Merkel Cells in the Vellus Hair Follicles of Human Facial Skin: A Study Using Confocal Laser Microscopy

Uchigasaki, Shuhko; Suzuki, Hiroyuki; Inoue, Kinji

doi:10.1111/j.1346-8138.2004.tb00658.x

Cited by 11 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The proliferation of these cells seems to involve a differentiation from their precursor that may reside in the dermis. In a recent study it was postulated that non-innervate Merkel cells in the skin could be undifferentiated or immature elements (Uchigasaki et al, 2004). Moreover, Narisawa et al (1992) shown that in the human embryos Merkel cells express nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor just before epidermal innervations suggesting a role in this physiologic process.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Merkel cells and permanent disesthesia in the oral mucosa after soft tissue grafts

Aimetti¹,

Romano²,

Cricenti³

et al. 2010

Journal Cellular Physiology

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Connective tissue grafts are routinely procedures in the treatment of gingival defects. The clinical success of the gingival tissue graft procedures anyway should ensure not only the aesthetic integration between the tissues but also the physiological activity of the graft in terms of sensitivity and immunity because the skin and the mucosae constitute the first natural aspecific borders against pathogens. The aim of this paper was to investigate nervous net recovery after connective graft procedure, in relation with sensorial alteration in the injured area. Results showed that there is a close link among the number of Merkel cells and the alteration of sensations. Merkel cells can be found isolated standing in the basal layer, supposed to have neuroendocrine functions in the epithelia or in larger group not associated with nerves; when found in association with nerves they are named Merkel complexes, acting as slow adapter mechanical receptor. Our data can be explained in two ways: Merkel cells increase as a consequence of tissue injury, a sort of "SOS cells" that secrete neuroendocrine signals to guide tissue healing; as an alternative the presence of the Merkel cells could be read as a derailment of tissue regeneration with the stop of cellular differentiation in the direction of an abnormal proliferation, a sort of mad stem cell.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Merkel cells and permanent disesthesia in the oral mucosa after soft tissue grafts

Aimetti¹,

Romano²,

Cricenti³

et al. 2010

Journal Cellular Physiology

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“…dendritic or round cells. In addition, MCs can be found with and without association to nerve Wbers (Fantini and Johansson 1995;Narisawa and Kohda 1995;Tachibana et al 2001;Uchigasaki et al 2004). The various putative functions ascribed to MCs might also be allocated to distinct populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Evidence for distinct populations of human Merkel cells

Eispert

Fuchs

Brandner

et al. 2009

Histochem Cell Biol

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Merkel cells (MCs) are neuroendocrine cells of unknown origin located in the skin. They are identified at electron microscopic level by electron dense granules, at light microscopic level by the presence of cytokeratins 8, 18, 19 and 20. Contradictory reports concerning the presence of other molecules of epithelial as well as neural origin prompted us to investigate whether there are distinct populations of human MCs. Here, we show the heterogeneous expression of villin, N-CAM, NGF-R, and neurofilaments in MCs. Synaptophysin is found in all MCs but with different intensity, nestin is absent. Expression patterns vary between interfollicular epidermis, hair follicles and glabrous epidermis. We conclude that there are distinct populations of MCs, but all populations contain markers for epithelial as well as neural cells. Putative functions of the distinct populations are discussed.

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“…The localization of the cilia-associated Merkel cells is similar to that described for the hair of the head, 9 however their number did not reach those described in the literature. 10 Since Merkel cells at this location are not constantly innervated, 11 their mechanosensitive function is questionable.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Merkel cell distribution in the human eyelid

May¹,

Osterland²

2013

Eur J Histochem

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Although Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid is reported frequently in the literature, only limited information exists about the distribution of Merkel cells in this tissue. Therefore, serial sections of 18 human cadaver eyelids (donors ages ranging between 63 and 97 years) were stained for cytokeratin 20 in various planes. The overall appearance of Merkel cells in these samples was low and mainly located in the outer root layer of the cilia hair follicles. Merkel cells were more frequent in the middle, and almost not detectable at the nasal and temporal edges. The localization is in accordance with that of Merkel cell carcinoma, but concerning the scarce appearance within this adulthood group, a specific physiological role of these cells in the eyelid is difficult to establish.

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Merkel Cells in the Vellus Hair Follicles of Human Facial Skin: A Study Using Confocal Laser Microscopy

Cited by 11 publications

References 24 publications

Merkel cells and permanent disesthesia in the oral mucosa after soft tissue grafts

Merkel cells and permanent disesthesia in the oral mucosa after soft tissue grafts

Evidence for distinct populations of human Merkel cells

Merkel cell distribution in the human eyelid

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