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Intestinal M cells: Tireless samplers of enteric microbiota

Takashi Kanaya1, Ifor R Williams2, Hiroshi Ohno1

  • 1Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.

Traffic (Copenhagen, Denmark)
|October 25, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Specialized M cells in the gut initiate immune responses by sampling antigens. Their development from stem cells requires specific signaling pathways and transcription factors, a process that can be studied in vitro.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Intestinal mucosal immune responses rely on specialized M cells for antigen sampling from gut microbiota.
  • M cells are unique enterocytes originating from crypt stem cells, differentiating in response to NF-κB ligand (RANKL).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current knowledge on the origin and development of intestinal M cells.
  • To highlight unanswered questions regarding M cell genesis and function.

Main Methods:

  • Investigation of M cell differentiation pathways involving RANKL signaling.
  • Utilizing three-dimensional enteroid cultures of primary intestinal stem cells.
  • Analysis of transcription factor Spi-B's role in M cell maturation.

Main Results:

  • M cell differentiation is initiated by RANKL signaling from crypt stem cells.
  • The transcription factor Spi-B is essential for the development of mature M cells expressing bacterial receptors like glycoprotein 2.

Conclusions:

  • Intestinal M cell genesis is a complex process involving specific molecular cues.
  • In vitro enteroid models provide a platform to study M cell development and function.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the biology of these critical immune cells.
Keywords:
M cellsRANKLantigen samplingglycoprotein 2intestinal immunity

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