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Related Concept Videos

Liver Regeneration01:24

Liver Regeneration

The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...
Liver Histology01:27

Liver Histology

The microscopic anatomy of the liver is a complex and intricate system that comprises numerous structural units known as liver lobules, each of which is comparable in size to a sesame seed. These hexagonal structures consist of plates of liver cells or hepatocytes, which are characterized by their versatility and abundance of cellular apparatus like rough and smooth ER, Golgi apparatus, peroxisomes, and mitochondria.
Hepatocytes perform a variety of essential functions. They secrete...
Liver Physiology01:30

Liver Physiology

The liver, an essential organ in the human body, performs over 200 vital functions that can be broadly categorized into metabolic, hematological, endocrine regulation, and bile production.
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of  70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can also...
Hepatic Portal System01:21

Hepatic Portal System

The hepatic portal system, a critical part of our circulatory framework, transports nutrient-laden, deoxygenated blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver. This ingenious system plays an indispensable role in maintaining our body's metabolic equilibrium.
At its core, the hepatic portal vein is the result of a confluence of the superior and inferior mesenteric veins along with the splenic vein. Each of these veins has a unique role. The superior mesenteric vein is responsible...
Gross Anatomy of the Liver01:17

Gross Anatomy of the Liver

The liver, the largest gland within the human body, is a firm and reddish-brown organ. This wedge-shaped structure weighs approximately 1.5 kg and occupies a significant portion of the right hypochondriac and epigastric regions. It extends more to the right of the body's midline than to the left.
Located under the diaphragm, the liver is almost entirely ensconced within the rib cage, providing it with substantial protection. Except for the superior most bare area, the liver's surface is covered...
Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell Specific Gene Expression

Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Induction of an Inflammatory Response in Primary Hepatocyte Cultures from Mice
08:32

Induction of an Inflammatory Response in Primary Hepatocyte Cultures from Mice

Published on: March 10, 2017

Live from the liver: hepatocyte IL-7.

Scott K Durum1, Renata I Mazzucchelli

  • 1Laboratory of Immunoregulation, Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA. durums@mail.nih.gov

Immunity
|March 24, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is crucial for T cell survival and was traditionally found in lymphoid tissues. New research identifies the liver as a novel source of this vital cytokine.

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Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Induction of an Inflammatory Response in Primary Hepatocyte Cultures from Mice
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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is essential for T lymphocyte development and survival.
  • IL-7 was previously localized primarily to lymphoid organs.
  • The precise distribution and sources of IL-7 have been an area of ongoing investigation.

Discussion:

  • This study by Sawa et al. (2009) challenges the established understanding of IL-7 localization.
  • The liver emerges as a significant, previously unrecognized source of IL-7.
  • This finding has implications for understanding immune cell homeostasis and T cell maintenance.

Key Insights:

  • Identification of the liver as a novel source of Interleukin 7 (IL-7).
  • IL-7's role extends beyond lymphoid tissues, impacting systemic T cell survival.
  • New insights into cytokine production sites and their immunological relevance.

Outlook:

  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of IL-7 production in the liver.
  • Investigating the functional consequences of hepatic IL-7 on circulating T cells.
  • Exploring potential therapeutic strategies targeting liver-derived IL-7 for immune modulation.