CCR6hiCD11c(int) B cells promote M-cell differentiation in Peyer's patch

Int Immunol. 2011 Apr;23(4):261-9. doi: 10.1093/intimm/dxq478. Epub 2011 Mar 21.

Abstract

M cells are responsible for uptake of mucosal antigens in Peyer's patches (PPs). Differentiation of M cells is thought to be induced by interactions between follicle-associated epithelium and PP cells; however, it remains elusive what types of immune cells function as M-cell inducers. Here, we attempted to identify the cells that serve as an M-cell inducer in PP. We found that a unique B-cell subset characterized by CCR6(hi)CD11c(int) resided in the subepithelial dome (SED) in mouse PP. CCR6(hi)CD11c(int) B cells showed chemotactic migration in response to CCL20. Furthermore, this unique B-cell subset substantially decreased in PP of CCR6-deficient mice, indicating that the SED localization of CCR6(hi)CD11c(int) B cells is most likely regulated by the CCL20-CCR6 system. Concomitantly, CCR6 deficiency caused remarkable decrement of M cells. Moreover, adoptive transfer of CCR6(hi)CD11c(int) B cells from wild-type mice restored the M-cell decrement in CCR6-deficient mice. Collectively, the spatial regulation of CCR6(hi)CD11c(int) B cells via the CCL20-CCR6 system may play a vital role in M-cell differentiation in mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • CD11c Antigen / biosynthesis
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemokine CCL20 / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / immunology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Peyer's Patches / cytology*
  • Receptors, CCR6 / genetics
  • Receptors, CCR6 / immunology
  • Receptors, CCR6 / metabolism*

Substances

  • CCR6 protein, human
  • CD11c Antigen
  • Chemokine CCL20
  • Receptors, CCR6