Lipofuscin

Notes

Lipofuscin is a grainy, yellowish or brownish pigment which is intrinsic to the cells where it is seen (i.e., it is not the result of staining during tissue preparation).  Here it is shown in hepatocytes (left above) and alveolar macrophages (right above); for another illustration of lipofuscin accumulation in liver cells, see WebPath.

Lipofuscin represents the presence of lysosomes that have accumulated a noticable amount of indigestible residue.  Lipofuscin is sometimes called "wear-and-tear pigment," since the amount increases over time, with advancing age.  This occurs mainly in "permanent" cells -- those which are not routinely replenished by mitotic division, such as neurons, hepatocytes, cardiac muscle cells, and testicular Leydig cells. 

For more, see, e.g., "Lipofuscin and Aging," SAGE KE, DOI: 10.1126/sageke.2005.5.re1 (2005).

Comments and questions: dgking@siu.edu

SIUC / School of Medicine / Anatomy / David King

https://histology.siu.edu/intro/lipofuscin.htm
Last updated:  2 February 2023 / dgk