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Merkel Cells Sense Cooling with TRPM8 Channels
Valentine Bouvier1, Yann Roudaut1, Nancy Osorio1
1Aix Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie-Neurophysiologie de Marseille, UMR 7286, Marseille, France.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|November 16, 2017
Summary
Merkel cells sense cold via TRPM8 channels, impacting touch receptor function. This discovery reveals how skin cells detect mild cooling, influencing sensory perception.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Dermatology
- Sensory Biology
Background:
- Merkel cells are key components of slow-adapting type 1 mechanoreceptors in the skin.
- These cells interact with keratinocytes and Aβ nerve fibers to mediate touch sensation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Merkel cells in sensing cold temperatures.
- To determine if the transient receptor potential melastatine 8 (TRPM8) channel is involved in cold detection by Merkel cells.
Main Methods:
- Measured intracellular Ca2+ ion concentration in human and mouse Merkel cells.
- Utilized TRPM8 agonists and antagonists.
- Performed experiments on TRPM8 knockout mice.
- Recorded nerve fiber discharge frequencies in response to cooling.
Main Results:
- Merkel cells showed increased intracellular Ca2+ in response to cold and TRPM8 agonists.
- TRPM8 antagonists and knockout mice reduced these responses.
- Cooling skin reduced slow-adapting type 1 receptor discharge frequency, an effect absent in TRPM8 knockout mice.
Conclusions:
- Merkel cells are polymodal sensory cells that detect mild cold stimuli through TRPM8 channels.
- Thermal activation of Merkel cells and potentially keratinocytes modulates slow-adapting type 1 receptor responses during cooling.
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