摘要：

The interaction between polystyrene microspheres and the follicle-associated epithelium of rabbit Peyer's patches has beenexamined. Microspheres bind selectively to, and are transcytosed by, membranous or microfold (M) cells within the follicle-associatedepithelium. M cells are able to transport, in 45 min, approximately 105 microspheres of 0.46 μm diameter across the epithelium overlying each lymphoid follicle dome of rabbit Peyer's patches. Thehigh capacity of M cells for particulate transcytosis and the subsequent delivery of these particulates to the mucosal immunesystem highlights the potential importance of this portal in the delivery of antigens and drugs. In addition, the selectivebinding and uptake of microspheres may be utilised as a functional marker in the identification and isolation of M cells.

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