Karen Kristine Sørensen  –  Professor

Peter McCourt  –  Professor

Anett Kristin Larsen  –  Associate Professor

Bård Smedsrød  –  emeriti

Cristina Ionica Øie  –  Researcher

Kjell Lindgård  –  Associate Professor

Ruomei Li  –  Head Engineer

Jaione Simón-Santamaría  –  Senior Engineer

Gianina Dumitriu  –  Head Engineer

Javier Sanchez Romano  –  Researcher

Karolina Joanna Szafranska  –  Researcher

Jakub Pospíšil  –  Postdoctoral Fellow

Kajangi Gnanachandran  –  Postdoctoral Fellow

Christopher Florian Holte  –  Head Engineer

Larissa Dorothea Kruse  –  Doctoral Research Fellow

Ingelin Kyrrestad  –  Associate Professor

Tetyana Voloshyna  –  Doctoral Research Fellow

Gahl Levy  –  Researcher

Mona Nystad  –  Associate Professor

Synne Simonsen Hansen  –  Associate Professor

Bachelor Students

Harina Thiagarajah 

Title: Effect of dexamethasone on Muromegalovirus muridbeta1-infection in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells 

Main supervisor: Anett Kristin Larsen 

Co-supervisor: Karen K. Sørensen and Ingelin Kyrrestad 

Start/end date of the project: Jan 2024 – June 2024 

The aim of this Bachelor thesis is to investigate how treatment with dexamethasone affects susceptibility of and viral propagation in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). These cells which lines the smallest blood vessels in the liver are among the first cells to encounter the virus during viremia. In this work we intend to 1) measure how dexamethasone treatment affect the number of cells positive for viral immediate early proteins during the first period of infection and 2) determine how secretion of the cytokine interleukin-6 is affected by combined treatment of dexamethasone and viral infection. For the work outlined above we will use both cell lines as well as primary mouse LSECs. 

The work performed in this Bachelor thesis is part of the SECVIR project. 

Ida Svenningsen

Influence of Vitamin C on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) 

Main supervisor: Larissa Kruse

Co-supervisor: Peter McCourt

Start/end date of the project (approximately): Feb. 1st 2023 to June 1st 2023

The aim of my Bachelor´s thesis is to investigate how vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) may influence the morphology and activity of LSECs. To do this I test different concentrations and treatment time of vitamin C. The LSECs are fenestrated cells with high endocytosis activity. To see how the cells are influenced by the vitamin C I look at the cell’s morphology, fenestrations, and their endocytosis activity. To do this I use Scanning Electron Microscope, SEM, and different viability as LDHglo and resazurin.

Dina Hovland

Long term culture of LSEC

Main supervisor: Karolina Szafranska  

Co-supervisor: Karen Sørensen

Start/end date of the project: February 2023 – June 2023 

The main objective of this bachelor project is to study the morphology and function of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). The focus will be investigating the potential of existing drugs to influence the fenestration and endocytotic ability of LSECs. 

This is a light microscopy of the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. The blue color is the nucleus of the cell, the red is the actin in the cytoskeleton, and the green color is endocytosed (absorbed) ligand inside the cell. The light microscopy helps us identifying structures and functions of different types of cells.

Kine Jeanette Brenden

Molecular Investigation of human betaherpesvirus 5 in human liver tissue

Main supervisor: Javier Sanchez Romano

Co-supervisor: Anett Kristin Larsen, Jaione Simón-Santamaría

Start/end date of the project: From February to 1. June 2023

In this bachelor project as a part of SECVIR, the aim is to investigate human liver tissue for the presence of human betaherpesvirus 5 (human cytomegalovirus) DNA. The focus is on molecular investigation of human liver samples, from DNA isolation and extraction to qPCR and possibly DNA sequencing.

Several Bachelor students associated with the SECVIR project:

Title: Detection of Polyomavirus BK in Human Liver Tissue through Molecular Investigation.

Author: Yanin Bunmak

Year: Spring semester, 2023

Title: Expression of stellate cells markers in human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells.  

Author: Yasmin Ilyaas Mahamu

Year: Spring semester, 2020

Title: Quantification of purified BK polyomavirus by quantitative real-time PCR.

Author: Clara Chambanga Agbor Enjema

Year: Spring semester, 2020

Title: Validation of hemagglutination assay for BK polyomavirus by quantitative real-time PCR.

Author: Dua Mohamed Ibrahim Ali

Year: Spring semester, 2020

Title: Establishment of a multiplex qPCR to investigate the role of the liver as a latency site for human Cytomegalovirus and polyomaviruses BK and JC.

Author: Maddhusja Nalliah

Year: Spring semester, 2019

Master students

Kwadwo Asante Asare-Konadu

Assessment of new nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery to liver sinusoidal endothelial cells

MAIN SUPERVISOR: KAROLINA SZAFRANSKA  

CO-SUPERVISORS: KAREN SØRENSEN, PETER MCCOURT, Tetyana Voloshyna

Start/end date of the project: July 2023 – June 2024

The main goal of this project is to test selected new formulations of nanoparticles on LSEC in vitro. The nanoparticles will be developed by our collaborators at Nanomedicine Division at SINTEF Trondheim. The results will help to establish new LSEC targeting nanocarriers for future drug encapsulation and further in vivo experiments.  

Basema Abujayyab 

Long term 2D-culture of primary mouse liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) 

MAIN SUPERVISOR: KAROLINA SZAFRANSKA  

CO-SUPERVISORs: KAREN SØRENSEN, Peter Mccourt

Start/end date of the project: September 2022 – June 2023

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) are unique and specialized cell type with high endocytic activity of bloodborne waste macromolecules. LSEC lack basal lamina and present a unique structural feature called fenestrations, which facilitate passive filtering and exchange of nutrients with other liver cells. Developing LSEC cell lines is challenging with regards to preserving their morphology and functions. Therefore, the aim of this study is to optimize the conditions of a long-term 2D-culture of LSEC and examine the changes (morphology and endocytosis) over a prolonged period of time, up to 21 days. 

Anne-Lotte Vada Hatlegjerde

Title: The Role of Scavenger Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells in Virus Clearance from the Circulation: Comparing Nonpathogenic Versus Pathogenic Cytomegalovirus in Mice.

Main supervisor: Anett Kristin Larsen

Co-supervisors: Karen K. Sørensen and Javier Sanchez Romano

Start/end date of the project: Aug 2021 – June 2022

The aim of this Master thesis was to determine the organ distribution of a non-pathogenic and a pathogenic herpesvirus injected in the circulatory system. The project was also focused on investigating the localization of the virus at a cellular level in the liver, in order to map out if scavenger cells in the liver, such as LSECs or Kupffer cells, were involved in blood clearance.

These goals were examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for quantification of viral particles in different tissues, with the liver as the organ in focus, and by immunolabeling of tissue sampled from mice challenged with human betaherpesvirus 5 (HHV-5) and muromegalovirus muridbeta1 (MuHV-1). In addition, the cellular localization of scavenged viral particles was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The visualization of results was acquired through light-, fluorescence- and confocal microscopy.

The work performed in this Master thesis is part of the SECVIR project.

Eirik Abrahamsen Lænsman

Title: Intracellular Survival and Immune System Activation Following Viral Scavenging in Murine Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells.

Main supervisor: Anett Kristin Larsen

Co-supervisors: Karen K. Sørensen and Javier Sanchez Romano, Denis Kainov (NTNU)

Start/end date of the project: Aug 2020 – June 2021

The aim of this Master thesis was to determine how internalized viral particles are handled in scavenging cells, with main focus on the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), and explore to what extent viral scavenging induce immune activation. We investigated if a pathogenic and a non-pathogenic virus triggered similar responses following internalization in LSECs. Primary mouse LSECs were challenged with two similar, yet different, species of the Betaherpesvirinae subfamily. The muromegalovirus muridbeta1 (MuHV-1, mCMV) was used as the pathogenic virus, while the human betaherpesvirus 5 (HHV-5, hCMV) was used as the non-pathogenic species (for mice). The immunological response was evaluated by measuring the secretion of specific cytokines in a multiplex assay (Luminex®). In addition, the ability of scavenged pathogenic viral particles to cause infection in LSECs was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The visualization of results was acquired through light-, fluorescence- and confocal microscopy.

The work performed in this Master thesis is part of the SECVIR project

PhD students

Larissa Dorothea Kruse

Optical nanoscopy of the clearance function of LSECs

Main supervisor: Peter McCourt (IMB, UiT)

Co-supervisor: Lynn Butler (IKM, UiT); Bartłomiej Zapotoczny (Institute of Nuclear Physics, Krakow, Poland)

Start/end date of the project (approximately): 2018-2024

In my project, I look at the morphology and the clearance function of LSECs under the influence of various substances with the help of super resolution microscopy and endocytosis assays

Ingelin Kyrrestad

Studies on cytomegalovirus infection and dexamethasone effects in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells-studies in the mouse model

MAIN SUPERVISOR: KAREN KRISTINE SØRENSEN (IMB, UIT)

CO-SUPERVISOR: Anett Kristin Larsen (IMB, UiT) and Bård Smedsrød (UiT)

Start/end date of the project (approximately): 2018-2024

Sub-Projects:

1. Studying murine LSEC responses to the glucocorticoid receptor agonist dexamethasone in vitro. The glucocorticoid dexamethasone is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory drug and as a cell culture supplement. Dexamethasone effects are dependent on cell type. In this study, we have characterized and catalogued the proteome of primary (C57Bl/6) mouse LSECs cultured for 1, 10, or 48 h in serum-free AIM-V medium in 5% oxygen (LSEC “normoxia”) in the presence, and absence of dexamethasone to elucidate time-dependent and dexamethasone-specific cell responses. We also investigated dose- and time-dependent effects (up to 5 days) of dexamethasone on LSEC morphology, viability, interleukin-6 expression, and scavenger functions.

2. Studying the role of dynamin in the early steps of infection by murine cytomegalovirus in murine LSECs in vitro. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are scavenger cells with a remarkably high capacity for clearance of several blood-borne macromolecules and nanoparticles, including some viruses. Endocytosis in LSECs is mainly via the clathrin-coated pit mediated route, which is dynamin-dependent. LSECs can be a site of infection and latency of betaherpesvirus, but mode of virus entry into these cells has not yet been described. In this study we have investigated the role of dynamin in the early stage of muromegalovirus muridbeta1 (MuHV-1, murid betaherpesvirus 1, murine cytomegalovirus) infection in mouse LSECs.

3. Effects of dexamethasone on the muromegalovirus muridbeta1 (MuHV-1, murine cytomegalovirus) infection in LSECs. Infection rates and responses of selected cytokines released from infected LSECs in vitro +/- dexamethasone will be analyzed. Genetic variations in inbred mouse strains can influence cytokine responsiveness and susceptibility to MuHV-1 infection; BALB/c are known to develop a more severe illness compared to C57BL/6 mice (in vivo). To detect potential mice strain related differences in LSECs response to a pathogenic virus (MuHV-1), we will use freshly isolated LSECs from both BALB/C and C57Bl/6 mice.

Tetyana Voloshyna

Pack a Pill in a PACA – PACA nanomedicines for targeting age-related changes in liver endothelium to prevent age-related diseases  

MAIN SUPERVISOR: Erick Sveberg Dietrichs (UiT/uio)

CO-SUPERVISOR: PETER MCCOURT (IMB, UIT), Karolina Szafranska (IMB, UIT)

Start/end date of the project (approximately): 2021-2024

Age-related changes in the liver microcirculation, in particular within liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC), is part of the pathophysiology causing this susceptibility to dyslipidemia and insulin resistance in old age. Some drug groups are also associated with increased risks of metabolic abnormalities similar to those seen in ageing.  

In this project, we evaluate the impact of agents that modulate the ultrastructure and scavenging properties of LSEC isolated from rodents, to subsequently produce and optimize LSEC-targeting PACA-nanoparticles encapsulating agents known to restore and improve the function of ageing or diseased LSEC. 

Available projects

Bachelor projects 2023/2024

1. Development of a direct antibody labelling method for stabilin receptors.

• supervisors: Jaione Simon Santamaria
• work with primary liver endothelial cells and stabilin-expressing cell lines
• methods: advanced immunolabelling, fluorescent microscopy, cell culture techniques, primary cell isolation

For additional information about bachelor/master project please contact:

• Karen Kristine Sørensen - karen.sorensen@uit.no , MH L8.240F https://link.mazemap.com/st7iuAYr
• Anett Kristin Larsen - anett.k.larsen@uit.no , MH L8.232 https://link.mazemap.com/WgDQymhs
• Karolina Szafranska - karolina.szafranska@uit.no , MH L8.233 - https://link.mazemap.com/mKhcp1As

Reviews and book chapters

Bhandari S*, Larsen AK*, McCourt P, Smedsrød B, Sørensen KK. The scavenger function of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in health and disease. Frontiers in Physiology, 2021, Oct 11;12:757469.  https://doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.757469 

Szafranska K, Kruse LD, Holte CF, McCourt P, Zapotoczny B. The wHole Story About Fenestrations in LSEC. Frontiers in Physiology, Volume 12-2021. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.735573

Sørensen KK, Simon-Santamaria J, McCuskey RS, Smedsrød B. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Comprehensive Physiology, 2015; Vol. 5 (4), 1751 - 1774. https://doi.org/10.1002/cphy.c140078  

Sørensen KK, McCourt PA, Berg T, Crossley C, LeCouteur D, Wake K, Smedsrød B. The scavenger endothelial cell - a new player in homeostasis and immunity. Am J Physiol Regul Integrat Comp Physiol, 2012; Volume 303 (12), R1217 - R1230. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00686.2011  

Elvevold K, Smedsrød B, Martinez I. The liver sinusoidal endothelial cell: A cell type of controversial and confusing identity. Am J Physiol - Gastrointest Liver Physiol, 2008; Feb;294(2):G391-400. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.00167.2007

LSEC & Virus/Ageing

LSEC and virus interaction:

Øie C, Wolfson D, Tanji Y, Dumitriu G, Sørensen KK, McCourt P, Ahluwalia BS, Smedsrød B. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells contribute to the uptake and degradation of enterobacterial viruses. Scientific Reports, 2020, 10:898,  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-57652-0.

Simon-Santamaria J, Rinaldo CH, Kardas P, Li R, Malovic I, Elvevold KH, McCourt PA, Smedsrød B, Hirsch HH, Sørensen KK. Efficient uptake of blood-borne BK and JC polyomavirus-like particles in endothelial cells of liver sinusoids and renal vasa recta. PLoS ONE, 2014; 9. ISSN 1932-6203.s. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0111762    

Ageing:

Svistounov D, Oteiza A, Zykova S, Sørensen KK, McCourt PA, McLachlan AJ; Mccuskey RS, Smedsrød B. Hepatic disposal of advanced glycation end products during maturation and aging. Experimental Gerontology 2013; Vol. 48 (6), 549 - 556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2013.03.005

Simon-Santamaria J, Malovic I, Warren A, Oteiza A, LeCouteur D, Smedsrød B, McCourt PA, Sørensen KK. Age-Related Changes in Scavenger Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis in Rat Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells. The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biol Sci Med Sci, 2010; Vol. 65 (9). ISSN 1079-5006.s 951 - 960.s.  https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glq108

Ito Y, Sørensen KK, Bethea NW, McCuskey MK, Svistounov D, Smedsrød BH, McCuskey RS. Age-related changes in the hepatic microcirculation in mice. Exp Gerontol, 42:789-797, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2007.04.008

LSEC receptors, ligands and cell biology

LSEC in culture:

Mönkemöller  V*, Mao H*, Hübner W, Dumitriu G, Heimann P,  Huser T, Kaltschmidt C, Kaltschmidt B, Øie CI. Primary rat LSEC preserve their characteristic phenotype after cryopreservation. Sci Rep, 2018 Oct 2;8(1):14657. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-32103-z

Martinez I, Nedredal GI, Øie CI, Warren A, Johansen O, Le Couteur DG, Smedsrod B. The influence of oxygen tension on the structure and function of isolated liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Comp Hepatol 2008; 7:4-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-5926-7-4

Elvevold, K., Nedredal, G.I., Revhaug, A., Bertheussen, K., Smedsrød, B. Long term preservation of high endocytic activity in primary cultures of pig liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Eur J Cell Biol, 2005, 84: 749-764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcb.2005.05.003

Smedsrød B, Pertoft H, Gustafson S, Laurent TC. Scavenger functions of the liver endothelial cell. Biochem J, 1990; 266(2):313-27. https://doi.org/10.1042/bj2660313

Smedsrød B, Johansson S, Pertoft H. Studies in vivo and in vitro on the uptake and degradation of soluble collagen alpha1(I) chains in rat liver endothelial cells and Kupffer cells. Biochem J, 1985; 228:415-424. https://doi.org/10.1042/bj2280415

Smedsrød B, Pertoft H. Preparation of pure hepatocytes and reticuloendothelial cells in high yield from a single rat liver by means of Percoll centrifugation and selective adherence. J Leukoc Biool, 1985; 38(2):213-30. https://doi.org/10.1002/jlb.38.2.213

Smedsrød B, Pertoft H, Eriksson S, Fraser J, Laurent T. Studies in vitro on the uptake and degradation of sodium hyaluronate in rat liver endothelial cells. Biochem J, 1984; 223: 617-626. https://doi.org/10.1042/bj2230617

Fenestrations structure and regulation:

Zapotoczny B, Szafranska K, Lekka M, Ahluwia BS, McCourt P. Tuning of Liver Sieve: The Interplay between Actin and Myosin Regulatory Light Chain Regulates Fenestration Size and Number in Murine Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022, 23(17), 9850; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23179850.

Scavenging/endocytosis:

Li R, Bhandari S, Martinez-Zubiaurre I, Bruun JA, Urbarova I, Smedsrød B, Simón-Santamaría J, Sørensen KK. Changes in the proteome and secretome of rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells during early primary culture and effects of dexamethasone. PLoS ONE, 2022, Sep 2;17(9): e0273843. https://doi:10.1771/journal.pone.0273843.

Bhandari S, Li R, Simon-Santamaria J, McCourt P, Johansen SD, Smedsrød B, Martinez-Zubiaurre I, Sørensen KK. Transcriptome and proteome profiling reveal complementary scavenger and immune features of rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and liver macrophages. BMC Molecular and Cell Biology, 2020, 21:85 (25 p.). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12860-020-00331-9

de Haan W, Øie C, Benkheil M, Dheedene W, Vinckier S, Coppiello G, Aranguren XL, Beerens M, Jaekers J, Topal B,  Verfaillie C, Smedsrød B, and Luttun A. Unraveling the transcriptional determinants of Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cell specialization. American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, 2020 Apr 1;318(4):G803-G815.https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.00215.2019

Øie CI, Roepstorff K, Behrens C, Kristensen JB, Karpf DM, Bolt G, Kjalke M, Gudme C, Stennicke H, Smedsrød B, Appa RS. High-affinity von Willebrand factor binding does not affect the anatomical or hepatocellular distribution of factor VIII in rats.  Journal of Thrombosis Haemostasis, 2016 Sep;14(9):1803-1813. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.13406  

Øie CI*, Snapkov I*, Elvevold K, Sveinbjørnsson B, Smedsrød B. FITC-conjugation markedly enhances hepatic clearance of N-formyl peptides. PLoS One. 2016 Aug 5;11(8). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0160602

Li R*, Oteiza A*, Sørensen K, Mccourt PA, Olsen R; Smedsrød B, Svistounov D. Role of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and stabilins in elimination of oxidized low-density lipoproteins. Am J Physiol - Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2011; Vol. 300 (1)s. G71 - G81.s https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.00215.2010

Oteiza A*, Li R*, McCuskey RS, Smedsrød B, Sørensen KK. Effects of oxidized low-density lipoproteins on the hepatic microvasculature. Am J Physiol - Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2011; Vol. 301 (4). ISSN 0193-1857.s G684 - G693.s.  https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.00347.2010

Øie CI, Appa RS, Hilden I, Petersen HH, Gruhler A, Smedsrød B, Hansen JB. Rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) express functional low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP-1). Journal of Hepatology, 2011; 55:1346-1352.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2011.03.013

Li R, McCourt PA, Schledzewski K, Goerdt S, Moldenhauer G, Liu X, Smedsrød B, Sørensen K. Endocytosis of Advanced Glycation End-Products in Bovine Choriocapillaris Endothelial Cells. Microcirculation, 2009; 16:640-655. https://doi.org/10.1080/10739680903133185

Nedredal GI, Elvevold K, Ytrebø LM, Fuskevåg O-M, Pettersen I, McCourt PAG, Bertheussen K, Smedsrød B, Revhaug A. Porcine liver sinusoidal endothelial cells contribute significantly to intrahepatic ammonia metabolism. Hepatology 2009, 50: 900-908. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.23076

Elvevold K*, Simon-Santamaria J,* Hasvold H, McCourt PAG, Smedsrød B, Sørensen KK. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells depend on mannose receptor mediated endocytic recruitment of lysosomal enzymes for normal degradation capacity. Hepatology, 2008; Dec;48(6):2007-15. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.22527

Øie CI, Olsen R, Smedsrod B, and Hansen JB. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells are the principal site for elimination of unfractionated heparin from the circulation. Am J Physiol - Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2008; 294:G520-528. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.00489.2007

Malovic I*, Sørensen KK*, Elvevold KK, Nedredal GI, Paulsen S, Erofeev AV, Smedsrød BH, McCourt PAG. The mannose receptor on murine liver sinusoidal endothelial cells is the main denatured collagen clearance receptor. Hepatology, 2007; 45: 1454-1461.https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.21639

Martin-Armas M, Simon-Santamaria J, Pettersen I, Moens U, Smedsrød B, Sveinbjørnsson B. Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is present in murine liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and mediates the effect of CpG-oligonucleotides. Journal of Hepatology, 2006, 44(5):939-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2005.09.020

Falkowska-Hansen B, Øynebråten I, Uhlin-Hansen L, Smedsrød B. Endocytosis and degradation of serglycin in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Mol Cell Biochem, 2006; Jul;287(1-2):43-52.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-005-9024-3

Hansen B, Longati P, Elvevold K, Nedredal GI, Schledzewski K, Olsen R, Falkowski M, Kzhyshkowska J, Carlsson F, Johansson S, Smedsrod B, Goerdt S, Johansson S, McCourt P. Stabilin-1 and stabilin-2 are both directed into the early endocytic pathway in hepatic sinusoidal endothelium via interactions with clathrin/AP-2, independent of ligand binding. Exp Cell Res, 2005,303:160-173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2004.09.017

Nedredal GI, Elvevold KH, Ytrebo LM, Olsen R, Revhaug A, Smedsrod B. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells represent an important blood clearance system in pig. Comp Hepatol, 2003; 2: 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-5926-2-1

Seternes T, Sørensen K,Smedsrød B. Scavenger endothelial cells of vertebrates: A non-peripheral leucocyte system for high-capacity elimination of waste macromolecules. Proc. Natl. Acad, USA (PNAS) 99:7594-7597, 2002. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.102173299

Hansen B, Melkko J, Smedsrød B. Serum is a rich source of ligands for the scavenger receptor of hepatic scavenger endothelial cells. Mol Cell Biochem, 2002 Jan;229(1-2):63-72. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017919800347

Hansen B, Svistounov D, Nagai R, Horiuchi S, Smedsrød B. Advanced glycation end products impair the scavenger function of rat hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells. Diabetologia, 2002 Oct;45(10):1379-88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-002-0912-8

Hansen B, Arteta B, Smedsrød B. The physiological scavenger receptor function of hepatic sinusoidal endothelial and Kupffer cells is independent of scavenger receptor class A type I and II. Mol. Cell Biochem, 2002; 240: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020660303855

McCourt PAG, Smedsrød BH, Melkko J, Johansson S. Characterization of a hyaluronan receptor on rat sinusoidal liver endothelial cells and its functional relationship to scavenger receptors.  Hepatology, 1999, 30; 1276-1286. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.510300521

Hellevik T, Martinez I, Olsen R, Toh B-H, Webster P, Smedsrød B. Transport of residual endocytosed products into terminal lysosomes occurs slowly in rat liver endothelial cells. Hepatology, 1998 Nov;28(5):1378-89. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.510280529

Kawai Y, Smedsrød B, Elvevold K, Wake K. Uptake of lithium carmine by sinusoidal endothelial and Kupffer cells of the rat liver: new insights into the classical vital staining and the reticulo-endothelial system. Cell Tissue Res, 1998 May;292(2):395-410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004410051069

Smedsrød B, Melkko J, Araki N, Sano H, Horiuchi S. Advanced glycation end products are eliminated by scavenger-receptor-mediated endocytosis in hepatic sinusoidal Kupffer and endothelial cells. Biochem J, 1997; 322: 567-573. https://doi.org/10.1042/bj3220567

LSEC & Super-resolution microscopy/Image analysis

Ortkrass H., Wiebusch G., Linnenbrügger J., Schürstedt J., Szafranska K., McCourt P., Huser Grazing incidence to total internal reflection fluorescence structured illumination microscopy enabled by a prism telescope, Optics Express  2023, 31, 40210-40220

Szafranska K, Holte CF, Kruse LD, Mao H, Øie CI, Szymonski M, Zapotoczny B, McCourt PAG. Quantitative analysis methods for studying fenestrations in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. A comparative study. Micron, 2021 Nov;150:103121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micron.2021.103121

Diekmann, R., Helle, Ø., Øie, C., McCourt P, Huser TR, Schüttpelz M, Ahluwia BS. Chip-based wide field-of-view nanoscopy. Nature Photonics, 2017; 11, 322–328. https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2017.55

Mönkemöller V*, Øie CI*, Hübner W, Huser T, McCourt P. Multimodal super-resolution optical microscopy visualizes the close connection between membrane and the cytoskeleton in liver sinusoidal endothelial cell fenestrations. Scientific Reports, 2015 Nov 9;5:16279. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep16279