To clarify the nature of M cells, the detailed ultrastructural characteristics and lectin-binding properties of
M cells were investigated in follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) of chicken caecal tonsils. M cells presented
various outlines from columnar to dome shaped. Their polymorphism was dependent on the number of
harboured intraepithelial migrating cells. The lighter and larger nuclei of M cells were situated at more apical
levels in the epithelial lining compared with those of neighbouring microvillous epithelial cells. The
microvilli, which were significantly shorter and thicker than those of adjacent microvillous epithelial cells,
were sparsely distributed or completely absent on the apical surfaces of M cells. In general, the apical
cytoplasm of M cells without microvilli protruded slightly into the intestinal lumen. Numerous small vesicles
were often contained in the apical cytoplasm. The numerous small invaginations of the apical and lateral cell
surfaces suggested active transportation of luminal substances. No canaliculi existed in the apical cytoplasm
of M cells whereas they were often detected in the neighbouring microvillous epithelial cells. A noteworthy
finding was the frequent detection of multivesicular bodies in the apical cytoplasm of M cells. These
multivesicular bodies suggest some degradation of ingested luminal substances during transcytoplasmic
transportation. WGA and 4 other lectins strongly reacted with all epithelial cells except for M cells, this
negativity suggesting a means of detecting M cells in chicken caecal tonsils. Three lectins, DSL, ConA and
Jacalin, reacted weakly with the glycocalyx on M cells. The positive reactivity might allow chicken M cells
to be utilised for specific antigen delivery into the mucosal immune system in some parenteral vaccinations.