Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
Application of a Mouse Ligated Peyer’s Patch Intestinal Loop Assay to Evaluate Bacterial Uptake by M cells
Published on: December 17, 2011
Comprehensive gene expression profiling of Peyer's patch M cells, villous M-like cells, and intestinal epithelial
Kazutaka Terahara1, Masato Yoshida, Osamu Igarashi
1Division of Mucosal Immunology, Graduate School of Frontier Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Separate populations of M cells have been detected in the follicle-associated epithelium of Peyer's patches (PPs) and the villous epithelium of the small intestine, but the traits shared by or distinguishing the two populations have not been characterized. Our separate study has demonstrated that a potent mucosal modulator cholera toxin (CT) can induce lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 and our newly developed M cell-specific mAb NKM 16-2-4-positive M-like cells in the duodenal villous epithelium. In this study, we determined the gene expression of PP M cells, CT-induced villous M-like cells, and intestinal epithelial cells isolated by a novel approach using FACS. Additional mRNA and protein analyses confirmed the specific expression of glycoprotein 2 and myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS)-like protein by PP M cells but not CT-induced villous M-like cells. Comprehensive gene profiling also suggested that CT-induced villous M-like cells share traits of both PP M cells and intestinal epithelial cells, a finding that is supported by their unique expression of specific chemokines. The genome-wide assessment of gene expression facilitates discovery of M cell-specific molecules and enhances the molecular understanding of M cell immunobiology.
Insights
Researchers compared gene expression in Peyer's patch (PP) M cells and cholera toxin (CT)-induced villous M-like cells. CT-induced cells share traits with both PP M cells and intestinal cells, offering new insights into M cell immunobiology.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- M cells are specialized epithelial cells crucial for mucosal immunity.
- Distinct M cell populations exist in Peyer's patches (PPs) and villous epithelium, but their molecular differences are unclear.
- Cholera toxin (CT) induces M-like cells in the duodenal villous epithelium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and compare the gene expression profiles of M cells from PPs and CT-induced villous M-like cells.
- To identify molecular markers that distinguish these M cell populations.
- To enhance the understanding of M cell immunobiology.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of M cells and intestinal epithelial cells using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).
- Genome-wide gene expression profiling (mRNA analysis).
- Confirmation of specific protein expression (glycoprotein 2, MARCKS-like protein) via mRNA and protein analyses.
Main Results:
- PP M cells specifically express glycoprotein 2 and myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS)-like protein.
- CT-induced villous M-like cells do not express these specific markers.
- CT-induced villous M-like cells exhibit a gene expression profile that shares characteristics with both PP M cells and general intestinal epithelial cells, including unique chemokine expression.
Conclusions:
- CT-induced villous M-like cells represent a distinct cell type with hybrid characteristics.
- Gene expression analysis reveals novel molecular distinctions between M cell populations.
- This study advances the molecular understanding of M cell function and immunobiology.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells
01:27Histology of the Small Intestine
The intestinal lining features transverse folds called circular folds, each housing fingerlike projections known as intestinal villi. These villi are covered by a layer of simple columnar epithelium, also referred to as...