Our view on liver macrophages in the context of health and disease has been reformed by
the recognition of a remarkable heterogeneity of phagocytes in the liver. Liver macrophages
consist of ontogenically distinct populations termed Kupffer cells and monocyte-derived
macrophages. Kupffer cells are self-renewing, resident and principally non-migratory
phagocytes, serving as sentinels for liver homeostasis. Liver injury triggers Kupffer cell
activation, leading to inflammatory cytokine and chemokine release. This fosters the …