M-Cell Surface β1 Integrin Expression and Invasin-Mediated Targeting of <i>Yersinia pseudotuberculosis</i> to Mouse Peyer’s Patch M Cells

Abstract

Quantitative analysis of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection of murine gut loops revealed that significantly more wild-type bacteria associated with Peyer's patch M cells than with dome enterocytes or goblet cells. An invasin-deficient mutant was significantly attenuated for M-cell invasion, while beta1 integrin expression was demonstrated in the apical membranes of M cells but not enterocytes. M-cell targeting by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in vivo may, therefore, be mediated primarily by the interaction of invasin with cell surface beta1 integrins.