Pathophysiology of merkel cell

Abstract

The objective of this review is to introduce Merkel cells (MCs), to provide a basic overview on the theoretical background of function, development and clinical importance of MCs. The origin of human MCs have been controversial. Some investigators believe that it is a neural crest derivate, whereas others have proposed that it is a differentiation product of the fetal epidermal keratinocytes. MCs are cells primarily localized in the epidermal basal layer of vertebrates and concentrated in touch-sensitive areas in glabrous, hairy skin and in some mucosa. In routine light microscopy, human MCs can hardly be identified. Cytokeratin 20 (CK20) is a reliable marker with highest degree of specificity. MCs can be also distinguished by electron microscopy. MC carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon and often aggressive malignancy and found mainly in elderly patients. It occurs most frequently in the head and neck region. Diagnosis is based on typical histological presentation on hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stained slides together with the results of immunohistochemistry. Histologically, MCC has been classified into three distinct subtypes: Trabecular, intermediate and small cell type

Using injectoporation to deliver genes to mechanosensory hair cells

“…As such, the system can be readily adapted to meet the needs of different researchers. We anticipate that modifications of this protocol will be useful for the study of other cell types that are difficult to transfect, including mechanosensory cells in other tissues such as Merkel cells in the skin 19 .…”

Merkel cell carcinoma – Beast with two Backs

“…Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrinal tumor, basically originated in skin [1,2]. In 1887, Friedrich Sigmund Merkel was the one who discovered merkel cells (MC) at the tip of rete ridges of epidermis [3].…”

“…However, origin of MC is thought to be different in both the epithelium. Two school of thoughts are present; one is ''neural crest origin'' and another one is ''Epidermal origin'' [2]. As the oral mucosa develops from ectoderm, it was thought that Merkel cells in oral mucosa originates from neural crest cells [6].…”

Surgical Management of Head and Neck Merkel Cell Carcinoma, are we doing Enough?

“…A pathologic study performed by Skelton et al at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [15], examined 132 cases of MCC to determine whether there were clinical or histological characteristics that predict its behaviour. They found that cell size, mitosis, and tumour size were all predictive of survival.…”