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Ultrastructural characteristics and lectin‐binding properties of M cells in the follicle‐associated epithelium of chicken caecal tonsils

To clarify the nature of M cells, the detailed ultrastructural characteristics and lectin‐binding properties of M cells were investigated in follicle‐associated epithelium (FAE) of chicken caecal tonsils. M cells presented various outlines from columnar to dome shaped. Their polymorphism was dependent on the number of harboured intraepithelial migrating cells. The lighter and larger nuclei of M cells were situated at more apical levels in the epithelial lining compared with those of neighbouring microvillous epithelial cells. The microvilli, which were significantly shorter and thicker than those of adjacent microvillous epithelial cells, were sparsely distributed or completely absent on the apical surfaces of M cells. In general, the apical cytoplasm of M cells without microvilli protruded slightly into the intestinal lumen. Numerous small vesicles were often contained in the apical cytoplasm. The numerous small invaginations of the apical and lateral cell surfaces suggested active transportation of luminal substances. No canaliculi existed in the apical cytoplasm of M cells whereas they were often detected in the neighbouring microvillous epithelial cells. A noteworthy finding was the frequent detection of multivesicular bodies in the apical cytoplasm of M cells. These multivesicular bodies suggest some degradation of ingested luminal substances during transcytoplasmic transportation. WGA and 4 other lectins strongly reacted with all epithelial cells except for M cells, this negativity suggesting a means of detecting M cells in chicken caecal tonsils. Three lectins, DSL, ConA and Jacalin, reacted weakly with the glycocalyx on M cells. The positive reactivity might allow chicken M cells to be utilised for specific antigen delivery into the mucosal immune system in some parenteral vaccinations.