biostudies-literatureCunningham ALNIAID NIH HHSNational Center on Minority Health and Health DisparitiesNIMHD NIH HHSU.S. Department of DefenseNational Institutes of Healthe0153402https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4839702biostudies-literatureUnknown11(4)M-cells (microfold cells) are thought to be a primary conduit of intestinal antigen trafficking. Using an established neutralizing anti-RANKL (Receptor Activator of NF-κB Ligand) antibody treatment to transiently deplete M-cells in vivo, we sought to determine whether intestinal M-cells were required for the effective induction of protective immunity following oral vaccination with ΔiglB (a defined live attenuated Francisella novicida mutant). M-cell depleted, ΔiglB-vaccinated mice exhibited increased (but not significant) morbidity and mortality following a subsequent homotypic or heterotypic pulmonary F. tularensis challenge. No significant differences in splenic IFN-γ, IL-2, or IL-17 or serum antibody (IgG1, IgG2a, IgA) production were observed compared to non-depleted, ΔiglB-vaccinatedPloS oneM-Cells Contribute to the Entry of an Oral Vaccine but Are Not Essential for the Subsequent Induction of Protective Immunity against Francisella tularensis.PMC4839702T32AI007271T32 AI007271G12MD007591W911NF-11-1-0136R21 AI114762G12 MD007591Cunningham ALHung CYWilliams IRNavara CSYagita HEaves-Pyles TDKlose KEArulanandam BPGuentzel MNYu JJForsthuber TGfalseM-Cells Contribute to the Entry of an Oral Vaccine but Are Not Essential for the Subsequent Induction of Protective Immunity against Francisella tularensis.M-cells (microfold cells) are thought to be a primary conduit of intestinal antigen trafficking. Using an established neutralizing anti-RANKL (Receptor Activator of NF-κB Ligand) antibody treatment to transiently deplete M-cells in vivo, we sought to determine whether intestinal M-cells were required for the effective induction of protective immunity following oral vaccination with ΔiglB (a defined live attenuated Francisella novicida mutant). M-cell depleted, ΔiglB-vaccinated mice exhibited increased (but not significant) morbidity and mortality following a subsequent homotypic or heterotypic pulmonary F. tularensis challenge. No significant differences in splenic IFN-γ, IL-2, or IL-17 or serum antibody (IgG1, IgG2a, IgA) production were observed compared to non-depleted, ΔiglB-vaccinated2016-01-01T00:00:00Z20162025-04-19T14:01:02.691Z2019-03-26T22:53:50ZS-EPMC48397022710082410.1371/journal.pone.0153402