Figure 1.

A schematic diagram of interaction between nanoparticles and a mucosal membrane, and the induction of mucosal immunity. At the mucosal membrane, the transport of nanoparticles is considered as mediated by caveolin-1, clathrin, and micropinocytosis into M cells. After antigen presentation, B cells migrate from the NALT to the cervical lymph nodes. IgA-producing plasma cells subsequently produce dimeric or polymeric forms of IgA. Dimeric IgA becomes secretory IgA on the epithelial cells of the mucosal membranes and is released into the mucosal tract.