Journal article
Localization of Merkel cells at hairless and hairy human skin sites using keratin 18
Biochemistry and cell biology, Vol.73(9-10), pp.635-639
09/01/1995
DOI: 10.1139/o95-070
PMID: 8714683
Abstract
Merkel cells are neurosecretory cells of the skin with epithelial features such as desmosomes and expression of keratins 8, 18, 19, and 20. Merkel cells are scarcely distributed in adult human skin. Although they are present in hair follicles, their density is higher at hairless anatomic sites such as palms and soles. These cells are often innervated by sensory nerve fibers and are thought to be specialized mechanosensory skin receptor cells. However, their precise origin and function are not clearly established. The aim of this study was to localize Merkel cells in human hairless and hairy skin by immunohistochemistry with antibodies Ks18.174 and Ks19.1 directed against keratins 18 and 19, respectively. In glabrous skin of palm and sole, Merkel cells have been localized at the bottom of the rete ridges, in the epidermal basal layer. To study Merkel cell distribution at hairy anatomic sites, we have chosen breast skin, a tissue containing small hair follicles typical of those covering most of the body's surface. Merkel cells were present in the interfollicular epidermis. In hair follicles, they have been identified in the isthmus region.Key words: skin, human, Merkel cell, keratin, hair follicle.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Localization of Merkel cells at hairless and hairy human skin sites using keratin 18
- Creators
- Julie Fradette - Hôpital du Saint-SacrementMarie-Josée GodboutMartine MichelLucie Germain
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Biochemistry and cell biology, Vol.73(9-10), pp.635-639
- DOI
- 10.1139/o95-070
- PMID
- 8714683
- NLM abbreviation
- Biochem Cell Biol
- ISSN
- 0829-8211
- eISSN
- 1208-6002
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/01/1995
- Academic Unit
- Anatomy and Cell Biology; Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984284333102771
Metrics
4 Record Views