title: Development of intestinal M cells.
abstract: Intestinal epithelium contains several specialized cell types including M cells, which can be found in the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) or occasionally on the villi. M cells are critical for sampling of intestinal flora and for transferring pathogens across the epithelial barrier for recognition by the immune system. Development of M cells on the villi (M(v)) is independent of the presence of lymphocytes, while development of the FAE and M cells within the FAE (M(f)) is dependent on B lymphocytes. Here, the concept is discussed that B cells are not required for induction of M(f) differentiation but are required for transition to and maintenance of the mature M(f) phenotype. Signaling pathways possibly involved in the B-cell-independent stages of M-cell development are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mach
authors.forename: Tammy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hshieh
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Nathaniel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Grubbs
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chervonsky
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*