Hepatic vascular endothelial cells heterogenously express surface antigens associated with monocytes, macrophages and T lymphocytes.

During studies of the antigenic and functional properties of hepatic sinusoidal lining cells in situ, we found that only the sinusoidal endothelial cells share antigens with a peripheral blood macrophage subset capable of presenting soluble antigens and triggering autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions. They were HLA-DR+, OKM1-, OKM5+. Vascular endothelial cells in the portal areas and central veins were HLA-DR+, OKM1- and OKM5-. The sinusoidal endothelial cells also expressed an antigen found on helper/inducer (OKT4 and Leu3 a) T lymphocytes. Thus, the present study suggests that endothelial cells in different anatomic compartments in the liver heterogenously express surface antigens associated with monocytes, macrophages and T lymphocytes and possess distinct immunological functions.