Peyers Patches

Lymphocytes are formed initially in

primary lymphoid organs (thymus and
bone marrow), but most lymphocyte
activation and proliferation occur in
secondary lymphoid organs (lymph nodes,
spleen, and diffuse lymphoid tissue found in
the mucosa of the digestive system,
including the tonsils, Peyers patches and
appendix.
Large aggregates of lymphoid nodules
comprise the Peyer Patches, each containing A section through a Peyer patch shows a few
dozens of nodules with no underlying lymphoid nodules (N), some with germinal
connective tissue capsule. centers (arrow). The mucosa of the small
The simple columnar epithelium that covers intestine is folded into many projecting villi
the lymphoid nodules of Peyer patches (V).
includes large epithelial M cells with
apical microfolds rather than the brush
border typical of the neighboring
enterocytes. On the basal side M cells have
large intracellular pockets that contain
transient populations of lymphocytes and
dendritic cells and open to the underlying
lymphoid tissue through a highly porous
basement membrane. Antigens in the
intestinal lumen are continuously sampled at
the apical surface of these cells and
transferred to the immune cells in the
pockets. Lymphocytes and dendritic cells
leaving the M cell pockets through the
basement membrane pores interact and A summary diagram showing that antigens
initiate adaptive responses to the antigens, in the gut lumen are bound by M cells and
which results in formation of the secondary undergo transcytosis into their
lymphoid nodules. Locally produced B cells intraepithelial pockets where dendritic cells
give rise to plasma cells secreting IgA, take up the antigen, process it, and present it
which is transported by enterocytes into the to T helper cells. B lymphocytes stimulated
intestinal lumen to bind and neutralize by the Th cells differentiate into plasma
potentially harmful antigens. cells secreting IgA antibodies. The IgA is
transported into the gut lumen where it binds
its antigen on the surface of
microorganisms, neutralizing potentially
harmful invaders before they penetrate the
mucosa.
Structure:
Peyer's patches are observable as elongated
thickenings of the intestinal
epithelium measuring a few centimeters in
length. About 100 are found in humans.
Microscopically, Peyer's patches appear as
oval or round lymphoid follicles (similar
to lymph nodes) located in
the submucosa layer of the ileum and extend
into the mucosa layer. The number of Peyer's
patches peaks at age 1525 and then
declines during adulthood.[1] In the distal
ileum, they are numerous and they form a
lymphoid ring. At least 46% of Peyer's
patches are concentrated in the distal 25 cm
of ileum in humans. It is important to note that
there are large variations in size, shape, and
distribution of Peyer's patches from one
individual to another one.] In adults, B
lymphocytes are seen to dominate the
follicles' germinal centers. T lymphocytes are
found in the zones between follicles. Among
the mononuclear cells, CD4+/CD25+ (10%)
cells and CD8+/CD25+ (5%) cells are more
abundant in Peyer's patches than in the
peripheral blood.
Peyer's patches are characterized by
the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE), which
covers all lymphoid follicles. FAE differs from
typical small intestinal villus epithelium: it has
fewer goblet cells therefore mucus layer is
thinner, and it is also characterized by the
presence of specialized M cells or microfold
cells, which provide uptake and transport of
antigens from lumen. Moreover, basal
lamina of follicle-associated epithelium is
more porous compare to intestinal
villus. Finally, follicle-associated epithelium is
less permeable for ions and macromolecules,
basically due to higher expression of tight
junctionproteins.
Peyers patches are located in the lamina
propria and submucosa of small intestine
and may be distinguishable by the lack of
villi covering them. The patches are regions
of concentrated B lymphocyte follicles
covered in a dome of a specialised follicle
associated epithelium (FAE) which consists
of follicle associated enterocytes and M
(microfold or multifold) cells.
M cells
M cells transport antigens from the intestinal
lumen to the lymphocytes. Their luminal
surface is folded and takes up antigens from
the intestine via endocytosis and transports
them to the extracellular space on their basal
surface where the antigen is processed by
antigen presenting cells.
Function
Peyers patches have a similar role to that of
the avian bursa of Fabricius in maturing and
differentiation immature B lymphocytes.
Antigens are presented to the B lymphocytes
in the follicle which causes the B cells to
become committed to IgA synthesis. In
ruminants and pigs Peyer's patches in the
ileum have a primary lympoid fuction while
those in the jejenum have a secondary
lymphoid function.
Because the lumen of the gastrointestinal
tract is exposed to the external environment,
much of it is populated with
potentially pathogenic microorganisms.
Peyer's patches thus establish their
importance in the immune surveillance of the
intestinal lumen and in facilitating the
generation of the immune response within
the mucosa.
Pathogenic microorganisms and
other antigens entering the intestinal tract
encounter macrophages, dendritic cells, B-
lymphocytes, and T-lymphocytes found in
Peyer's patches and other sites of gut-
associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Peyer's
patches thus act for the gastrointestinal
system much as the tonsils act for
the respiratory system, trapping foreign
particles, surveilling them, and destroying
them.
Peyer's patches are covered by a special
follicle-associated epithelium that contains
specialized cells called microfold cells (M surface of each Peyers patch. These
cells) which sample antigen directly from the antigens are passed on to the lymphoid
lumen and deliver it to antigen-presenting tissue, where they are absorbed by
cells (located in a unique pocket-like structure macrophages and presented to T
on their basolateral side). Dendritic cells and lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. When
macrophages can also directly sample the presented with dangerous pathogenic
lumen by extending dendrites through antigens, lymphocytes trigger the
transcellular M cell-specific pores. At the
immune response by producing
same time the paracellular pathway of follicle-
pathogen-specific antibodies; turning
associated epithelium is closed tightly to
prevent penetration of antigens and into pathogen-killing cytotoxic T
continuous contact with immune cells. T lymphocytes; and migrating through
cells, B-cells and memory cells are stimulated lymphatic vessels to lymph nodes to
upon encountering antigen in Peyer's patches. alert the other cells of the immune
These cells then pass to the mesenteric lymph system. The body then prepares a full
nodes where the immune response is body-wide immune response to the
amplified. Activated lymphocytes pass into the pathogen before it is able to spread
blood stream via the thoracic duct and travel beyond the intestines.
to the gut where they carry out their final
effector functions.The maturation of B-
lymphocytes takes place in the Peyer's patch.
Peyers patches are small masses of
lymphatic tissue found throughout the
ileum region of the small intestine. Also
known as aggregated lymphoid nodules,
they form an important part of the
immune system by monitoring intestinal
bacteria populations and preventing the
growth of pathogenic bacteria in the
intestines.

Peyers patches are roughly egg-shaped

lymphatic tissue nodules that are similar
to lymph nodes in structure, except that
they are not surrounded by a connective
tissue capsule. They belong to a class of
non-encapsulated lymphatic tissue
known as lymphatic nodules, which
include the tonsils and lymphatic tissue
of the appendix. Special epithelial cells
known as microfold cells line the side of
the Peyers patch facing the intestinal
lumen, while the outer side contains
many lymphoid cells and lymphatic
vessels.

The function of Peyers patches is to

analyze and respond to pathogenic
microbes in the ileum. Antigens from
microbes in the gut are absorbed via
endocytosis by microfold cells lining the