The hepatic sinusoidal endothelial lining and colorectal liver metastases

Figure 1 Schematic representation of the local hepatic sinusoidal immune defence system in the different steps of CRC liver metastasis (Steps I to III) as outlined in detail in the “Phagocytosis, Apoptosis, Endothelial Retraction and Tumour Survival"-section. The subsequent steps in the metastatic cascade as denoted by question marks illustrate that considerable work remains, especially once CRC cells traverse the sinusoidal endothelial lining and invade the liver tissue.