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Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Barry Hirst
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The intestinal lymphoid follicles and associated structures are specialised antigen sampling and inductive sites of the mucosal immune system. The overlying follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) includes the specialised antigen sampling M cells that are also exploited as a route of pathogen invasion. In this immunohistochemical study we analysed the junctional complexes of the mouse intestinal FAE. Protein expression at this site resembled that of other simple epithelia. Specifically, claudin-1/3 and ZO-1 were detected in the tight junctions, E-cadherin, alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenin, vinculin, alpha-actinin and polymerised actin were associated with the adherens junctions and the desmosomes were labelled with a desmosomal protein probe. These markers failed to reveal cell type-associated variations in the tight junctions and desmosomes. In contrast, M cell adherens junctions were distinguished by enhanced expression of beta-catenin, alpha-actinin, polymerised actin and, in some areas, E-cadherin. In addition, M cell junctions exhibited increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and phosphotyrosine, and the M cell apical surfaces displayed characteristic patterns of beta-catenin, alpha-actinin and actin expression. We have thus partially defined the junctional complexes of mouse intestinal FAE and identified M cell-specific characteristics that may further explain the biology and function of this unique cell type.
Author(s): Hirst BH; Clark AM
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Histochemistry and Cell Biology
Year: 2002
Volume: 118
Issue: 2
Pages: 137-147
ISSN (print): 0948-6143
ISSN (electronic): 1432-119X
Publisher: Springer
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00418-002-0433-z
DOI: 10.1007/s00418-002-0433-z
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