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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
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In Vivo Two-Photon Microscopy of Single Nerve Endings in Skin
Published on: August 24, 2014
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Synaptophysin is a selective marker for axons in human cutaneous end organ complexes
Yolanda García-Mesa1, Jorge García-Piqueras1, Patricia Cuendias1
1Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular - Grupo SINPOs, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
Summary
Synaptophysin, a key synaptic vesicle protein, is found in human mechanoreceptors and Merkel cells, suggesting a role in touch sensation and neurotransmission.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Mechanoreceptors in the skin utilize small synaptic-like vesicles, whose function remains debated but may involve neurotransmitter release.
- Synaptophysin, a prevalent synaptic vesicle membrane protein, is found in the nervous system but its presence in skin mechanoreceptors was unexamined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and distribution of synaptophysin in human cutaneous mechanoreceptors and associated neural structures.
- To determine if synaptophysin co-localizes with PIEZO2, a known mechanosensitive protein, in these sensory endings.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect synaptophysin in human dorsal root ganglia, Meissner's corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles, and Merkel cell-neurite complexes.
- The study spanned a wide age range, from fetal development to elderly individuals.
- Co-localization analysis with PIEZO2 was performed on adult skin samples.
Main Results:
- Synaptophysin was detected in a significant percentage (36 ± 6%) of primary sensory neurons across all soma sizes.
- Positive synaptophysin immunoreactivity was observed in Meissner's and Pacinian corpuscle axons starting from early fetal stages and continuing into adulthood.
- Synaptophysin was also present in Merkel cells and co-localized with PIEZO2 in the axons of Meissner's corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles, and Merkel cells.
Conclusions:
- A subset of primary sensory neurons and their axon terminals in cutaneous sensory corpuscles contain synaptophysin.
- The presence of this presynaptic vesicle protein suggests a potential role in neurotransmission and mechanotransduction within these sensory structures.
Keywords:
HumanImmunohistochemistryMeisner corpusclesMerkel cell- neurite complexesPIEZO2Pacinian corpusclesSynaptophysinMore Related Videos
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