title: Immunofluorescence identifies distinct subsets of endothelial cells in the human liver.
abstract: As well as systemic vascular endothelial cells, the liver has specialised sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). LSEC dysfunction has been documented in many diseased states yet their phenotype in normal human liver has not been comprehensively assessed. Our aim was to improve characterisation of subsets of endothelial cells and associated pericytes in the human liver. Immunofluorescence microscopy was performed on normal human liver tissue samples to assess endothelial and structural proteins in a minimum of three donors. LSEC are distributed in an acinar pattern and universally express CD36, but two distinctive subsets of LSEC can be identified in different acinar zones. Type 1 LSEC are CD36hiCD32-CD14-LYVE-1-and are located in acinar zone 1 of the lobule, while Type 2 LSEC are LYVE-1+CD32hiCD14+CD54+CD36mid-loand are located in acinar zones 2 and 3 of the lobule. Portal tracts and central veins can be identified using markers for systemic vascular endothelia and pericytes, none of which are expressed by LSEC. In areas of low hydrostatic pressure LSEC are lined by stellate cells that express the pericyte marker CD146. Our findings identify distinctive populations of LSEC and distinguish these cells from adjacent stellate cells, systemic vasculature and pericytes in different zones of the liver acinus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Otto
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Strauss
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Katya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bartlett
authors.affiliation: Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: P Rod
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Dunbar
mesh_terms: D061354:Acinar Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D051929:CD146 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D018955:CD36 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D020286:Pericytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D051929:CD146 Antigen; D018955:CD36 Antigens; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D017452:Receptors, IgG