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Kupffer Cells for In Vitro Assays

Human Kupffer cells are resident macrophages in the liver and are commonly used in 3D systems and cocultures for in vitro drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) assays and investigation of cytokine release.

Kupffer cells are endogenous to the sinusoid of the liver and have the ability to modulate hepatic inflammation and injury associated with various pathophysiologies and toxicities.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines released by activated Kupffer cells, such as TNF-α and IL-6, are associated with the up-regulation of acute-phase response proteins and suppression of cytochrome P450 (CYP). For new biological entities, particularly immunomodulators, evaluating the potential for Kupffer cell activation is an emerging concept in preclinical development.

Utilizing Kupffer Cells in Cocultures

While most metabolic activity to do with xenobiotics occurs in hepatocytes, introducing primary non-parenchymal cells in addition to hepatocytes in cocultures or 3D systems can serve to simulate structure and function more representative of in vivo conditions, and can therefore be better predictive models for drug metabolism.

Our Kupffer cells have been characterized for the following:

  • Cell viability and cell yield (by Trypan blue staining)
  • Functionality:  Activation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) measured by induction of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-a) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression. 
  • Purity:  Expression of macrophage marker CD68 (by Immuno-fluorescent microscopy)
Kupffer cells are specialized macrophages endogenous to the liver

Match your Kupffer cells with optimized media for best results

Our Kupffer cell media has been specially optimized to give you the best results from your Kupffer cells. Be sure to also check out our test systems media guide outlining best practices in storage and handling to maximize performance and output of your cell cultures.

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Need more info?

Access details for optimizing your use of Kupffer cells in your DMPK assays

CTA - Products 7 - Subcellular fraction test systems preparation

See the science

Find our researchers’ findings in how endotoxins up-regulate cytokine release in Kupffer cells

Sci Resources