Non-invasive means to study the functional status of sinusoidal liver endothelial cells. 1995

B Smedsrød
Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Tromsø, Norway.

Circulating connective tissue macromolecules are efficiently eliminated by receptor-mediated endocytosis in liver endothelial cells (LEC). In patients with a seriously diseased liver, for example in liver cirrhosis or when a transplanted liver is about to be rejected, dysfunctional LEC or altered blood perfusion through the liver results in significantly increased serum levels of connective tissue macromolecules and other substances that are normally taken up by LEC. With the aid of high affinity antibodies or other kinds of binding proteins it has been possible to measure a number of connective tissue macromolecules in the blood, and some of these substances have been used to diagnose serious liver disease. However, the metabolic patterns of these molecules are such that it is difficult to extrapolate directly on the basis of increased serum levels to conclude that the main underlying cause of increased serum levels is dysfunctional LEC. Elevated serum levels of many connective tissue proteins may reflect either increased synthesis, increased release from cell or tissue depots, and/or decreased removal by LEC. Therefore, to use measurement of serum connective tissue molecule levels as indicators of LEC function, it is imperative to know the catabolic routes of these substances in health and disease. Due to the fact that we presently know more about the total metabolic pattern of hyaluronan (HYA) than of other connective tissue macromolecules that are cleared solely by LEC, serum HYA should be preferentially used to monitor the function of LEC, in particular in liver transplantation and cirrhosis.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008099 Liver A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances. Livers
D008103 Liver Cirrhosis Liver disease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules. Cirrhosis, Liver,Fibrosis, Liver,Hepatic Cirrhosis,Liver Fibrosis,Cirrhosis, Hepatic
D010446 Peptide Fragments Partial proteins formed by partial hydrolysis of complete proteins or generated through PROTEIN ENGINEERING techniques. Peptide Fragment,Fragment, Peptide,Fragments, Peptide
D011347 Procollagen A biosynthetic precursor of collagen containing additional amino acid sequences at the amino-terminal and carboxyl-terminal ends of the polypeptide chains. Protocollagen,Procollagen Type M
D004730 Endothelium, Vascular Single pavement layer of cells which line the luminal surface of the entire vascular system and regulate the transport of macromolecules and blood components. Capillary Endothelium,Vascular Endothelium,Capillary Endotheliums,Endothelium, Capillary,Endotheliums, Capillary,Endotheliums, Vascular,Vascular Endotheliums
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006820 Hyaluronic Acid A natural high-viscosity mucopolysaccharide with alternating beta (1-3) glucuronide and beta (1-4) glucosaminidic bonds. It is found in the UMBILICAL CORD, in VITREOUS BODY and in SYNOVIAL FLUID. A high urinary level is found in PROGERIA. Amo Vitrax,Amvisc,Biolon,Etamucine,Healon,Hyaluronan,Hyaluronate Sodium,Hyvisc,Luronit,Sodium Hyaluronate,Acid, Hyaluronic,Hyaluronate, Sodium,Vitrax, Amo
D015415 Biomarkers Measurable and quantifiable biological parameters (e.g., specific enzyme concentration, specific hormone concentration, specific gene phenotype distribution in a population, presence of biological substances) which serve as indices for health- and physiology-related assessments, such as disease risk, psychiatric disorders, ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE and its effects, disease diagnosis; METABOLIC PROCESSES; SUBSTANCE ABUSE; PREGNANCY; cell line development; EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES; etc. Biochemical Markers,Biological Markers,Biomarker,Clinical Markers,Immunologic Markers,Laboratory Markers,Markers, Biochemical,Markers, Biological,Markers, Clinical,Markers, Immunologic,Markers, Laboratory,Markers, Serum,Markers, Surrogate,Markers, Viral,Serum Markers,Surrogate Markers,Viral Markers,Biochemical Marker,Biologic Marker,Biologic Markers,Clinical Marker,Immune Marker,Immune Markers,Immunologic Marker,Laboratory Marker,Marker, Biochemical,Marker, Biological,Marker, Clinical,Marker, Immunologic,Marker, Laboratory,Marker, Serum,Marker, Surrogate,Serum Marker,Surrogate End Point,Surrogate End Points,Surrogate Endpoint,Surrogate Endpoints,Surrogate Marker,Viral Marker,Biological Marker,End Point, Surrogate,End Points, Surrogate,Endpoint, Surrogate,Endpoints, Surrogate,Marker, Biologic,Marker, Immune,Marker, Viral,Markers, Biologic,Markers, Immune
D016031 Liver Transplantation The transference of a part of or an entire liver from one human or animal to another. Grafting, Liver,Hepatic Transplantation,Liver Transplant,Transplantation, Hepatic,Transplantation, Liver,Hepatic Transplantations,Liver Grafting,Liver Transplantations,Liver Transplants,Transplant, Liver

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