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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.10.15.464565

Maf is a regulator of differentiation for gut immune epithelial cell Microfold cell (M cell)

George, J. J.·Martins, F. T. A.·Martin-Diaz, L.·Viiri, K.
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Abstract

Microfold cells (M cells) are a specialized subset of epithelial intestinal cells responsible for immunosurveillance of the gastrointestinal tract. M cells are located in the Peyers patches and are crucial for monitoring and the transcytosis of antigens, microorganisms, and pathogens via their mature receptor GP2. A mature M cell with Gp2 receptor aids in the uptake of antigens, which are passed through the single layer of epithelium and presented to underlying antigen-presenting cells and processed further down-stream with B cells, T cells, and dendritic cells. Recent studies revealed several transcription factors and ligands responsible for the development and differentiation of mature M cells however, an exhaustive list of factors remains to be elucidated. Our recent work on the epigenetic regulation of M cell development found 12 critical transcription factors that were controlled by the polycomb recessive complex 2. Musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma transcription factor (Maf) was identified as a gene regulated by the polycomb repressive complex (PRC2) during the development of M cells. In this paper, we explore Mafs critical role in M cell differentiation and maturation. Maf falls under the purview of RANKL signaling, is localized in the Peyers patches of the intestine, and is expressed by M cells. Given that, complete knockout of the Maf gene leads to a lethal phenotype, organoids isolated from Maf knockout mice and treated with RANKL exhibited impaired M cell development and a significant decrease in Gp2 expression. These findings reveal that Maf is an important regulator for M cell development and differentiation.

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George, J. J., Martins, F. T. A., Martin-Diaz, L., Viiri, K.. 2021-10-16. Maf is a regulator of differentiation for gut immune epithelial cell Microfold cell (M cell). https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.10.15.464565

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