Localization of the heparin-releasable lipase in situ in the rat liver.

Immunofluorescence and immuno-electron microscopy were used for the localization of the heparin-releasable lipase in situ in the rat liver. The lipase is located exclusively on the liver endothelial cells. No labelling could be detected on the parenchymal of Kupffer cells, or in the livers of heparin-pretreated animals. The physiological significance of the endothelial localization of the hepatic lipase is discussed.