Cytogenetic relationship between portal fibroblasts and Ito cells of the liver
Körner, T.; Rath, F.W.
Zentralblatt für Allgemeine Pathologie U. Pathologische Anatomie 135(3): 277-280
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-4030 PMID: 2773604 Document Number: 345123
Portal fibroblasts of normal human and rat liver were morphologically investigated to estimate their capability of storing vitamin A. Vitamin A levels were semiquantitatively estimated by evaluation of the number and size of intracellular lipid droplets. Vitamin A storage was found to be low in more than 10% of normal portal fibroblasts in man and rat. Lipidstoring fibroblasts of portal tracts exhibited remarkable morphological similarities to "activated" Ito cells and were accordingly designated as portal transitional cells.