Quantitation, tissue distribution and proliferation kinetics of kupffer cells in normal rat liver

In normal rat liver, Kupffer cells were unequivocally identified using peroxidase cytochemistry by light microscopy in semithin plastic sections. The Kupffer cell population was found to constitute 31% of the sinusoidal cells and by morphometry and serial sectioning, a mean absolute number of 14 to 20 × 106 Kupffer cells per g liver was calculated. The mean distribution of Kupffer cells in the liver lobules was 43% in the periportal, 28% in the midzonal and 29% in the central area of the lobule. Administration of latex particles labeled only 64% of all Kupffer cells, and in particular centrally located cells, showed a lower activity of latex uptake, even at overloading doses. Furthermore, the latter cells were of smaller size than periportal Kupffer cell profiles.