味蕾细胞单细胞转录组学数据分析，申请者发现味蕾细胞选择性表达有肠道微皱褶细胞多种标志蛋白。微皱褶细胞作为特化的肠道上皮免疫监测细胞，能够识别和胞吞外源有害物质引发皮下免疫应答。味蕾细胞作为人类味觉感受的细胞基础，长期暴露于各种食物中，除了味觉感受功能外，是否具有肠道微皱褶细胞相似的免疫监测等功能尚不清楚。基于此，本研究提出了味蕾细胞类肠道微皱褶细胞样功能假设，拟通过分析微皱褶细胞标志蛋白在味蕾细胞中的表达分布模式和分化调控机制，确定味蕾细胞类肠道微皱褶细胞样功能的分子基础；通过味蕾细胞类微皱褶细胞样转运功能分析、促炎性因子表达和免疫细胞皮下分布、及成熟微皱褶细胞标志蛋白缺失基因敲除小鼠味觉行为改变分析，揭示味蕾细胞类微皱褶细胞样新功能及与口腔味觉感受相关性。上述味蕾细胞类肠道微皱褶细胞样新功能揭示，为味觉领域研究提供新的思路，可能对提高味觉异常者生活质量及健康饮食具有重要指导意义。

By analyzing single-cell transcriptome data of different types of taste cells, we found that taste cells selectively expressed multiple marker proteins of intestinal microfold cells (M cells). M cells in lymphoid tissues of the gut have the unique ability to phagocytize macromolecules and microbes to initiate antigen-specific mucosal immune responses. Taste cells as the cellular basis of human taste perception are regularly exposed to foods. In addition to taste-sensing function, how taste cells might recognize and respond to potentially harmful microbes and macromolecules like the intestinal M cells is unknown. Based on above mentioned, the hypothesis of taste bud cells may function as intestinal M cells is proposed in this study. Molecular basis of immune surveillance function of taste bud cells is documented by analyzing the pattern of expression and differentiation of M cell marker proteins in taste bud cells. Through analysis of M cell-like transport function of taste cells, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and distribution of immune cell, and behavioral changes of the mice of mature M cell marker gene deletion, we shed light on the new function of taste cells and the correlation with oral taste perception. Elaboration of the above-mentioned M cell-like function of taste cells provides an innovative idea for the research in the field of taste, and may benefit to improve the quality of life and healthy diet of people with abnormal taste.