XXXX regulates differentiation of microfold cells in @entity19 nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT).

@entity72509 @entity27505 @entity19 @entity72508 @entity5271 @entity56934
UNASSIGNED: @entity19 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. @entity72508 ( @entity72508 ) has recently been identified as a reliable marker for M cells in Peyer's patches of the intestine. However, the expression of @entity72508 and other functional molecules in the M cells of NALT has not yet been examined. We have immunohistochemically detected @entity72508 -expressing cells in the FAE of NALT and the simultaneous expression of other intestinal M-cell markers, namely @entity72509 , @entity27505 , and @entity56934 . These cells have been further identified as M cells because of their higher uptake capacity of luminal microbeads. Electron microscopic observations have shown that @entity72508 -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 @entity5271 ( @entity5271 ) is expressed by stromal cells underneath the FAE, which provides its receptor RANK. The administration of @entity5271 markedly increases the number of @entity72508 (+) @entity72509 (+) cells on the NALT FAE and that of intestinal M cells. These results suggest that @entity72508 (+) @entity72509 (+) cells in NALT are equivalent to intestinal M cells, and that @entity5271 -RANK signaling induces their differentiation.
