Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The Merkel cell: recent findings and unresolved problems

T Tachibana1

  • 1Department of Oral Anatomy, Iwate Medical University School of Dentistry, Morioka, Japan.

Archives of Histology and Cytology
|October 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Merkel cells, crucial for skin sensation, are thought to originate from the epidermis. Their diverse functions, including neurotransmitter release and keratinocyte regulation, are still being investigated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Effect of lipopolysaccharide and zymosan on amino acid metabolism in chicks.

British poultry science·2026
Same author

Proximal Femoral Morphology in Development Dysplasia of the Hip Based on Three-Dimensional (3D) Analysis.

Malaysian orthopaedic journal·2025
Same author

Erratum: Molecular Ion Desorption from LiF(110) Surfaces by Positron Annihilation [Phys. Rev. Lett. 131, 143201 (2023)].

Physical review letters·2024
Same author

Molecular Ion Desorption from LiF(110) Surfaces by Positron Annihilation.

Physical review letters·2023
Same author

Effect of zymosan on feed passage in the digestive tract in chicks.

British poultry science·2020
Same author

Behavioral and physiological responses to intraperitoneal injection of zymosan in chicks.

Domestic animal endocrinology·2020

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Merkel cells are specialized cells in the epidermis with incompletely understood roles.
  • The epidermal origin hypothesis is gaining traction due to the presence of cytokeratin polypeptides.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on Merkel cell development and function.
  • To discuss unresolved questions regarding Merkel cell biology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent findings on Merkel cells.
  • Analysis of hypotheses regarding Merkel cell origin and function.

Main Results:

  • The epidermal origin of Merkel cells is supported by cytokeratin polypeptide discovery.
  • Presumed functions include neurotransmitter release, nerve fiber support, keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation, and bioactive substance release.

Conclusions:

  • Merkel cells may have multiple, sequential functions throughout their lifespan.
  • Alternatively, distinct subpopulations of Merkel cells might exist, each with specialized roles.

Related Experiment Videos