Intestinal M cells and their role in bacterial infection - PubMed (original) (raw)
Review
Intestinal M cells and their role in bacterial infection
M Ann Clark et al. Int J Med Microbiol. 2003 Apr.
Abstract
M cells are located in the epithelia overlying mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues such as Peyer's patches where they function as the antigen sampling cells of the mucosal immune system. Paradoxically, some pathogens exploit M cells as a route of invasion. Here we review our current knowledge of intestinal M cells with particular emphasis on the mechanisms underlying bacterial infection of these atypical epithelial cells.