Rudbeckseminarium - Peter McCourt

The microcirculation of the liver is lined by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) which have a unique morphology that facilitates bi-directional exchange of substrates between hepatocytes and blood in the liver sinusoids. LSECs are perforated with transcellular pores known as fenestrations, and between 2-20% of their surface is covered by fenestrations, making LSECs a highly efficient ultrafiltration system. In addition, LSECs are powerful scavenger cells, daily removing gram amounts of spent biomolecules from the circulation. Reduction in LSEC function will have profound impacts on health – for example, age-related “defenestration” is an established cause of age-related post-prandial hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. In “The liver’s sinusoidal endothelial cells – doing more than just lining the pipes!” I will describe these two main features of LSEC in the context of physiology and pharmacy, and interventions that can potentially degrade or enhance LSEC function.