Anatomical mapping of Merkel cells in normal human adult epidermis
Abstract
The distribution of Merkel cells (MCs) in normal human skin and mucosa was studied using the mouse monoclonal antibody Troma-1, reacting specifically with component 8 of the Moll cytokeratin catalogue. The specificity of this antibody for MCs in human skin was assessed by double indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and immunoelectron microscopy. Two-hundred and thirty 6-mm punch biopsies were obtained from 44 different sites from six human cadavers within 48 h post-mortem. IIF was performed with Troma-1 on EDTA-split epithelial sheets and the MCs were counted and the mean values per mm2 calculated for each site. Regions with greater than 50 MC/mm2 were the lips, hard palate, palms, finger pads, proximal nail fold, and dorsum of the feet. Three different patterns were observed in the epidermis or mucosa: MCs grouped in clumps, linear and arciform arrangements, and scattered MCs. In the hair follicles grouped MCs were observed in the bulb and scattered MCs were seen in the outer root sheath.
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In the fingerpad of normal adults, up to 10,000 Merkel cells/cm2 can be found, but not all appear to serve mechanoreceptive functions or are connected to nerve fibers.
“In the fingerpad of normal adults, up to 10,000 Merkel cells/cm 2 can be found, but not all of them appear to serve mechanoreceptive functions or are connected to nerve fibers (Lacour et al. 1991).”
From Tactile innervation densities across the whole body (2020) · cites this paper as Lacour et al. 1991
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Tactile innervation densities across the whole body
Corniani, G., & Saal, H. P. (2020) · Journal of Neurophysiology · doi:10.1152/jn.00313.2020 · Cited by 396 · see citing works
Sensory capacity of reinnervated skin after redirection of amputated upper limb nerves to the chest
Marasco, P. D., Schultz, A. E., & Kuiken, T. A. (2009) · Brain · doi:10.1093/brain/awp082 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Merkel cells: A collective review of current concepts
Abraham, J., & Mathew, S. (2019) · International Journal of Applied and Basic Medical Research · doi:10.4103/ijabmr.ijabmr_34_18 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
“[12,13] MCs are more distributed in the skin exposed to sun than in concealed skin.[14] Histologically, they appear clear and oval, localized in the basal cell layer of the epidermis.”
Background
- Authors
- LACOUR, J. P., DUBOIS, D., PISANI, A., & ORTONNE, J. P.
- Affiliations
- Université Côte d'Azur (FR)
- Corresponding author
- LACOUR, J.P.
- ORCID
- LACOUR, J.P.
- Venue
- British Journal of Dermatology
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 1991-12
- Volume
- 125
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 535-542
- ISSN
- 0007-0963 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2133
- OpenAlex
- W1994458954
- Cited by
- 112
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- British Journal of Dermatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Polyomavirus and related diseases
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Tactile and Sensory Interactions
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Skin and Cellular Biology Research
- Keywords
- Merkel cells, epidermis, skin anatomy, mucosa, hair follicle, outer root sheath, cadaver skin, immunofluorescence, immunoelectron microscopy
- MeSH terms
- Epidermal Cells, Adult, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Cell Count, Epithelial Cells, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Humans, Keratins, Neurosecretory Systems, Sensitivity and Specificity, Microscopy, Immunoelectron
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