KUPFFER CELLS Meaning and
Definition
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Kupffer cells are a type of specialized macrophages found in the liver. They make up around 80% of the total resident macrophages in the body and play a crucial role in maintaining liver health and function. These cells are named after their discoverer, Karl Wilhelm von Kupffer.
Kupffer cells are located within the lumen of the liver sinusoids, which are small blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the liver tissue. They have a distinctive elongated shape and possess numerous branched projections called pseudopodia. These projections allow them to extend and interact with other cells and materials in the bloodstream.
The primary function of Kupffer cells is to phagocytose, or engulf and digest, foreign particles, microorganisms, and cellular debris. They act as the first line of defense in the liver, recognizing and eliminating potentially harmful substances. In addition to their immune response functions, Kupffer cells are also involved in the production of various substances, such as cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species, which are important for liver regeneration, inflammation, and immune modulation.
Overall, Kupffer cells play a vital role in maintaining the liver's homeostasis, regulating the immune response within the liver, and protecting it from infection and damage. Dysfunction or excessive activation of Kupffer cells can contribute to liver diseases, including inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Common Misspellings for KUPFFER CELLS
- jupffer cells
- mupffer cells
- lupffer cells
- oupffer cells
- iupffer cells
- kypffer cells
- khpffer cells
- kjpffer cells
- kipffer cells
- k8pffer cells
- k7pffer cells
- kuoffer cells
- kulffer cells
- ku-ffer cells
- ku0ffer cells
- kupdfer cells
- kupcfer cells
- kupvfer cells
- kupgfer cells
- kuptfer cells
Etymology of KUPFFER CELLS
The term "Kupffer cells" is derived from the name of the German anatomist, Karl Wilhelm von Kupffer, who first described these cells in 1876. Kupffer cells are specialized liver macrophages responsible for the uptake and removal of foreign substances, old blood cells, and cellular debris. They play a crucial role in the immune system and liver function.
