Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Structure and function of intestinal M cells.

J S Trier1

  • 1Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Gastroenterology Clinics of North America
|September 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

M cells, specialized epithelial cells, act as a gateway for pathogens and antigens to enter the body, initiating immune responses. Their exact transport and processing mechanisms require further investigation.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Antibodies to intestinal microvillous membranes : ii. Inhibition of intrinsic factor-mediated attachment of vitamin b(12)to hamster brush borders.

The Journal of experimental medicine·2009
Same author

Diagnosis of celiac sprue.

Gastroenterology·1998
Same author

Distribution of cytokeratin markers in Barrett's specialized columnar epithelium.

Gastroenterology·1997
Same author

Morphological characterization of the squamocolumnar junction of the esophagus in patients with and without Barrett's epithelium.

Digestive diseases and sciences·1996
Same author

Exposure of the rat small intestine to raw kidney beans results in reorganization of absorptive cell microvilli.

Gastroenterology·1994
Same author

Diagnosis and treatment of celiac sprue.

Hospital practice (Office ed.)·1993

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • M cells are unique, permeable epithelial cells located over mucosal lymphoid follicles.
  • They play a critical role in mucosal and systemic immunity by transporting antigens across the epithelial barrier.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the function of M cells in antigen uptake and transport.
  • To understand the mechanisms by which M cells initiate immune responses.

Main Methods:

  • The study focuses on the structural and functional characteristics of M cells.
  • It examines the process of antigen transcytosis through M cells.

Main Results:

  • M cells facilitate the entry of macromolecules, viruses, bacteria, and protozoa via endocytosis and phagocytosis.
  • Substances are transported through M cells by transcytosis, interacting with subepithelial immune cells.

Conclusions:

  • M cells serve as a crucial entry point for pathogens, potentially causing local or systemic diseases.
  • Further research is needed to determine if M cells merely sieve or also process and present antigens.

Related Experiment Videos