Modes of communication between kupffer cells and hepatocytes under normal and pathological conditions

Kupffer cell-hepatocyte communication, i.e., factor-mediated communication, receptor-mediated endocytosis, gap junctional, and other forms of intercellular interaction in normal and diseased conditions falls within the scope of this chapter. Factor-mediated communication involves release of monokines and other cytokines from Kupffer cells as a result of Kupffer cell activation. These cytokines then interact with hepatocytes, altering hepatocyte function. One result of interaction between Kupffer cell and hepatocytes is the inhibition of the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system in the hepatocytes. The interaction of Kupffer cells and hepatocytes controls the decrease of cytochrome P-450 in the hepatocytes. The potentially important interactive role of Kupffer cells in fibrosis is being investigated by several groups and will be reviewed here. Inhibitors of communication and their role in understanding cellular interactions will also be reviewed.