title: Expression of the ATP-gated P2X7 Receptor on M Cells and Its Modulating Role in the Mucosal Immune Environment.
abstract: Interactions between microbes and epithelial cells in the gastrointestinal tract are closely associated with regulation of intestinal mucosal immune responses. Recent studies have highlighted the modulation of mucosal immunity by microbe-derived molecules such as ATP and short-chain fatty acids. In this study, we undertook to characterize the expression of the ATP-gated P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) on M cells and its role in gastrointestinal mucosal immune regulation because it was poorly characterized in Peyer's patches, although purinergic signaling via P2X7R and luminal ATP have been considered to play an important role in the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we present the first report on the expression of P2X7R on M cells and characterize the role of P2X7R in immune enhancement by ATP or LL-37.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and the Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea. ; Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and Research Center of Bioactive Materials, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Sae-Hae
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and Research Center of Bioactive Materials, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Ha-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and the Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea. ; Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and Research Center of Bioactive Materials, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Suk
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Jang
keywords: Adjuvant; Immune modulation; M cells; Mucosal immunity; P2X7 receptor