Macrophages are cells differentiated from circulating bone marrow-derived monocytes. The main function of macrophages is to remove cellular debris and destroy invading pathogens. Human Hepatic Macrophages (HHMa), which are also known as Kupffer cells, reside within the lumen of liver sinusoids. HHMa protect the liver by responding to pathogens and metastatic cells, while tolerating harmless self and foreign antigens, which enter via blood flow through the portal vein and hepatic artery [1]. Recent studies have shown that hepatic macrophages play an important role in fibrosis, liver inflammation, fatty liver disease, and liver transplantation [2-4]. HHMa are an excellent model for studying macrophage functions under normal physiological and pathological conditions.

HHMa from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human liver. HHMa are cryopreserved after purification and delivered frozen. Each vial contains > 1 x 10^6 cells in 1 ml volume. HHMa are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibody to F4/80. HHMa are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HHMa are guaranteed to further culture in the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories; however, HHMa are not recommended for expanding or long-term cultures since the cells do not proliferate in regular culture. 

References：

[1] Liaskou E, Wilson DV, Oo YH. (2012) "Innate immune cells in liver inflammation." Mediators Inflamm. 2012: 949157. 
[2] Bieghs V, Verheyen F, van Gorp PJ, Hendrikx T, Wouters K, Lutjohann D, Gijbels MJ, Febbraio M, Binder CJ, Hofker MH, Shiri-Sverdlov R. (2012) "Internalization of modified lipids by CD36 and SR-A leads to hepatic inflammation and lysosomal cholesterol storage in Kupffer cells." PLoS One. 7: e34378. 
[3] Tian Y, Jochum W, Georgiev P, Moritz W, Graf R, Clavien PA. (2006) "Kupffer cell-dependent TNF-alpha signaling mediates injury in the arterialized small-for-size liver transplantation in the mouse." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 103: 4598-603. 
[4] Seki E, de Minicis S, Inokuchi S, Taura K, Miyai K, van Rooijen N, Schwabe RF, Brenner DA. (2009) "CCR2 promotes hepatic fibrosis in mice." Hepatology. 50: 185-97.