Cited by 523Liver physiology and pathologyLiver Diseases and ImmunityLiver Disease and Transplantation

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells — gatekeepers of hepatic immunity

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Shetty, Shishir, Lalor, Patricia F., Adams, David H.·2018·Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Abstract

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) line the low shear, sinusoidal capillary channels of the liver and are the most abundant non-parenchymal hepatic cell population. LSECs do not simply form a barrier within the hepatic sinusoids but have vital physiological and immunological functions, including filtration, endocytosis, antigen presentation and leukocyte recruitment. Reflecting these multifunctional properties, LSECs display unique structural and phenotypic features that differentiate them from the capillary endothelium present within other organs. It is now clear that LSECs have a critical role in maintaining immune homeostasis within the liver and in mediating the immune response during acute and chronic liver injury. In this Review, we outline how LSECs influence the immune microenvironment within the liver and discuss their contribution to immune-mediated liver diseases and the complications of fibrosis and carcinogenesis.

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Crossref · 10.1038/s41575-018-0020-y

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  • Sinusoidal endothelial cells in the liver experience mechanical stimulation from the bloodstream within the sinusoid, resulting in phenotypic alterations in HSCs and the release of ECM proteins.

    “Sinusoidal endothelial cells in the liver experience mechanical stimulation from the bloodstream within the sinusoid, resulting in phenotypic alterations in HSCs and the release of ECM proteins.87”

    From Mechanosensitive calcium ion channels Piezo1: A therapeutic target in liver disease (2025) · cites this paper as [87]

    In “Interaction with other liver cells” (page unavailable), the review says LSECs maintain HSC quiescence, while LSEC capillarization permits HSC activation and fibrogenesis; it also identifies HSCs as producers of extracellular matrix in chronic liver disease. The review describes low shear stress in the sinusoids under “LSECs in inflammatory liver disease,” but does not link mechanical stimulation from blood flow to HSC changes or ECM production. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • LSECs express TLR4 receptors that recognise bacterial lipopolysaccharides and unique scavenger receptors such as CLEC4G that mediate endocytosis.

    “Like KCs, LSECs express TLR4 receptors that recognise bacterial lipopolysaccharides and also express unique scavenger receptors such as CLEC4G that mediate endocytosis.139”

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. [14]Lai WK Expression of DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR on human sinusoidal endothelium: a role for capturing hepatitis C virus particles Am. J. Pathol. 2006 169 200 208 10.2353/ajpath.2006.051191 16816373 PMC1698775 · DOI
  2. [19]Bautz F Rafii S Kanz L Mohle R Expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor-A by cytokine-stimulated hematopoietic progenitor cells. Possible role in the hematopoietic microenvironment Exp. Hematol. 2000 28 700 706 10.1016/S0301-472X(00)00168-5 10880756 · DOI
  3. [39]Liu W Characterization of a novel C-type lectin-like gene, LSECtin: demonstration of carbohydrate binding and expression in sinusoidal endothelial cells of liver and lymph node J. Biol. Chem. 2004 279 18748 18758 10.1074/jbc.M311227200 14711836 · DOI
  4. [174]Geraud C Endothelial transdifferentiation in hepatocellular carcinoma: loss of Stabilin-2 expression in peri-tumourous liver correlates with increased survival Liver Int. 2013 33 1428 1440 10.1111/liv.12262 23870052 · DOI · Paper page

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Authors
Shetty, S., Lalor, P. F., & Adams, D. H.
Affiliations
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
Corresponding author
Adams, David H.
Venue
Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Published
2018-05-29
Volume
15
Issue
9
Pages
555-567
ISSN
  • 1759-5045 (ISSN-L)
  • 1759-5053
OpenAlex
W2807476445
Cited by
523
References
171
Citations by year
2026: 71 · 2025: 74 · 2024: 103 · 2023: 58 · 2022: 81 · 2021: 65 · 2020: 50 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 3
FWCI
4.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research
  • University of Birmingham
  • Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hepatology › Liver physiology and pathology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hepatology › Liver Diseases and Immunity
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hepatology › Liver Disease and Transplantation
Keywords
liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, hepatic immunity, immune homeostasis, immune-mediated liver disease, liver fibrosis, hepatocarcinogenesis, antigen presentation, leukocyte recruitment, endocytosis, immune microenvironment, liver injury
MeSH terms
Animals, Endothelium, Vascular, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Liver, Liver Diseases, Adaptive Immunity

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