Receptor Specific Clearance by the Reticuloendothelial System in Chronic Liver Diseases

β-Hexosaminidase in Serum from Patients with Cirrhosis and Cholestasis

“…In an earlier study patients with primary biliary cirrhosis had a defect in clearance mediated by C3b receptors [6], No such de fect was found in patients with other forms of cirrhosis or cholestasis. The defect was spe cific since clearance of IgG-sensitized autolo gous erythrocytes or microaggregated albu min was normal or even accelerated.…”

“…ance are more immunologically specific be cause they depend on receptors for C3b and IgG [6,7], Recent evidence suggests that some glyco proteins, e.g. ß-hexosaminidase (a lysosomal enzyme) are cleared from the bloodstream by means of specific receptors localized on the cell membrane of the non-parenchymal cells in the liver [8,9], In an earlier investigation we showed that acute alcohol intoxication increased the level of ß-hexosaminidase in serum [10], We attributed the phenomenon to depression of the RES.…”

Demonstration of defective C3-receptor-mediated clearance by the reticuloendothelial system in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

“…Infusion of G3-sensitized erythrocytes is followed by a triphasic clearance curve (23,24). There is an initial rapid clearance of cells from the circulation due to attachment to C3 receptors of RES cells, primarily hepatic macrophages (Kupffer cells).…”

“…In the normal animal virtually all the cleared cells were returned to the circulation as the membrane-bound C3 was cleaved. When these studies were repeated in man (23,24) it was found that human macrophages behaved as if they were partially activated. A portion of the C3-coated erythrocytes were cleared from the circulation, but many were phagocytosed.…”

Circulating Immune Complexes in Sickle Cell Hepatic Crises

“…A defect in Fc-mediated clearance has been observed in chronic hepatitis. Pa tients with primary biliary cirrhosis have shown unequivocal defect in clearance me diated by C3b receptors [7], In patients with SCA hepatic crisis, IC might be increased because of decreased clearance of the com plexes by the liver. This could be due to de creased circulation through hepatic sinus oids and/or defective Kupffer cell receptor function.…”