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Since their first description in 1875, Merkel cells have remained an elusive cell type. Their origin as well as their classification as mechanoreceptors have been a matter of controversy and intense discussion. The peptidergic granules in these cells are suggestive of neuroendocrine functions, but their discovery has raised additional questions regarding Merkel cell function.
Essential aspects of structure, development and function of normal Merkel cells and Merkel cell carcinoma are presented in short chapters, providing concise and up-to date information on this fascinating cell type.
List of contents
Morphology.- Merkel Cell-Nerve Endings Functioning as Mechanoreceptors in Vertebrates.- Three Dimensional Microanatomy of Merkel Cells.- Staining of Living Merkel Cells with FM Dyes.- Distribution of Merkel Cells in Normal Skin and Mucosae in Dogs.- Merkel Cells in Transplanted Flaps.- Merkel Cells in Malassez Epithelium.- Morphological Changes in Merkel Cells of Mucosa Underlying Dentures.- A Study on the Sensory System of Peri-Implant Tissue - Behavior of Merkel Cells and Nerve Fibres.- Merkel Cell Nerve Endings in Sinus Hairs of Young and Aged Rats.- Immunohistochemical Characterization of Normal Canine Merkel Cells.- Merkel Cells in the Human Fetal and Adult Esophagus.- Cellular Localization of Prepro-Orexin and Orexin Receptors (OX1R and OX2R) in Merkel Cells.- Possible Functional Significance of Spatial Relationship Between Merkel Cells and Langerhans Cells in Human Hair Follicles.- Neurobiology of the Murine Pelage Hair Follicle.- Development.- Mammalian Merkel Cells Are Neural Crest Derivatives.- Merkel Cells Are Postmitotic Cells of Neural Crest Origin.- Dissociation, Quantification and Culture of Normal Human Merkel Cells Among Epidermal Cell Populations Derived from Glabrous and Hairy Skin Sites.- Growth of Nerve Fibers to Merkel Cells Observed in Co-Culture of Sensory Ganglia and Sinus Hair Follicles.- Merkel Cell Development is Independent of L1 Adhesion Molecule.- Merkel Cell Mechanoreceptors.- The Functional Significance of the Vibrissal System of Marine Mammals.- Confocal Microscopic Analysis of Full Merkel Cell Innervation in Cat Mystacial Vibrissa Follicles.- Voltage Dependent Calcium Channels in Merkel Cells of Hamster Oral Mucosa.- Localization of Signal Transduction Proteins in the Merkel Cell Axon Complex.- Are Glutamate Receptors Involved inTransmission at the Junction Between Merkel Cell and Nerve Terminal?.- Glutamate Receptor-Like Immunoreactivity in Rat Vibrissal Merkel Cells.- Transduction in Merkel Cell Mechanoreceptors - What Is the Job of the Merkel Cell?.- Merkel Cell Carcinoma.- Merkel Cell Carcinoma - A Short Review.- Histochemistry of Glycoconjugates in Merkel Cell Carcinomas.- Gene Expression Profiling Reveals Two Distinct Subtypes of Merkel Cell Carcinoma.- Expression of Developmentally Regulated Transcription Factors in Merkel Cell Carcinoma.- Expression Patterns of Connexins in Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Adjacent Epidermis.- Expression Patterns of Tight Junction Proteins in Merkel Cell Carcinoma.- Ganglioside Profiles of Merkel Cell Carcinoma.- MOC-31, Cytokeratin 7 and S-100 Protein Immunoreactivity in Merkel Cell and Merkel Cell Carcinoma.- Merkel Cell Carcinomas Possess Telomerase Activity.- Chemotherapy in Merkel Cell Carcinoma with Distant Metastasis - Proposal of a Pan-European Clinical Trial.- Authors Index.
Summary
Since their first description in 1875, Merkel cells have remained an elusive cell type. Their origin as well as their classification as mechanoreceptors have been a matter of controversy and intense discussion. The peptidergic granules in these cells are suggestive of neuroendocrine functions, but their discovery has raised additional questions regarding Merkel cell function.
Essential aspects of structure, development and function of normal Merkel cells and Merkel cell carcinoma are presented in short chapters, providing concise and up-to date information on this fascinating cell type.
