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Development of intestinal M cells
Author(s) -
Mach Julie,
Hshieh Tammy,
Hsieh Dennis,
Grubbs Nathaniel,
Chervonsky Alexander
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/j.0105-2896.2005.00281.x
Subject(s) - biology , immunology
Summary: Intestinal epithelium contains several specialized cell types including M cells, which can be found in the follicle‐associated epithelium (FAE) or occasionally on the villi. M cells are critical for sampling of intestinal flora and for transferring pathogens across the epithelial barrier for recognition by the immune system. Development of M cells on the villi (M v ) is independent of the presence of lymphocytes, while development of the FAE and M cells within the FAE (M f ) is dependent on B lymphocytes. Here, the concept is discussed that B cells are not required for induction of M f differentiation but are required for transition to and maintenance of the mature M f phenotype. Signaling pathways possibly involved in the B‐cell‐independent stages of M‐cell development are also discussed.