title: Merkel cells in the human oesophagus.
abstract: Merkel cells (MCs) are well recognized in the basal layers of the skin and oral mucosa, but this paper describes for the first time the presence of MCs in the human oesophagus. These cells are not identified in neonatal oesophagus, but are seen singly and in clusters in adult specimens. Application of stereological techniques shows that MCs are more numerous in the mid-oesophageal region. Cells expressing established markers of MCs have also been demonstrated in two out of six primary small cell carcinomas of the oesophagus. Further investigation of the role of MCs in oesophageal innervation and epithelial biology will be of interest.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, U.K.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Harmse
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Christie
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hopwood
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lucocq
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002452:Cell Count; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D053554:Keratin-20; D018862:Merkel Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; C507499:KRT20 protein, human; D053554:Keratin-20; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins