title: Kupffer cell function during the erythocytic stage of malaria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous studies using isolated perfused rat liver in vivo have suggested that during the erythrocytic phase of malaria infection, overall phagocytosis by Kupffer cells is enhanced. The aim of the present study was to further investigate the individual phagocytic capacity and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) secretion of isolated Kupffer cells in vitro, and the immunohistochemical characteristics of Kupffer cells in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Malaria was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 12) by inoculation with parasitized red cells containing Plasmodium berghei. Kupffer cells were isolated by centrifugal elutriation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significantly increased yield of Kupffer cells was obtained from malaria-infected livers compared to controls (36.7 +/- 4.5 vs 11.8 +/- 1.1 x10(6) cells, P < 0.0001, n = 12). There was an increased internalization by phagocytosis of [(3)H]-BSA latex microspheres after 60 min in malaria-infected Kupffer cells compared to controls (65.05 +/- 1.5 vs 48.6 +/- 0.7, P < 0.001, n = 12). PGE(2) secretion into the cell culture medium was significantly suppressed in malaria-infected Kupffer cells compared to controls (1167 +/- 88 vs 4537 +/- 383 pg per 10(6) cells, P < 0.001, n = 5). Staining of ED1, ED2 and PCNA was greater in malaria-infected livers compared to control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that the number of Kupffer cells is significantly increased and their phagocytic activity on a cell-by-cell basis is enhanced during the erythrocytic stage of malaria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin and Repatriation Medical Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Padma
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Murthi
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kalionis
authors.forename: Hany
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ghabrial
authors.forename: Marjorie E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Dunlop
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Smallwood
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Sewell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology / Q000502:physiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008288:Malaria / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010962:Plasmodium berghei; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D015232:Dinoprostone