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 Table of Contents  
REVIEW ARTICLE
Year : 2017  |  Volume : 2  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 45-47

Merkel cells: A review on role of merkel cells in histology and disease


Department of Oral Pathology, Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Date of Web Publication1-Feb-2018

Correspondence Address:
Nandhini G Ashok
Department of Oral Pathology, Intern, Saveetha Dental College, Chennai - 600 077, Tamil Nadu
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/ijofr.ijofr_26_17

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  Abstract 

The basic objective of this review is to understand the role of Merkel cells (MCs). MCs are neuroendocrine cells present in the epidermis of basal layers of vertebrates. The origin of MCs is controversial. They act as mechanoreceptors. MC carcinoma is known to be aggravating primary cutaneous neoplasm. Diagnosis of this is based on their staining. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are given for such patients.

Keywords: Merkel-cell carcinoma, Merkel cells, neuroendocrine cells


How to cite this article:
Ashok NG, Ramasubramanian A. Merkel cells: A review on role of merkel cells in histology and disease. Int J Orofac Res 2017;2:45-7

How to cite this URL:
Ashok NG, Ramasubramanian A. Merkel cells: A review on role of merkel cells in histology and disease. Int J Orofac Res [serial online] 2017 [cited 2024 Mar 29];2:45-7. Available from: https://www.ijofr.org/text.asp?2017/2/2/45/224502


  Introduction Top


Merkel cells (MCs), otherwise known as Merkel–Ranvier cells, are neuroendocrine cells that are found in the skin of vertebrates near the nerve endings. They are nonkeratinocytes that act as touch receptors through the tactile meniscus.


  History Top


They were first described by Friedrich Sigmund Merkel in 1875 and named “ Tastzellen” (touch cell) assuming a sensation with the skin.[1] Clusters of Merkel nerve endings in glabrous skin were called “touch corpuscles.” These terms indicated Merkel's assumption of them to be mechanoreceptors. Later, they were simply called MC.[2]


  Origin Top


MC origin is found to be controversial. One hypothesis proposes that they are derived from neural crest cells.[3] This hypothesis believes that they migrate into the mammalian epidermis during the embryonic period.[2] The other one postulates that they originate from epidermal progenitors.[3]

The presence of desmosomal contacts between MC and keratinocytes is interpreted as support for the ectodermal origin hypothesis.[2]


  Location Top


MCs are found in the skin and some parts of the mucosa of all vertebrates. In mammalian skin, they are clear cells found in the stratum basale (at the bottom of sweat duct ridges) of the epidermis approximately 10 μm in diameter. They also occur in epidermal invaginations of the plantar foot surface called rete ridge. Most often, they are associated with sensory nerve endings, when they are known as Merkel nerve endings (also called a MC-neurite complex) [Figure 1]. They are associated with slowly adapting somatosensory nerve fibers.[2]
Figure 1: Location of Merkel cell

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  Structure Top


MCs are oval epidermal cells found in the basale layer below a row of columnar cells. They appear individually or in clusters. They are different from the other clear cells. They measure about 10–15 μm. They have a dense-core granules containing numerous neuropeptides and cytoskeletal elements consisting of cytokeratin and desmosomes.[4] They have finger-like projections on their surface which are of different and varying sizes and lengths to interdigitate with the neighboring keratinocytes. The nucleus is large and lobulated. The nerve terminal contains mitochondria.


  Function Top


They function as mechanoreceptors through their Merkel nerve endings. MCs play in light-touch responses have been the center of controversy for over 100 years.[5] They can be divided into innervated and noninnervated type.[1] The MCs are also believed to have a neuroendocrine function. Recent immunohistochemical demonstrations of neuropeptides in MCs of several mammals [6],[7],[8],[9] support the classical concept that the MC is directly involved in mechanoreception [10],[11],[12] presumably through the release of these neuropeptides as messenger substances.[9]


  Identification Top


MCs are difficult to identify by routine light microscopy but have been identified by electron microscopy and specific antibodies.[13] FM dyes were used for long-term staining of live MCs since quinaerine was lost quickly from the intracellular spaces, and MCs became difficult to identify.[14] They are also identified with eosin and hematoxylin staining.


  Merkel-Cell Carcinoma Top


MC carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon type of skin cancer which was described for the first time by Toker in 1972. MCC is a rare but aggressive human skin cancer that typically affects elderly and immunosuppressed individuals, a feature suggestive of an infectious origin.[15] It is also known as cutaneous APUDoma, primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin, primary small-cell carcinoma of the skin, and trabecular carcinoma of the skin.[16] They are caused by polyomaviruses. Polyomaviruses are small circular DNA viruses encoding a T-antigen oncoprotein locus. T-antigens are expressed from variably spliced viral transcripts that target tumor suppressor and cell cycle regulatory proteins including retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (Rb).[17]

It mostly affects the elderly and people who have weak immune systems. The mortality rate is about 25%. Studies show that MCC cases have tripled over the past 20 years and half the patients with advanced stages live only 9 months.


  Treatment Top


Treatment is generally based on the stage of the disease. There are four major treatments for MCC: (1) surgical excision of the primary lesion, (2) lymph node surgery, (3) radiation therapy, and (4) chemotherapy. Depending on how well a patient tolerates the treatments, surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy may be given at the same time or one after the other.

Surgery is usually the first treatment that a patient undergoes for MC cancer. Lesions usually appear purple–red in color, and there is little else to distinguish this variant of skin cancer from other types. Its identity usually comes as a surprise after surgery and pathologic examination. Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat MC cancers. Adjuvant radiotherapy is effective in reducing the recurrence rate and in increasing the survival of the patients.


  Follow-Up Care Top


MCC is optimally cared for by a team of doctors from dermatology, surgery, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. Most recurrences of MCC and most deaths from this disease occur within the first 3 years. Patients should have regular appointments for skin and lymph nodes examinations every 3–6 months for the first 3 years. Computed tomography (CT) scans are sometimes performed every 6 months for a few years after a high-risk diagnosis. Unfortunately, by the time MCC is visible on a CT scan; curative treatment is no longer possible. Therefore, scans are not routinely recommended.


  Conclusion Top


The importance and function of MCs were only described years later after its discovery. They can be studied under light and electron microscopy. However, till today, their origin is still under argument. Their main function is to act as mechanoreceptors although the Merkel nerve endings. MCC is another grade of skin cancer which is near to the highest grade of skin cancers. The only best treatment is by radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

 
  References Top

1.
Moll I, Roessler M, Brandner JM, Eispert AC, Houdek P, Moll R, et al. Human Merkel cells – Aspects of cell biology, distribution and functions. Eur J Cell Biol 2005;84:259-71.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Halata Z, Grim M, Bauman KI. Friedrich sigmund Merkel and his “Merkel cell”, morphology, development, and physiology: Review and new results. Anat Rec A Discov Mol Cell Evol Biol 2003;271:225-39.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.
Winkelmann RK. The Merkel cell system and a comparison between it and the neurosecretory or APUD cell system. J Invest Dermatol 1977;69:41-6.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Lucarz A, Brand G. Current considerations about Merkel cells. Eur J Cell Biol 2007;86:243-51.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Maricich SM, Wellnitz SA, Nelson AM, Lesniak DR, Gerling GJ, Lumpkin EA, et al. Merkel cells are essential for light-touch responses. Science 2009;324:1580-2.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.
Hartschuh W, Grube D. The Merkel cell – A member of the APUD cell system. Fluorescence and electron microscopic contribution to the neurotransmitter function of the Merkel cell granules. Arch Dermatol Res 1979;265:115-22.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.
Hartschuh W, Weihe E. Fine structural analysis of the synaptic junction of Merkel cell-axon-complexes. J Invest Dermatol 1980;75:159-65.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.
Hartschuh W, Weihe E, Yanaihara N, Reinecke M. Immunohistochemical localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in Merkel cells of various mammals: Evidence for a neuromodulator function of the Merkel cell. J Invest Dermatol 1983;81:361-4.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.
Hartschuh W, Reinecke M, Weihe E, Yanaihara N. VIP-immunoreactivity in the skin of various mammals: Immunohistochemical, radioimmunological and experimental evidence for a dual localization in cutaneous nerves and Merkel cells. Peptides 1984;5:239-45.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.
Iggo A, Muir AR. The structure and function of a slowly adapting touch corpuscle in hairy skin. J Physiol 1969;200:763-96.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.
Horch KW, Whitehorn D, Burgess PR. Impulse generation in type I cutaneous mechanoreceptors. J Neurophysiol 1974;37:267-81.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12.
Parducz A, Leslie RA, Cooper E, Turner CJ, Diamond J. The Merkel cells and the rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors of the salamander skin. Neuroscience 1977;2:511-21.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13.
Ness KH, Morton TH, Dale BA. Identification of Merkel cells in oral epithelium using antikeratin and antineuroendocrine monoclonal antibodies. J Dent Res 1987;66:1154-8.  Back to cited text no. 13
    
14.
Fukuda J, Ishimine H, Masaki Y. Long-term staining of live Merkel cells with FM dyes. Cell Tissue Res 2003;311:325-32.  Back to cited text no. 14
    
15.
Feng H, Shuda M, Chang Y, Moore PS. Clonal integration of a polyomavirus in human Merkel cell carcinoma. Science 2008;319:1096-100.  Back to cited text no. 15
    
16.
Rapini Ronald P, Jean L, Jorizzo Joseph L. Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby; 2007.  Back to cited text no. 16
    
17.
DeCaprio JA, Ludlow JW, Figge J, Shew JY, Huang CM, Lee WH, et al. SV40 large tumor antigen forms a specific complex with the product of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene. Cell 1988;54:275-83.  Back to cited text no. 17
    


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  In this article
Abstract
Introduction
History
Origin
Location
Structure
Function
Identification
Merkel-Cell Carc...
Treatment
Follow-Up Care
Conclusion
References
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