2024-03-28T16:58:51Zhttps://eprints.lib.hokudai.ac.jp/dspace-oai/requestoai:eprints.lib.hokudai.ac.jp:2115/649472022-11-17T02:08:08Zhdl_2115_20040hdl_2115_121RANKL regulates differentiation of microfold cells in mouse nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT)Mutoh, MamiKimura, ShunsukeTakahashi-Iwanaga, HiromiHisamoto, MeriIwanaga, ToshihikoIida, JunichiroMicrofold cells (M cells)Follicle-associated epitheliumNasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT)Glycoprotein 2 (GP2)Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)490Murine nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT), located at the base of the nasal cavity, serves as a major site for the induction of mucosal immune responses against airway antigens. The follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) covering the luminal surface of NALT is characterized by the presence of microfold cells (M cells), which take up and transport luminal antigens to lymphocytes. Glycoprotein 2 (GP2) has recently been identified as a reliable marker for M cells in Peyer's patches of the intestine. However, the expression of GP2 and other functional molecules in the M cells of NALT has not yet been examined. We have immunohistochemically detected GP2-expressing cells in the FAE of NALT and the simultaneous expression of other intestinal M-cell markers, namely Tnfaip2, CCL9, and Spi-B. These cells have been further identified as M cells because of their higher uptake capacity of luminal microbeads. Electron microscopic observations have shown that GP2-expressing cells on the FAE display morphological features typical of M cells: they possess short microvilli and microfolds on the luminal surface and are closely associated with intraepithelial lymphocytes. We have also found that the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) is expressed by stromal cells underneath the FAE, which provides its receptor RANK. The administration of RANKL markedly increases the number of GP2+Tnfaip2+ cells on the NALT FAE and that of intestinal M cells. These results suggest that GP2+Tnfaip2+ cells in NALT are equivalent to intestinal M cells, and that RANKL-RANK signaling induces their differentiation.SpringerJournal Articleapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/2115/64947https://eprints.lib.hokudai.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2115/64947/1/MutohetalCTR2015.pdf0302-766X1432-0878Cell and Tissue Research36411751842016-04enginfo:pmid/26553655info:doi/10.1007/s00441-015-2309-2The final publication is available at link.springer.comauthor