Peyer’s patches
Synopsis of Peyer’s patches
Peyer’s patches are small masses of lymphoid tissue found primarily in the ileum, the final part of the small intestine. They are an essential component of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and play a critical role in immune surveillance of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Named after the 17th-century Swiss anatomist Johann Conrad Peyer, these patches are visible as oval or round nodules embedded in the mucosal lining of the intestine.
Each Peyer’s patch contains clusters of immune cells, including B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, macrophages, and specialized antigen-sampling M cells. They work together to detect and respond to potentially harmful microorganisms in ingested food, as well as to maintain tolerance to beneficial microbes and dietary antigens. By producing IgA antibodies and activating immune responses locally, Peyer’s patches help protect the intestinal lining and regulate the composition of the gut microbiome.
Medical Information
Peyer’s patches are central to the intestinal immune system and influence both local and systemic immunity:
-
Immune training: They help educate developing immune cells to distinguish between harmful and harmless antigens.
-
Oral tolerance: They play a role in preventing overreaction to food proteins and commensal (friendly) bacteria.
-
IgA secretion: B cells activated in Peyer’s patches migrate to mucosal sites and secrete immunoglobulin A, which neutralizes pathogens and maintains gut barrier integrity.
Dysfunction or abnormal stimulation of Peyer’s patches has been linked to autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease, and impaired mucosal immunity. They may also be targeted by enteric pathogens (e.g., Salmonella, Yersinia) that exploit M cells to invade the body.
Their number and activity peak during adolescence and decline with age, which may contribute to reduced mucosal immunity in older adults.
Natural remedies to support Peyer’s patches
Probiotics and prebiotics: Support beneficial bacteria and help regulate mucosal immune response.
Glutamine: Nourishes intestinal cells and strengthens the gut barrier.
Zinc: Vital for immune cell function and repair of intestinal tissue.
Vitamin A and D: Key regulators of immune tolerance and mucosal immunity. Colostrum: Contains immune factors that may support GALT development.
Fermented foods: Help maintain a balanced microbiome and enhance immune signaling.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to support Peyer’s patches.
2'-Fucosyllactose
arabinogalactan
bacillus subtilis
Beta-Glucan
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
colostrum
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
immunoglobin G
inulin
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus crispatus
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus helveticus
lactobacillus jensenii
lactobacillus lactis
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lactococcus lactis
magnesium
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
saccharomyces boulardii
slippery elm bark
turkey tail mushroom
vitamin A
vitamin D
xylooligosaccharides
zinc
2-Fucosyllactose
Arabinogalactans
Acidophilus
Arabinogalactan
Bifidobacterium
Butyric acid
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium (various species)
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifobacterium (mixed)
botanical (unspecified)
Beta-Glucans
Bifidobacterium animalis lactis
Bifidobacterium (mixed)
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bacillus (mixed)
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bacillus (unspecified)
Bacillus subtilis natto
Bacteria (unspecified)
Bifidobacteria (unspecified)
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
Beta-glucogallin
Calcium Oligofructose
Colotsrum
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Copper Fructo-Oligosaccharides
Chicory fiber
Clostridium butyricum
Chitin-glucan
Calcium Fructo-Oligosaccharides
Enterococcus
Fiber Blend
food additive (unspecified)
Fructo-Oligosaccharides (FOS)
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
Fructo-Oligosaccharides
Fructan (unspecified)
Glycomacropeptides
Galactooligosaccharides
High amylose polysaccharide
Immunoglobulin G
Inulin
Immunoglobulins
Intestine
Inulin
Intestine
immunoglobulin
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactococcus lactis
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactococcus casei
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus mixed)
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus salivarius
L. lactis (unspecified)
Leuconostoc lactis
Lactoferrin
Lactobacillus (unspepcified)
Larch arabinogalactan
Mannanoligosaccharides
Mannan
Oligosaccharide (unspecified)
Oligosaccharide (unspecified)
Oligosaccharide
Oligosaccharides
organic acid (unspecified)
Peptidomannan
Prebiotic (unspecified)
Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. Shermanii
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
Probiotics
Peptidoglycan
Probiotic (unspecified)
Propionibacterium freudenreichii shermanii
plant (unspecified)
Resistant Starch
Saccharomyces boulardii
Saccharomyces boullardii
Saccharomyces boulardii
Transfer Factor
Xylooligosaccharides
Yogurt
Yogurt