Normal rabbit Merkel cells do not express neurofilament proteins.
Three hundred and five normal Merkel cells (MC) were studied in rabbit lip specimens by a double indirect immunofluorescence technique using both neurofilament (NF) antiserum and a monoclonal antibody to rabbit MC. NF proteins were not found to be expressed in MC. This suggests that MC are not neural cells and that NF-positive neuroendocrine carcinomas of the skin do not derive from MC.
D000818:Animals; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D011817:Rabbits
D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins