Pregnancy-related changes of galactose recognition system on sinusoidal rat liver cells

We have studied the galactose specific receptor activities of sinusoidal liver cells of pregnant rat from the 13th day of gestation to the 10th day after delivery. Both liver macrophages and endothelial cells modulate the expression of hepatic binding protein during rat pregnancy and lactation. Except for endothelial cells of rats at the 22nd day of gestation, we have measured an overall decrease of binding sites. In addition, in liver macrophages the clustered distribution of galactose specific receptors, which is typical for adult animals, is reduced or completely absent. These results indicate that the galactose specific receptors on non-parenchymal liver cells are modulated in relation with the physiological state of the organ like the asialoglycoprotein receptor of hepatocytes.