SECs (Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells), Liver Microenvironment, and Fibrosis

Figure 1

Morphological changes in LSECs during liver fibrosis. Hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells are separated by the space of Disse that contains minimal extracellular matrix (ECM) in a healthy liver. Quiescent hepatic stellate cells reside in the space of Disse. The Kupffer cells undergo phenotypic change to become more inflammatory. The fenestrations on LSECs allow for solute transport. In a fibrotic liver, the stellate cells are activated, a basement membrane is formed in the endothelium, and the LSECs are defenestrated.