enterocyte lysosome-rich enterocyte early enterocyte LRE An enterocyte that possesses a large supranuclear vacuolar system that preferentially internalizes dietary protein via receptor-mediated and fluid-phase endocytosis for intracellular digestion and trans-cellular transport. In zebrafish these cells are located in the posterior region of the mid intestine throughout life. In mammals they are found in the ileum pre-weaning and later are replaced by mature enterocytes. immature enterocyte vacuolated enterocyte