Which liver cell stores vitamin A and can contribute to fibrosis when activated?

• A. Hepatocytes
• B. Kupffer cells
• C. Cholangiocytes
• D. Hepatic stellate (Ito) cells

Answer: (D)

Hepatic stellate cells store vitamin A in lipid droplets within the space of Disse. In a healthy liver they act as vitamin A reservoirs, but when the liver is injured they become activated and transform into fibrogenic myofibroblast-like cells that produce extracellular matrix, especially collagen, leading to fibrosis. This dual role explains why they’re linked to both vitamin A storage and fibrotic progression. Other liver cells have different roles: hepatocytes carry out metabolism and storage of glycogen and lipids, Kupffer cells are resident macrophages, and cholangiocytes line the bile ducts.