Specific Expression of Apolipoprotein A-IV in the Follicle-Associated Epithelium of the Small Intestine

Background Peyer’s patches (PPs), which are covered by specialized follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) including M cells, play a central role in immune induction in the gastrointestinal tract. This study is to investigate a new molecule to characterize PPs. Methods We generated a monoclonal antibody (mAb 10-15-3-3) that specifically reacts to the epithelium of PPs and isolated lymphoid follicles. Target antigen was analyzed by immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Localization and expression of target antigen were evaluated by immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization and real-time PCR. Results Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry revealed that mAb 10-15-3-3 recognized apolipoprotein A-IV (ApoA-IV), a well-known lipid transporter; this finding was confirmed by the specific reactivity of mAb 10-15-3-3 to cells transfected with the murine ApoA-IV gene. Immunofluorescence using mAb 10-15-3-3 showed intestinal localization of ApoA-IV, in which strong expression of the ApoA-IV protein occurred throughout the entire intestinal epithelium during developing period before weaning but was restricted to the FAE in adult mice. In support of these findings, in situ hybridization showed strong expression of the ApoA-IV gene throughout the entire intestinal epithelium during developing period before weaning, but this expression was restricted to the FAE predominantly and the tips of villi to a lesser extent in adult mice. Deficiency of ApoA-IV had no effect on the organogenesis of PP in mice. Conclusions Our current results reveal ApoA-IV as a novel FAE-specific marker especially in the upper small intestine of adult mice.