2023-09-28 10:43:16
Berlin/Calgary. When liver fibrosis occurs, Kupffer cells no longer work properly. Monocytes then infiltrate the organ and form clusters that fulfill the filtering function of the Kupffer cells. The Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the University of Calgary will jointly report on this compensation mechanism on Thursday. The study on this was published recently (Science 2023; online 8. September).
The study team researched these clusters, the Kupffer cell-like syncytia, in animal models and using tissue samples from people with liver cirrhosis. Among other things, they used a microscopy technique that allows cellular functions to be observed in detail in living organisms, the institutions write.
What impact does the research have? Until now, it was believed that immune cells from the bone marrow should be prevented from entering the liver, explains Professor Paul Kubes from the University of Calgary in the statement. “As our research shows, this is exactly what might be harmful. Instead of suppressing immune function in an advanced disease, it might actually be a good idea to promote it.” (eb)
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