Role of sinusoidal endothelial cells of the liver in concanavalin A-induced hepatic injury in mice

CD4+ T lymphocytes have been identified as being responsible for organ damage in the murine model of experimental liver injury induced by intravenous injection of concanavalin A (Con A). Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC) and Kupffer's cells (KC) are among the first cells that come into contact with lymphocytes in the liver sinusoid. We aimed to investigate the respective role of these cell populations in the initial steps of T-cell-mediated liver injury in Con A-induced hepatitis. By electron microscopy, we could show that intravenously applied Con A bound predominantly to SEC but not to KC. KC depletion by gadolinium chloride treatment of mice did not result in protection from liver…