Electron microscopy of Kupffer cells in the orthotopic porcine liver homograft during the late stage after transplantation (phagocytosis of host cells by Kupffer cells).

Electron microscopical observations of macrophages (Kupffer cells) in the orthotopic porcine liver homograft in later stages after transplantation are described and demonstrated. The findings show close topographical relations between the Kupffer cells and hepatocyte debris, erythrocytes, thrombocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes. Besides an uptake of hepatocyte debris, a phagocytosis and degradation of apparently unaltered erythrocytes, thrombocytes and probably also lymphocytes by the macrophages were observed. The possible significance of these findings is discussed with regard to the immunological interactions between macrophages and lymphocytes, to the course of the rejection in the liver homograft, to the effect on the blood cells and platelets of the host organism, and thus to the long-term prognosis of liver transplantation.