Human gut M cells resemble dendritic cells and present gluten antigen.

ABSTRACT: Microfold (M) cells are rare intestinal epithelial cells that reside in the follicle-associated epithelium of Peyer's patches¹. M cells transport luminal antigens to submucosal antigen-presenting cells^2,3. These insights primarily derive from transmission electron microscopy and studies using genetically modified mice^2-4. Here we establish an intestinal organoid model to study human M cells and reconstruct the differentiation trajectory of M cells through transcriptome profiling. The results indicate that as well as facilitating luminal antigen transport, human M cells also directly present antigens via the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC-II). Notably, the related enterocytes only express MHC-II in chronic inflammatory states and do not expre

SUBMITTER: Wang D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12872457 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature