Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Kupffer Cell Isolation for Nanoparticle Toxicity Testing
Published on: August 18, 2015
Liver Kupffer cells rapidly remove red blood cell-derived vesicles from the circulation by scavenger receptors
Frans L A Willekens1, Jan M Werre, J Kar Kruijt
1Department of Clinical Chemistry, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Previous studies have shown that during the lifespan of red blood cells (RBCs) 20% of hemoglobin is lost by shedding of hemoglobin-containing vesicles. However, the fate of these vesicles is unknown. To study this fate we used a rat model, after having established that rat RBCs lose hemoglobin in the same way as human RBCs, and that RBC-derived vesicles are preferentially labeled by Na2(51) CrO4. Such labeled vesicles were injected into recipient rats. Within 5 minutes, 80% of the radioactivity was cleared from the circulation with a concomitant uptake by the liver of 55% of the injected dose. After 30 minutes, Kupffer cells contained considerable amounts of hemoglobin and were shown to be responsible for 92% of the liver uptake. Vesicle clearance from the blood as well as liver uptake were significantly inhibited by preinjection of the scavenger-receptor ligands polyinosinic acid and phosphatidylserine. We conclude that in rats Kupffer cells rapidly remove RBC-derived vesicles from the circulation, mainly by scavenger receptors. The same mechanism is likely to be responsible for the elimination of human RBC vesicles, thereby constituting an important pathway for the breakdown of RBCs in humans.
Related Concept Videos
Lifecycle of Erythrocytes
The resident phagocytic macrophages deal with these damaged cells by engulfing them and separating their globin and heme groups.
Liver Regeneration
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...
The Early Endosome: Endocytosis of Transferrin
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Receptor-mediated Endocytosis

