Distinct fucosylation of M cells and epithelial cells by Fut1 and Fut2, respectively, in response to intestinal environmental stress

K Terahara, T Nochi, M Yoshida, Y Takahashi… - Biochemical and …, 2011 - Elsevier
K Terahara, T Nochi, M Yoshida, Y Takahashi, Y Goto, H Hatai, S Kurokawa, MH Jang
Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 2011Elsevier
The intestinal epithelium contains columnar epithelial cells (ECs) and M cells, and
fucosylation of the apical surface of ECs and M cells is involved in distinguishing the two
populations and in their response to commensal flora and environmental stress. Here, we
show that fucosylated ECs (F-ECs) were induced in the mouse small intestine by the pro-
inflammatory agents dextran sodium sulfate and indomethacin, in addition to an
enteropathogen derived cholera toxin. Although F-ECs showed specificity for the M cell …
The intestinal epithelium contains columnar epithelial cells (ECs) and M cells, and fucosylation of the apical surface of ECs and M cells is involved in distinguishing the two populations and in their response to commensal flora and environmental stress. Here, we show that fucosylated ECs (F-ECs) were induced in the mouse small intestine by the pro-inflammatory agents dextran sodium sulfate and indomethacin, in addition to an enteropathogen derived cholera toxin. Although F-ECs showed specificity for the M cell-markers, lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 and our monoclonal antibody NKM 16-2-4, these cells also retained EC-phenotypes including an affinity for the EC-marker lectin wheat germ agglutinin. Interestingly, fucosylation of Peyer’s patch M cells and F-ECs was distinctly regulated by α(1,2)fucosyltransferase Fut1 and Fut2, respectively. These results indicate that Fut2-mediated F-ECs share M cell-related fucosylated molecules but maintain distinctive EC characteristics, Fut1 is, therefore, a reliable marker for M cells.
Elsevier