title: Merkel cells and touch domes: more than mechanosensory functions?
abstract: The touch dome (TD) is an innervated structure in the epidermis of mammalian skin. Composed of specialized keratinocytes and neuroendocrine Merkel cells, the TD has distinct molecular characteristics compared to the surrounding epidermal keratinocytes. Much of the research on Merkel cell function has focused on their role in mechanosensation, specifically light touch. Recently, more has been discovered about Merkel cell molecular characteristics and their cells of origin. Here we review Merkel cell and TD biology, and discuss potential functions beyond mechanosensation.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Jonathan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brownell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000502:physiology; D018862:Merkel Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000294:innervation; D014110:Touch / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Merkel cell; endocrine; immune; mechanosensation; touch dome