular innervation is decreased, but ET, ET receptors, and NO are overexpressed in the HSCs. These findings indicate that HSCs in cirrhotic liver may play an important role in the sinusoidal microcirculation through agents such as ET or NO rather than through intralobular innervation.
Ueno
Takato
T
Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University, Asahi-machi, Japan. takato@med.kurume-u.ac.jp
Bioulac-Sage
Paulette
P
Balabaud
Charles
C
Rosenbaum
Jean
J
D000818:Animals; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008322:Mammals / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D008833:Microcirculation; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin / Q000378:metabolism
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin; D009569:Nitric Oxide