title: HLA-DR expression on M cells overlying Peyer's patches is a common feature of human small intestine.
abstract: The expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II (HLA-DR) antigens on M cells within follicle-associated epithelial cells (FAE) covering Peyer's patches was analyzed immunohistochemically. HLA-DR antigens were strongly expressed on M cells and cells with dendritic morphology, whereas other FAE covering Peyer's patches showed weak, but definite staining. Dendritic cells were also positive for S-100 protein and IL-1. These findings suggest that M cells as well as dendritic cells within FAE form an antigen-presenting cell system and contribute to the first information releaser for the mucosal immune system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagura
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohtani
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007375:Interleukin-1; D009418:S100 Proteins