Uptake and transport of intestinal macromolecules and microorganisms by M cells in Peyer's patches— a personal and historical perspective

doi:10.1006/smim.1999.0171

Seminars in Immunology

Volume 11, Issue 3, June 1999, Pages 157-163

https://doi.org/10.1006/smim.1999.0171 Get rights and content

Abstract

Dr Kenzaburo Kumagai identified dome epithelium of in- testinal lymphoid tissues as a site of uptake for mycobacteria in 1922, but he saw this only as a possible initiation point for intestinal tuberculosis and abandoned even that premise as non-specific, after finding that sheep red blood cells were also taken up. When development of ultrastructural tech- niques in 1972 permitted identification of M cells with phagocytic capabilities, harboring migrating lymphoid cells in the specialized epithelium over Peyer's patches, these patches remained anatomic curiosities with no recognized physiologic role. These structural observations of M cells and of intestinal lymphoid tissues stimulated functional, struc- tural and molecular biologic investigations which now pro- vide the basis for many of our current concepts of mucosal immunology and the roles of M cells in initiation of defen- sive immune responses.

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Citation Excerpt :
There are some granular aggregation areas observed from intestinal subserosal side as well (Fig. 2A), which are called PPs [27]. PPs have the highest density in human ileum and are one of the largest organized lymphoid tissues that differ from both crypts and villi by its cellular phenotypes (Fig. 2B), functions, ultrastructural and biochemical properties [28,29]. The outmost surfaces of PPs are covered by follicle-associated epithelia (FAE), which takes a dome shape, and characterized by the presence of little or no mucus due to very limited population of goblet cells in this area [30].
The microfold cells (M cells) residing in the outmost follicle-associated epithelia (FAE) of Peyer's patches capture foreign particles and hand over to sub-FAE lymphatics, where the particles are retained and disposed subsequently. A concept of “dome trap” is proposed to highlight the significance of this mechanism. For oral immunization, it is better to exploit the entrapment capacity to maximize immune response, whereas for drug delivery it is better to overcome the dome trap to transport drugs into the systemic circulation. By optimizing the size, shape, surface charges and surface properties of particles, either oral immunization or drug delivery can be potentially enhanced.

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Regular ArticleUptake and transport of intestinal macromolecules and microorganisms by M cells in Peyer's patches— a personal and historical perspective☆

Abstract

Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Structure and function of intestinal mucosal epithelium,

Mucosal Immunology

Pinocytosis by epithelium associated with lymphoid follicles in the bursa of Fabricius, appendix and Peyer's patches. An electron microscopic study

Am J Anat

Morphometric and cytochemical analysis of lysosomes in rat Peyer's patch follicle epithelium: their reduction in volume fraction and acid phosphatase content in M cells compared to adjacent enterocytes

Anat Rec

M cell transport of Vibrio cholerae from the intestinal lumen into Peyer's patches: a mechanism for antigen sampling and for microbial transepithelial migration

J Infect Dis

Über den Resorptionsvergang der corpusculären Bestandteile im Darm

Kekkaku-Zassi (Japan) 4:429–431 [Abstracted (1923) in Berichte über die gesamte Physiologie und experimentelle Pharmakologie

Regular Article
Uptake and transport of intestinal macromolecules and microorganisms by M cells in Peyer's patches— a personal and historical perspective☆