To evoke the mucosal immune system, which forms the largest part of the entire immune system, antigens on the mucosal surface must be transported across the epithelial barrier. The molecular mechanisms promoting this antigen uptake, called antigen transcytosis and mediated by specialized epithelial M cells, remain largely unknown. Here, glycoprotein 2, specifically expressed by M cells, is reported to serve as a transcytotic receptor for mucosal antigens.
- Koji Hase
- Kazuya Kawano
- Hiroshi Ohno
