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Postnatal development of perisinusoidal cells in the porcine liver
Insights
In young pigs, liver perisinusoidal (PS) cells synthesize proteins for reticulum fibers, not fat storage. These cells also have contractile elements that may regulate sinusoid width during early development.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Perisinusoidal (PS) cells, also known as hepatic stellate cells, play crucial roles in liver function.
- Their ultrastructure and function change significantly from postnatal development to adulthood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructural changes and functional roles of PS cells in young pigs during early postnatal development (1-28 days).
- To determine the primary function of PS cells in immature livers.
Main Methods:
- Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of PS cells in piglet livers.
- Analysis focused on cytoplasmic components, including lipid droplets, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, microtubules, and filaments.
Main Results:
- Immature PS cells exhibited long cytoplasmic processes and contained few small lipid droplets, unlike adult PS cells.
- A well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus were prominent, suggesting active protein synthesis.
- Microtubules and 5-6 nm filaments, forming bundles, were observed, indicating potential contractile function.
Conclusions:
- PS cells in young pigs are primarily involved in protein synthesis, likely for producing reticulum fibers, rather than fat or vitamin A storage.
- The presence of contractile elements suggests PS cells may regulate sinusoid width in developing livers.
Abstract:
The ultrastructure of perisinusoidal (PS) cells was studied in the liver of young pigs 1-28 days after birth. In immature animals these cells have long cytoplasmic processes often surrounding almost the entire sinusoid. In their close vicinity newly formed collagen filaments are found. While in the adult pig the PS cell cytoplasm is almost totally occupied by a large lipid droplet, in the young animal it contained only a few small lipid droplets, accompanied by a well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi-apparatus, microtubules and filaments 5-6 nm in diameter. The latter formed bundles with patchy dark areas. Findings indicate that during early postnatal development the function of PS cells is protein synthesis, perhaps for the production of reticulum fibres rather than fat or vitamin-A storage. In addition, PS cells by containing contractile elements may regulate the width of the sinusoids.