title: Variations in lectin binding properties of intestinal M cells.
abstract: Glycoconjugate expression in follicle-associated epithelia has been examined by application of a panel of lectins to fixed, whole tissue preparations of mouse and rabbit Peyer's and caecal patches. Of those examined, only alpha-L-fucose-specific lectins such as Ulex europaeus agglutinin I bound selectively to M cells in murine Peyer's patches and this selectivity did not extend to mouse caecal patch M cells. In common with a variety of other lectins (wheat germ agglutinin, peanut agglutinin and Bandeiraea simplicifolia agglutinin II), Ulex europaeus agglutinin I exhibited selective binding to M cells in rabbit caecal patch and to enterocytes in rabbit Peyer's patch. The marked regional and species variation in M cell surface characteristics documented here has implications for the normal antigen-sampling function of M cells and to the rational design of particulates for transepithelial delivery via the M cell portal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Medical School, UK.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jepson
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Hirst
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002432:Cecum / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology; D037102:Lectins; D051379:Mice; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000378:metabolism; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; C036850:Ulex europaeus lectins; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate