Endocytic Capacities of Kupffer Cells Isolated from the Human Adult Liver

Kupffer cells isolated from human adult livers and maintained in culture display the main structural features of macrophages. They are able to phagocytose latex particles and opsonized sheep erythrocytes in vitro. Vaccinia virus as well as Frog Virus 3 are taken up and uncoated in cultured Kupffer cells. Such a model may be used advantageously for studying different problems in liver physiopathology.