Localization of fatty acid binding protein of epidermal type common to dendritic cells and presumptive macrophages in Peyer's patches and epithelial M cells of mouse intestine.

Fatty acid binding protein of epidermal type (E-FABP) was expressed/localized in most, if not all, populations of the dendritic cells in the subepithelial domes, follicles and interfollicular regions of Peyer's patches and presumptive macrophages in their germinal centers, and all M cells in the follicle-associated epithelium of mouse intestine. The immunoreactivity in both of the cell populations makes it easy to recognize the accumulation of DCs in the subepithelial domes in close proximity to the base of M cells, which is essential for luminal antigens to be transported to Peyer's patches. E-FABP may play some important roles in the mucosal immune reaction through Peyer's patches and associated structures.