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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

A Standardized Method for the Analysis of Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells and Their Fenestrations by Scanning Electron Microscopy

A Standardized Method for the Analysis of Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells and Their Fenestrations by Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published on: April 30, 2015

Old age and the hepatic sinusoid.

David G Le Couteur¹, Alessandra Warren, Victoria C Cogger

¹Centre for Education and Research on Ageing, University of Sydney and Concord RG Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia. dlecouteur@med.usyd.edu.au

Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)

|May 20, 2008

Summary

Aging alters liver sinusoids, impairing waste clearance and lipoprotein transfer. These changes, termed age-related pseudocapillarization, impact liver function and contribute to age-related diseases.

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In vivo Liver Endocytosis Followed by Purification of Liver Cells by Liver Perfusion

In vivo Liver Endocytosis Followed by Purification of Liver Cells by Liver Perfusion

Published on: November 10, 2011

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Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

A Standardized Method for the Analysis of Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells and Their Fenestrations by Scanning Electron Microscopy

A Standardized Method for the Analysis of Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells and Their Fenestrations by Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published on: April 30, 2015

In vivo Liver Endocytosis Followed by Purification of Liver Cells by Liver Perfusion

In vivo Liver Endocytosis Followed by Purification of Liver Cells by Liver Perfusion

Published on: November 10, 2011

Area of Science:

Hepatology
Gerontology
Vascular Biology

Background:

Aging significantly impacts the liver's microcirculation, specifically the hepatic sinusoid.
Recognized changes include liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) thickening, defenestration, and extracellular matrix deposition.
These alterations collectively contribute to a phenomenon known as age-related pseudocapillarization.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the morphological and functional consequences of aging on the hepatic sinusoid.
To understand how age-related changes in the liver microcirculation affect metabolic processes and systemic health.

Main Methods:

Review and synthesis of existing literature on age-related changes in hepatic sinusoids.
Analysis of morphological alterations in LSECs, extracellular matrix, and stellate cells.
Evaluation of functional implications, including perfusion, endocytosis, and lipoprotein transport.

Main Results:

Aging leads to LSEC thickening, defenestration, collagen deposition, and increased fat-engorged stellate cells.
Endothelial cells show increased von Willebrand factor and ICAM-1, with decreased caveolin-1 expression.
Reduced sinusoidal perfusion and impaired LSEC endocytosis were observed, potentially increasing exposure to harmful macromolecules.

Conclusions:

Age-related pseudocapillarization impairs hepatic clearance of substrates and macromolecules.
Loss of fenestrations contributes to impaired lipoprotein transfer, linking aging to hyperlipidemia.
These sinusoidal changes have broad systemic implications for aging and age-related diseases.