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Related Experiment Videos

Development of rat Merkel cells

K B English, P R Burgess, D Kavka-Van Norman

    The Journal of Comparative Neurology
    |November 15, 1980
    PubMed
    Summary

    Merkel cells in rat skin develop from precursor cells resembling keratocytes. These cells, initially lacking adult features, acquire innervation and mature characteristics during fetal development.

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    Area of Science:

    • Developmental biology
    • Dermatology
    • Neuroscience

    Background:

    • Merkel cells are specialized sensory mechanoreceptors in the epidermis.
    • Their developmental origin and relationship with cutaneous nerves are not fully understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the ultrastructure and developmental timeline of Merkel cells and cutaneous nerves in fetal and neonatal rats.
    • To elucidate the origin of Merkel cells and their interaction with innervating nerves.

    Main Methods:

    • Ultrastructural examination of snout skin from fetal, newborn, and 7-day-old rats.
    • High-resolution microscopy to observe cellular morphology and nerve-epidermal interactions.

    Main Results:

    • Presumptive Merkel cells, characterized by dense-cored vesicles, were first observed at 16 days gestation in the epidermis.
    • Innervation of these cells by nerve axons was observed starting at 17-17.5 days gestation.
    • Merkel cells progressively developed adult characteristics following innervation.

    Conclusions:

    • Merkel cells likely arise from epidermal keratocyte-like precursors.
    • Merkel cell development and innervation occur concurrently during late fetal development in rats.

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