The immune responses and the liver
Vuitton, D.; Trépo, C.; Eloy, R.
Gastroenterologie Clinique et Biologique 1(10): 799-820
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0399-8320 PMID: 73492 Document Number: 119176
The liver is recognized as the major hematopoietic organ during embryogenesis in numerous mammals however its role in the maturation of elements of the lymphocyte line was not known until recently. The fetal liver is responsible for the formation of lymphocytes responsible for immunity through humoral mediation. Intestinal lymphoid formations apparently could, in the mammal, represent the equivalent of the bursa of Fabricius, the key organ in the humoral immunity of birds. In mammals, the liver plays a significant role in maturation of thymodependent (T) lymphocytes. The filter function of the Kupffer cells, the hepatosplenic suppressor axis and immunosuppressive functions of humoral hepatic factors are reviewed.