Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Volume 66, Issue 2, February 1974, Pages 189-203
Gastroenterology

Epithelial Cell Specialization within Human Peyer's Patches: An Ultrastructural Study of Intestinal Lymphoid Follicles

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-5085(74)80102-2Get rights and content

Abstract

The “M” (microfold) cell, a previously unrecognized human intestinal mucosal cell type, is described from studies by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. M cells, characterized by luminal surface microfolds rather than microvilli, are located in areas of noncolumnar epithelium overlying lymphoid follicles in Peyer's patches. Attenuated M cell processes form a latticework, allowing lymphoid cells to approach to within 0.3 µm of the intestinal lumen while maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelium. These newly discovered epithelial cells contain multiple vesicles that suggest a transport function, possibly for luminal antigenic material or for secretory immunoglobulin.

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    The results of this study were presented in part to the American Association of Anatomists, New York, New York, in April, 1973.

    This work was supported in part by a training grant from the National Institutes of Health (AM-5598), and in part by a grant from the Veterans Administration Hospital.

    The authors thank Ms. Maria Maglio and Ms. Joan Hahn for their technical assistance, and Dr. James M. Campbell for access to clinical material.

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