Enzyme histochemical study on fat-storing cells (so-called Ito's cell) of liver

Inorder to gain a foothold in clarifying the functional significance of fatstoring cells, an enzyme histochemical study on these cells was carried out. Fat-storing cells showed no alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase or esterase activity but demonstrated a marked gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity suggesting the possibility of its participation in the synthesis of fiber protein. This possibility was further heightened by its remarkable activity noted at the site of progressive fibrosis. Fat-storing cells under a normal condition partake in the formation of fibers supporting the sinusoidal wall, and under an abnormal condition gradually change their shape with loss of fat droplets and then transform into fibroblast-like cells closely related to the progress of fibrosis.