The mucosal immune system plays a crucial part in the control of infection. Exposure of humans and animals to potential pathogens generally occurs through mucosal surfaces, thus, strategies that target the mucosa seem rational and efficient vaccination measures. Vaccination through the mucosal immune system can induce effective systemic immune responses simultaneously with mucosal immunity compared with parenteral vaccination. M cells are capable of transporting luminal antigens to the underlying lymphoid tissues and can be exploited by pathogens as an entry portal to invade the host. Therefore, targeting M-cell-specific molecules might enhance antigen entry, initiate the immune response, and induce protection against mucosal pathogens. Here, we outline our understanding of the distribution and function of M cells, and summarize the advances in mucosal vaccine strategies that target M cells.
Keywords: ANX, Annexin; BALT, bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue; C5aR, C5a receptor; DCs, dendritic cells; DENV, dengue virus; EDIII, envelope domain III; FAE, follicle-associated epithelium; GALT, gut-associated lymphoid tissue; GENALT, genital-associated lymphoid tissue; GP2, Glycoprotein 2; Hsp60, heat shock protein 60; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; M cells; M cells, microfold cells; MALT, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue; NALT, nasopharynx- or nose-associated lymphoid tissue; OVA, ovalbumin; OmpH, outer membrane protein H; PP, Peyer's patches; PRRs, pathogen recognition receptors; PrPC, cellular prion protein; SELEX, Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment; SIgA secretory IgA; TLR-4, Toll-like receptor-4; UEA-1,Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1; antigen; infection; mucosal immunity; pσ1, reovirus surface protein σ1; vaccine.