[Cytogenetic relationship between portal fibroblasts and Ito cells of the liver].

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.