Cell-cell organization and functions of 'sinusoids' in liver microcirculation system

Following much controversy through the first three decades in this century structure and function of hepatic sinusoids have been elucidated. The sinusoidal wall consists of endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, dendritic cells, NK cells (pit cells) and stellate cells. Using classic staining methods, immunocytochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, TEM and SEM, cell-cell organizations and functions of sinusoids have been studied. Based on observations, a new definition of the space of Disse was proposed.