Hepatic sinusoidal endothelium heterogeneity with respect to the recognition of apoptotic cells

The recognition and removal of human apoptotic peripheral lymphocytes in selected populations of periportal and perivenous endothelial cells was studied in in situ and in vitro experiments. Apoptotic peripheral blood lymphocytes once injected into the liver circulation were retained by the sinusoids showing a large heterogeneity of distribution: apoptotic cells are found in the periportal tract double the amount found in the perivenous region. Apoptotic PBL adhesion was lowered to a sixth of the control after preinjection with a sugar mixture (Mannose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, D-galactose), as suggested by the expression of modified surface glycoconjugates on the plasma membrane of apoptotic cells. A bimodal profile of the distribution of the hepatic sinusoidal cell population, regarding the number of galactose and mannose receptors and the porosity index, was found. Two endothelial cell subsets were present: low porosity cells (average index 14 +/- 6%; periportal tract) with a high number of carbohydrate binding sites, and high porosity cells (average index 26 +/- 7%; perivenous tract), with a low number of carbohydrate binding sites.