The ability to deliver particulates to Peyer's patch M cells for uptake into gut-associated lymphoid tissue was examined by administering simultaneously fluorescent green and red polystyrene microspheres into NZW rabbit intestinal loops containing Peyer's patches. Whereas green and red microspheres were taken up by M cells at equivalent concentrations (120 +/- 17 versus 125 +/- 18/mm length of dome), particles conjugated to the anti-M-cell monoclonal antibody 5B11 (IgM, kappa) were internalized by M cells 3-3.5 times more efficiently than conjugates displaying IgM of unrelated specificity (TEPC 183) or native particles of the reciprocal colour inoculated into the same loop at a comparable load. The microspheres formed a concentration gradient from lumen to subepithelial dome, and localized on M-cell apical membranes, M-cell pockets, and subepithelial domes. The transport rate across M cells of 5B11 or TEPC 183 conjugates was similar to that of untreated microspheres. These observations show that intestinal uptake into Peyer's patches can be upregulated by targeting M-cell luminal membrane structures.