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Related Concept Videos

Cells of the Epidermis01:24

Cells of the Epidermis

The epidermis is made of four or five layers of epithelial cells, depending on its location in the body. From deep to superficial, these layers are the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum.
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...

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Merkel cells--review on developmental, functional and clinical aspects.

S Polakovicova1, H Seidenberg, R Mikusova

  • 1Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia. simona.polakovicova@fmed.uniba.sk

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|April 5, 2011
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Summary

Merkel cells (MCs) are neuroendocrine cells in the skin. This review covers their function, development, and clinical significance, including Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) diagnosis and treatment.

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Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Merkel cells (MCs) are neuroendocrine cells in the epidermis, crucial for touch sensation.
  • Their density varies by body site, and they are challenging to identify with standard light microscopy.
  • Cytokeratin 20 is a specific marker for MC identification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the function, development, and clinical importance of Merkel cells.
  • To discuss the origin of Merkel cells, whether neural crest or epidermal.
  • To highlight Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), its diagnosis, and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Merkel cell function, development, and clinical significance.
  • Discussion of diagnostic methods including light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry (Cytokeratin 20).
  • Review of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) classification, diagnosis, and treatment modalities.

Main Results:

  • Merkel cells are post-mitotic neuroendocrine cells in the epidermal basal layer.
  • Their origin remains debated: neural crest or epidermal keratinocyte differentiation.
  • Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive malignancy, often in the head and neck, diagnosed via histology and immunohistochemistry.

Conclusions:

  • Merkel cells play a vital role in cutaneous neuroendocrine function.
  • Understanding MCs is critical for diagnosing and managing MCC.
  • MCC treatment involves surgery for primary tumors and oncological therapy for advanced stages.