Antigen transport and cytoskeletal characteristics of a distinct enterocyte population in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Intestinal antigen uptake is enhanced in inflammatory bowel disease. We analyzed transcellular transport routes of antigens in different compartments of normal enterocytes and atypical intestinal epithelial cells called "rapid antigen uptake into the cytosol enterocytes" (RACE cells). These cells constitute a recently described population of enterocyte-derived cells, which are increased in inflammatory bowel disease.