[New data about ITO cells]

Ito cells (the fat-storing cells) are stellate cells located in the space of Disse. They can be selectively stained with gold chloride, but their distinguishing feature in routine histological preparations is the presence of multiple lipid droplets in their cytoplasm. Ito cells have the capacity to accumulate exogenously administered vitamin A as retinyl esters in lipid droplets. The quantity of vitamin A, which is stuck into Ito cells, decreases progressively in liver injury, like chronic alcohol intake. Also, the fat-storing cells are the principal cellular source of collagen and other extracellular substances in normal as well as fibrotic liver. Liver injury is followed by an increase in the number of the fat-storing cells.