title: Recent progress in studies on Merkel cell biology.
abstract: Merkel cells ubiquitously distribute in the skin of vertebrates, from cyclostomes to mammals. It is well known that mammalian Merkel cells coupled with axon terminals of type I sensory nerve fibers form slowly adapting mechanoreceptors, Merkel endings, within the epidermis. However, there are still many unresolved problems in the biology of Merkel cells. We reviewed recently acquired knowledge about the histochemical nature of Merkel cell granules, the morphological heterogeneity of Merkel cells and the roles of neurotrophins and their receptors for the development and survival of the cells. We discuss the functional significance of Merkel cell granules and the heterogeneity of Merkel cell populations.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Oral Anatomy, School of Dentistry, Iwate Medical University, 1-3-27, Chu-o-dori, Morioka 020-8505, Japan. tatamiko@iwate-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tamiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tachibana
authors.forename: Tokio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nawa
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D018862:Merkel Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate